Program Overview
- Program Duration
- Full-time: 12 – 16 months (6-9 units per trimester) | Part-time: 16 or more months (flexible scheduling)
- Format
- Hybrid
- Accreditation
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges – Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
- Curriculum
- 36 units total
Important Application Deadlines
-
NOV 15
November 15, 2026
Spring 2027 Priority Application Deadline
-
NOV 29
November 29, 2026
Spring 2027 Final Application Deadline
-
MAR 22
March 22, 2027
Summer 2027 Priority Application Deadline
Key Points of Contact
-
Office of Admission
Admission
-
Brent Dondalski
Admission Counselor
What Is SMU's Master of Health Administration Program?
SMU's MHA combines graduate business education with a deep understanding of healthcare. Students gain:
- Healthcare-focused management expertise spanning finance, operations, policy, and quality improvement.
- Practical decision-making experience grounded in the challenges healthcare leaders face today.
- Flexible hybrid learning designed for professionals who want to advance their careers while earning their degree.
Ready to apply? Get your admission decision the same day.
Join SMU’s Instant Decision Day and apply with no application fee. Register now
Why Choose the Samuel Merritt University MHA Program?
Students study management within the context of healthcare, learning how leadership decisions affect organizational performance and the delivery of care. Flexible hybrid learning allows students to continue working while learning from faculty who bring current healthcare leadership experience into the classroom.
#1
Best Career Prospects
#1 University in CA for postgrad jobs.
#1
Early-Career Salaries
Forbes ranks us #1 for early-career salaries.
86%
Employers Prefer SMU
86% of employers prefer hiring SMU grads.
Admission
Applicants must have the following to be considered for admission to the MHA program:
- An undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited university (or international equivalent)
- Discussion with a Program Representative
- Resume
Application fees are payable to Health Administration, Management, and Policy (HAMPCAS). Samuel Merritt University does not charge an additional admission fee.
Book a 1-1 with an admission counselor to inquire about an application fee waiver.
For more information, please contact the program director Dr. Keith Schildt: kschildt@samuelmerritt.edu
Financial Aid
Investing in your next step.
Many Master of Health Administration students use scholarships, loans, employer tuition assistance, and financial aid to support their graduate education.
Samuel Merritt University works closely with students throughout the financial aid process—from completing the FAFSA to understanding scholarship opportunities and developing a financial plan that supports their educational and professional goals.
Scholarships for MPA students include:
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
- Federal Direct Graduate Loans
In addition to tuition and fees, financial aid can also cover:
- Books and supplies
- Room and board
- Transportation
- Personal expenses
- Other fees as determined by program/college
Your financial aid package at Samuel Merritt University is personalized to you. We develop your financial aid package using guidelines set by the Department of Education and the estimated costs of each program. Once you receive your financial aid package, check the budget against your actual living expenses, and we can make necessary adjustments to meet your needs.
Detailed information about financial aid, budgeting, total cost, and application processes is available using the button below.
Cost
For the current expected cost of the Master of Marriage and Family Therapy program, please
download the Full 2026-2027 Tuition Guide. Samuel Merritt University strives to support the future of
healthcare through financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Learn more about the support available for you:
Accreditation
Samuel Merritt University is accredited by the Western Association of the Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501; 510.748.9001.
The program will be seeking COAMFTE accreditation in 2028.
Curriculum
Core Courses required of all MHA students (30 units total)
- HA 6001 Systems Approach to U.S. Healthcare (3 units)
- HA 6002 Fundamentals of Public Health (3 units)
- HA 6003 Ethical Leadership in Healthcare (3 units)
- HA 6010 Strategic Management (2 units)
- HA 6011 Information Mgmt. & Regulatory Compliance (3 units)
- HA 6030 Financial Management (3 units)
- HA 6031 The Economics of Healthcare (2 units)
- HA 6050 Professional Communication (3 units)
- HA 6051, HA 6052, HA 6053 Professional and Personal Care & Development (1 unit each, x3)
- HA 6054 Prof Development IV Capstone Prep (course must be taken the trimester before taking Capstone) (1 unit)
- HA 6090 Capstone Seminar (must have Program Director approval) (4 units)
Electives (6 units)
Choice of two of the following electives:
- HA 6012 Risk Management (3 units)
- HA 6014 Emergency Preparedness (3 units)
- HA 6015 Cultural Context of Health & Healing (3 units)
- HA 6016 Leading the AI Transformation in Healthcare (3 units)
- HA 6080 Internship - required in first year of study for all students who lack experience in the U.S. healthcare system (must have Program Director approval) (3 units)
More About This Program
Program Outcomes
- Analyze the current state and future trends in the U.S. healthcare system and the implications for healthcare management that meet the needs of diverse populations.
- Apply principles of ethical decision-making in leading healthcare organizations.
- Engage in a personal philosophy of self-care, professionalism, and lifelong learning.
- Professionally construct and express ideas, thoughts, and concepts through written and verbal communication.
- Conduct research on health issues and policies using an integrated systems approach.
- Relate the roles of healthcare and public health in contributing to the health of a defined population.
- Securely manage health records in the U.S. regulatory environment.
- Apply analytical skills to interpret and synthesize data from the major financial statements utilized in healthcare organizations, especially as they relate to operational and capital budgeting.
International Students
International Students Admission Requirements
You must submit:
- Completed application. Application fees are waived.
- Resume of your educational and professional experience.
- Copy of your official transcript for all colleges attended. Please note that official transcripts and their evaluation must be submitted before your second term of registration.
You will receive communications via email. Be sure to provide a reliable email address.
International applicants should contact Keith Schildt, the Global Health Initiative program director, at kschildt@samuelmerritt.edu with questions about SMU programming and services.
Global Health Initiative
Samuel Merritt University’s Global Health Initiative (GHI) is a University-wide effort that seeks to connect our existing healthcare educational and research efforts to global issues and creativities. The GHI at SMU functions as the centralized hub to provide support and advocacy to international students, visiting faculty, and others as they interact with departments and programs across the University.
Our fundamental ethos is to change the future of healthcare.
At the center of our mission, GHI aims to serve the entire SMU community and stakeholders by promoting the principles of creating global connections, understanding the international context, and expanding the profession’s role as an advocate in fostering health and community well-being worldwide. The vision of GHI is to be a world leader in increasing global access to effective education and training to meet the needs of local, regional, and global healthcare enterprises. We will generate collaboration, educational programming, and applied synergistic research in innovative ways that confront the global/local nexus of health challenges.
We imagine a new kind of healthcare, one in which our knowledge is focused on new solutions with quality access for all. A healthcare system worldwide where patients and clinicians are empowered to transform the way health is delivered. A patient- and community-oriented health system where individual health is seen as a product of social and political factors as much as clinical techniques.
This requires change. We must stop doing more of the same and start thinking and innovating in completely new ways.
This requires a global perspective, new ways of defining health and wellness, and new collaborations between academia and the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Local health is increasingly dependent on global health. Our students are enriched by this global perspective.
For more information about SMU’s Global Health Initiative, please contact Keith Schildt, the Global Health Initiative program director, at kschildt@samuelmerritt.edu.