Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)

Do you have a head for business and a heart for healthcare? The CAHME-accredited Suffolk MHA program aims to inspire students who are passionate about healthcare and want to improve the performance of healthcare organizations and the health of the communities they serve. Learn why we’re one of only two programs in New England ranked on the list of Best Health Care Management Programs by US News & World Report.


Full-Time
in as few as 16 months


Part-Time
in as few as 20 months


45* Credits

*Students with relevant work experience in the US healthcare system may waive the internship requirement and therefore have a 42-credit program.

The Princeton Review: Best Business Schools, 2022While earning your MHA at Suffolk, you’ll:

  • Learn from healthcare industry experts who are a mix of recognized scholars who integrate their research into their courses, and practitioners who draw from their extensive leadership and management experience
  • Study from a curriculum that aligns with professional practice and offers you the opportunity to specialize in areas of high demand (see our concentrations below)
  • Have opportunities to gain hands-on experience in key areas for the evolving healthcare industry
  • Connect with our wide alumni network who work in healthcare organizations in and around Boston
  • Take courses, either on campus or online, to meet your schedule needs and maximize your learning

Whether you’re a healthcare professional seeking to advance your career or someone who aspires to become a healthcare professional, the Suffolk MHA gives you the specialized knowledge and skills to succeed in today’s competitive healthcare environment.

View the MHA curriculum

MHA Program Overview

Suffolk's Master of Healthcare Administration

Our MHA program focuses on critical areas of healthcare administration by providing an understanding of the dynamic healthcare environment, how to make evidence-based decisions, and how to utilize process improvement tools and big data for healthcare management. Strengthen your capabilities to advance your career and achieve your goals by being an active participant in the healthcare community and by gaining the knowledge and skills to effectively manage people, projects, and organizations. While you do not have to specialize, our program offers you the opportunity to choose one of our three concentrations that will empower you with the specialized skills and knowledge needed to compete for jobs in high demand.

CAHME logoOf the three MHA programs in New England that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), Suffolk has two: our on-campus MHA and our online MHA. This accreditation attests to the scope, quality, and continuous improvement of the education you will receive in either program. Our most recent on-campus and online accreditation reports are available at the CAHME website, where you can find student outcomes for Suffolk MHA graduates.

MHA students can complete their degrees in as few as 16 months full-time, 20 months part-time, or 28 months online. MHA graduates go on to pursue rewarding and successful careers as managers and executives across the full range of healthcare delivery organizations.

MHA Concentrations

The operations management track prepares healthcare professionals to lead and implement operational excellence in their organizations. Students in this track will acquire knowledge and develop skills in supply chain management, project management, and data analytics. By the time they graduate, students are required to attain Green Belt Lean Six Sigma Certification.

Students in this track gain skills needed to improve the quality of care and patient safety at their organizations. Students are prepared to analyze healthcare data, apply conceptual models to assess performance, and lead organizational improvement.

The healthcare data analytics track provides students with training in quantitative methods. Students gain computing skills which allow them to analyze, visualize and report healthcare data to make evidence-based decisions.

Ranked among the best

The MHA program is ranked #61 among the Best Health Care Management Programs, 2019, by US News and World Report.

Meet our Alumni

MHA Program Aims

Building on the missions of Suffolk University and the Sawyer Business School for delivering excellence in education and scholarship, the Healthcare Administration Programs MHA, MBA/Health and MPA with a concentration in Healthcare provide powerful and enduring learning experiences for students aspiring to lead and manage healthcare organizations of compassion, quality, and value in the 21st Century.

The Healthcare Administration Programs are designed to nurture each student's potential as a healthcare leader and/or manager by engaging them in the key issues, challenges, opportunities, and requirements for success in the healthcare industry. Through personal attention to each student and cutting-edge academic and hands-on learning, students develop the operational and strategic skills needed to transform organizations, build relationships, and strengthen organizational performance.

We inspire and develop healthcare professionals to skillfully and ethically lead and manage the delivery of healthcare, always seeking to drive improvement. We integrate theoretical and practical knowledge, utilizing our relationships with Boston’s world-class healthcare organizations to facilitate exceptional learning, engagement in the healthcare community, and career development. Our students have diverse cultural and educational backgrounds, and they come from the United States and other countries. Some are new to healthcare, while others already work in the field. We strive to enable all of them to succeed.

Suffolk University will have the preferred MHA Program in the Northeastern United States. We will serve a diverse group of students who are committed to their professional development and success as well as to being agents of innovation and transformation who are improving the healthcare delivery system and the health of communities. Our MHA Program will take graduate education to new levels of performance and creativity by providing inspiring and innovative learning experiences in classrooms and in healthcare organizations, utilizing our talented faculty members as well as healthcare professionals who serve our students.

Authenticity

We nurture our true selves and embrace our uniqueness as individuals. We are self-aware, and therefore, we embrace our strengths, but we do not shy away from our weaknesses. We are sincere in our relationships with our colleagues, students, and the community we serve.

Continuous learning

Continuous learning is about personal and professional growth. More than just acquiring new skills, it’s about lifelong learning from our experiences and choosing to see challenges as a path to success.

Critical and Creative Thinking

Critical and creative thinking are marked by the thorough exploration of healthcare issues, the judicious weighing of varying types of evidence, and the capacity for developing imaginative and divergent solutions.

Engagement with the Healthcare Community

We actively promote relationships with the healthcare community to exchange knowledge and provide pathways for mentorship, experiential learning, and career development. We engage with our students, alumni, and the broader community in collaborative relationships that promote local and global connections enhancing learning and scholarship.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

We are committed to eliminating inequities in our society. We believe in an inclusive community where diversity is valued and celebrated, and every human being is given an equal opportunity to succeed. We come together to achieve our mission of improving healthcare through mutual respect and an appreciation of our unique identities and cultures.

View the MHA Core Competencies in the Suffolk University Graduate Catalog.

Applying to Suffolk's MHA Program

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester: June 15 (International Applicants), August 15 (Domestic Applicants), then rolling
  • Spring Semester: December 1 (International Applicants), January 4 (Domestic Applicants), then rolling

Learn about the advantages of priority applications.

Note: Deadlines may differ for applications to the Online MHA Program.

Application Materials

  • Completed application
  • $50 Application Fee (waived for students who visit campus)
  • Unofficial transcripts of all post-secondary work. Admitted students enrolling in the program will need to have official transcripts, including proof of degree conferral, on file prior to their first class
  • Resume
  • Goal Statement (essay)
  • 2-minute video essay in response to a prompt (Instructions and the prompt will be provided in the application)
  • Two Letters of Recommendation (learn more)
  • Official GMAT or GRE scores are not required
  • Official TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE-Academic Scores (international students only)

Learn more about our full admission process

MHA

View current tuition and fees for this program

Financial Aid for Graduate Study

Suffolk University is pleased to offer both merit- and need-based financial aid to graduate students—these awards can be up to $20,000 per academic year. Merit-based aid is awarded based on the applicant's academic credentials presented on the admission application. No separate application is required for merit consideration.

Advising & Other Resources

Suffolk University offers graduate students—incoming, current, and alumni—help with navigating financial aid and payments, searching for career opportunities, and building a strong professional network. Our Graduate Student Services team supports you every step of the way with various services including application advising, financial aid counseling, international student resources, and other resources such as the Career Development Center or the Center for Learning and Academic Success. We also offer you value-added professional development workshops to bolster your experiential education and other professional skills while studying at Suffolk University.

Healthcare Administration Information Request

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