The healthcare sector is experiencing growth, unlike any other industry, with healthcare administration professionals in demand across the country.
Suppose you are thinking about pursuing a career within this lucrative and thriving area of healthcare. In that case, you need to know all about the Executive Master of Health Administration degree program.
Considered to be the gold standard of further education in healthcare administration, an EMHA can set you up for a rewarding and long-lasting career in the industry.
Keen to learn more about what an Executive Master of Health Administration degree program entails and how it can boost your career?
Within the below guide, you will discover:
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- What is an Executive MHA degree?
- What is the difference between an MHA and an EMHA?
- Why do you need an Executive MHA degree?
- What are the requirements for entering an Executive MHA degree program?
- Where can I study for an Executive MHA?
- What can you do with an Executive MHA degree?
What is an Executive MHA degree?
An Executive MHA, Executive Master in Health Administration, is a popular graduate-level degree program that is aimed at healthcare professionals with extensive experience in their field.
Many EMHA degree programs are taught by active healthcare administration professionals who provide students with a unique insight into the world of healthcare administration.
While an MBA in healthcare was once seen as the best-advanced degree for healthcare professionals, the Executive MHA has been growing in popularity for many years. Offering a more focused degree for those within the sector, you can learn the leadership skills you need to succeed in many in-demand roles.
Whether you want to land a patient-focused job, you prefer to work behind the scenes, or you want to affect real change in the industry, once qualified, you can go into a wide range of highly paid and exciting careers within healthcare administration.
What is the difference between an MHA degree and an EMHA degree?
An Executive Master of Health Administration degree is aimed at working professionals who want to advance their career in healthcare. While the tracks between an MHA and an EMHA are similar, the courses and teaching styles are quite different.
Most notably, an Executive Master of Health Administration degree requires previous healthcare experience as some of the course material will relate to on-the-job experiences.
On the other hand, an MHA is typically a lot more focused on theory and requires less medical experience to be accepted into a program.
Why do you need an Executive MHA degree?
If you already work in healthcare administration, you may be wondering why you need to pursue further education rather than just work your way up the ladder with hard work and experience.
Unfortunately, when it comes to healthcare administration, you can only go so far without an advanced degree, even if you have been committed to a facility for many years and have an extensive medical background.
When you undertake an Executive MHA degree, you will learn the key skills needed to flourish in a leadership role in the rapidly changing healthcare industry.
As an overview, an Executive MHA will:
- Concentrate on the convergence of healthcare and business
- Be designed with the future of the industry in mind
- Be aimed at candidates who are looking for leadership positions in healthcare
- Include courses such as accounting, business ethics, finance, operations management, and organizational behavior.
This type of advanced degree program can also be beneficial for current leaders in healthcare who want to stay informed about the latest trends and concepts in the industry.
What are the requirements for entering an EMHA?
To be accepted into an Executive MHA degree program, students are expected to have seven or more years of prior professional experience in hospitals, consulting firms, pharmaceutical companies, or other healthcare organizations.
You will also need a Bachelor’s degree and at least two letters of recommendation from your existing or previous employers.
The ideal candidates for an Executive MHA degree program are experienced managers and practitioners who want to gain a competitive edge and stay ahead of industry trends.
Where can I study for an Executive MHA?
There are campuses all over the country that offer Executive Master of Health Administration degree programs, with some providing weekend and evening-based classes that are designed for working professionals.
However, if you want maximum flexibility, you may be better suited to an online Executive MHA degree program which can be carried out around your current work and family commitments, either full or part-time.
Other benefits of pursuing an Executive MHA degree online include:
- Less expensive. Although the cost of courses is similar to on-campus programs, you can save money on commuting, childcare costs, and taking time off work.
- On-demand learning. Online degree programs typically involve on-demand video tutorials that can be studied at your own convenience.
- Fast-tracked programs. If you want to complete an executive MHA as quickly as possible, you can find full-time online MHA programs that can be completed in as little as 18 months to two years.
- Real-time application of skills. If you choose to study and work at the same time, you can use your recently learned knowledge and apply them to real-time work situations.
- Global networking. By undergoing an online EMHA, you have the opportunity to network with like-minded working professionals from all over the world, gaining valuable insights and contacts for the future.
What can I do with an Executive MHA degree?
Once qualified, you can expect to go into a wide range of challenging and lucrative leadership roles within healthcare administration and the healthcare industry in general, including:
- Hospital Chief Executive Officer
- Hospital Chief Operating Officer
- Risk Manager
- Director of Health Services
- Clinical Director
- Chief Nursing Officer
- Corporate Healthcare Manager
Furthermore, Executive Master of Health Administration graduates can look forward to obtaining high-level roles in many other exciting industries connected to healthcare, such as pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
If you really want to make a difference in the healthcare industry, rather than just be a small cog in a big machine, then an Executive Master of Health Administration can help you to achieve your goals.
