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Department of Health Services Administration School of Health Professions

Welcome to the Department of Health Services Administration

For over 50 years, our top-ranked and innovative programs have been developing leaders to shape tomorrow’s healthcare.

Whether you are a member of the next generation of health care leaders, in a position to elevate yourself to executive status, or in the C-Suite and looking for a distinct advantage – we have degree options to meet your needs.

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Course Sequence

  • 1st Fall
    • HA 602: Introduction to Health Care Systems
    • HA 631: Organization Theory and Behavior
    • HA 645: Health Economics
  • 1st Spring
    • HA 671: Health Care Marketing
    • HA 640: Introduction to Health Informatics
    • HA 620: Health Care Financial Management I
  • 1st Summer
    • HA 612: Essentials of Health and Human Disease
    • HA 632: Quantitative Methods
    • HA 635: Human Resources Management in Health Services Administration
  • 2nd Fall
    • HA 605: Health Policy
    • HA 637: Leadership
    • HA 621: Health Care Financial Management II
  • 2nd Spring
    • HA 614: Process Improvement
    • HA 674: Health Care Innovation
    • HA 695: Independent Study - Special Topics
  • 2nd Summer
    • HA 607: Operations Management
    • HA 613: Health Law
    • HA 625: Strategic Planning and Management
    • HA 655: Capstone Synthesis

  • Five years of health-related work experience in either a clinical or management position is preferred.
  • Currently working full-time in health care.
  • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited university.
  • Completed online application which includes a resume, statement of objectives, and two recommendations.

No admission test is required for EMSHA format.

Application Deadline

Students are only admitted in the fall of each year. The admissions committee will begin reviewing completed applications in early March.

The first priority deadline is April 1. After April 1, applications will be considered on a space available basis. 

Application Procedure

The following materials must be submitted to the MSHA Program:

Official transcripts from each institution where college credit was received can be mailed to:

UAB Graduate School
LHL G03
1720 2nd Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294-0013

  • Completed online application which includes a resume, statement of objectives and two recommendations.
  • Non-refundable application fee (U.S. $70.00, International $85.00).
  • International students must take one of the following exams: TOEFL (minimum score of 80), IELTS (minimum score of 6.5), or PTEA (minimum score of 53)
  • Official transcripts from all colleges attended submitted directly to the UAB Graduate School.

Note: If you are employed by a UAB entity, please contact Taylor Bryniarsk at 205-934-7189 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information regarding your educational assistance benefits.

capstoneExecutive MSHA students graduate with more than an exceptional education. Through our specially designed capstone experience, students have the opportunity to visit and learn about an international health system and its health care organizations. Serving as the program’s capstone course, this immersive 4-day experience exposes students to international organizations and to leaders on the cutting edge of healthcare.

Executive MSHA students have recently visited:

  • Paris, France
  • San José, Costa Rica
  • Vienna, Austria
  • Prague, Czech Republic
  • Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • Milano, Italy
  • London, England
  • Barcelona, Spain
  • Rome, Italy

Tuition covers the cost of lodging, meals and materials for the 4-day international trip. Transportation costs are covered by the student. This trip occurs during the student’s second year.

  • What is the application deadline?

    The application deadline for the Executive MSHA Program is April 1 of each year. After April 1, applications will be considered on a space available basis. It is recommended that you apply beginning in January as the application review process begins in March with interviews conducted March through May. A new cohort of students is only admitted once per year with classes beginning in the fall.

  • What are the application requirements?

    Prospective students may apply to the Executive MSHA Program through the UAB application system. Links for applying may be found on the Executive MSHA web page and in the left-side menu. In order for an application to be considered complete, prospective students must submit the on-line application to include a resume, essays, 3 letters of reference on-line, and provide official transcript(s) to the UAB Graduate School. Only complete applications will be considered for an interview.

  • Is there an admissions exam?

    No admission test is required for the Executive MSHA format.

  • Is there a GPA requirement for this program?

    The minimum GPA is 3.0 on a 4-point scale (either overall or in the last 60 hours of coursework).

  • Is an interview required for admission?

