Introduction to the Executive Master of Healthcare Administration

The online Executive Master of Healthcare Administration at OU Online equips healthcare professionals with the skills and credentials necessary to lead at the highest levels in the dynamic field of healthcare. Led by world-class faculty from OU’s Hudson College of Public Health, the only CEPH-accredited public health college in Oklahoma, you’ll earn a degree in as little as 24 months and position yourself for executive roles in the clinical, public, and corporate health sectors.

Program Overview

Time to Complete

24+ Months

Credit Hours

42

Time Commitment

10-20 hours weekly

Start Dates

Fall, Spring, & Summer

Cost

The Executive Master of Healthcare Administration offers a high return on investment. You’ll gain knowledge and skills that prepare you for the highest levels of leadership and increased pay in the healthcare field. Tuition and fees for the program are $24,150 ($575 per credit hour). Books and additional materials are not included.

About the EMHA Online Degree

The OU Online Executive Master of Healthcare Administration is a 42-credit-hour program that allows healthcare professionals with at least three years’ experience to build skills necessary to advance into executive roles in areas of health policy and administration.

Career Opportunities

Earning an online Executive Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Oklahoma prepares you for career advancement in the growing healthcare sector. Accelerate your career in these areas:

• Hospital Administrator
• Healthcare Policy Analyst
• Chief Nursing Officer
• Health Services Manager
• Healthcare Consultant
• Healthcare Project Manager
• Medical Director
• Nursing Home Administrator

Industry Insights

• Median Pay: $110,680
• Job Outlook: Employment for data scientists is expected to grow 29% by 2032
• Job Openings: 61,400 openings for medical and health services manager are projected each year, on average, over the next decade

Program Outcomes

OU’s EMHA online program addresses the growing demand for skilled administrators, equipping healthcare professionals to strategically lead in a complex industry.

• Develop strong management skills and prepare for strategic leadership roles in healthcare
• Build expertise in health policy and economics to improve patient care and operational efficiency
• Gain specialized skills to strengthen and improve organizations

Course Details

The Executive Master of Healthcare Administration offers a comprehensive overview of healthcare administration, emphasizing business, policy, and leadership. Students gain practical insights into real-world issues and topics in the healthcare industry.

Course Structure

You’ll earn 42 credit hours across 15 courses. You’ll take 2 to 3 courses each semester. 3-credit courses run for 8 weeks, while 2-credit courses run for 7 weeks. Courses are taken simultaneously.

Course List

• U.S. Healthcare Systems
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • This course focuses on the history and structure of health organizations in the U.S. Also examined are the functional interrelations among institutional and financial arrangements in the health industry. The course concludes with a comparison of international health systems.
• Health Forecasting & Budgeting
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • This course examines methods of developing forecasts and the budgets for the programmatic activity of health organizations that function in the public or private section.
• Financial Management of Health Service Organizations
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • The course focuses on indicators of fiscal performance that are common to all health service organizations. Emphasized are the fundamentals of managing working capital, sources of funding and capital rationing. The course concludes with a discussion of advanced methods of improving profitability.
• Strategic Management in Health Service Organizations
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • The course emphasizes elements of organizational strategy with a focus on leadership and the application of general themes to the health industry. Components of strategic plan, and the development, implementation and evaluation of plans in relation to organizational environments are also covered.
• Health Information Systems
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • The course covers the methods, techniques and technologies used to collect, analyze, and disseminate information needed to effectively manage health service organizations. Includes, but is not limited to, the use of computers in managing organizations.
• Quantitative Methods in Health Administration
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • The focus of the course is on the application of statistical analyses to administrative functions, issues or problems that are germane to health service organizations. Excel and other statistical packages are used to perform required calculations.
• Healthcare Law & Ethics
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • An overview course focusing on the impact of laws and regulations on the processes involved in delivering health care services, and the ethical issues raised. Topics covered include civil liability in the provider-patient relationship, treatment consent and refusal, licensing and medical staff, antitrust, and managed care issues.
• Managed Care & Integrated Delivery Systems
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • This course focuses on the structures and processes that characterize managed care organizations and integrated health systems. Contractual obligations and relations among health professionals are also discussed.
• Health Care Quality Management
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • The course will provide an overview of concepts of the measurement of healthcare quality, including a fundamental understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of measuring structural, process, and outcomes measures, and will introduce various frameworks for improving the quality and safety of patient care. We will spend time discussing the role of leadership in driving healthcare quality improvement and will discuss fundamentals of teamwork skills used to improve care.
• Human Resources Management
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • The course covers the basic concepts and theories of human resources management and their application in the health care organization. Included are current human resources management theories and techniques and their impact on the health care organization's personnel management practices.

