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Executive Master of Health Administration (EMHA)

About the Program 

The MHA Executive Track is tailored to employed executives and mid-management professionals seeking to expand their educational knowledge and skill set.

This track is intended for working, mid-career healthcare professionals with at least five years of increasing responsibilities within health services or related industries. Courses and instruction are tailored to employed executives and mid-management professionals seeking to expand their educational knowledge and skill set.

The 45-credit hour Executive Track admits students annually every August and requires two years to complete.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible to apply, applicants must: 

  • Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident. This program is not open to international applicants.
  • Hold a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university prior to the start of the program. 
  • Have at least five years of work experience of increasing responsibilities within health services or related fields.

Dates and Deadlines

The MHA Executive program admits in the Fall terms only.  

Deadlines
Entering Semester Application Open Date  Application Deadline Mandatory Orientation Day* First Class Day

Fall 2025

 Sept. 1, 2024

March 1, 2025

TBD

(Early August 2025)^

 TBD^

*All new graduate students must attend mandatory orientations. More information will be shared via email.

^Dates will be determined upon release of the official 2025-2026 academic calendar.

Cost of Attendance

For a better understanding of your total cost of attendance (COA), please visit our cost and tuition rates webpage (https://aggie.tamu.edu/billing-and-payments/cost-and-tuition-rates). This webpage will provide you with an opportunity to review estimated COA information for undergraduate, graduate and professional students, as well as other resources such as the tuition calculator and billing and fee explanations.

Apply Here-SOPHAS
Apply Here-HAMPCAS

Applicants for the Master of Health Administration Executive program must submit all necessary documents by the posted deadline in order to be reviewed for admission. 

Application and Fee

Applicants must complete their application and submit it to  SOPHAS or  HAMPCAS along with all related application fees

Visit each application service website’s FAQs for information about the application and for helpful tips:

Two Letters of Recommendation

The School requires two letters of recommendation (professional and/or academic).

Letters must be submitted electronically to SOPHAS or HAMPCAS. The School of Public Health cannot accept hard copies of recommendation letters.

Statement of Purpose

In addition to describing why you want to pursue the chosen degree plan/concentration and attend the School of Public Health, we recommend addressing the following topics in your statement of purpose:

  • Reasons for interest in health administration.
  • Reasons for interest in this school and program. 
  • Career goals and how the degree would help you fulfill these goals.
  • Any personal qualities, characteristics, and skills you believe would enable you to succeed in your chosen field of study.

A Current Curriculum Vitae or Resume

Official Transcripts

  • Official transcripts from  each U.S. and English-speaking Canadian college-level institution attended must be sent to  SOPHAS or  HAMPCAS. The School of Public Health cannot accept official transcripts on behalf of SOPHAS or HAMPCAS.
  • Applicants with coursework from an institution outside the U.S. and English-speaking Canada, must submit a World Education Services (WES) ICAP Course-by-Course evaluation of academic records (if applicable). 

Employment Verification Letter

An official employment letter or electronic communication from the applicant's Human Resources office indicating a minimum of five years relevant management experience is required. This document should include dates of employment and titles supporting the applicant's work experience requirement. Please see the instructions below:

  • The letter can be uploaded to application as an “other” document type or sent via email to the Texas A&M SPH Office of Graduate Student Services at:  SPH-GSS@tamu.edu

Executive Track Degree Requirements

Below is an overview of the courses required to complete the MHA degree. Please see the Texas A&M Course Catalog for more detailed course requirements and course descriptions.

Course Sequence
 
Year 1
  

Semester

 Course

 Credit Hours

Fall

PHPM 601: Foundations of Public Health Health (7 weeks)

 3

 

PHPM 606: Health Systems Management (7 weeks)

 3

 

PHPM 623: Health Care Financial Management (15 weeks)

 3

Spring

PHPM 614: Strategic Planning and Marketing (7 weeks)

 3

 

PHPM 617: Quality and Process Improvement (7 weeks)

 3

 

PHPM 633: Health Law and Ethics (15 weeks)

 3

Summer

PHPM 636: Project Management (10 weeks)

 3

 

PHPM 603: Managing Health Care Data and Information (5 weeks)

3 

 

PHPM 681: Seminar* (5 weeks)

 3

 
Year 2

 

Semester

Course

Credit Hours

Fall 

PHPM 620: Operations Management (7 weeks)

 3

 

PHPM 661: Introduction to Health Economics (7 weeks)

 3

 

PHPM 616: Management of Human Resources (15 weeks)

 3

Spring

PHPM 640: Health Policy and Politics* (7 weeks)

 3

 

PHPM 653: Health Insurance and Managed Care (7 weeks)

 3

 

PHPM 680: Health Systems Leadership (Capstone, 15 weeks)

3 

 

*Immersion course

 
Why is Texas A&M offering its MHA online?
Health care service delivery leaders told us about a significant need for master’s-level education for mid-career health care professionals. We identified solid support for this and deliver it online to accommodate working professionals.
 
