Interprofessional Expertise

Collaborate with students in courses across other health professions. Immersion in an interprofessional learning community alongside clinicians, physicians and individuals with administrative and managerial backgrounds prepares you for leading in real-life healthcare settings and helps build your professional network.

Acquire skills to become the essential backbone of healthcare facilities, driving organizational success in a dynamic industry. Expand your knowledge and competence in critical areas of healthcare leadership including:  

  • Interprofessional Team Leadership 
  • Design Thinking and Action Research
  • Healthcare finance
  • Data analytics
  • Organizational theory
  • Quality improvement
  • Justice, Equity, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

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Online coursework fits schedules of working professionals

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Mass General Brigham Affiliation

Enjoy mentorship from premier practitioners and researchers within the Mass General Brigham system, tapping into world-class expertise.

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Full or part-time (12 or 24 months to completion)

A Unique and Flexible Approach 

Content is divided across five areas in which to focus course-based learning.  The program is a 36-credit 12 or 24 month curriculum for learners with experience in health settings who wish to develop advanced leadership and management skills. Students will engage in five key areas of study:  

  1. Analytical skills and knowledge.  
  2. Management functions and skills for healthcare leaders.  
  3. Leadership and professionalism.  
  4. Health systems and the community.  
  5. Innovative solutions to today's complex healthcare challenges.
  6. Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

 

Full Time Curriculum

Part Time Curriculum

Now Accepting Applications!
For Program Starting: Fall 2024 and Spring 2025

Application Review

Thank you for your continued interest in the Master of Health Administration program.  We are on a rolling admissions basis.  If you have any questions, Admissions [at] mghihp.edu (please email us).

Apply Now

Degree

All applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or equivalent.  Applicants that have earned a degree from a non-US institution are required to submit a course-by-course credential evaluation, see “Transcript” section.  

GRE/GMAT

We do not require applicants to take graduate school entry exams to apply to this program.

TOEFL/ IELTS

The language of instruction and clinical education at the MGH Institute is English and a high level of proficiency in both written and spoken English is required.  Applicants who have not completed either an undergraduate or graduate program where English is the language of instruction must demonstrate English Language proficiency as part of your application to the MGH Institute of Health Professions.  If you have questions about the language requirements, please contact the Office of Admissions.

  • Applicants who are citizens of Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Great Britain, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, Guyana, an Anglophone country of Africa, or an English-speaking country of the Caribbean are not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
  • Applicants who are candidates for graduation from an accredited degree-granting program in the United States or at an English-speaking school in one of the countries listed above are also not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. Acceptance to the IHP will be contingent upon successful completion of this degree prior to matriculation.

Please note that in some circumstances, demonstrating English language proficiency may be required by the academic program even if you are a citizen of a country in which the (or one of the) national language(s) is English. Decisions about the need for TOEFL or IELTS scores are at the discretion of the academic program to which you are applying in coordination with the department of OES.

The IHP accepts either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). The test must have been taken within two years of the application deadline and official score reports are required. The minimum TOEFL (internet-based) score accepted is 89 and the minimum IELTS score accepted is 6.5.  

  • To forward your TOEFL score please contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS).  The MGH Institute of Health Professions code is 3513.
  • For IELTS, a Test Report Form may be mailed to MGH Institute of Health Professions and score information will be verified by the IHP directly. You may designate up to 5 schools to receive Test Report Forms at the time you register for the test.  To request additional Test Report Forms, contact your test center.

Please contact the Office of Admissions if you have any questions about the MGH Institute’s English Language requirements. 

Applicants are required to submit a transcript from each college and/or university attended, even if a degree was not received from that institution. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted throughout the application process, and official transcripts will be required of all accepted and enrolled students, prior to matriculation. For transcripts to be considered official they must be in their original signed and sealed envelopes when received.

Unofficial transcripts uploaded after application submission must include, 1) The name of the institution and 2) list the student’s name, and 3) contain a transcript legend. If an unofficial transcript is received without this information, it will not be accepted. Grade reports and copies of diplomas, or screenshots of a document will not be accepted.  

