If you work in healthcare administration and you want to advance your career, it may be time to pursue a Master’s in Health Administration. The need for qualified and talented health administrators is on the rise. However, most upper-level management positions and executive positions will require applicants to possess a master’s degree no matter how much experience the professional has. One of the great things about the field is that it is the perfect mixture of business management roles in the healthcare sector. If you are wondering how long it will take to earn your Master’s so that you can advance in your career, read this guide.
Common Prerequisites For Master’s in Health Administration Programs
You must meet all of the requirements before you can even gain acceptance and enroll in any classes. One of the major requirements is to have a Bachelor’s degree, but this degree does not have to be in a healthcare related field to attend an MHA program. If you have a Bachelor’s in Business, Arts, Science, Finance, or other fields, you do not have to re-enroll to complete healthcare courses.The traditional Bachelor’s degree program majoring in Healthcare Administration will take 48 months of study to complete. However, you can complete this in a shorter period of time if you increase the number of units that you take each semester. There may also be accelerated programs that can be completed on-campus or online.
Applying to an MHA Program
If you have already completed your undergraduate degree program, you must consider the amount of time it takes to apply to and get accepted to an MHA program. If you have already graduated, it can take about 6 months to complete the MHA admissions process. This timeline includes:
- taking your Graduate Record Exam
- gathering recommendations
- completing your application and interviews
Many times students do not pay attention to application windows and miss out. This delays the process.
Time to Complete the Master’s Degree Program
Once you are accepted into an MHA program, you can spend anywhere from 1 to 4 years in school. A 1-year accelerated program will allow you to fast track by completing fewer credits at a faster face. If you are in a traditional program, you will complete school in 2 years. Some students can take up to 4 years part-time in graduate school. Check into the course credits to see how many you would need to complete each semester to stay on track.
As you can see, the time it takes to earn a Master’s in Healthcare Administration can vary. You must first complete undergraduate study. Then you need to:
- pass your GRE test
- research schools
- select a school
- apply within the application time frame
- complete your coursework.
Related Resources:
- How Long Does it Take to Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences?
- What Will I Study in a Health Sciences Degree Program?
- 5 Healthcare Degrees You Can Earn Online
- 20 Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration Degrees Online
- 30 Best Online Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration
- What are the Best Bachelor’s Degrees for Getting into Medical School?