Is a Master's in Healthcare Administration Worth It?

By Rebecca LeBoeuf
Southern New Hampshire University

Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash

So you’re thinking about a master’s degree. If you’re already working in healthcare, you know how important nonclinical leaders are in the industry. They can pair business acumen with healthcare know-how, all to ensure patients in their organization receive the best experience possible. 
​
You can do that too. 

Earning a master’s degree in healthcare administration can introduce you to a range of business and leadership practices as they relate to healthcare. You'll sometimes see this degree abbreviated as MSHA, which stands for Master of Science in Healthcare Administration.

This master's degree can also bring important health laws, policies and healthcare quality to the front of your mind and teach you how to combine everything you know to create strategic plans. 

If expanding your skills and knowledge in these ways aligns with your professional goals, then, yes, a master’s in healthcare administration is likely worth it. 

Why Should You Get a Master’s in Healthcare Administration? 

The answers are plentiful, and some can be personal. But five of the best reasons why you should get a master’s in healthcare administration are that it can help you:  

1. Enhance Your Skill Set 

It takes a lot of finesse to be a leader, but to lead in a healthcare organization? That’s another conversation. You might not wear scrubs as a healthcare administrator, but the work you do can quite literally save lives. 

“Healthcare administrators need to focus on serving their stakeholders while continuously improving quality of care and managing the cost of delivering care,” said Urmala Roopnarinesingh, MS/HSA, Ph.D., a clinical faculty member of health professions at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). “It is essential they put patient care and safety at the top of their daily activities.” 

To carry that responsibility, balancing soft skills and up-to-date technical skills in healthcare administration is essential. Within this master’s program, you’ll have an opportunity to focus on the skills needed to lead in this industry, according to Roopnarinesingh. 

She and SNHU Associate Dean of Health Professions Meredith O’Hara, PhD, said those skills include: 

• Analysis, problem solving and strategic planning 
• Communication in healthcare 
• Cultural competency 
• Financial management, human resources and marketing 
• Regulatory compliance 

Some programs ensure their curriculum is aligned with industry standards, meaning you can know your coursework and lessons are worthwhile. 

The program at SNHU, for example, is consistent with standards set forth by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA), and graduates of the program will have the tools to demonstrate the association’s four critical competencies:

• Communication
• Computational skills
• Critical thinking
• Societal and cultural context

2. Expand Your Professional Network 

Building a professional network is beneficial regardless of your industry, but Roopnarinesingh believes that participating in professional associations is necessary for career advancement. 

During a master’s program, you’ll be surrounded by people with similar aspirations – some of whom may already work as healthcare administrators. You can take full advantage of each course by connecting with as many classmates and instructors as possible. 

“As a student, it is important to know that the MSHA faculty have both healthcare industry experience coupled with the appropriate academic credentials,” Roopnarinesingh said. 

Because the flexibility of online learning can be more conducive when working a full-time job, there’s a chance your classmates may already be making strides in the field.

“Along with the materials your professor teaches, you will learn as much from interacting with your peers in the online classroom as you participate in group discussions and activities,” Roopnarinesingh said. 

3. Increase Your Opportunities in Healthcare 

If you have your eyes set on a management role, you may need a master’s degree to be considered a competitive candidate. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical and health service managers commonly have master’s degrees – and sometimes employers prefer to see that graduate credential. 

O’Hara said a master’s in healthcare administration could also open doors to upper-level positions such as: 

• Chief Executive Officer 
• Chief Operating Officer 
• Clinic Manager 
• Hospital Director 
• Nursing Home Administrator 

Depending on the organization, some of these roles could also require a doctorate degree.

“The classroom knowledge combined with your practical experience will prepare you to lead an organization,” she said. Some programs allow you to gain both. There may be experiential learning opportunities available at your school and other hands-on learning methods that can help you better understand healthcare administration. 

If you’re working full-time while earning your degree online, you could also apply what you’re learning directly to your job.  

4. Grow Your Salary Potential 

A master’s degree can also increase your salary potential – especially if you’re climbing the management ladder. In 2021, those with a master’s degree earned a median of almost 18% more than those at the bachelor’s level, BLS reported. 

Looking at a healthcare management role, BLS reported that medical and health service managers earned a median of $101,340 in 2021, more than double the median earnings across all occupations.
 
Where you work can also have an impact. For example, medical and health service managers in a hospital setting earned a median of $119,450. 

Toward the top of the management chain, you’ll see salary potential increase even more. For example, chief executives in healthcare earned a median salary of $154,650 in 2021, according to BLS. 

5. Show You're Motivated 

Another reason to earn a master’s degree is to prove how serious you are about the field and your role in it. “A graduate degree shows that you have motivation to learn, succeed and develop professionally,” O’Hara said. 

Not only does it show you’re focused on becoming a healthcare leader, but it also indicates that you're willing to learn. Being receptive to education is especially important when you’re working in an ever-changing field. 

“One of the most important things that it signifies to employers is that you are dedicated to the field and have the drive to be a lifelong learner and continually develop your skills and knowledge base,” O’Hara said. 

How Difficult is a Master's in Healthcare Administration?

You may find some courses, topics and assignments more challenging than others, and that’s okay.  
It’s actually normal. 

If you’re feeling stuck, O’Hara suggests: 

1. Reaching out to your instructor. Let them know you have questions. Try requesting a one-on-one meeting or taking advantage of their office hours. 
2. Forming a study group. You can connect with your classmates to discuss the lessons each week to gain different perspectives and talk through questions. 
3. Connecting with the tutoring center at your university. Some schools offer 24/7 tutoring, so no matter when you could use support, someone will be there. 

Is it Better to Get an MBA or MSHA? 

While researching degrees, you might notice that some Master of Business Administration ​(MBA) programs allow you to specialize in healthcare administration or a similar field. If you’re trying to decide between an MBA and an MSHA, you’ll want to consider what you hope to do with your master’s degree. 

“A student planning to build a career completely focused in leading healthcare organizations will be better served by the MSHA because they will gain the competencies necessary to advance in the healthcare industry,” Roopnarinesingh said. 

But, if you’re not sure you want to stay in the healthcare industry, she said the MBA could give you greater flexibility. The MBA will focus more on general business practices but still allows you to take a few healthcare-related courses. 

So, Should You Go For It? 

If leading teams or organizations in healthcare is what you want to do, then signs point to yes.

Roopnarinesingh, who has 20 years of experience working in healthcare and teaching graduate healthcare students, said she’s witnessed master’s degree graduates have greater healthcare administration employment opportunities. On top of that, she’s also seen their ability to advance into executive positions. 

O’Hara agrees. “Not only because it broadens your knowledge and experience in the healthcare field, but it also opens doors for career advancement because of the leadership skills and advanced understanding you will develop as your progress through your degree program,” she said. 

Working as you earn your degree, which is made possible by asynchronous online courses, can also help you advance your career in the field as you advance your education. Gaining leadership experience and focusing on your professional network can also make a difference, according to O’Hara. 

“Try to take advantage of any opportunities you have to assume a leadership role and learn from those that are currently your leaders,” she said. 

SNHU does not endorse or sponsor any commercial product, service, or activity offered on this website.

Rebecca LeBoeuf

Rebecca LeBoeuf ’18 ’22G is a writer at Southern New Hampshire University. Connect with her on LinkedIn.