Health Administration, M.S.

Saint Louis University's online health administration, M.S. degree provides a flexible, full online pathway for working professionals, early-career clinicians, and career-switchers seeking to advance into health care management. The program is designed for students at all stages of their careers who want to gain the knowledge, skills, and credentials to lead effectively in a rapidly evolving health care industry. 

Health care is a fast-growing industry needing highly competent managers with diverse backgrounds and experiences. SLU's online M.S. program in health administration is ideal for students who want the flexibility to complete their degree quickly and completely online while gaining practical health care experience. 

Stackable certificates offer low-risk entry points into the program, allowing students to build key administrative skills and explore a pathway to the full M.S.H. A. degree. The curriculum combines competency-based education with applied learning experiences to prepare students for leadership and management roles across hospitals, clinics, physician practices, nursing and residential facilities, home health care organizations, pharmaceutical companies, managed care organizations, government agencies, and other health care-related entities. 

Graduates leave the program equipped to lead in a quickly evolving health care landscape, with skills and credentials aligned to strong labor market demand for health services managers and administrative leaders. 

Program Highlights

Key features of SLU's 39-credit hour health administration, M.S. program include: 

• Fully online, asynchronous courses designed to provide maximum flexibility for working professionals.
• Structured opportunities for live, instructor-led engagement and peer interaction.
• Stackable certificates options in performance excellence, health data analytics, public health and other high-demand areas.
• Flexible start dates in spring, summer or fall semesters
• Accelerated time to completion, with the ability to earn the degree in approximately 16 months or in as few as 12 months. 

Curriculum Overview

The Department of Health Management and Policy in the College for Public Health and Social Justice offers SLU's M.S. in health administration. In addition to the university-level accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission, the college is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.

A total of 39 credit hours (six core courses and seven elective courses) are required to earn this online degree. Students may enroll in an additional 1- to 2-credit hour optional field experience or pursue a certificate program offered through the college, in addition to completing the required hours. 

The program is delivered in a flexible, full online format. Courses are offered in an accelerated six-week structure. Students typically enroll in one course at a time; however, those who choose to take two courses concurrently may complete the degree in as few as 12 months. Students who follow the standard progression can complete the program in approximately 16 months. 

Courses are delivered in a semi structured, asynchronous format, allowing students to complete weekly modules at their own pace while meeting established deadlines. This design supports working professionals balancing career and personal responsibilities. 

Students also have opportunities to interact with instructors and classmates through video conferencing and collaborative course activities. 

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

A formal internship or fellowship experience is not required for the health administration, M.S. degree. However, students may enroll in an optional field experience for 1 to 2 credit hours (depending on the hours spent in the field experience). For students without a background of working in the health system, the field experience will enable them to gain the practical expertise needed to launch their careers in health care management successfully.

Students who choose the field experience may do so in various settings and will usually complete this at the end of their M.S. coursework. Students will work with their faculty advisor to identify an appropriate field experience that aligns with their professional goals. 

Careers

Graduates of SLU's M.S. in health administration program will be prepared for management positions in:

• Hospitals and health systems
• Physician’s offices and clinics
• Community health centers and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs)
• Community-based organizations
• Managed care and other health insurance payer organizations
• Nursing and residential care facilities
• Home health care agencies
• Public health departments
• Government agencies

Admissions Requirements

• Completed application (SOPHAS or HAMPCAS)
• Undergraduate degree (applicants with 3.0 GPA or better see more success)
• Official transcript from a degree-granting institution
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Two letters of recommendation (can be waived for professionals with 5+ years of experience)
• The GRE is not required

Requirements for International students

Along with the general admission requirements above, the following must be provided by prospective international students:

• Demonstration of English Language Proficiency Some examples of demonstrated English language proficiency include minimum score requirements for the following standardized tests:
  • Paper-based TOEFL: 550
  • Internet-based TOEFL: 80
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • PTE: 54
  • Duolingo: 110
• Academic records, in English translation, for post-secondary studies outside the United States. These must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Tuition

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The College for Public Health and Social Justice offers several ways to help finance graduate education.  Opportunities include a limited number of merit-based scholarships.

For more information, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

Learning outcomes for the M.S. in health administration degree are supported by the principles of competency-based education (CBE). Courses and the corresponding learning objectives are organized to address competencies necessary for success in health care management across the broad health sector.

These learning objectives, organized by five general domains, are outlined below:

1. Leadership: Lead people and teams to prioritize goals and policies that balance the mission, vision, and values of the organization with the needs and values of the communities it serves.

2. Critical thinking and analysis: Apply appropriate models and methods to analyze data, environments, and issues from a systems perspective.

3. Management: Demonstrate the ability to organize resources and manage accountability in health care and public health environments.

4. Culture and community engagement: Apply systems-thinking and community-engaged approaches in partnering with organizations and communities to improve population health outcomes.

5. Communication: Create, organize, and convey ideas and information tailored to the needs of the target audience.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

This roadmap is just one example of a semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. There are other plans students can and do take. The plan of study for each particular student is established in consultation with each student’s academic advisor; this roadmap does not replace academic advising appointments.

Roadmap notes:

• This Roadmap assumes full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
• Courses/Milestones marked with an “!” are critical and must be completed in the semester listed in the Roadmap to ensure a timely graduation.
• Course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

You may apply through SOPHAS or HAMPCAS:

For questions about applying to one of our graduate programs, contact the College for Public Health and Social Justice admissions via cphsjgrad@slu.edu.