Earn Your Master of Health Administration (MHA) Degree at UIW
Become a Healthcare Leader with a CAHME-Accredited MHA Degree
The University of the Incarnate Word's Master of Health Administration (MHA) program prepares future healthcare leaders through a competency-based curriculum, personalized faculty mentorship, experiential learning opportunities, and engagement with healthcare executives. Courses are offered exclusively in the evenings, allowing students to balance their education with professional and personal responsibilities.
Nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), the UIW MHA is recognized for excellence in healthcare management education. The program is a member of CAHME's Mentorship Circle and recently earned an eight-year reaccreditation following its second perfect accreditation review in the fall of 2025.
Accreditation & Recognition
- CAHME Accredited
- CAHME Mentorship Circle Member
- Two Perfect Accreditation Reviews
- Eight-Year Reaccreditation
Program Highlights
- 48 Credit Hours | 21-Month Completion
- 8-Week Courses
- Residential and Synchronous Online Formats
- Evening Classes Designed for Working Professionals
- Small Cohorts and Personalized Faculty Mentorship
- Healthcare Executive Engagement and Networking
- Graduate Internship Opportunities
- Capstone Consulting Experience
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Training Certificate
- Active Alumni Network and Career Development Support
Flexible MHA Program Options for Working Adults
Residential: Attend classes in person in San Antonio, Texas on UIW's Broadway campus.
Hybrid Synchronous Online: Participate in live online classes from anywhere while engaging with faculty and classmates in real time.
One Cohort: Residential and online students engage together in three in-person immersive events throughout the program (virtual option for those residing over 40 miles from San Antonio).
Shared Experience: Both formats complete the same curriculum, learn from the same faculty, and graduate with the same CAHME-accredited degree.
MHA Career Outcomes
Why Pursue a Career in Healthcare Leadership?
Healthcare organizations need skilled leaders who can improve operations, enhance patient experiences, manage resources effectively, and guide organizations through an increasingly complex healthcare environment. Healthcare administration offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of communities while pursuing a profession with strong demand, diverse career pathways, and significant opportunities for advancement. As one of the fastest-growing professions in the United States, healthcare leadership provides opportunities to serve in hospitals, health systems, physician practices, government agencies, military healthcare organizations, insurance companies, and many other healthcare settings.
Career Statistics
- Median U.S. health service manager salary in 2025: $123,860
- Projected job growth through 2034: 23%
- Texas ranks second in the U.S. for number of health service manager positions
Careers in Healthcare Leadership
The Master of Health Administration program prepares its graduates for successful leadership careers across in a wide range of settings within the health and medical services management industry:
- Hospitals and Health Systems
- Physician Practices
- Military and Veteran Healthcare
- Government Agencies
- Insurance Organizations
- Consulting Firms
- Community Health Centers
- Integrated Delivery Systems
- Long-term Care Facilities
- Behavioral Health Facilities
MHA Student Outcomes at UIW
The UIW MHA program consistently demonstrates strong student outcomes, including high graduation rates, strong employment outcomes, and a diverse student population.Our graduates are employed in a wide range of healthcare organizations, including, but not limited to, hospitals and health systems, physician practices, Federally Qualified Community Health Centers, governmental agencies, military and veteran health system facilities, health insurance companies, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, managed care organizations, pharmaceutical / biotech / medical device companies, and medical group practices. The MHA program is committed to increasing minorities and women in health management leadership as reflected in our student demographic profile.
UIW MHA Student Success Outcomes and Demographics (Cohort Averages)
- Graduation Rate: 92%
- Employment Rate: 94%
- Diverse Student Population: 63% female, 75% minority
The MHA program at UIW is accredited by CAHME and has excellent student graduation and employment rates. You can find additional program outcomes data on the CAHME website: Residential MHA and the Hybrid/Online MHA (which started in the fall of 2021).
| Residential MHA Student Demographics, Completion and Job Placement Rates | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cohort by Graduation Year | 2027 | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Number of Students Matriculated | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 13 | 25 |
| Median GPA of Admitted Class | 3.62 | 3.57 | 3.60 | 3.60 | 3.54 | 3.36 | 3.25 |
| Percent of Students - Female | 42% | 46% | 39% | 54% | 53% | 85% | 52% |
| Percent of Students - Minority | 67% | 64% | 92% | 54% | 82% | 85% | 60% |
| Retention Rate (i.e., % who graduated) | TBD | 91% | 92% | 85% | 88% | 100% | 100% |
| Job Placement Rate | TBD | TBD | 100% | 90% | 100% | 92% | 92% |
| Hybrid/Online MHA Student Demographics, Completion and Job Placement Rates | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cohort by Graduation Year | 2027 | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| Number of Students Matriculated | 12 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
| Median GPA of Admitted Class | 3.06 | 3.06 | 3.79 | 3.44 | 3.63 |
| Percent of Students - Female | 67% | 80% | 82% | 64% | 88% |
| Percent of Students - Minority | 67% | 100% | 73% | 73% | 88% |
| Retention Rate (i.e., % who graduated) | TBD | 100% | 82% | 91% | 88% |
| Job Placement Rate | TBD | TBD | 88% | 90% | 100% |
Our Alumni Network
The UIW MHA experience extends well beyond graduation. Our alumni remain actively engaged with the program, contributing their expertise and experiences to support current students' professional development and career preparation. Through guest lectures, mock interviews, exit assessment panels, Educational Symposium presentations, networking events, and mentoring opportunities, alumni play an important role in strengthening the MHA community and helping prepare the next generation of healthcare leaders.Aashika Ashok, MHA | Class of 2023
Aashika is a recent graduate of the MHA program here at UIW. She was a member of the Class of 2023.
