USC’s EMHA at a Glance
Why Get an Executive Master of Health Administration?
The U.S. health care system has reached a tipping point, and it needs competent, forward-thinking leaders to implement equitable policies and practices that better serve every resident. To foster real change, visionary professionals must step up and learn the skills they’ll need to implement innovative solutions to today’s most pressing challenges. With an Executive Master of Health Administration on your resume, you can pursue executive management and C-suite roles that allow you to make a true impact and reshape the future of health care.
Prepare to Advance Your Career
Access, quality and cost are critical issues in health care that affect all individuals and communities. The health care industry continues to experience complex and fast-moving developments in technology, economics, ethics, finance, policy and management. At the executive management and C-suite level, visionary and effective leadership is needed to transform and improve management policies and processes in a highly competitive, market-driven environment.
These managers and executives must address such pressing issues as:
- How will we control health care costs as baby boomers age and medical technology continues to advance?
- How will health care dollars be allocated across generations?
- How can we measure quality of care?
- How can we ensure all U.S. residents have access to health care?
As the delivery system changes, career opportunities abound. The field needs transformation-minded leaders — in hospitals, health plans, medical practices, health-related enterprises and community health organizations — who have the passion, knowledge and skills to shape the future of health care.
“The EMHA blended format combines the flexibility of online lectures and assignments with a face-to-face curriculum that involves additional lectures, visits to medical sites and work on additional projects.”
Dr. Michael Karp, EMHA student
Why Choose USC for Your Executive MHA?

Transformed Leadership Skills
Students learn to be visionary, transformative and effective leaders amid rapid changes in technology, economics, ethics, finance, policy and management.

Expanded Opportunity
Prominent leaders in health care guide students in a rigorous learning environment, and students can graduate in as few as six semesters or two years.

Balanced and Blended Modality
Online coursework and project scheduling allow students to balance their assignments with their work and personal life demands.
What Can I Learn with USC’s Executive MHA?
Students in the Executive MHA program gain practical skills and model effective leadership in a rapidly evolving health care environment. Emphasis is given to the development of executive decision-making skills; sound planning, analytical and leadership capabilities; and strong interpersonal communication skills. More specifically, EMHA students gain advanced competency in disciplines that include economics and finance, health care regulation, business development, operations, strategic analysis and management, organizational design, quality and outcomes assessment and information management.
For a full list of competencies and program outcomes click here.
Who Should Choose the USC Executive MHA?
USC’s Executive MHA program was designed to empower health care leaders with expert instruction, flexible online learning and a real-world-based curriculum. Whether you’re already in an executive management role and looking to upgrade your skill set or you want to increase your potential and make it into the C-suite, earning an EMHA degree can help you reach your goals.
Advanced Clinicians in Management
You have been on the front lines and know what it takes to make a difference for individuals in your care. You also have experience managing a practice or a department. You’re ready to gain a higher level of expertise and confidence to lead change holistically in your health care organization.
Experienced Health Care Managers
You have dedicated your career to improving the business of health care. You want to broaden your perspective and gain the tools you’ll need to improve patient care and reach your potential as an executive.
Active Health Care Executives
Your ambition and ability encourage you to aspire to the C-suite. You want to excel as an industry trendsetter and positive force for change in the global health care community while leading an organization.
Managers Serving Health Care Clients
You are a nonclinical health care professional from an industry such as insurance, pharma or medical devices and you are looking to advance your career and expertise to the executive level.
What Can I Do with an Executive MHA?
Earning your Executive MHA at USC can qualify you for a variety of highly impactful roles. Careers that you could pursue following the completion of the program include the following:
Chief Executive Officer
$159,900
Medical Director
$233,212
Chief Information Officer
$172,327
Chief Compliance Officer
$125,745
Hospice Executive Director
$102,500
Director of Managed Care
$123,219
Salaries shown are median annual salaries as provided by Payscale.
Join a Tradition of Pride and Excellence
As one of the world’s leading private research universities, USC has built its reputation on a standard of excellence. Fostering a vibrant culture of public service, USC encourages students to cross disciplinary and geographic boundaries in their pursuit of knowledge. By enrolling in USC’s EMHA program, you can join others from around the world intent on making a positive contribution to better health care.
USC’s Executive Master of Health Administration Faculty
The internationally recognized USC Price School Executive MHA online program faculty members share a passion for two academic endeavors: research and teaching. They are drawn from the USC Price School of Public Policy and include senior, experienced faculty along with nationally renowned academic specialists and health care experts. The opportunity to interact with health care’s leading thinkers, policymakers and practitioners is an essential component of the Executive MHA program.
Stay Up to Date with Executive MHA News
No matter where you are in your career, a keen understanding of the latest EMHA news, relevant resources and today’s most pressing health administration issues is paramount to success.