    An interview is required prior to an admissions decision. The interview process typically begins in late March. During the interview process, prospective students will meet with MSHA Program leadership, faculty members, and alumni.

  • Are there any additional requirements for admission?

    Applicants to the UAB Executive MSHA Program must have at least five years healthcare related work experience (in either a clinical or management position), must be currently working full-time in healthcare, and must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university.

  • What is the average class size for this program?

    The UAB Executive MSHA Program enrolls 30 to 35 students each fall with diverse backgrounds, education and experience levels.

  • What is the curriculum?

    The course sequence for the UAB Executive MSHA Program encompasses 24 months (6 semesters total: Fall, Spring and Summer) and combines a week of on-campus classes each semester with distance learning requirements the remainder of each term. Please click here to view the on/off campus schedule.

  • What is the format for this program?

    The UAB Executive MSHA Program is a full-time, blended format designed for healthcare professionals with 5 or more years of experience and combines distance learning with four and a half days on-campus each semester. Neither the Executive MSHA Program nor the Residential MSHA Program are offered part-time or fully on-line.

  • Are there opportunities for electives?

    The UAB Executive MSHA Program is highly structured with a rigorous course load each semester. As such, there are no opportunities to select electives.

  • Residential vs. Executive MSHA

    Which track is right for me?

    Both the Residential and Executive tracks offer students unique opportunities to continue their education and fulfill a career in health care administration.

    The Residential track is designed to support newly graduated students, or students who have been in their healthcare careers for less than three years. The Residential MSHA is a three-year long fully in-person program. The first two years are when you will complete your academic course requirements, while the third year is when you will complete a 9–12-month administrative residency at a healthcare organization. While not guaranteed, many organizations offer students a full-time position post their residency. The didactic portion of the program is supported by several experiential learning opportunities, including on-site simulations, case competitions, mentorship programs, and more.

    The Executive track is designed to support health care professionals from all over the world who have been in their desired fields for five or more years, and who will continue working in healthcare during the EMSHA program. The Executive MSHA is a two-year long program that offers a hybrid learning environment specifically designed for full-time working adults. Students in the Executive MSHA program will come on-campus for 4.5 consecutive days once a semester. Executive students also complete a capstone course that includes an immersive week-long international experience. Tuition covers the cost of lodging, meals, and materials for the international experience. Transportation costs are covered by the student. This Experience occurs during the student’s second year in the program.

    If you have any questions regarding which track is right for you, please contact Taylor Bryniarski, Program Manager, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Pamela Armstrong, Program Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

executive careersStudents that complete the Executive MSHA program will be prepared to have the executive positions in:

  • health systems
  • group practices
  • suppliers
  • insurance organizations
  • policy organizations

Executive MSHA Applicant and Class Cohort Data

Executive MSHA Applicant and Class Cohort Data
  Fall 2020Fall 2021Fall 2022Fall 2023
Applicants 36 37 36 27
Enrolled 27 21 19 19
Entering GPA (average) 3.47 3.44 3.47 3.58
% Female 63% 43% 58% 42%
Years of Healthcare Experience 10.7 11.8 13.2 11.8

*Underrepresented race/ethnicity categories include American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Non-Resident Alien, Two or More Races.

Graduation and Employment Data

Graduation and Employment Data
  2020 Graduates2021 Graduates2022 Graduates2023 Graduates
Completion Rate 96% 94% 96% 95%
Employment Rate (within 3 months of graduation) 100% 100% 100% 95%

Tuition and fees for the Executive Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA) Program are currently $29,800 per year (or $9,933 per semester). The total cost for the two-year program is currently $59,600. However, tuition and fees are subject to change each year. A non-refundable deposit of $250 is required at the time of acceptance to the program and will be applied to Semester 1 tuition and fees.

Executive MSHA tuition and fees include all required textbooks and other learning materials. It also includes meals and refreshments provided during breaks, speaker costs associated with national experts brought to Birmingham, and costs associated with supporting distance learning technologies.

Note: If you are employed by a UAB entity, please contact Taylor Bryniarski at 205-934-7189 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information regarding your educational assistance benefits.