Executive MHA Track

Your Leadership Development

“Every week I would apply knowledge or skills straight out of class. I learned that every major player in healthcare speaks a different language and it’s your job to understand them all and translate between groups, constantly.”

Todd Patterson, MHA ’17
Executive Director

A portrait of Todd j. Patterson of the Department of Health Management and Policy in the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa.

Healthcare reform centers on improving patient access while moving from volume- to value-based reimbursement. These significant changes require specific healthcare  financial, operating, analytical, cultural, teamwork, and leadership skills. Our teaching approach is therefore team-focused, and our courses are designed to help students develop practical approaches to complex operations, and strategic issues of healthcare delivery, finance, and policy.

Every University of Iowa Executive MHA cohort is formed with experientially diverse students

Your Academic Experience

“The shift to value-based care is complex and fluid. The University of Iowa Executive MHA program provides a foundational understanding of the healthcare landscape so that the clinician can competently lead the transition.”

Linda Lee, MHA ’16
Cardiology Medical Director

A portrait of Linda Lee of the Department of Health Management and Policy in the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa.

The University of Iowa Executive Master of Health Administration track will uniquely prepare you to thrive in your current role and to advance in healthcare organizations through a focus on strategic healthcare leadership. Our nationally top-rated, fully-accredited program will provide a unique opportunity to learn critical cross-functional skills, connect with other future health leaders, and positively impact patient care at your organization and in your community. You’ll join our extensive Iowa MHA alumni network of over 1,000 healthcare leaders across the country.

EMHA Advanced to Leadership

Your Time

Our Executive track requires 45 credit hours and is typically achieved in less than two years. Courses are taught face-to-face and one at a time by expert executives and faculty on Iowa City and Des Moines campuses. Program schedules are set far in advance, which allows planning for family and work commitments. For the convenience of the students, we handle details such as course registrations and book purchases/distribution.

Download the EMHA Plan of Study

Graduates of the University of Iowa Executive MHA program earn an MHA degree, the same as hundreds of others over the past two decades

Your Investment

“I often applied what I learned in the classroom to my job the next day. I was able to use real-world work projects and receive credit at both work and school.”

Greg Lehmann, MHA ’16
Sports Medicine Clinic Administrator

A portrait of Gregory Lehmann of the Department of Health Management and Policy in the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa.

Total program tuition is $55,000 (billed by semester), inclusive of all books and a $1,200 professional development stipend. This is the second-lowest tuition of the top-ten MHA programs with executive tracks.

EMHA Curriculum

MHA competencies

Managing Resources (Finances, Operations, Information)

  • Healthcare Management (HMP:5200)
  • Healthcare Quality Management (HMP:5310)
  • Corporate Financial Reporting (HMP:5402)
  • Lean Six Sigma in Health Care (HMP:5342) 
  • Analytics for Healthcare Management (HMP:5320) 
  • Healthcare Financial Management (HMP:6410)
  • Health Information Systems (HMP:5315)

Setting Strategy

  • Health Policy (HMP:5610)
  • Health Economics (HMP:5410)
  • Strategic Planning and Marketing (HMP:6110)

Improving Population Health

  • Essentials of Public Health (CPH:6100)
  • Managerial Epidemiology (HMP:5230)

Leading People (Professionalism and Team Development)

  • Interprofessional Healthcare Administration I (HMP:5001)
  • Interprofessional Healthcare Administration II (HMP:5002)
  • Leadership in Healthcare Organizations (HMP:6355)
  • Legal Aspects of Healthcare (HMP:6610)
  • MHA Integrative Capstone (HMP:6150)

Faculty List

  • Mary Ann Allan, MS, Senior Director of Budget, University of Iowa Health Care
    Executive MHA courses: Corporate Financial Reporting
  • Ken Anderson, DO, MS, CPE, Clinical Associate Professor and Director, Executive MHA Programs
    Executive MHA courses: Healthcare Quality Management and Interprofessional Healthcare Administration I & II
  • Kyle Briese, CPA, Director of Finance and Decision Support, The Iowa Clinic
    Executive MHA courses: Healthcare Financial Management
  • Karmen Dillon, MBA, MHA, Director, Application Services, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
    Executive MHA course: Health Information Systems (lead)
  • Chris Evans, MHA, FACHE, Vice President of Administrative Services, Iowa Healthcare Collaborative
    Executive MHA course: Strategic Planning and Marketing
  • Tom Evans, MD, President and CEO, Iowa Healthcare Collaborative
    Executive MHA courses: Healthcare Management and Strategic Planning and Marketing (lead)
  • Jessica Glick, JD, Attorney & Partner, Phelan Tucker Law LLP
    Executive MHA course: Legal Aspects of Healthcare (lead)
  • Jennifer Harbison, Director, Health Policy, University of Iowa Health Care
    Executive MHA course: Health Policy (lead)
  • Kevin Kincaid, MHA, CEO, Knoxville Hospital & Clinics
    Executive MHA course: Leadership in Healthcare Organizations
  • Todd Linden, MA, President and CEO, Linden Consulting
    Executive MHA course: Leadership in Healthcare Organizations (lead)
  • Alisha Loy, LSSBB, CRCST, Quality Manager, Central Sterilizing Services, University of Iowa Health Care
    Executive MHA courses: Lean Six Sigma in Healthcare
  • Priscilla Marlar, CPhT, MHA, CSSBB, Quality and Operational Improvement Engineer, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
    Executive MHA courses: Healthcare Quality Management (lead)
  • Lauren Mason, MHA, Associate Director, Revenue Cycle, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
    Executive MHA courses: Corporate Financial Reporting (lead)
  • Tom Miller, PhD, MBA, Director of Analytics and Research Services, American Society of Anesthesiologists
    Executive MHA courses: Health Economics
  • David Montgomery, MA, CPE, MPTh, Chancellor and Chief of Staff, Diocese of Davenport
    Executive MHA course: Interprofessional Healthcare Administration II
  • Kirk Phillips, MSW, MS, PhD, Director of Biomedical and Health Informatics Development, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
    Executive MHA courses: Managerial Epidemiology (lead)
  • Bonnie D. Rubin, CLA(ASCP), MBA, MHA, Associate Director, State Hygienic Laboratory (retired)
    Executive MHA course: Essentials of Public Health
  • Dan Shane, PhD, Associate Professor
    Executive MHA course: Analytics for Healthcare Management (lead)
  • A.J. Smith, MHA, Business Intelligence Manager, Mary Greeley Medical Center
    Executive MHA courses: Healthcare Financial Management (lead)
  • Tanya Uden-Holman, PhD, Clinical Professor, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education, and Dean of University College
    Executive MHA course: Interprofessional Healthcare Administration I
  • Jennifer Vermeer, MPA, Iowa Plan President, Molina Healthcare
    Executive MHA course: Health Policy
  • Laurie Walkner, MA, RN, Director of Training and Education, Iowa Institute for Public Health Practice
    Executive MHA course: Essentials of Public Health (lead)
  • George Wehby, PhD, Professor, John W. Colloton Chair, and Head of the Department of Health Management and Policy
    Executive MHA course: Health Economics (lead)

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