Why Choose OU Online for Healthcare Administration

OU Online is a top-tier public institution offering high-quality, affordable, professional undergraduate and graduate programs in a flexible, online format. As the only accredited public health college in Oklahoma, OU’s Hudson College of Public Health stands out due to its commitment to excellence and innovation.

Faculty Expertise

Faculty members are carefully selected for their expertise in healthcare. They draw from their in-depth experience and research to address the latest legal and political changes in the industry.

Robust Student Support

OU Online offers robust student support services, including academic support, online tutoring, mental health counseling, and an online career development center. The program accommodates the needs of working professionals, allowing you to expand your healthcare executive leadership skills while maintaining full-time employment.

Global Alumni Network

With more than 250,000 alumni across the world, becoming a Sooner means you’ll have access to a strong network of healthcare leaders to accelerate your career. As a Sooner, you’ll be part of a powerful network of leaders working in healthcare organizations across the world, helping you expand your healthcare career.

Flexible Format

The Executive Master of Healthcare Administration is delivered in a fully online, flexible format designed to meet the needs of working professionals worldwide. Earn your degree in as little as 24 months while balancing full-time employment and other commitments. Study from anywhere while gaining specialized healthcare administration knowledge.

Tailored Experience

Progress through the program as part of a small, focused cohort of professionals who share similar goals and interests in healthcare. Courses are a mix of asynchronous and synchronous online sessions for flexibility, yet highly engaging. Through interactive discussions, optional live lectures, one-on-one support, and collaborative online activities, you stay connected while learning at your own pace.

Cost & Financial Aid

Earning your Executive Master of Healthcare Administration is an investment in your future—and OU Online is committed to making that investment as accessible and transparent as possible. Students pay $575 per credit hour ($24,150) for the program. Books and additional materials are not included. Financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance may be available to help offset the cost. Our dedicated financial services team is here to guide you through every step of the funding process—so you can focus on your education and career growth.

Application Timeline

The admissions committee operates under a rolling admissions process, and admissions may continue until two weeks before the start of classes. However, some programs may have an earlier application deadline. The committee strives to respond to all applicants within two weeks from the time a completed application is submitted.

• 3.0 GPA or above is preferred. This can be cumulative, last 60 credit hours, or grad cumulative GPA. Students who have a 2.75 to 2.99 cumulative GPA will be considered for conditional admission.
• A nonrefundable deposit of $350 is required upon admission to secure your place in the program. This deposit guarantees your spot in your first semester of courses and will be applied toward your first semester's tuition.

Application Process

1. Contact an Enrollment Coach to discuss your qualifications and interest in the program.
2. Fill out your application.
3. Applicants must provide supplemental materials, including a resume, personal statement, and undergraduate transcripts. As part of the admissions process, Faculty Conversations are required and serve as an informal yet informative opportunity for applicants to engage with program faculty. Once all application materials have been submitted, applicants will receive an email listing two to three faculty members, along with a brief description of each faculty member’s background and areas of interest, as well as a Calendly link to schedule a short conversation with each one.

University of Oklahoma Summary

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Overview:

The University of Oklahoma (OU) is a comprehensive research university with a strong focus on innovation and educational excellence. It is a major contributor to the state of Oklahoma, impacting the lives of Oklahomans through scholarship, research, and healthcare. OU boasts a diverse student body representing 50 states, 76 Oklahoma counties, and 125+ countries.

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Services Offered:

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

OU offers a vibrant and diverse campus experience with over 400 student organizations. The university has a strong sense of community and is known for its spirited and driven atmosphere.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Strong Research Focus:

OU is a highly ranked research university, designated as a Highest Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation.

Top-Ranked Programs:

OU is ranked #1 in the country for Aviation and Atmospheric Science & Meteorology.

Diverse Student Body:

OU welcomes students from across the globe, fostering a rich and inclusive learning environment.

Vibrant Campus Life:

With over 400 student organizations, OU offers a wide range of opportunities for students to engage in extracurricular activities and build community.

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Academic Programs:

OU offers over 170 academic programs across various disciplines. The university is particularly known for its strengths in research, aviation, atmospheric science, and healthcare.

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Other:

• OU has three campuses located in Norman, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa.
• The university is committed to supporting the state of Oklahoma through its research and educational initiatives.
• OU has a strong alumni network, with 80% of Oklahoma's healthcare professionals being OU graduates.