Master’s in Healthcare Degree Programs in Virginia

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Updated on December 1, 2023
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Are you looking for accredited healthcare degree programs in Virginia that will advance your education to the master’s level and your career to the executive level? With the abundance of top-ranked universities and colleges scattered across the Commonwealth, it is no surprise that Virginia provides the ideal location for you to get started on unlocking managerial healthcare positions near the epicenter of the United States – Washington, DC! Despite having 89 hospitals within its borders and one of the nation’s highest ratio of primary care providers, Virginia has a mixed record when it comes to public health outcomes. As the 26th most healthy state in America, Virginia is struggling to overcome a high prevalence of diabetes, rising infant mortality rate, lack of physical activity, and growing health disparities. If you have received the calling to use your expertise in improving the well-being of Virginians, read on to learn about the accredited master’s degree programs in the “Old Dominion State.”


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George Mason University

College of Health and Human Services

Enrolling more than 33,900 students for the largest headcount in the Commonwealth, George Mason University is a major comprehensive independent research institution located on an 854-acre suburban campus in the city of Fairfax within just 20 miles from our nation’s capital. Highly regarded for being the 4nd most diverse university nationwide by the Princeton Review, GMU is currently ranked as the 138th best college, 70th top public school, 10th top up-and-coming university, and 38th top college for veterans in America by the U.S. News and World Report. The College of Health and Human Services is dedicated to delivering innovative professional education that prepares students to be leaders in promoting improved wellness.

Master of Health Administration (MHA)

In response to the rising demand for training in advanced health systems management, the Master of Health Administration (MHA) has been established with an intensive 46-credit curriculum to prepare graduate students for working as executive-level managers and leaders in the various delivery systems that make up our evolving healthcare industry. While most courses are delivered conveniently on-campus Fairfax during evening hours, some courses will be taught on Saturdays, on the Arlington campus, or online from anywhere at any time. All applicants to the program will be required to have at least one year of full-time professional work experience in a relevant healthcare setting to be considered for admissions.

Master of Public Health (MPH)

As the most widely recognized graduate degree for students seeking to enter or advance their position in the public health workforce, the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at GMU is focused on building a comprehensive foundation for practice in the major disciplines of epidemiology, biostatistics, health administration, environmental health, and behavioral sciences. However, after completing fundamental coursework, students in the 42-credit program will have the freedom to concentrate their studies in the Epidemiology or Global and Community Health tracks. Before graduation, all MPH students will be required to successfully complete at least 200 clock hours of supervised practicum experience and a culminating capstone project.

Accreditations

  • Commission on Accreditation of Health Management Education (CAHME)
  • Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 993-1736
chhsgrad@gmu.edu
http://chhs.gmu.edu/admissions/graduate/programs.cfm

Marymount University

School of Business Administration

Situated on a 21-acre suburban campus in Arlington within just five miles from downtown Washington D.C. and its plethora of professional opportunities, Marymount University is a comprehensive private four-year Roman Catholic institution affiliated with the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. As home to more than 3,300 students of diverse faiths, Marymount is currently ranked as the 37th best college and 11th top university for veterans in the South by the U.S. News and World Report. Also recognized among the “Colleges that Encourage Character Development” in Templeton Guide, the School of Business Administration is acclaimed for having the 63rd best graduate healthcare management degree in America.

M.S. in Health Care Management (MSHCM)

Focused on the fast-paced dynamic medical industry, the M.S. in Health Care Management (MSHCM) program has been designed to equip health care professionals with the advanced leadership abilities necessary for managing and directing organizations in our nation’s changing health care climate. Due to the program’s strategic location near Congress and other federal agencies, the curriculum has been purposefully structured to reflect the most current issues in the American health care system for examining future national policy goals. Graduates of this 42-credit program often become hospital administrators, managed care executives, financial managers, and operational managers in health care facilities. Students also have the option of pairing this degree with an MBA or M.S. in Information Technology in a dual degree program.

Accreditations

  • Commission on Accreditation of Health Management Education (CAHME)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

2807 North Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22207
(703) 284-5901
grad.admissions@marymount.edu

Old Dominion University

College of Health Sciences

As Virginia’s forward-focused metropolitan public research institution, Old Dominion University serves the academic needs of over 24,400 students on its 251-acre urban campus in Norfolk at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Renowned for being one of America’s largest providers of online distance learning options, ODU has been ranked as the 191st best research university in the nation and the 124th best college overall in the South by Forbes magazine. The College of Health Sciences is specifically committed to housing the university’s healthcare degree programs for developing influential leaders in improving individual or community health.

Master of Public Health (MPH)

In collaboration with the Eastern Virginia Medical School, the Master of Public Health (MPH) is structured to provide graduate students with an advanced level of professional education for enhancing their understanding of the public health sciences and building the skills that can be utilized in community practice. Within the 43-credit curriculum, MPH students are required to choose one of the four specialized tracks in Epidemiology, Global Environmental Health, Health Management and Policy, or Health Promotion before completing a field-based practicum experience in their chosen specialty area. In completing the degree granted jointly by the two sponsoring organizations, students can complete coursework conveniently on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings at the EVMS or ODU campus.

