A Master of Health Administration is designed to equip individuals with the skills to take managerial and leadership roles in health care administration. Also known as an MHA, this degree covers both the health care and business side of health care administration. If you want to make meaningful changes at the administrative level in health care, an MHA is for you, and the University of Washington offers two paths to an MHA degree.
Who Should Get a Master of Health Care Administration?
A Master of Health Care Administration degree is a good fit if you want to work in management and leadership roles within health care. This degree is also a good fit for those looking to join the health care field but don’t want to do direct patient care and clinical work.
Since the UW MHA program is housed in the UW School of Public Health, and has a strong focus on health equity and population health, those looking to improve upon the health care field would do well in this program.
This program is a great fit for early-career professionals with around one to three years of experience. Those who are deciding between an MBA or MPH have also found this program to be a good fit, as the UW’s program is often considered a combination of these two degrees.
Who Shouldn’t Get a Master of Health Care Administration?
A Master of Health Administration isn’t a good fit for you if you’re more interested in health IT or working with managing health data. A better fit would be the UW Master of Health Informatics and Health Information Management.
If you are more interested in global health and international health policy, the MPH may be a better fit. If you have six or more years of professional experience, we would recommend the Executive MHA.
How is an MHA Different from an MBA?
UW MHA students focus on understanding all the facets of managing a health care system. So, MHA students learn all the core business values of an MBA WITHIN the context of health systems and promoting population health.
For example, MHA students take classes on accounting for health services and health economics. In addition, they take epidemiology and population health, two classes they would not take in an MBA program.
What Kind of Jobs Can You Get With a Master of Health Administration?
With an MHA from the University of Washington, you have a wide variety of strong career options. Our alums have secured upper-level jobs doing meaningful work at some of the nation’s most distinguished health care facilities.
MHA alum Joe Smecker, pictured above, is the COO of Western Washington Medical Group and was recently named to the Puget Sound Business Journal’s ’40 Under 40 Executive’ list.
Below is a sampling of where our alums are working:
1. Clinic Manager
A clinic manager oversees the daily operations of a healthcare facility, ensuring it functions efficiently. They handle various responsibilities, including staffing, budgeting, patient services, and quality assurance, all aimed at delivering the highest standard of care to patients. Gaining insight into the role of a clinic manager can help you determine if this career aligns with your skills and career goals.
Job Secured by UW MHA Alum: SeaMar, Vancouver, WA
Potential Salary Range: $79K – $88K
2. Financial Analyst
The role of a financial analyst in the health care industry can vary based on the size of the organization, however, many of the facets remain the same. The primary role of the position is to guide the medical institution’s financial decisions to promote cost savings and profit enhancement.
Job Secured by UW MHA Alum: Valley Medical Center, Renton, WA
Potential Salary Range: $70K – $79K
3. Administrative Specialist
An Administrative Specialist is responsible for advanced office support and specialized program assistance within an administrative department, college, or program. Their duties encompass a broad range of tasks, including conducting research, preparing statistical reports and spreadsheets, drafting correspondence, reports, and presentations, handling information requests, organizing conferences and meetings, providing support for purchasing and payroll, managing employment administration processes, arranging travel, and maintaining calendars and schedules.
Job Secured by UW MHA Alum: Kaiser Permanente, Renton, WA
Potential Salary Range: $50K – $69K
4. Clinical Coordinator
A Clinical Coordinator is responsible for managing the administrative operations of hospitals or healthcare facilities. Their role includes planning budgets, managing supplies and inventory, hiring and training new staff, and scheduling shifts. Additionally, they develop long-term strategies for the health department, assess their effectiveness, and ensure compliance with medical standards. Clinical Coordinators also evaluate the quality of patient care and, in teaching hospitals, may oversee student development and progress.
Job Secured by UW MHA Alum: Naval Branch Health Clinic, Groton, CT
Potential Salary Range: $67K – $74K
5. Finance Manager
The role of a financial manager in healthcare is diverse and critical. They oversee the daily financial operations of a healthcare facility or organization while also offering reports and insights to support strategic decision-making. A healthcare financial manager plays a key role in maintaining the organization’s financial health, handling tasks such as budgeting, forecasting, managing cash flow, and making investment recommendations.
Job Secured by UW MHA Alum: Northwest Physicians Network, Tacoma, WA
Potential Salary Range: $133K – $170K
6. Organization Development Specialist
An organization development specialist plays a pivotal role in the organization’s performance and workplace culture. They are responsible for optimizing human resources and organizational processes. This requires an organization development specialist to work closely with various stakeholders as they help implement effective strategies to foster growth and improve efficiency.
Job Secured by UW MHA Alum: Confluence Health, Wenatchee, WA
Potential Salary Range: $75K – $82K
7. Process Improvement Consultant
A process improvement consultant evaluates current operational processes, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and devising strategies to enhance procedures, aiming to boost productivity while reducing costs. They analyze departmental project management policies, conduct process training for employees, and seek business opportunities that can increase revenue and profits. Additionally, they prepare progress reports, communicate with management, and present data analysis findings related to the company’s market performance.
Job Secured by UW MHA Alum: Primary Children’s Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT
Potential Salary Range: $110K – $175K
8. Project & Decision Support Manager
A project and decision support manager in the health care field manages a team of decision-support staff to deliver high-quality solutions to the organization. They are responsible for regularly updating upper management on findings. Additionally, they play a key role in coordinating other organizational functions to identify potential opportunities for improvement.
Job Secured by UW MHA Alum: Health Facilities Planning and Development, Seattle, WA
Potential Salary Range: $117K – $129K
9. Project Manager
A health care project manager is responsible for the day-to-day coordination of a health care program. As new projects are initiated, it is their responsibility to develop a detailed project plan, including solutions to any problems that might arise.
Job Secured by UW MHA Alum: Virginia Mason, Seattle, WA
Potential Salary Range: $117K – $129K
10. Quality Management System Program Manager
A quality management system program manager is responsible for overseeing and managing programs to meet established quality standards. They design and implement processes to ensure consistent quality throughout every phase of a project, from planning to delivery. This role involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to identify and address areas for improvement. A quality program manager needs to be detail-oriented, possess strong communication skills, and have a solid understanding of quality management principles and methodologies.
Job Secured by UW MHA Alum: Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, WA
Potential Salary Range: $74K – $143K
11. Staff and Leadership Development Specialist
A staff and leadership development specialist in the health care field helps the organization achieve its goals. They design and implement effective development programs for both staff members and leadership. They also focus on improving performance, increasing engagement, reducing turnover, and developing a better work environment.
Job Secured by UW MHA Alum: Confluence Health, Wenatchee, WA
Potential Salary Range: $103K – $175K
12. Senior Women and Infants Business Development Specialist
A senior women and infants business development specialist is responsible for identifying new organizational opportunities to improve the patient experience while improving the bottom line. These opportunities could be identifying new products or services, developing new marketing strategies, and creating new procedures to improve the organization’s existing structure.
Job Secured by UW MHA Alum: Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, WA
Potential Salary Range: $77K – $87K
How Long is the MHA Program?
The UW’s MHA program is highly flexible. It can be completed as a two-year, full-time program. The full-time program includes a quarter-long break between the first and second year, allowing students to complete an internship or fellowship.
Alternatively, the UW Executive MHA allows students to complete their coursework online. A two-year program, it spans eight consecutive quarters and can be completed while a student is working.
Does the University of Washington Offer An Online Master of Health Administration?
The Executive Master of Health Administration is a great option for students who want the option to attend online. EMHA classes are taught synchronously online and in-person, so EMHA students have the option to attend every class session either online or in person.