Online MHA Frequently Asked Questions

You will be prepared to assume leadership roles in hospitals, community healthcare clinics, health insurance companies, healthcare consulting firms, doctors’ offices, nursing homes, home health organizations, and pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Depending on your experience entering the Online MHA program, you will be able to move from entry-level management jobs to supervisory positions (such as a front-line manager), to positions where you manage entire units/programs/service lines. In the future, you may manage larger and more complex units, multiple units, divisions and entire organizations  (e.g., CEO, COO), or lead work groups performing key analytic work (marketing, strategy, communications, finance) for divisions and entire organizations (e.g., CFO).

The Online MHA program takes two years and one term (seven terms total, or about 28 months). It is not possible to complete this program on a shorter (or longer) timeline.

The Online MHA program is offered part-time only. Each term is six credits, except Term Two and Term Seven, which are each 7.5 credits . Weekly, live classes are held in the evenings for 60 minutes. Students can expect to spend two hours in live classes each week.

The Online MHA follows a set curriculum, with no electives, over seven terms. Visit our Curriculum page to learn more about the courses.

The average class size for the MHA program is approximately 15 students.

Your Online MHA classes will be taught by NYU Wagner’s distinguished research and practitioner faculty. Many are top managers at the most prestigious hospitals and healthcare systems in the country; others conduct groundbreaking research and advise government agencies on major US healthcare initiatives.

No, the Online MHA culminates with an interactive, online simulation, where you will practice working in top-management teams, thinking strategically, drawing on evidence, and making trade-offs under time pressure and constraints.

Yes, all Online MHA students come to campus for a two-and-a-half day immersion in their second term to build skills in leadership; communications; evidence-based decision-making; and managing careers. Lodging and meals are provided as part of tuition/fees. Students are also always welcome and encouraged to come to campus for student events, school activities, and other campus happenings if/when they are in the New York City area. Additionally, all students are strongly encouraged to attend graduation.

Live class sessions for the online MHA program are held from 7-8pm and/or 8:30-9:30pm on Tuesday and/or Wednesday evenings. In addition to the live classes, there are lessons and coursework completed asynchronously.

Online MHA students are always welcome to come to NYU Wagner in the Puck Building as well as NYU’s campus across New York City. They will also have the opportunity to be a member of any student organization. Of special note is the Wagner Health Network (WHN), an academic, professional, and social support to students interested in the fields of health policy, health management, health finance, and international health. NYU Wagner works to make activities and events available to students who cannot make it to campus.

The total cost of the Online MHA program is about $110,973* in tuition. Tuition is $2,395* per credit hour.

Most terms are six credits. In two terms, students take seven and a half credits:

6 credits: $14,370*

7.5 credits: $17,962.50*

A $1,000 deposit is due at the time of enrollment.

*Cost subject to annual tuition and fee increases.

NYU Wagner’s Online MHA is a highly structured program for working professionals focused on advancing their career in healthcare management. It is only available online and can only be completed on a part-time basis. It requires students to be experienced professionals currently employed in the US healthcare field. NYU Wagner’s MPA in Health Policy and Management (HPAM) is for both aspiring and experienced healthcare professionals interested in a wide array of healthcare management and policy careers. Students can pursue elective courses across NYU Wagner’s curriculum. HPAM can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis on the NYU campus. Students who select HPAM with a management specialization will complete a curriculum very similar to the Online MHA.

Applications to the Online MHA program are accepted on a rolling basis.

You are not required to submit GRE or GMAT scores to apply to the Online MHA, but it is recommended if you have limited quantitative undergraduate coursework. Scores should be no more than five years old and should be transmitted directly from your testing agency.

Quantitative analysis is important to the work of healthcare managers and a core component of the Online MHA program. If you do not currently have any quantitative coursework that demonstrates your ability to succeed in the program represented in your previous academics or professional experience, taking one of the following can help you gain the necessary quantitative proficiency for admission:

• A college-level quantitative course (undergraduate or graduate) at an accredited college/university (on-campus or online)
• An online quantitative-focused course through StraighterLine (such as this course)
• GRE or GMAT standardized tests: Please upload a copy of your score report into the online application before submission. Once your online application is submitted, we will not allow replacement of your test scores. Only tests taken within the past five (5) years will be considered. GRE School Code: 2507

Yes, to apply to the Online MHA you must submit a resume listing relevant work experience, internships, research, awards, and/or publications, as well as your educational history.

