In the Brooks School of Public Policy .
Program Information
Director of MHA Admissions and Student Services, Mariya Thompson, mariya.thompson@cornell.edu
- Instruction Mode: Hybrid (combination of online and in-person).
- Length of Program: Part-time, 18 months
- Total Credits: 36.5
- Accreditation: The MHA degree is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Health Management Education (CAHME).
The Executive Master of Health Administration program at the Cornell Brooks School is designed for working professionals and follows a cohort model. The program emphasizes online learning, with students engaging in 80% of their coursework online. Additionally, two week-long sessions are held at Cornell University’s campus in Ithaca, NY, providing students with face-to-face learning experiences and networking opportunities. Furthermore, one weekend session is held in Boston, adding to the program’s flexibility and accessibility for students. This hybrid approach combines the convenience of online learning with the benefits of in-person interactions, creating a comprehensive and dynamic learning environment for aspiring health administration professionals.
Program Overview
The Executive Master of Health Administration (EMHA) program curriculum encompasses essential health care management competencies and theories, with elective options in leadership, strategy, design, and sectors such as biotech and pharmaceuticals. The program includes two intensive on-campus sessions in Ithaca, NY, and a biennial health care innovation trek to Boston, MA facilitating collaboration between EMHA cohorts and Sloan Master of Health Administration residential students. A capstone project, guided by executive mentors, allows students to apply their coursework to a strategic project within their organization, culminating in the program’s academic requirements.
Components of the EMHA program:
- 36.5 credits required for graduation
- 30.5 core credits and 6 elective credits
- Students enroll in 6 or more credits each semester, qualifying for financial aid
- A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required for graduation
- Students must not receive any grade below a C- in required courses
- Students who receive below a C- in two or more courses in a semester may be asked to take a leave of absence
All courses are designed by Cornell faculty and supported by Executives-in-Residence who mentor students during their capstone projects.
Student Information
Candidates for the EMHA program must possess at least five years of relevant experience. The cohort typically includes professionals with a range of experience spanning from five to thirty-five years, with an average of approximately fourteen years. The cohort is diverse, encompassing U.S.-based and international students from various healthcare organizations and roles, including hospitals, health insurers, senior living facilities, private practices, consultancies, government agencies, and more.
Students receive robust support for their professional development throughout the program. This support includes guidance from Executives-In-Residence during hosted sessions, assistance from a Sloan Assistant Director specializing in career services, and access to a dynamic Sloan alumni network.
Core Courses (30.5 credits)
The following courses are taken online:
The following courses are taken on campus in Ithaca, NY:
The following is a field course:
Elective Areas of Study (7 credits)
Students have the option to choose from a range of approved elective courses. Some potential areas of study include:
- Advanced Leadership
- Biotech and Pharmaceutical Management
- Danish Health Care System (study abroad)
- Design Thinking
- Digital Transformation
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Disruptive Innovation in Health Care: Incumbent Response
- Process Thinking
- Senior Living
- Service Excellence
- Six Sigma
- Startup Funding