WesternU to welcome inaugural Master of Healthcare Administration class in Fall 2026

Employment opportunities for medical and health services managers are projected to grow 23 percent from 2024 to 2034 – much faster than the average for other professions – with salaries in the six figures, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  

The future of health care administration requires leaders who can innovate, adapt to new care models, and integrate emerging technologies. Western University of Health Sciences’ new Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program is designed to meet these challenges, equipping graduates with the strategic foresight and adaptability essential for success in this dynamic field.   

WesternU’s College of Health Sciences (CHS) will seat its inaugural MHA class in Fall 2026. The MHA program will train early- and mid-career professionals committed to humanistic delivery of health care communities across the country and around the world. The program has two options for program completion, a two-year traditional track and a one-year accelerated track.  

The comprehensive MHA program covers five key skills and knowledge areas:   

• Knowledge of the health care system  

• Communications and interpersonal effectiveness  

• Critical thinking, analysis and problem solving  

• Management and leadership  

• Professionalism, ethics and transparency  

An experienced team is leading the MHA program: Department of Health Sciences Chair and Associate Professor Rosana L. Bravo, PhD, MPH, CHS Acting Vice Dean Joshua Matacotta, PsyD, CAHIMS, Master of Healthcare Administration Associate Professor Ángela Gutiérrez, PhD, MPH, and Master of Healthcare Administration Assistant Professor Nancy Vargas, PhD, MPH. The MHA program also draws from faculty members at other partner educational institutions.   

Unlike many MHA programs, often housed outside of health-care-focused colleges, WesternU’s MHA is part of a private medical training institution, and sits within the College of Health Sciences. This offers opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of the clinical environment and multidisciplinary teams involved in health care administration.   

“The launch of the Master of Healthcare Administration program marks the fulfillment of a vision first discussed in 2012— one rooted in a deep commitment to advancing leadership, equity, and excellence in health care,” said CHS Dean Gail Evans Grayson, EdD, MA. “I am profoundly grateful to our dedicated faculty and staff whose tireless efforts, creativity, and determination brought this program to life.   

“The MHA program not only strengthens WesternU’s academic portfolio, but it also expands our capacity to serve the broader community by preparing skilled, compassionate, and culturally responsive health administrators,” she added. “These future leaders will help shape more efficient, inclusive, and accessible health care systems. This program is both a milestone for the University and a meaningful investment in the health and well-being of the communities we proudly serve.” 

Read more about WesternU’s MHA program: Master of Healthcare Administration | College of Health Sciences