Master of Health Administration
Highly Ranked Program
Ranked among the best health administration programs by US News and World Report and other external rating agencies, our Master of Health Administration (MHA) program is an “industry specific” MBA program — which means you will have rigorous business and management training while learning about the unique context of the health care and nonprofit sectors. The MHA program includes two years of on-campus coursework followed by a third year 10-month paid, administrative residency.
Master of Health Administration(MHA)/Juris Doctor(JD) from the University of Richmond
The Health care industry is becoming increasingly more complex in both the delivery of services and in organizational structure. Along with this has come competition among providers to a degree heretofore unheard of in health care. As the nation's third largest business sector, the health care industry accounts for about 15 percent of our GDP. As leaders of one of the most regulated industries in the United States, health care executives require extensive knowledge of state and federal regulations, reimbursement, insurance, medical ethics, contract law, mergers and acquisitions, tax laws, and antitrust laws, to name but a few areas. This has created a vigorous demand for legal experts who understand the intricacies of the health care industry as well as health law. To meet the demand for health law experts, VCU developed a dual degree program in law and health administration in partnership with the University of Richmond School of Law, a program established in 1986. Created as a cooperative venture between the universities, the program addresses legal issues that affect organizations, financing, and delivery of health services.
Master of Health Administration(M.H.A.)/Graduate Certificate in Aging Studies (Dual degree and certificate)
Advanced study in health administration and aging studies is available through a dual degree and certificate program co-sponsored by the Department of Health Administration and the Department of Gerontology in the College of Health Professions.
The program allows students to earn a Master of Health Administration and Certificate in Aging Studies with a minimum of 71 credits rather than the 74 credits necessary if the two degrees were pursued separately. Enrolling in both programs lowers the overall cost of tuition while also reducing time to earning both degrees. See the dual degree course requirements.
Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA)
The Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA) program is a professional program providing a convenient, online format — combined with six on-campus sessions — so that health care professionals working full time can earn a MSHA from anywhere in the U.S. at any time in a matter of 22 months.
This program attracts clinicians, executive-level managers and mid-career managers from a variety of health care fields with at least five years of professional experience. Typically, successful applicants demonstrate diversity in their educational, work, and life experiences, as well as a capacity to pursue a rigorous course of professional graduate study and assume increasingly responsible positions in the healthcare industry.
Ph.D. in Health Services Organization Research
“Truly exceptional is the best way I can describe my experience as a PhD student in the VCU Department of Health Administration. It was one of the most challenging, invigorating, and exciting educational experiences I could imagine.” Abby Swanson Kazley, PhD (2006), Associate Professor, Medical University of South Carolina.
Mission Statement
The Doctoral Program in Health Services Organization and Research (HSOR) prepares individuals for careers in teaching, research, and consulting at the highest level of capability in the field of health care organizational analysis and health services research. Graduates will be competitive for positions at the nation’s top research and teaching institutions, governmental agencies, and health care organizations.
Program Description
We embrace students with diverse educational, work and life experiences who demonstrate a capacity to pursue a rigorous course of doctoral study. Admission is competitive and offered to a limited number of students with clear career goals in health administration and research. A master’s degree in a health- or business-related discipline is recommended.
The program’s didactic course work and comprehensive examinations can be completed in two years, but the program offers a part-time option with expected completion in three years. Required courses in organizational theory and methods are combined with opportunities for you to customize your areas of interest. You will receive dedicated support from a distinguished faculty as you pursue your doctorate at VCU. Faculty members are active highly respected scholars who disseminate their work in prestigious academic and practice journals.
Graduate Certificates in Health Administration
Take your leadership to the next level with a graduate certificate from the Department of Health Administration! The Department of Health Administration offers two Graduate Certificates.
- Graduate Certificate in Health Equity
- Graduate Certificate in Health Care Financial Management