7 Reasons to Get Your Masters in Health Administration (MHA)

Getting an advanced degree is a lot of work, especially if you can’t afford to put your job on hold as you pursue higher education. Many people have successful medical administration careers with just a bachelor’s degree, so why should you get a masters degree in health administration (MHA)? Here are the top seven reasons:

Higher Salaries

By far, the higher salary you’ll receive with an advanced degree is the motivating factor for many people to get their MHA. You won’t jump from a $50,000 salary to a $100,000 salary the moment you graduate (in most cases – it is possible!), but the potential to reach higher salaries is there. You’ll find that you’ll be offered better jobs, promotions, and more salary raises when you have something more to offer to your employer.

A More Fulfilling Job you Love

No matter what your industry, when there’s no room for growth in your career, it is easy to stall and feel unhappy going to work every day. When you get your MHA, a whole new world of jobs opens to you, and the sky really is the limit. Depending on how you choose to specialize your MHA degree, you could find yourself working in anything from health education to gerontology. In the medical world, your job can be very fulfilling, especially as you advance up the corporate ladder.

Job Options in Multiple Locations

It might seem like there’s no need to worry about job opportunities in the medical world. While it might be true that there are higher rates of job openings in this field, that doesn’t necessarily mean that there are jobs available where you want to live. Some people will happily move anywhere in the world for the right job, but if you have a family or ties to certain areas, you might have a very limited number of places where you can apply. Getting your MHA means that you’ll have more openings where you want to live.

A Stronger Resume

To go along with the above point, having an MHA makes your resume stronger. The job market is highly competitive, and even when there are tons of openings, you’ll still be in competition with at least a few other people for every job to which you apply. When you have an MHA and other candidates don’t, that’s a reason for human resources to move your resume to the top of the pile. Without an MHA, you might be able to find a job, but with an MHA, you’ll be able to pick the position you want most, rather than just taking the only one you’ve been offered.

Higher Levels of Responsibility

Stressful jobs aren’t for everyone, but if you love the fast-paced world of medicine, this is a great way to get a job with more responsibility, even if you aren’t pursuing a career in surgery. You’ll get to make vital decisions in your position, affecting the lives of patients and other employees, and that can make any job extremely attractive.

Better Benefits

Along with salary, when you have an MHA, you’ll be qualified for jobs with better benefits. Paid vacation and sick days, insurance, retirement funds, and more all make up your benefits package. At a lower level, you might actually work an hourly job with little to no benefits, where in a higher position, you and your family can reap tons of extra benefits.

Learning New Skills

Lastly, getting an MHA is simply a good idea for those who want to learn new things. With these types of degree programs, you’ll learn about new technology in the medical world, as well as learn advanced management skills. Even if you take a position that doesn’t necessarily require an MHA, being open to learning new skills makes you a more well-rounded person overall.

Top Master of Health Administration Degree Programs

To become a health administrator or manager, a master's degree is usually required. Some of the most popular types of health degrees include the Master of Health Administration (MHA), the Master of Public Health (MPH), and the MBA in healthcare management. Below is a carefully compiled list of accredited institutions offering such programs to help you meet your career goals.

Obtain your Master of Health Administration degree from the University of Phoenix. Students of this accredited degree program learn to critically examine and evaluate issues, and incorporate the latest theories and contemporary practice applications through their studies. Phoenix also offers MHA specializations in gerontology, health education, and health informatics. Click Here
The MBA in healthcare management degree program offered by American InterContinental University is geared toward preparing students for upper managerial positions in hospitals, health insurance providers, consulting firms, care facilities, and more. With AIU's flexible scheduling, students are able to earn this degree in a little as 12 months. Click Here
Kaplan graduates who specialize in a master's degree in Health Care Management can pursue positions in doctors' offices, medical and surgical hospitals, home health care, and outpatient centers. You will receive rigorous online training, including assignments, reports, presentations, and group projects all designed to help you develop the proficiencies you need to find solutions in real-life healthcare situations. Kaplan also offers an MBA in healthcare management as well as a Master of Science in health education. Click Here
The MA in Healthcare Administration degree program from Grand Canyon University is an advanced graduate degree that prepares students for careers as hospital administrators or other types of healthcare managers. Grand Canyon University is a nondenominational Christian university based in Arizona. Click Here
The MS in business administration with a specialization in healthcare from Virginia College is designed for those already working in the healthcare field who desire to advance their career. Focusing on the business side of healthcare, this degree from Virginia College is useful in hundreds of job types throughout hospital and clinic settings. Click Here
Walden's Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree program is a graduate-level online track that emphasizes cutting edge technology and techniques. Numerous health careers should be available to graduates of this program, including jobs available in healthcare supplies, health insurance, health policy, and much more. Walden also offers two other similar degrees: the Master of Public Health (MPH) and the Master of Public Administration (MPA) in health policy. Click Here
The MS in Health Care Administration degree program offered by Capella is taught entirely online, making it possible for students of the program to continue their work in the healthcare field as they earn credits toward their master's degrees. Topics covered by this program include healthcare policy, finance, law, quality improvement, and more. Capella also offers a Master of Public Health degree, with an option to specialize in health management, as well as an MS in gerontology. Click Here
Ashford University has several programs available for health administration, two being an MBA and MA while the last program is a bachelor's degree. These programs are designed for students who want to advance their careers with in the healthcare system and thoroughly explore biostatistics, finance, and strategic planning. Ashford has become a major providers of online education, with programs spanning multiple industries and education levels. Click Here

Find a Health Administration School Near You