Lead the future of healthcare

The dual MBA/Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA) program at the University of Iowa blends the strengths of health management and policy with advanced business strategy. Offered through the College of Public Health and the Tippie College of Business, this combined degree will equip you to lead in today’s complex healthcare environment. You’ll gain the skills to manage organizations, drive policy innovation, and consult across industries—from hospitals and health systems to global consulting firms.

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Lead smarter, sooner

Earn two high-impact degrees in just three years with Iowa’s dual MBA/MHA program. Whether you start in the Iowa MBA or MHA program, you’ll benefit from flexible formats designed for working professionals and full-time students alike.

MHA courses follow a traditional, on-campus cohort model, while MBA courses are delivered in accelerated 8-week sessions, mostly online with occasional in-person options in Des Moines. With just one semester of dual enrollment, you’ll unlock the benefits of reduced credit hours and a faster path to impact.

Program overview

Admissions

To enroll in the dual MBA/MHA program, you’ll need to meet the admission requirements for both the Iowa MBA and the Master of Healthcare Administration programs separately. This includes submitting the appropriate application materials and completing any required exams. Admission decisions are made independently by each program. You may choose to start both programs at the same time or begin one before the other.

3

Years to complete

Tuition

Tuition rates vary by program and residency status. MHA tuition is charged per semester for full-time study, while MBA courses are billed separately on a per-course basis. Students are encouraged to consult the latest tuition information or contact admissions for a personalized estimate.

Credit requirements

As a dual-degree student, you’ll complete 87 total semester hours: 33 MBA credits and 54 MHA credits.

Thanks to shared coursework between the two programs, you’ll save 18 credit hours compared to completing the degrees separately. That’s time and tuition saved, without compromising the depth or quality of your education.

Sample plan of study

Semester 1 MHA – Fall Required Courses
  • HMP:5000 Professional Development 1 S.H. 
  • HMP:5005 Intro to Healthcare Org. & Policy 3 S.H. 
  • HMP:5200 Healthcare Management 3 S.H.
  • HMP:5230 Population Health 3 S.H.
  • HMP:5402 Corporate Financial Reporting 3 S.H.
  • HMP:5610 Health Policy 3 S.H.

 

Semester 2 MHA – Spring Required Courses 
  • HMP:5000 Professional Development Seminar 1 S.H.
  • HMP:5310 Healthcare Quality and Operations Management 3 S.H.
  • HMP:5320 Analytics for Healthcare Management 3  S.H.
  • HMP:6055 Topics in Health Administration: Value-based Care and Payment Methods 3 S.H.
  • HMP:6410 Healthcare Financial Management 3 S.H.
  • HMP:5410 Health Economics I 3 S.H.

 

Summer MBA
  • MBA core 3 S.H.
  • MBA core 3 S.H.
Semester 3 MHA – Fall Required Courses
  • CPH:6100 Essentials of Public Health 2 S.H.
  • HMP:5000 Professional Development Seminar 1 S.H.
  • HMP:5315 Health Information Systems 3 S.H.
  • HMP:6110 Healthcare Strategy and Business Development 3 S.H.
  • HMP:6310 HR and Performance Improvement 3 S.H.
  • HMP:6610 Legal Aspects of Healthcare 2 S.H.
  • HMP:5810 MHA Internship 1 S.H.
Winter session MBA
  •  MBA elective 3 S.H.
Semester 4 – Spring Required Courses
  • HMP:5000 Professional Development Seminar 1 S.H.
  • HMP:6355 Healthcare Ethics and Leadership 3 S.H.
  • HMP:6150 MHA Integrative Capstone 3 S.H.
  • MBA core 3 S.H.
  • MBA core 3 S.H.
Summer MBA
  • MBA core 3 S.H.
  • MBA core 3 S.H.
Fall MBA
  • Elective 3 S.H.
  • Elective 3 S.H.
  • MBA Core 3 S.H.
  • MBA Capstone 3 S.H.

Take the next step

The dual MBA/MHA program is a smart choice for future healthcare leaders. If you're looking to strengthen your healthcare expertise with advanced business training, reach out to learn more.

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