For official transcripts, the Office of Admissions strongly encourages the use of online electronic transcript ordering which can be sent admissions [at] mghihp.edu (directly via email to admissions). If this is not an option and your institution does not participate in electronic transcript delivery, please request official transcripts to be sent to the mailing address listed below:

Admission Office
MGH Institute of Health Professions
36 First Avenue
Boston, MA 02129

Foreign Transcripts: Applicants that have earned a degree from a non-US institution are required to submit a course-by-course credential evaluation from one of the following NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) members: Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc., SpanTran: The Evaluation Company, World Education Services (WES), or the Center for Educational Documentation. If you earned your bachelor's degree outside of the U.S. this credential evaluation must document minimum equivalency of a US baccalaureate degree or higher.

Final transcripts and test scores must be submitted to satisfy the conditions of admission.

Statement of Intent

All applicants are required to compose an essay that addresses the following:

Your personal statement of intent should be created in written format (1-3 pages typed). In addition, an optional video (3-5 minutes) may be submitted if you would like to supplement your written statement.  If you choose to add a video format, please include a publicly available link via an uploaded document within the online application. Please be sure to address all the following areas in your written statement:

  1. What is your "why"? Please speak to your healthcare experience, the path that has led you here, the impact you wish to have, and your purpose for choosing this MHA program.
  2. How will you contribute to the quality of this learning community?
  3. What aspects of yourself do you hope to develop in the program that will allow you to stretch outside of your comfort zone?
  4. What will success in this program look like to you?

Both the statement of intent or document containing the public video link should be uploaded directly to your online application.

Recommendation Letter

Applicants are required to provide one (1) recommendation letter. All recommendations are processed through our online application. Please provide contact information for your recommender within the online application.

A recommendation letter should come from an individual who is able to address your academic ability, character and integrity, as well as your potential for graduate professional study. Furthermore, if graduation from an academic program has been within 5 years, the letter should come from an academic reference. 

(Optional) Diversity Statement

All applicants will have the option to submit diversity statement:

​MGH Institute of Health Professions is committed to an inclusive campus climate that welcomes students who will enrich the diversity of thought and perspective, and therefore, enhance the learning experiences for all. In what ways might you personally contribute to improving the experience of the campus as a welcoming and inclusive place to learn? Essay should be 12 pt. font, double spaced, and two pages in length.

Essays should be typed, double-spaced, and no more than three pages in total. The (optional) diversity statement of intent should be uploaded directly to your online application. 

Resume or CV

Applicants are required to submit a current resume or CV.

The HLA Competency Model is a set of competencies developed from job analysis surveys conducted to determine the relevant tasks performed by healthcare managers regardless of work setting or years of experience. The competencies are clustered around five major domains.

Leadership Skills and Behavior

  • Articulate and communicate the mission, objectives and priorities of the organization to internal and external entities
  • Incorporate management techniques and theories into leadership activities
  • Analyze problems, promote solutions and encourage decision making

Engaging Culture and Environment

  • Create an organizational climate built on mutual trust, transparency and a focus on service improvement that encourages teamwork and supports diversity
  • Encourage a high level of commitment from employees by establishing and communicating a compelling organizational vision and goals
  • Hold self and others accountable to surpass organizational goals

Leading Change

  • Promote ongoing learning and improvement in the organization
  • Respond to the need for change and lead the change process

Driving Innovation

  • Encourage diversity of thought to support innovation, creativity and improvement

Relationship Management

  • Demonstrate effective interpersonal relationships and the ability to develop and maintain positive stakeholder relationships
  • Practice and value transparent shared decision making and understand its impacts on stakeholders (internal and external)
  • Demonstrate collaborative techniques for engaging and working with stakeholders

Communication Skills and Engagement

  • Exercise cultural sensitivity in internal and external communication
  • Demonstrate strong listening and communication skills
  • Present results of data analysis in a way that is factual, credible and understandable to the decision makers
  • Prepare and deliver business communications such as meeting agendas, presentations, business reports and project communication plans
  • Demonstrate understanding of the function of media and public relations

Facilitation and Negotiation

  • Manage conflict through mediation, negotiation and other dispute resolution techniques
  • Demonstrate problem solving and problem-solving skills
  • Build and participate in effective multidisciplinary teams

Personal and Professional Accountability

  • Advocate for and participate in healthcare policy initiatives
  • Advocate for rights and responsibilities of patients and their families
  • Demonstrate an ability to understand and manage conflict-of-interest situations as defined by organizational bylaws, policies and procedures
  • Practice due diligence in carrying out fiduciary responsibilities
  • Commit to competence, integrity, altruism and the promotion of the public good
  • Promote quality, safety of care and social commitment, in the delivery of health services

