Leading the future of health care: Inside Ohio State’s Executive Master of Health Administration 

Health care is evolving rapidly, and the need for strong, strategic leadership has never been greater. The Executive Master of Health Administration (EMHA) at The Ohio State University is designed to meet that need, equipping experienced professionals with the skills to lead complex organizations and improve patient outcomes. In a recent conversation, program director Debra Zevallos shared her insights into the Executive MHA degree, the kind of leaders it aims to develop, and the health care field in general. 

Tell us a bit about your background, Debra. 

I bring more than 25 years of health care leadership experience spanning military service, hospital operations, and higher education. My career began as a Medical Service Corps officer in the U.S. Navy, where I developed a strong foundation in leadership, operations, and mission-driven service. I later served in several senior executive roles within health systems, leading complex service lines, strategic initiatives, and organizational improvement efforts. I have since transitioned to academia, where I focus on preparing the next generation of health care leaders through teaching, program development, and administrative leadership.  

What is health administration? How would you describe it? Why is health administration important? 

The field of health administration (sometimes called health care administration or health care management) is focused on planning, leading, and improving how health care organizations operate so they can deliver safe, high-quality, and efficient care. At its core, it sits at the intersection of business, public health, and clinical care. Instead of treating patients directly, health care administrators design and manage the systems and people that make accessible, equitable, safe, and high-quality care possible. 

Why are you excited that Ohio State launched an online Executive Master of Health Administration program?  

Adding an executive online track to our #5 nationally ranked MHA program deepens the institution’s impact in preparing the next generation of health care leaders while expanding partnerships with health systems and communities. It provides experienced working professionals, who are often mid-career leaders who cannot relocate or step away from their roles, access to the program’s academic rigor, reputation, and powerful professional network.  

The online executive format also broadens the cohort geographically and professionally, enriching learning through perspectives from diverse organizations, sectors, and regions. Ultimately, this track extends the program’s reach, strengthens the leadership pipeline, and positions us to meet growing demand for high-quality, flexible health care management education that can immediately influence practice, organizations, and patient care outcomes. 

Who is this online Executive MHA degree for? 

An Executive MHA program is designed for experienced health care professionals who want to move into higher-level management or executive roles while continuing to work full-time. Cohorts often include clinicians transitioning into leadership (physicians, nurses, therapists), mid-career administrators and managers, military or government health care leaders, and professionals in quality, operations, finance, or population health who are ready to broaden their strategic and system-level skills to prepare for advanced leadership roles. 

Successful students approach their studies with intention, strong time management, and a clear link between coursework and career goals. Building relationships with classmates and faculty strengthens both learning and professional networks, while staying organized, communicating proactively, and keeping long-term leadership goals in focus helps students get the most from the program. 

Who will succeed in this online Executive MHA program? 

Executive MHA students are experienced working professionals who typically bring at least five years of clinical, leadership, or management experience to the classroom. They are often already supervising teams, leading projects, or managing programs within health care organizations and are ready to expand their strategic, financial, and systems-level expertise.  

This depth of professional experience enriches discussion, allowing students to learn from one another’s real-world challenges and successes while immediately applying new concepts in their workplaces. The result is a collaborative, practice-focused learning environment designed for professionals preparing to step into more senior leadership roles. 

As a student, what are the main things I will learn in this program? What will the curriculum focus on?

Health care administrators lead and support the people and systems that allow clinicians to do their jobs well. The program will prepare you to lead through complexity — to improve systems, support teams, and shape the future of health care. The curriculum focuses on executive skills development, operations management, quality and process improvement, financial and strategic leadership, data analytics, health policy, law, and ethics. 

As a graduate, how could an Executive Master of Health Administration degree impact my career? Is a health care administration degree worth it?

Earning an Executive MHA can be a powerful turning point for health care professionals who want to move from strong operational or clinical roles into broader leadership. The degree builds skills in strategy, finance, quality improvement, and systems thinking, helping you see beyond a single department to how entire organizations function and improve. It often strengthens credibility at the leadership table and can be a career catalyst for expanding networks, accelerating growth, increasing influence, and leading meaningful change on a larger scale. 

What kinds of health care administration jobs does an Executive Master of Health Administration degree open up for me?  Is health care administration a good degree?

Health care administrators work in a wide range of leadership and management roles across health care or health-related systems. Common roles include clinic or service line administrator, quality and patient safety leader, operations director, practice manager, project manager, population health manager, and executive “c-suite” positions such as chief executive officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, chief information officer, and chief human resources officer.  

They work in organizations like hospitals and health systems, physician practices and ambulatory care centers, long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, public health departments, insurance and managed care organizations, community health nonprofits, government agencies, consulting firms, and health care technology companies. 

How long will it take me to complete this online EMHA degree?

This full-time, accelerated program can be completed in five consecutive semesters (including summer), which takes about 19 months. Each semester, you will enroll in three courses (9 credits total): one 14-week course and two 7-week courses offered in staggered sessions. This structure allows you to complete a full-time course load while concentrating on no more than two courses at a time. 

Tell us about the faculty who are teaching in this online health care administration program?

Having both academic scholars and practitioner-scholars on our MHA faculty creates a stronger, more relevant learning experience by blending theory with real-world application. Academic faculty contribute research expertise, evidence-based frameworks, and strong grounding in leadership, finance, policy, and systems thinking, while practitioner-scholars bring current industry experience, practical insights, and examples from active leadership roles in health care organizations. 

Together, they help students connect what they learn in class to how health care actually operates by translating concepts into decision-making, strategy, and operations. This balance also expands professional networks, exposes students to current challenges and innovations in the field, and better prepares graduates to lead in complex health care environments immediately after completing the program. 

Your next step toward executive health care leadership 

For professionals ready to expand their impact, the online Executive Master of Health Administration offers a clear path forward. With a focus on real-world application, flexible 100% online coursework, and executive leadership development, the program is built to help experienced health care professionals step confidently into the next phase of their careers.