Programs in Healthcare Leadership
Lead the Future of Healthcare
Health care organizations need leaders who understand complex delivery systems, financial performance, and strategic growth. The Division of Management at Oregon Health & Science University offers fully online graduate programs designed to prepare professionals for leadership roles in health care administration and executive strategy.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 23 percent from 2024 to 2034, significantly faster than the average for all occupations.
Choose Your Healthcare Leadership Path
OHSU offers two distinct graduate programs in healthcare leadership. Each is designed for a different stage of professional growth and leadership responsibility.
Online MS in Healthcare Administration (MSHA)
Health Care Operations and Organizational Leadership
Who it’s for:
Professionals building or advancing careers in health care operations and management.
What you’ll gain:
- expertise in health care systems and delivery
- financial stewardship and operational improvement skills
- leadership and team management capabilities
- applied consulting experience through a Capstone project
Career Pathways:
Hospital Administrator
Clinical Operations Director
Quality & Performance Manager
Chief Operating Officer
The Online Healthcare MBA
Executive Strategy with Healthcare Expertise
Who it’s for:
Experienced healthcare professionals seeking senior or executive leadership roles.
What you’ll gain:
- Advanced business strategy and financial leadership
- Executive decision-making and innovation capabilities
- Healthcare market and systems insight
- Preparation for complex organizational leadership
Career Pathways:
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Medical Officer
Healthcare Strategist
Consultant
Entrepreneur
Real-World Consulting Experience
Both the MSHA and Healthcare MBA culminate in a team-based Capstone consulting project where students work with a health care organization to address a real strategic or operational challenge.
Since 2011, students have completed more than 150 consulting projects supporting hospitals, health systems, nonprofit organizations, and community partners across the United States and internationally.
Capstone projects help students apply strategy, operations, and financial analysis while producing actionable recommendations for sponsoring organizations.
Beginning in 2022, project abstracts are archived through the OHSU Library. You can explore the Capstone Abstracts in Healthcare Administration and Management to see examples of recent projects.
| Project Name | Sponsoring Organization |
|---|---|
| Knight Mobile Outreach – Increasing equitable access to the HPV vaccines to 18- to 26-year-olds | Oregon Health & Science University - Knight Cancer Institute (2) |
| Updating the Prior Authorization of Medication Workflow for Pediatric Gastroenterology | Doernbecher Children's Hospital - Pediatric Gastroenterology (2) |
| Assessment of Junior Faculty Development for the Department of Pediatrics | Oregon Health & Science University - Department of Pediatrics (2) |
| Improve Pathology Revenue Capture | Providence Health and Services (1) |
| Creating a Strategy for Improving Oral Health in the Columbia Gorge Region | Columbia Gorge Health Council (1,2) |
| An Evaluation and Recommendations for the Lane CC Mental Health and Wellness Center | Lane Community College Center for Mental Health and Wellness |
| Centralized Access Efficiency Solutions | OHSU Centralized Access Teams (Connected Care Center & Incoming Referral Center) (1) |
| EPIC Build for Mobile Units | OHSU Health Equity (1) |
| Joy in Work | Oregon Health & Science University - Department of Pediatrics (2) |
| Joy in Work | Oregon Health & Science University - Wound Clinic (1) |
(1) Alumni-sponsored projects
(2) Repeat sponsors
Tuition and Funding Your Graduate Education
Students in the MS in Healthcare Administration (MSHA) and Healthcare MBA programs pay tuition based on the number of graduate credits taken each term. Tuition and university fees are established by Oregon Health & Science University and apply equally to in-state and out-of-state students.
Tuition is billed quarterly and is based on the number of credits in which you enroll.
| Program | Credits | Format |
|---|---|---|
| MSHA | 54 Credits | Online |
| Healthcare MBA | 63 Credits | Online |
Information about tuition, fees, and estimated cost of attendance is maintained by the university and available here:
Financial Aid and Student Funding
Graduate students may be eligible for federal financial aid programs. Financial aid counselors at OHSU can help you explore available funding options and develop a plan for financing your degree.
Resources may include:
- Federal student loans
- Institutional financial aid guidance
- Budget planning tools for graduate students
Learn more about financial aid at OHSU
Educational Debt Counseling and Financial Planning
OHSU offers specialized financial guidance through the Educational Debt Counseling and Financial Management program, which supports graduate and professional students across the university.
Students can receive individualized advising on:
- Borrowing strategies for graduate education
- Loan repayment planning
- Budgeting during graduate school
- Long-term financial planning for health care professionals
Explore Educational Debt Counseling Services
Division of Management Student Support Scholarship
The Division of Management offers a Student Support Scholarship for incoming students in the MSHA and Healthcare MBA programs.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, two scholarships of $1,000 will be awarded to newly admitted students.
Eligibility
Applicants may be considered if they:
- Work in health care settings serving underserved or disadvantaged populations
- Bring perspectives or experiences that contribute to improving health care access and outcomes
- Have submitted a complete admissions application for the MSHA or Healthcare MBA program
Application deadline: September 1, 2026
Award notification: September 22, 2026
Helpful resources include:
Career Outlook in Healthcare Leadership
Healthcare administration and management remains one of the fastest-growing professional sectors in the United States. Graduates of OHSU’s MSHA and Healthcare MBA programs pursue leadership roles across hospitals, health systems, payer organizations, consulting firms, and healthcare startups.
Whether your goal is operational excellence or executive strategy, OHSU’s graduate programs in healthcare leadership prepare you to lead with confidence.
Ready to Advance Your Career?
Explore the program that aligns with your experience and goals.
Connect with us
E-mail: hcmanagement@ohsu.edu
Phone: 503-346-0375