Master of Healthcare Administration
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Degree Type
Master of Science in Healthcare Administration
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College
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Contact
Advising Contact: Dr. Cheryl Holden
Phone: 479-788-7399
Advance Your Career with an Online Healthcare Leadership Degree
The Master of Science in Healthcare Administration (MHCA) at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith prepares professionals with the leadership, management, and analytical skills needed to succeed in today's healthcare industry. Designed for working professionals, this fully online graduate program offers the flexibility, affordability, and career-focused education you need to take the next step in healthcare leadership.
Why Choose the UAFS MHCA Program?
- 100% Online & Flexible: Balance your education with work and personal commitments
- Accelerated Path to Leadership: Complete your degree in as little as two years.
- Industry-Relevant Curriculum: Learn from experienced faculty with real-world expertise in healthcare policy, finance, and operations.
- Affordable Tuition: Invest in your future with a cost-effective, high-quality degree from a nationally accredited university.
- Scholarships Available: Private support, such as the Charles Shuffield Healthcare Administration Endowed Scholarship, available for qualified students.
- Career-Ready Skills: Gain the leadership and strategic decision-making skills employers seek in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare organizations.
Career Outlook: What Can you Do with This Degree?
Graduates of the UAFS MHCA program are prepared for high-impact roles in healthcare administration, including:
- Healthcare Administrator: (2023 Median Salary in Arkansas: $110,680)*
- Health Services Manager: (Projected 29% job growth through 2032**)
- Clinical Director
- Medical Practice Manager
- Hospital Operations Manager
With a growing demand for healthcare leaders, this degree opens doors to rewarding career opportunities in hospitals, private practices, insurance companies, and government agencies.
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational and Health Services, 2023
Program Learning Outcomes
- Leadership by demonstrating transformational leadership that inspires individual, team, and organizational excellence.
- Communication and Relationships by demonstrating clear and concise communicate skills, establish and maintain relationships, and facilitate constructive interactions with individuals and groups.
- Professionalism and Ethics by practicing professionalism and ethical behavior through personal and professional accountability, employ a service orientation, and display a commitment to lifelong learning and improvement.
- Health Care Systems and Environment by demonstrating an in-depth understanding of healthcare systems and the environment in which health care managers and providers operate.
- Health Care Management and Business by utilizing business principles, including systems thinking, in the health care environment.
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Healthcare Administration online program is approved by the
Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE). UAFS is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), ensuring high academic and professional standards.
Additionally, the MHCA program is recognized by the Association of University Programs in Healthcare Administration (AUHPA), a distinction that reflects program excellence though a rigorous peer-evaluation process.
What does accreditation mean for you? It ensures that your degree meets industry standards, is widely respected by employers, and prepares you for career advancement in healthcare administration