By Vanessa Orr

As healthcare organizations continue to navigate workforce shortages, regulatory changes, technological innovation and evolving patient needs, the demand for skilled healthcare leaders continues to grow. Hospitals, health systems, physician practices, public health organizations, insurance companies and others are always looking for those who understand what it takes to manage and command these organizations.

Florida Atlantic University’s Master of Health Administration (MHA) programs prepare current and aspiring healthcare professionals to lead organizations, improve patient outcomes, and navigate today’s increasingly complex healthcare environment. These degree programs combine business, leadership, finance, healthcare policy, operations, and quality improvement to prepare graduates for administrative and executive roles. The programs also equip professionals with the skills to improve patient outcomes, enhance organizational performance, and navigate the evolving healthcare landscape.

According to Sherien Khachiche, admissions coordinator with the College of Business Executive Education team, these courses are geared for two different audiences: those already in healthcare who seek a change from clinical or bedside care into more administrative/ leadership-focused roles, and those transitioning to healthcare who seek a switch from their current career, or who work in a specified department and seek to switch to the healthcare industry. These may include business and data analysts, HR managers, operations coordinators, program/project coordinators and more.

“Pursuing my Executive Master of Health Administration has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career,” said Engagement Consultant Kadian Goldson, ’25. “It strengthened my leadership skills, expanded my understanding of healthcare systems, and gave me the confidence to take bold steps toward my future.”

FAU’s In-Person Executive MHA is offered in person on the Boca Raton campus every three weeks on Saturdays and Sundays. New cohort classes begin in the fall and spring and the next intake date is Aug. 29. FAU’s Online Executive MHA is offered in a fully remote environment and can be completed anywhere at any time. The next intake begins on Aug. 22 for this program, which is offered in fall, spring and summer.

Enhanced Career Opportunities

Earning an advanced degree while working full time requires commitment, but the long-term career benefits can be significant. The Executive MHA program prepares participants to manage teams, drive organizational change, and make strategic decisions that can help them qualify for supervisory, management, and executive positions.

“Our MHA coursework covers healthcare finance, operations, organizational behavior, law and policy, informatics and quality management, and more, preparing graduates to make informed decisions that improve organizational performance and patient care,” says Khachiche. “Students also learn to analyze healthcare systems, improve organizational performance, and address complex challenges using data and evidence.”

In addition, the programs strengthen knowledge of healthcare policy and regulations to help professionals navigate the evolving healthcare landscape and enhance communication and leadership skills by emphasizing collaboration, negotiation, conflict resolution, and executive communication.

Through the program, participants can also expand their professional networks by connecting with faculty, healthcare executives, alumni and peers. Through internships and Leadership Bootcamp experiences, students collaborate on real-world healthcare challenges while building valuable executive leadership experience.

“The program gives you practical tools and leadership skills you may not find in other programs,” said Supervisor, Medical Support Assistant Dvante Baham, ’26. “Experiences like the Leadership Bootcamp provide access to different healthcare leaders and offer valuable insights from professionals in the field.”

Additional Healthcare Leadership Programs

In addition to the Executive MHA program, FAU offers a number of other options to help professionals move forward in their careers. This includes an MBA in Artificial Intelligence and an MBA in Health Administration, among others.

The MBA in Artificial Intelligence is a new concentration offered in all of FAU’s MBA programs, . It is designed to equip business leaders with the knowledge and skills to thrive in today’s AI-driven world.

“This concentration brings advanced AI concepts into the MBA core, giving individuals the breadth of a management degree and the depth to steward AI initiatives across functions,” said Khachiche, noting that competitive advantage comes from translating emerging technologies into scalable business results. The program is offered both on-site and on-line. Visit https://business.fau.edu/masters-phd/mba-program/executive-mba/concentrations/artificial-intelligence/.

The MBA in Health Administration prepares students to provide leadership, vision, and management for healthcare facilities such as hospitals, physician offices, group medical practices, home health care agencies, outpatient clinics, and nursing care providers. Offered on-campus or online, this degree is designed for professionals seeking to apply business expertise within healthcare organizations.

For healthcare professionals looking to transition skills and better understand the area of reimbursement, medical billing and coding, regulatory and compliance practice, and overall office operations, FAU offers stand-alone certificates in Medical Business Management.

“Any member of the public can complete them and they do not have to be active students,” said Khachiche. “This is especially useful for those looking to open their own practices or seeking to advance within their current roles in these healthcare spaces.”

The certificate program, offered two to three times per year depending on demand, is offered online and on-campus and is available in three modules; Anatomy, Terminology, Billing and Coding; Legal, Regulatory and Compliance Practices and Office Operations.

FAU also offers over 60 professional development programs designed and taught by subject matter experts. These include Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification; Fundamentals of Power BI; Introduction to Project Management; Certificate in Artificial Intelligence in Business; Certificate in Medical Business Management; Executive Certificate in Analysis; Leadership Courses for Rising Executives and more.

For more information, visit https://business.fau.edu/masters-phd/mha.