Professional Development and Lifelong Learning

  • Demonstrate commitment to self-development including continuing education, networking, reflection and personal improvement

Contributions to the Profession

  • Contribute to advancing the profession of healthcare management by sharing knowledge and experience
  • Develop others by mentoring, advising, coaching and serving as a role model
  • Support and mentor high-potential talent within both one’s organization and the profession of healthcare management

Self‐Awareness

  • Be aware of one’s own assumptions, values, strengths and limitations
  • Demonstrate reflective leadership by using self- assessment and feedback from others in decision making

Ethical Conduct and Social Consciousness

  • Demonstrate high ethical conduct, a commitment to transparency and accountability for one’s actions
  • Use the established ethical structures to resolve ethical issues
  • Maintain a balance between personal and professional accountability, recognizing that the central focus is the needs of the patient/community

Health Systems and Organizations

  • Demonstrate an understanding of system structure, funding mechanisms and how healthcare services are organized
  • Balance the interrelationships among access, quality, safety, cost, resource allocation, accountability, care setting, community need and professional roles
  • Assess the performance of the organization as part of the health system/healthcare services
  • Use monitoring systems to ensure legal, ethical, and quality/safety standards are met in clinical, corporate and administrative functions
  • Promote the establishment of alliances and consolidation of networks to expand social and community participation in health networks, both nationally and globally

Health Workforce

  • Demonstrate the ability to optimize the healthcare workforce around local critical workforce issues, such as shortages, scope of practice, skill mix, licensing and fluctuations in service

Person‐Centered Health

  • Effectively recognize and promote patients and their family’s/caregiver’s perspectives in the delivery of care
  • Include the perspective of individuals, families and the community as partners in healthcare decision- making processes, respecting cultural differences and expectations

Public Health

  • Establish goals and objectives for improving health outcomes that incorporate an understanding of the social determinants of health and of the socioeconomic environment in which the organization functions
  • Use vital statistics and core health indicators to guide decision making and analyze health trends of the population to guide the provision of health services
  • Manage risks, threats, and damage to health during disasters and/or emergency situations
  • Evaluate critical processes connected with the public health surveillance and controls systems and communicate relevant surveillance information to increase response to risks, threats, and damage to health
  • Recognize the local implications of global health events to understand global interconnectivity and its impact on population health conditions

General Management

  • Demonstrate knowledge of basic business practices, such as business plans, contracting, and project management
  • Collate relevant data and information, and analyze and evaluate this information to support or make an effective decision or recommendation
  • Seek information from a variety of sources to support organizational performance, conduct needs analysis and prioritize requirements

Laws and Regulations

  • Abides by laws and regulations applicable to the work of the organization

Financial Management

  • Effectively use key accounting principles and financial management tools, such as financial plans and measures of performance (e.g., performance indicators)
  • Use principles of project, operating and capital budgeting
  • Plan, organize, execute and monitor the resources of the organization to ensure optimal health outcomes and effective quality and cost controls

Human Resource Management

  • Provide leadership in defining staff roles and responsibilities, developing appropriate job classification/grading systems and workforce planning
  • Effectively manage departmental human resource processes, including scheduling; performance appraisals; incentives; staff recruitment; selection and retention; training and education; motivation, coaching and mentoring; and appropriate productivity measures

Organizational Dynamics and Governance

  • Demonstrate knowledge of governmental, regulatory, professional and accreditation agencies
  • Effectively apply knowledge of organizational systems theories and behaviors
  • Interpret public policy, legislative and advocacy processes within the organization
  • Manage within the governance structure of the organization
  • Create and maintain a system of governance that ensures appropriate oversight of the organization
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the role of leadership within governance structure

Strategic Planning and Marketing

  • Lead the development of key planning documents, including strategic plans, business service plans and business cases for new services
  • Plan for business continuity in the face of potential disasters that could disrupt service delivery
  • Develop and monitor operating-unit strategic objectives that are aligned with the mission and strategic objectives
  • Apply marketing principles and tools to develop appropriate marketing to the needs of the community
  • Evaluate whether a proposed action aligns with the organizational business/strategic plan

Information Management

  • Use data sets to assess performance, establish targets, monitor indicators and trends, and determine if deliverables are met
  • Ensure that applicable privacy and security requirements are upheld
  • Ensure optimal use of information and trend analysis within the organization through the use of business intelligence, information management, clinical, and business systems
  • Promote the effective management, analysis and communication of health information

