Health Administration MHA Programs in Missouri & Salary Info.

If your aim is to find a job in healthcare administration, either in Missouri and throughout the U.S., you need to know that a college degree from an accredited college or university in this field is the first step that must be taken.

For entry-to-mid-level healthcare administration jobs, a bachelor’s degree is often appropriate.

However, in case you are striving towards senior-level positions and your wish is to work within large hospitals and healthcare systems, you are required to possess a master’s degree in health administration.

Health Administration Degrees in Missouri

These are two most prominent schools in Missouri offering health administration programs:

SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY – College for Public Health and Social Justice – St. Louis

• Master of Health Administration- Residential (On Campus)
• Master of Health Administration- Executive (Hybrid)
• Master of Health Administration/Juris Doctor
• Master of Health Administration/Master of Business Administration

The estimated cost per academic year is $13,560 and the school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools & Colleges; Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education; Council on Education for Public Health.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – School of Medicine – St. Louis

• Master of Health Administration-Residential (On Campus)
• Master of Health Administration- Executive (Hybrid)
• Master of Health Administration/Master of Science in Health Informatics
• Master of Health Administration/Master of Business Administration
• Master of Health Administration/Master of Science in Industrial Engineering
• Master of Health Administration/Juris Doctor
• Master of Health Administration/Master of Public Affairs

Concentrations/Specializations:

• Health Informatics
• Health Ethics

The estimated cost per academic year is $33,600 for those who enroll in the Executive Program and $9600 for enrollees in Residential Program.

The school boasts accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools & Colleges; Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education.

Bachelor’s degrees in health administration are structured as either Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) or Bachelor of Health Administration (BHA) programs.

Undergraduate programs emphasize both the conceptual and analytical skills and the curriculum is designed so as to allow students to gain an in-depth understanding of the organization and structure of the U.S. healthcare sector.

Undergraduate core coursework includes:

• Healthcare systems and transcultural healthcare
• Health policy
• Healthcare accounting and billing
• Legal and ethical principles in healthcare
• Health information technology and management
• Organizational behavior and leadership in healthcare

Universities that offer master’s programs may provide classes in colleges of business administration, public administration, health policy, or health services administration, so these graduate programs can be structured as:

• Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)
• Master of Public Health (MPH)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Public Administration (MPA)
• Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA)

The structure of these programs may also differ based on student needs:

• Traditional, residential programs for those without a background in health administration
• Executive programs designed for mid-level professionals in healthcare administration looking to fill advanced executive positions

Master’s in health administration curriculum focuses on the analytical and decision-making processes required to lead today’s healthcare systems and the foundation of a master’s degree program depends on the college that houses the program.

Distance learning (online) opportunities, part-time/evening study, and opportunities to choose a specialization within the degree program are available so as to meet the needs and interests of working professionals.

There are institutions that offer accelerated programs, which are a combination of both undergraduate and graduate curriculum.

Traditional master’s degree programs in health administration require candidates to possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and those can be applicants with undergraduate degrees in health administration or people who possess undergraduate degrees in a variety of different fields, such as business management, finance, and public health.

The majority of graduate programs will have the following admission requirements for health administration master’s degree:

• Minimum undergraduate GPA
• Minimum GRE scores
• Admission essays or statements of purpose
• Admission interviews

Graduate core courses include study in topics like:

• Health law and ethics
• Management of healthcare organizations
• Financial management in healthcare
• Healthcare economics
• Healthcare policy

Job Postings in Healthcare Administration in Missouri

Corporate Director of Advanced Practice Providers, Kansas City –  His/her duty will be to provide leadership for advanced practice providers and this position requires a bachelor of science in nursing and either a master’s of science in nursing or a related healthcare field.

Manager, Quality Management, Kansas City –  He/she will develop, design, and lead large-scale quality management program work; a bachelor’s degree in nursing, healthcare administration, health information management, or other healthcare disciplines is obligatory while a master’s degree is preferred.

Director Quality Improvement, Maryland Heights –  This person will manage the operations of the department of quality improvement, including orientation, staff hiring, monitoring of expenses, supervision, preparation of budgets, so a master’s degree in health administration is desirable.

Possible Employers and Professional Resources for Health Administrators in Missouri

Once you get a degree, you can look for jobs for professionals in healthcare administration and management in Missouri in many settings, such as:

• Hospitals
• Hospital systems
• Physician practices
• Hospices
• Ambulatory care facilities
• Home health agencies
• Integrated delivery systems
• Managed care organizations

Missouri’s largest hospital and healthcare systems are offering the most abundant job opportunities for healthcare service administrators:

• Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University, St. Louis
• Lukes Hospital, Kansas City
• Boone Hospital Center, Columbia
• Heartland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph
• Missouri Baptist Medical Center, St. Louis
• University of Missouri Hospitals and Clinics, Columbia
• Ascension Health System, St. Louis
• BJC Healthcare, St. Louis
• Sisters of Mercy Healthcare System, Chesterfield
• SSM Health, St. Louis

Missouri offers a number of professional associations that are created so as to support those working in health administration and be valuable resources for professionals who are eager to network with others in their profession:

• Missouri Hospital Association
• Missouri Association of Long-Term Care Practitioners
• Medical Group Management Association, Missouri Chapter
• Missouri Health Care Association
• Missouri Association for Healthcare Public Relations and Marketing
• Missouri Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration

Health Administration Salaries and Job Growth in Missouri

Healthcare administrators in Missouri make around $110974 per year, which is pretty close to the national median salary.

Those with the least experience cannot expect to earn that much, as the minimum salary is $99037 per year.

Nevertheless, managers with more experience and greater responsibilities can find themselves making $125158.

Regional Salary in Missouri