Master of Healthcare Administration & Master of Business Administration

MHA & MBA

• The MHA-MBA Dual Degree develops you for a growing career in administration and leadership, while giving you the flexibility of completing the program entirely online.  
• Earn degrees from the highest accreditation recognition in the healthcare and business sectors. The UW-Milwaukee MHA is the sole program in the state accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), having achieved the gold standard for health management graduate education. The UW-Milwaukee Lubar MBA is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The program is accredited by AACSB, the “world’s largest network and global standard-setting body for business education.” Only 6% of the world’s business schools have this accreditation. 

Employment Outlook

Our graduates are highly sought after. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for medical and health service managers is projected to grow 28% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. 

Salaries depend on education level, employment setting and experience. The median annual wage for medical and health services managers was $110,680 in May 2023. The lowest 10% earned less than $67,900, and the highest 10% earned more than $216,750. Salaries differ for non-managerial entry level positions, with higher pay typically associated with positions requiring a master’s degree. 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical and Health Services Managers (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm). 

Related Programs

• Value-Based Healthcare, Graduate Certificate
• Healthcare Compliance, Graduate Certificate
• Health Sciences, PhD

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements of the MHA-MBA Dual Degree are consistent with those requirements specified by the Graduate School of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In addition, students must also meet the following requirements: 

• Completion of an Undergraduate Degree
  Applicants must hold a degree from a regionally accredited undergraduate institution in the United States or from a recognized institution in a foreign country. 
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 
  A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or an equivalent measure on a grading system that does not use a 4.0 scale. 
• English Proficiency for International Students  
  All UWM Graduate School applicants are required to demonstrate a suitable level of proficiency in the English language. 
• Official GMAT scores 
  A minimum GMAT score of 500 total (Quantitative score of 36, Verbal score of 17 for international students). Can waive for domestic students for students who have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above.  

Application Materials

You will need to submit the following to complete the UWM Graduate School application (https://uwm.edu/applygrad/): 

• Transcripts from all academic institutions where a bachelor’s degree or above has been or will be earned. Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded at the time of application but official transcripts will be required upon acceptance.  
• Submission of official GMAT scores must be sent directly from GMAC or ETS. 
  • GMAT CODE: 1896 
• An updated resume or CV 
• Two letters of recommendation from two (2) people familiar with the applicant’s academic and professional strengths, and knowledgeable about the applicant’s potential for successful graduate study.  
  • A minimum of one (1) individual should be an academic reference. 
• Reason Statement

You can find admission deadlines on the Graduate School application deadline chart.

Download the guide to the MHA application process (PDF)

Curriculum

Internship

Students are required to complete a minimum eight-week, 120-hour summer administrative internship between their first and second academic years under the supervision of a preceptor. The internship is designed to provide MHA students with an opportunity to apply classroom acquired knowledge to the work environment. It is a significant educational capstone experience, which involves a supervised practical experience in a community agency or health services organization. A written report is required summarizing the fieldwork experience as well as the submission of weekly reports.   

Internship Placement  

Students will be matched into an internship with a preceptor from a health organization. Students may acquire their own internship placement and approval of internship is decided by the program by March 1st. Prior to beginning their internship, students are expected to complete all pre-internship vetting requirements set by the clinical or administrative organization (e.g., physical exam, TB test, vaccinations, etc.) via Viewpoint by June 1st. The fee for Viewpoint is around $98, which students will pay when an account is created. Prices vary from year to year and additional fees may apply.  

Internship Placement Sites

• Advocate Health
• Children’s of Wisconsin
• Clement J Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center
• Froedtert Health
• Mayo Clinic
• Medical College of Wisconsin
• Rogers Behavioral Health
• SSM Health
• UW Health
• Vizient

See MHA Handbook  for more details.