Graduate health management knowledge is developed in a variety of functional areas, with emphasis on health systems management, health policy, health finance, human resources management and health planning and marketing.
 
Is the Executive Track accredited? My employer requires this.
Yes! Both of our MHA Program's tracks have been continuously accredited since 2008 by the  Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education.
 
How long does it take to complete this degree?

New cohorts are admitted each August and are scheduled to graduate 21 months later.

Who are likely candidates for this degree program?
Our program is tailored to mid-level careerists who have worked for at least five years and need additional educational preparation for career advancement or to improve leadership capabilities.
 
It is also for physicians, nurses and other clinicians interested in leadership positions in their medical staff structures and in the new Accountable Care Organizations and other organizations that integrate clinical and administrative duties.
 
What are the admission requirements for the Executive Track?

Our standards are competitive and rigorous. To be considered for admission, prospective students must have met the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated leadership potential (as indicated through the applicant’s statement of purpose, letters of recommendation and employment verification).
  • At least five years of full-time health care work experience with increasing responsibilities.
  • No less than a cumulative 3.0 GPA in their bachelor’s degree and not less than a cumulative 3.0 GPA in the final 60 hours (junior- and senior-level courses) of their bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution recognized by Texas A&M.

Note: Prospective students are NOT required to take a graduate admissions examination (i.e., GMAT or GRE).
 
How many credit hours are required for graduation?
The MHA Program Executive Track requires 45 credit hours (15 3-credit-hour courses).
 
How much time should Executive Track students expect to commit outside of class?
Students should be prepared to devote an average of at least 60 hours per month outside of the classroom.
 
How many students are in each cohort?

Entering cohorts will not exceed 25 students.

Where will classes meet?

Classes generally meet online following a mandatory, two-day orientation in College Station.

Is there a New Student Orientation prior to the start of the program?
An orientation will be held in College Station, with scheduling based on the academic calendar.
Day 1 begins with a mid-afternoon introductory session followed by an informal dinner. Day 2 is an  orientation to Texas A&M, the School of Public Health and the MHA program, with a focus on course design, expectations (including skills related to online readiness, Excel bootcamp and other technical applications),  course design and traditions/organizational culture. 
Each incoming student is responsible for his or her costs related to participation in Student Orientation.
 
What is the course sequence for the Executive Track?

The 15 courses are taught in the following lockstep sequence, with no electives and no courses allowed to be taken out of sequence.

Course Sequence

Year 1

 

Fall

PHPM 601: Foundations of Population and Public Health (7 weeks)

 

PHPM 606: Health Systems Management (7 weeks)

 

PHPM 623: Health Care Financial Management (15 weeks)

Spring

PHPM 614: Strategic Planning and Marketing (7 weeks)

 

PHPM 617: Quality and Process Improvement (7 weeks)

 

PHPM 633: Health Law and Ethics (15 weeks)

Summer

PHPM 636: Project Management (15 weeks)

 

PHPM 633: Managing Health Care Data and Information (7 weeks)

 

PHPM 681: Seminar* (7 weeks)

Year 2

 

Fall 

PHPM 620: Operations Management (7 weeks)

 

PHPM 661: Introduction to Health Economics (7 weeks)

 

PHPM 616: Management of Human Resources (15 weeks)

Spring

PHPM 640: Health Policy and Politics* (7 weeks)

 

PHPM 633: Health Insurance and Managed Care (7 weeks)

 

PHPM 680: Health Systems Leadership (Capstone, 15 weeks)

 

*Immersion course
What do the immersion courses entail?
PHPM 681: Seminar in Phoenix (Year 1, Summer)

Study of major health systems in an urban environment. Arrive late afternoon on Sunday and depart Friday evening. Dinner on Sunday followed by sessions Monday through Friday with leaders from various local delivery systems and dinner events with local health care leaders and providers. The cost of lodging, travel, food, and ground transportation are covered by the program. 

PHPM 640: Health Policy and Politics (Year 2, Spring)

Study of federal government policy mechanisms--CMS, HHS, FTC, VA and more--with a focus on delivery systems at the national level. Arrive late afternoon on Sunday and depart Friday evening. Dinner on Sunday followed by sessions Monday through Thursday with legislative leaders, staff and executive branch officials, and policymakers dealing with health care delivery systems and concentrating. The cost of lodging, travel, food, and ground transportation are covered by the program.

Does the Executive Track require an internship or practicum?

No, neither an internship nor a practicum is required.

What are the essential competencies and skills for a successful health care leader?
The MHA Program believes that effective work in all health leadership positions requires successful development of competencies and thoughtful use of technical, managerial and leadership skills.
The central purpose of our MHA Program’s educational process is to enable you to gain and develop the essential competencies and skills that will increase your professional capabilities and continue your professional growth long after your graduation.
 
The MHA Program’s Competency Model has identified those leadership competencies and skills that have been rigorously established by outstanding healthcare leaders and research.
 
How can I learn more about the Executive Track?
Please call 979.436.9433 or email Megan Westerman, Program Coordinator II.