Erika Zachary, MHA | Class of 2023
Erika is a recent graduate of the MHA program here at UIW. She was a member of the Class of 2023.
Professional Preparation
Preparing Future Healthcare Leaders
The UIW MHA combines academic rigor, experiential learning, professional development, and industry engagement to prepare graduates for leadership careers across the healthcare sector. Throughout the program, students develop the knowledge, skills, and professional competencies needed to lead healthcare organizations in a rapidly evolving environment.
Students Graduate Prepared To:
- Lead healthcare teams and manage organizational change
- Analyze financial data and support strategic decision-making
- Improve healthcare quality, patient outcomes, and operational performance
- Navigate healthcare policy, regulation, and compliance requirements
- Apply healthcare analytics and information systems to organizational challenges
- Communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including clinicians, executives, and governing boards
- Develop and implement strategic initiatives within healthcare organizations
- Address workforce, operational, and financial challenges facing modern healthcare systems
Professional Development Opportunities
In addition to the academic curriculum, students benefit from:
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Training delivered by a certified Black Belt instructor
- Faculty Mentorship throughout the program
- Executive Advisory Board Engagement with healthcare industry leaders
- Healthcare Executive Guest Speakers and Panels
- Professional Networking Opportunities with alumni and healthcare professionals
- Annual MHA Educational Symposium
- Capstone Consulting Experience
- Graduate Internship Opportunities for students seeking healthcare management experience
Industry-Relevant Skills
Students gain practical experience in:
- Healthcare operations management
- Financial management, budgeting, and business case analyses
- Strategic planning
- Quality and performance improvement
- Project management
- Healthcare analytics and decision-making
- Leadership and team development
- Human resource management
- Healthcare policy and regulation
- Healthcare marketing and community engagement
The UIW MHA Difference
Faculty Mentorship:
- Personalized faculty mentoring throughout the 21-month program and beyond
Cohort-Based Learning:
- Learn alongside the same cohort of peers throughout the program, building lasting professional relationships
Executive Exposure:
- Interaction with healthcare executives through advisory board activities, guest speakers, symposium presentations, and networking events
Career Readiness:
- Mock interviews
- Professional development activities
- Alumni networking opportunities
- Internship preparation
Healthcare Market Access:
- Located in San Antonio, one of the nation's largest healthcare markets, providing exposure to diverse healthcare organizations and leaders
✔ Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Training
✔ Faculty Mentorship
✔ Executive Advisory Board Engagement
✔ Annual Educational Symposium
✔ Healthcare Executive Networking
✔ Capstone Consulting Experience
✔ Internship Opportunities
✔ Leadership Development Programming
Continuous improvement and operational excellence are essential competencies for today's healthcare leaders. As part of the UIW MHA experience, students complete Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training delivered by a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt instructor and at no additional cost.
This specialized training introduces students to industry-recognized methodologies for improving quality, reducing waste, increasing efficiency, and enhancing organizational performance. Students learn practical tools and techniques that can be applied across hospitals, health systems, physician practices, and other healthcare organizations.
Upon successful completion of the training, students earn a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Trained Certificate, providing an additional professional credential that demonstrates their commitment to process improvement and operational excellence.
Admissions - Start Your Journey
The UIW MHA admits one cohort each Fall semester. Applications are accepted through July 30 or until the cohort reaches capacity. Find out more about our admission requirements and process.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does it take to complete the MHA program?
The MHA Program is 48 credit hours and it takes 21 months to complete. Students start the program in the Fall as a cohort and graduate 21 months later. - Are there any prerequisite courses I need to complete or a particular undergraduate degree I need to have to enter the MHA Program?
No. There are no specific course requirements or undergraduate degree requirements. The only requirement is that you have a conferred bachelor degree from an accredited university. - Is a GRE or GMAT exam score required for admission to the MHA Program?
No. - Does the MHA Program accept transfer credits for graduate courses taken in other programs or universities?
It depends. Transfer credits will be reviewed and considered if they are from another CAHME accredited health administration program. Typically no more than 6 credit hours of transfer credits are accepted and only for specific courses offered within the first year of the UIW MHA Program. The Program faculty will review the course syllabi to evaluate the alignment of its material and competency coverage against the UIW MHA courses. Additionally, the requested transfer credits can not be from an already conferred degree. For further information on this, contact the Program Director. - How much does the MHA Program cost?
Tuition rates may be slightly adjusted from year to year. The cost of the full 21-month MHA Program at the tuition/fee rates effective in Fall 2025 is approximately $61,500. This includes the tuition and fees. Textbooks, case studies and simulations are provided by the university at no additional cost to students. - Are there any scholarships for the MHA Program's tuition costs?
Yes. The MHA Program has two scholarships it awards each year, one to a first year student (the Gonzaba endowed scholarship) and the other to a second year student (the Baptist Health Foundation scholarship). You can read more about these and other external scholarship opportunities on the MHA website. - Are there any scholarships for international students to attend the MHA Program?
No. - Are there any discounted tuition rates?
Yes. UIW offers a 33% discount to CHRISTUS Health employees and family members. Additionally, there are discounted tuition rates for active duty military. - Is UIW's MHA Program a designated STEM program?
No.