Master’s
Executive Master of Health Administration Online (EMHA)
Join a Network of Leaders
The Executive Master of Health Administration (EMHA) at USC Price is more than a degree—it’s a launchpad for visionary healthcare professionals ready to lead at the highest levels.
Designed for seasoned professionals navigating a complex, rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the EMHA blends academic rigor with real-world relevance. The CAHME accredited program combines engaging online coursework with intensive in-person residencies in Los Angeles that challenge you to think critically to solve healthcare’s most pressing challenges.
If you’re ready to shape the future of healthcare—apply to join our next online cohort today. Or schedule a meeting with Robert Acosta, our Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions for Online Programs, to learn more about the elite Executive MHA program.
Drive Organizational and Industry Change
Taught by renowned faculty and active practitioners in healthcare policy, finance, and organizational leadership, USC’s EMHA gives you the skills and knowledge to make an immediate impact on your organization and the healthcare industry.
- Two on-campus residencies
- Flexible, online format
- Top 3 ranked program
Explore the EMHA Student Experience
The Executive MHA at USC is accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).
USC is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Differentiated Skills
Build the financial, policy, and leadership expertise to drive organizational change and make impactful decisions at the executive level.
Prestigious Degree
Join a nationally recognized program that gives you the credibility and expertise to lead at the highest levels.
World-Class Faculty
Gain insights from some of the nation’s top healthcare educators and researchers, bringing real-world experience to every course.
Powerful Connections
Gain access to the vast and influential Trojan Network—and connect with top executives, career-changing opportunities, and leadership roles in healthcare.
Tuition & Aid
When making admission decisions, USC does not consider a student’s ability to pay or interest in financial aid.
Tuition & Fees
Per Unit Cost: $2,467
Per Term: $14,802 (6 units)
Total Tuition Cost: $88,812 (36 units)
Application Fee: $90
Books/Supplies: Approx. $750-1,500
Residency: $1,950*
*$975 charged with tuition for HMGT-520 course, $975 charged with tuition for HMGT-570 course
Other Fees: $1,000 – $2,000 depending on cost of airfare and lodging for residency
Financial Aid
The ability to pay for your education is always an important consideration. Many organizations offer tuition assistance to employees and, in some cases, cover 100 percent of tuition costs. Programs and policies vary among employers. Consult your human resources office to learn more about tuition assistance at your organization.
Many options are available to fund your graduate education. The USC Financial Aid Office administers federal and private programs to assist you.
For more information on applying for Financial Aid, please visit USC Financial Aid.
Military Service Member Support and Yellow Ribbon Benefits
The USC Price Executive MHA online program is proud to welcome active duty, military dependents and veterans. We offer a number of dedicated resources available for military applicants and students. Active-duty military, veterans, spouses and dependents can request an application fee waiver from the graduate school and the USC Veterans Certification Office can assist with using your military tuition benefits.
We also partner with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide Yellow Ribbon benefits up to $5,000 for each award to qualified students. The Yellow Ribbon Program provides additional funding for veterans who wish to attend private institutions which can be used to meet any or all of unmet tuition/fee needs, but cannot exceed the total cost of tuition and fees. To qualify to receive Yellow Ribbon benefits, students must be eligible for the maximum benefit rate (100%) under the Post-9/11 GI Bill (based on service requirements).
To receive the Yellow Ribbon Program benefits students must be admitted to the University and registered for classes. Once enrolled, submit the following packet to USC’s School Certifying Official:
- Recent Certificate of Eligibility
- Completed Application for Semester Entitlement (ASE) Form
- Copy of a valid photo identification
Take your certificate of eligibility to the Veterans Certification Office and ask them to certify your enrollment to the VA, including Yellow Ribbon. Per federal regulations, eligible recipients will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.
Note: The college or university must certify your enrollment to the VA; you may not do so yourself.
Application Fee Waiver
Application fee waivers are available for the Executive Master of Health Administration online program. To receive a fee waiver, applicants must schedule a meeting with Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions, Robert Acosta. Due to processing times, you must meet this requirement at least one week before the final deadline for the term you are applying.
Stacy Tarradath
Medical Director
AltaMed Health Services
Jeannine Grinnell
CEO
Valley Medical Center
Rodrick McGrew II
Vice President, Enterprise Integration
Molina Healthcare
Stephanie Abrenica
RN
Kaiser Permanente
Ryan Nazar
Founder & CEO
Practical Healthcare
Nathan DeGodt
President & CEO
Community Health Accreditation Partner
Executive MHA Admissions
An applicant’s potential for distinguished academic and professional achievement is the principal criterion for admission to the EMHA program. In addition, applicants should ideally have at least five to seven years of experience working in health administrative roles involving growing responsibilities and involvement within the healthcare sector.