Risk Management

  • Effectively use risk management principles and programs, such as risk assessment and analysis and risk mitigation

Quality Improvement

  • Develop and implement quality assurance, satisfaction, and patient safety programs according to national initiatives on quality and patient safety
  • Develop and track indicators to measure quality outcomes, satisfaction and patient safety, and plan continuous improvement

Systems Thinking

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the interdependency, integration, and competition among healthcare sectors
  • Connect the interrelationships among access, quality, cost, resource allocation, accountability and community need

Supply Chain Management

  • Effectively manage the supply chain to achieve timelines and efficiency of inputs, materials, warehousing, and distribution so that supplies reach the end user in a cost-effective manner
  • Adhere to procurement regulations in terms of contract management and tendering guidelines
  • Effectively manage the interdependency and logistics of supply chain services within the organization

View Program-Level Outcomes in our catalog.

Upcoming Admissions Events

27 Mar
Program Led Webinar: Master of Health Administration
Mar 27 2024 1:00pm-2:00pm
Virtual - Zoom
10 Apr
Program Led Webinar: Master of Health Administration
Apr 10 2024 1:00pm-2:00pm
Virtual - Zoom

Academic Partnerships

Our MHA program has partnered with leading industry organizations to provide our students with advanced certifications and memberships. While enrolled in our MHA program, you will have the opportunity to enhance your education at no additional cost to you.

grey shield says American college of medical practice executives board certified MGMA

Collaboration with the Greater Boston NAHSE to offer our Black and Brown students opportunities for employment and skill development, and membership benefits.

blue circle says greater boston national association of health services executives
the letters u, p, d in blue and red with upsilon phi delta written below

A member service of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA)

Purpose

  1. To elevate the standards, ideals, competence and ethics of professionally educated students in healthcare management and policy and leadership.
  2. To recognize and encourage scholarship in healthcare management and policy.
  3. To recognize students who achieve distinction in healthcare management and policy studies in universities and colleges.
  4. To provide financial assistance through scholarships to outstanding students pursuing graduate degrees or professional studies in healthcare management and policy.
  5. To motivate academic excellence in students studying healthcare management and policy
  6. To recognize, by means of granting honorary induction to the UPD Chapter, individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the profession, such recognitions to be limited to one person per year

The name is derived from the Greek words:
Υ Upsilon (health)
Φ Phi (care)
Δ Delta (to lead)
 

Eligibility for Membership in Upsilon Phi Delta Honor Society is limited to those who meet the national and local standards of this organization and are accepted and initiated into membership of a collegiate chapter.

  1. Academic standing. Eligibility for the graduate chapter is limited to current MHA students who have accumulated a minimum of 18 credits and who have earned a minimum grade point average of 3.50 (out of 4.0).  
  2. Honorary Members. Honorary membership may be conferred upon individuals for outstanding contributions to the health administration profession.
  3. Alumni. Alumni member induction is permitted when alumni have met all eligibility standards of the collegiate chapter.

Faculty Advisor
For additional information about the Graduate Chapter, please contact Dr. LaToya Trowers-Bell.

NCHL is widely recognized as the premier source for evidence-based healthcare leadership practices, cultivating communities for peer collaboration across organizations, and collectively developing industry models and benchmarks to improve healthcare. 

For business and industry, Peregrine provides professional, leadership, and organizational development solutions to help you unlock your full potential. So whether you’re looking to develop your leadership skills, improve your culture, or increase your bottom line, we have the expertise and experience to help you get there.

Our Faculty & Staff

Benefit from faculty actively engaged in the healthcare field, providing real-world insights and practical knowledge.

See All SHL Staff
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Program Director Assistant Professor Health Administration

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Term Lecturer Health Administration

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Term Lecturer Health Administration

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Term Lecturer Health Administration

Callie Watkins Liu, PhD

Director of JEDI Education and Programs Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Office

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Assistant Professor Communication Sciences and Disorders Director, Teaching and Supporting Student Experience in Learning Lab (TASSEL)

Frequently Asked Questions

All of the coursework for this program is delivered through a flexible, online, asynchronous format designed for busy working professionals. 

We welcome professionals who want to create an impact on the entire healthcare system and every individual it touches. You do not need a healthcare background to apply to this program.