To be admitted to the Online MHA, at least one year of full-time experience in a US healthcare-related role is preferred. All applicants must be committed to advancing healthcare in the US.

No, however our most competitive Online MHA applicants have a GPA of at least 3.0.

Yes. If you are considering applying to the Online MHA with an unrelated undergraduate background and/or a very low GPA, we encourage you to enroll in one or more post-bacc courses at a local college to demonstrate your quantitative skills and/or general academic ability.

Yes. You can be admitted to the Online MHA program without a degree if you are in the process of completing your final undergraduate term and if transcripts with proof of degree conferral are transmitted upon graduation. You will not be allowed to register for courses, however, until your final transcripts are received. In addition, at least one year of healthcare-related work experience is preferred.

For the Online MHA program, you must submit two letters of recommendation. We would prefer one professional reference and one academic reference from a faculty member or academic advisor who is familiar with your work. If you have been out of school for more than two years, it is acceptable to submit two professional references.

You can apply without US citizenship, however we are unable to sponsor student visas for a part-time program. Even if you are not a US citizen, you must be working in a US healthcare related field in order to apply to the Online MHA. If you’re interested in comparative healthcare systems or international health policy and management, you should apply to our CAHME-accredited, on-campus MPA in Health Policy & Management.

Yes, we accept applications to the Online MHA program through the Healthcare Administration, Management & Policy Centralized Application Service (HAMPCAS).

You are eligible for an Online MHA fee waiver if you have participated in one or more years of full-time service with the U.S. Military or National Guard, AmeriCorps, Bonner, Peace Corps, City Year, NYPD, or Teach for America; are a Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) fellow, Rangel Fellowship recipient, Pickering Fellow recipient, a McNair  or Truman Scholar program participant; meet ICE requirements, are a current NYU undergraduate student or NYU employee; attended an HBCU or HSI, or submitted an international credit evaluation; or are experiencing economic hardship (with documentation). Contact an enrollment advisor if you believe that you qualify for an application fee waiver.

Online MHA deferrals are only granted for medical/family emergencies or on a case-by-case basis.

The Online MHA program does not accept transfer credits for coursework taken at other institutions or as part of other degree programs.

Our CAHME-accredited, on-campus MPA in Health Policy & Management receives several hundred applications each year for an entering class of around 50-60 students. The Online MHA is also a very competitive program. However, our goal is to admit any student who we believe can succeed in the classroom, benefit from the program, and contribute to the Wagner community.

Online MHA applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and decisions are made approximately two to three weeks after submission. After your application file is complete and all required information from your application checklist has been received, the Graduate Admissions Committee will review your file and make a decision.

Online MHA prospective students can call the the NYU Office of Financial Aid at 212-998-4444 or reach them via email at financial.aid@nyu.edu. For those who can come to campus, the office is located at 383 Lafayette Street in Manhattan or 5 Metrotech Center, Rm 201 in Dibner Hall in Brooklyn, is open 9am to 5pm ET, Monday through Friday.

A limited amount of financial aid is available to Online MHA students in the form of partial tuition scholarships may be available to exceptionally qualified candidates based on merit.

The Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (FPSLFP) and the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan are two options that will allow some borrowers to be eligible for loan forgiveness after 10 years of qualifying employment and loan payments.

The IBR plan considers your adjusted gross income, the size of your debt, and the size of your family—and may lower your monthly loan payments. And if you work in the public or nonprofit sectors, the FPSLFP may cancel your remaining debt (principal and interest) after 10 years and 120 qualifying payments.

You May Be Eligible For Public Service Loan Forgiveness If You:

• Hold a job in the nonprofit or public sector for at least 10 years (not necessarily consecutive);
• Participate in the Direct Loan program, or consolidate all current loans into Direct Lending;
• Have a high debt-to-income ratio;
• Participate in the IBR, PAYE, or some combination over the course of 10 years of qualifying employment;
• Make 120 timely payments; and
• Re-affirm eligibility each year.

No, you can only submit an application to either the Online MHA Program or the MPA in Health Policy & Management Program. You can only submit an application to one program per year.