Accreditations

  • Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

5115 Hampton Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23529
(757) 446-6120
dshuman@odu.edu

University of Virginia

School of Medicine

Since being founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia has grown to become a major senior public institution with very high research activity and more than 21,200 students on its historical 1,682-acre urban campus in the vibrant college town of Charlottesville. Recently ranked as the #1 “best school in the land” in the Daily Caller ahead of Stanford and Harvard, UVA is currently named the 23rd best college, 2nd top public school, and 27th top value university in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. As the 26th best medical school in America, the School of Medicine is home to various clinical departments ranging from public health sciences and pediatrics to psychiatry and emergency medicine.

Master of Public Health (MPH)

At UVA, the Master of Public Health (MPH) program was created to offer graduate professional training from an interdisciplinary approach to emerging professionals devoted to improving the health of individuals and communities worldwide. Within the 42-credit program, students can choose from two major tracks in Health Policy, Law, and Ethics or Research in Practice for concentrating their coursework and field practicum placements. Students will be fully engaged in a rigorous curriculum focused on developing the qualitative and quantitative research methodologies for creating community-based outreach programs in public health. If interested, MPH students can also participate in the Peace Corps Master’s International program to serve around the world while earning their degree.

Accreditations

  • Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

P.O. Box 800717
Charlottesville, VA 22908
(434) 924-8646
rg3r@virginia.edu
http://www.medicine.virginia.edu/clinical/departments/phs/degree_programs/mph

Virginia Commonwealth University

School of Allied Health Professions

Standing proudly on a 143-acre urban campus in the heart of the capital city in Richmond overlooking the banks of the James River, Virginia Commonwealth University is a major comprehensive four-year public research institution serving more than 31,700 students in nearly 225 different degree programs. Named among the nation’s top 100 institutions for research by the National Science Foundation, VCU is currently ranked as the 156th best college, 84th top public school, and 47th best university for veterans in America by the U.S. News and World Report. In the country’s 61st best medical school, the School of Allied Health Professions is also distinguished for having the second best healthcare management program nationwide by Modern Healthcare magazine.

Master of Health Administration (MHA)

Built as an industry-specific MBA program, the Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree provides graduate students with an intensive business and management education while enhancing their overall understanding about the uniqueness of the healthcare sector. As one of the oldest programs of its kind nationwide, the MHA features a cutting-edge curriculum, full CAHME accreditation, outstanding alumni mentors, affordable tuition costs, and an internationally recognized faculty in the thriving metropolitan of Richmond. Before completing the 59-credit program, students will be required to successfully participate in a 12-month paid administrative residency under the supervision of leading healthcare executives to accumulate at least 400 clock hours of experience in managing health delivery systems.

Master of Public Health (MPH)

In the Division of Epidemiology, the Master of Public Health (MPH) program is focused on preparing graduate students for entering public health practice in the public, private, or non-profit sectors to prevent the occurrence of health problems in at-risk populations. Outside the classroom, the 45-credit curriculum includes two semesters of practicum, one semester of supervised internship experience, and at least one semester of capstone project to synthesize learning into real-world work arenas. Graduate students who wish to complement their studies by applying public health principles and policies into other areas of study can pursue a dual degree program to earn an MPH with an MD, MSW, or PharmD degree concurrently.

Accreditations

  • Commission on Accreditation for Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
  • Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

1200 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23298
(804) 828-7247
shavasy@vcu.edu

Virginia Tech University

Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

Boasting a total enrollment of over 31,000 students, Virginia Tech University is the third largest public land-grant research institution in the Commonwealth headquartered on a sprawling 2,600-acre urban campus in Blacksburg with six regional locations statewide. Renowned for having one of the top 14 co-operative education programs in the country, Virginia Tech is currently ranked as the 71st best college and 27th top public school in America by the U.S. News and World Report. Also acclaimed for being the 17th best veterinary medicine school, the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine serves as the unique location for the university’s CEPH-accredited public health program.

Master of Public Health (MPH)

In partnership with the Carilion School of Medicine, the Master of Public Health (MPH) program is grounded in an interdisciplinary approach to addressing vital issues in human, animal, and environmental health. In the 42-credit dynamic curriculum completed in two years part-time, mid-career professionals are trained the requisite skills needed to protect, promote, enhance, and maintain population health. Students have the freedom to specialize their studies in the Public Health Education or Infectious Diseases concentrations, but the majority of the coursework will address the five core public health disciplines for application in various settings.

Accreditations

  • Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

Sandy Hall Suite 100
Blacksburg, VA 24061
(540) 231-3945
phs@vt.edu
http://mph.vetmed.vt.edu/

While earning a master’s degree in any field requires years of hard work, sweat, stress, commitment, and extra tuition, students choosing to specialize their skills in the healthcare industry will enjoy receiving a high return on their investment for receiving coveted top-level executive positions. When you choose to pursue any of these accredited healthcare degree programs in Virginia, you will take your career to the next level of management, enter one of the fastest-growing job sector, have flexible professional options, and reap the reward of positively touching thousands of human lives.

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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