The MHA program consists of 36 credit hours. You can complete the program in 12 or 24 months. The courses remain the same, you just enroll in a higher course amount per semester in the 12 month program.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 28 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 56,600 openings for medical and health services managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. The median annual wage for medical and health services managers was $101,340 in May 2021.

Earning a master’s degree can have an impact on one’s salary. Payscale.com for example, found that across a variety of job titles/positions, those with an MHA degree can earn an average base salary of $78,000. Of course, salaries can vary based on job responsibilities, employer, location, etc. 

Yes.

The application requirements for each program include standard information that may apply to international students, transcripts/credential evaluation, TOEFL, etc. However, because the program is online it would not qualify for a visa – as noted on the admissions page.  The IHP also has an international student page, for additional information. Some specifics on the MHA application requirements that would apply to international prospective students can be found in the Application Process tab above.
 

Yes. You will have the opportunity to work with other students in healthcare professions (e.g., nursing, speech language therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy) at MGH IHP via select courses in the MHA curriculum.

Yes. Our Interprofessional Leadership Development course will introduce you to established healthcare leaders who practice regionally.

With a graduate degree in health administration, you can pursue various career opportunities in healthcare management and administration. You can work as a hospital administrator, healthcare consultant, healthcare policy analyst, healthcare information manager, or in healthcare finance, operations, and strategic planning roles. This degree opens doors to leadership positions in healthcare organizations and allows you to positively impact healthcare delivery and outcomes.

A Master of Health Administration (MHA) specifically focuses on healthcare management and administration, preparing graduates for leadership roles in healthcare organizations. In contrast, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) provides a broader business education, covering various industries and management principles. While both degrees teach management skills, an MHA is tailored to healthcare, addressing industry-specific topics like healthcare policy, ethics, and healthcare system intricacies, whereas an MBA has a more general business focus.

Yes, you can maintain full or part-time employment while pursuing the MHA degree, the program is designed for working professionals. We provide flexible online asynchronous coursework and offer both full-time and part-time enrollment alternatives.

Mission, Vision and Values

Following are the mission, vision and values for the Master of Health Administration program at the IHP.

The MGH Institute of Health Professions Master of Healthcare Administration program educates early and mid-career professionals for leadership roles in the healthcare sector. Our competency-based curriculum and commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) prepare graduates for diverse leadership positions, including healthcare administration, management, and delivery. Our mission is to foster healthcare leaders who drive transformative change and promote health equity within their organizations and communities.

To be a global leader in healthcare administration education, empowering visionary administrators to drive transformative change in the delivery of healthcare, and promote equitable, patient-centered care for all.

These values serve as guiding principles that shape our MHA program, ensuring that our graduates are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to lead with integrity, drive positive change, and make a meaningful impact in the dynamic landscape of healthcare administration.

Health Equity: We are dedicated to advancing health equity by actively addressing and dismantling systemic barriers contributing to health disparities. We strive to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare for all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI): We embrace the principles of JEDI as integral to our program. We actively promote justice, fairness, and inclusivity by fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment that celebrates and values differences. We recognize the importance of diverse perspectives in shaping equitable healthcare policies and practices.

Ethical Leadership: We cultivate ethical leaders who demonstrate integrity, compassion, and a strong commitment to ethical decision-making. Our graduates are equipped with the moral compass to navigate complex healthcare challenges and make principled choices that prioritize patient well-being and the greater good.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship: We foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, encouraging our students to think creatively and develop forward-thinking solutions to healthcare challenges. We empower them to be change agents who drive innovation, improve healthcare delivery, and create sustainable impact in their organizations and communities.

Collaboration and Partnerships: We believe in the power of collaboration and actively seek partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including healthcare organizations, community leaders, and policymakers. By working together, we leverage collective expertise, resources, and networks to address complex healthcare issues and effect positive change at both local and global levels.

Excellence and Continuous Learning: We are committed to excellence in healthcare management education. We foster a culture of continuous learning, encouraging our students and faculty to stay at the forefront of industry advancements, embrace evidence-based practices, and pursue professional development to deliver the highest standards of healthcare leadership.

Community Engagement: We prioritize community engagement and service, recognizing the importance of understanding community needs, assets, and challenges. Through active involvement, we aim to foster meaningful connections, promote community health, and ensure that our graduates are well-prepared to address the specific needs of the communities they serve.