Join us for a live info session about the online Master of Healthcare Administration - January 21 at 12 p.m. (PT)
The UCLA Fielding School of Public Health’s online Master of Healthcare Administration prepares students from a variety of backgrounds to excel as healthcare leaders. With multiple chances to start each year, your opportunity to advance your education and career could start soon. In the videos below, UCLA students provide first-hand insights into our program.
Why do students pick UCLA’s MHA program?
“I ultimately chose UCLA because I believe in its mission of education, research and service.”
Monique Trinh
Quality Program Manager for Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
Students choose us because they understand the caliber of education they will get. There are inefficiencies in our current health system, and our online MHA provides students with the skill set to build talented teams, manage operations and guide analytical decision making.
Our professors contribute to worldwide efforts that improve the well-being of communities, and our students push each other to excel in and outside of the program. As a member of the Fielding School community, you’ll gain a nuanced perspective on the healthcare system as a whole and build the foundation to succeed in vital healthcare positions.
Outside of coursework, we also offer a rich campus life with student resources and activities designed for both on-campus and online learners. These include opportunities to meet with alumni and expand your network.
How do you balance school with work and family?
“Attending school and working full time is an adjustment. I needed to get more organized in regards to creating a schedule for school and having designated time to focus on only schoolwork. It is really about balance and managing your time wisely.”
Maria Estrada
Senior Project Manager, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA,
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Urology
We understand that finding a rhythm to balance your professional life and your education can be an adjustment. That’s why we offer support to help students succeed. Our online MHA students have access to the same on-campus resources including the Graduate Student Resource Center, the Graduate Writing Center and the digital library archive. In addition, our program advisors and professors are always available to answer questions and provide further guidance.
Our online MHA is a rigorous program, and it’s important to implement organizational strategies that will set you up for success while juggling school and work. To make time for your education, designate specific hours of the day for schoolwork, use a calendar or keep to-do lists. Each term, students also have the ability to adjust their schedules as needed, switching between part-time and full-time studies.
The most important piece of advice for new students is to not underestimate yourself. If you put in the work and give yourself time to learn, this program can prepare you to be a leader in healthcare administration.
How do you connect with faculty and peers in UCLA’s MHA program?
“Interacting with my peers, faculty and alumni from the program thus far has really opened my eyes to the culture of openness and the nurturing behavior of the faculty. They really want you to grow, and they are willing to go out of their way to connect you with someone who is able to get you to where you want to be in the future.”
Jamie Pham
Administrative Assistant II
UC Irvine
Though our program is online, we haven’t given up the vital elements of learning through connection and collaboration. We want our students to form a community with their faculty and cohort, which is why we devote ourselves to building a culture of openness.
You can make meaningful connections with your classmates through weekly real-time discussions and interactive coursework. Our goal is to help students connect beyond the virtual classroom, so they can work as a team to help each other through the program.
Our faculty is dedicated to helping students grow. They are generous with their time and willing to go out of their way to help you succeed. Their expert grasp of the subject matter coupled with their industry connections formed from years of field experience make them a great resource for students.
Tell us about the courses in UCLA’s MHA program.
“The classes have been a lot of work, but beyond fascinating, and I love that they are directly applicable to my role.”
Monique Trinh
Quality Program Manager for Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
Our online MHA courses begin by laying a foundation of basic healthcare principles, and then delve deeper into administrative disciplines including business, finance, marketing, data analytics and organizational behavior. Through a combination of asynchronous and in-person interactions, you can hone your analytical, technical and leadership skills, while learning about the challenges facing healthcare administrators today.
Our online MHA is a 66-unit program designed to be completed in as little as two years, with each year consisting of four 10-week terms. Learn more about our curriculum by visiting our curriculum page.
What do the capstone and on-campus immersion look like?
Our on-campus immersions are one aspect that sets our online MHA program apart. Each year, students take part in immersive learning experiences on UCLA’s campus and around Los Angeles. Immersion I focuses on professional development to expand students’ networks and kickstart long-term career growth. During this time, students meet their professors and classmates in person, visit health centers, and connect with online MHA alumni. This gives them valuable real-world experience in the field and opportunities to bond with those they will be learning with throughout their MHA education.
Immersion II focuses on preparing students for their capstone project. The capstone project is designed to give students hands-on field experience in health administration. In the capstone, students consult with a healthcare organization and conduct a project based on a health administration problem of their choice. Through the project, students must address common health administration organizational practices and prepare a consulting report and presentation. Our capstone project helps students develop skills such as problem-solving, project management and communication.