*Note: applications are reviewed holistically. Those who do not meet that criteria but feel they have sufficient experience are still encouraged to apply or contact Robert Acosta for advisement.
For more information about admissions requirements and the application process, visit the Admissions page.
Executive MHA Online Admissions
EMHA Upcoming Deadlines
| Term | Summer ’25 | Fall ’25 | Spring ’26 |
| Application Deadline | 3/15 | 7/15 | 11/01 |
| Term Start | 5/07 | 09/03 | 01/08 |
Get the Answers You Need
For questions regarding the program or application process, you can schedule an appointment with Robert Acosta or attend one of our online info sessions.
Attend an Info Session
Register below to join EMHA faculty, students, and alumni for live information sessions to learn more about the application process, financial services, and program curriculum.
Students who attend a webinar will have the option to request an application fee waiver at the end of the presentation.
Curriculum & Courses
Two mandatory on-campus residencies—one at the beginning of your program, and one at the end—allow you to engage with other leaders in the healthcare industry and gain real-world experience you can apply immediately in your organization.
Curriculum
The curriculum of the EMHA is organized around five themes. These integrated themes and the associated content provide graduates with a comprehensive approach that expands their understanding of the key principles and applications necessary to lead in a wide range of healthcare roles.
1. Thriving in Transformational Times through Innovative Leadership Developing executives who anticipate health care delivery system changes and create strategies to take advantage of these opportunities to maximize organizational potential.
2. Delivering Cost-Effective Care in Era of Value-Based Purchasing Developing a cognitive and intuitive understanding of the fundamental factors driving health care delivery system evolution (cost and effectiveness) and how organizations can evolve aligning with these objectives.
3. Providing Efficient Management and Administration Translating the fundamental factors of cost and effectiveness in the internal operations of the organization to improve productivity, clinical outcomes and patient experience.
4. Developing and Implementing Strategies to Enhance Patient Safety and Quality of Care Operationalizing outcomes that matter to payers, organizations and clinicians.
5. Demonstrating Organizational and Clinical Effectiveness Through Health Information Technology Demonstrating how health information technology systems provide a foundation for the organization’s strategic growth.
Student Experience
On-Demand, Interactive Video Lectures
Created by EMHA professors, on-demand video lectures are chunked in 5- to 15-minute segments, available on your mobile device, and able to play at slower or faster speeds — all to help busy professionals optimize their time and stay on track.
Live Video Conference Sessions
In each class, live video conference sessions are scheduled weekly or bi-weekly to build on assignments, video lectures and readings completed prior to the week’s session. In the sessions, professors answer direct questions, explore course materials in more depth and require students to reflect on current problems in the health care delivery system.
Class Discussions
In familiar discussion board and social network formats accessible by web and mobile device, students regularly engage in formal and informal discussions — just as they would in class or hallways. Professors pose questions that encourage students to integrate course materials or extend their learning in new directions. The discussions are designed to solicit questions among the cohort that expand student understanding across different health care organizations, geographic region or line function within an organization.
Individual and Group Assignments
Each class incorporates a variety of assignments that demonstrate individual and group mastery of the material. These assignments may be dynamic, in response to new developments in the field, and may require further integration of classics in the field. At the start of each term, students know exactly when assignments are due.
On-Campus Residency
The two mandatory on-campus residencies allow students to intensively engage face-to-face with their peers, faculty, alumni and key professionals within the field. Students also appreciate the opportunity to see USC and Los Angeles.
Faculty
USC faculty members make substantial contributions to research and education in health care, management, policy and related fields. Executive MHA faculty are drawn from among USC Price’s distinguished full-time faculty, as well as selectively from other schools, such as the School of Pharmacy, Marshall School of Business, Annenberg School for Communications, Leonard Davis School of Gerontology and the Keck School of Medicine, among others.
Adjunct Executive MHA faculty members are active and experienced practitioners in the greater professional community, contributing to a practical classroom environment that stimulates the rapid integration of concept with both faculty and participants’ on-the-job experiences. The EMHA also features a stellar roster of seasoned executives as guest lecturers and speakers to enrich the learning experience.
Ready to join an elite program?
Whether you want to transition to the C-suite or lead your medical department, an Executive Master of Health Administration from USC Price can help you get there.
Apply Now