What Is the Residential MHA?
The Cornell Sloan MHA is a full-time, residential graduate management degree designed for early-career professionals who want to become leaders in health care.
Combining business fundamentals with deep expertise in health care systems, finance, operations, policy, and data, the program prepares graduates to solve complex organizational challenges and improve health outcomes across the industry.
Students develop the skills to lead hospitals, health systems, consulting organizations, biotechnology companies, insurance organizations, government agencies, and emerging health care enterprises.
Through immersive coursework, practitioner-led experiences, a summer internship, and a capstone project, you’ll graduate prepared to lead with confidence in one of the nation’s fastest-growing industries.
Students build expertise in:
- Health care management
- Health care finance
- Health policy
- Organizational leadership
- Operations management
- Data-driven decision-making
- Health care innovation
- Strategy and change management
Unlike programs focused primarily on health care operations, the Cornell Sloan Residential MHA develops leaders who understand both the business and human sides of health care.
Why Choose Cornell’s Sloan MHA
For nearly seven decades, the Sloan MHA has educated leaders who improve the organizations and systems that shape health care.
Students choose Cornell’s MHA program because of its unique combination of:
- Ivy League education
- Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)-accredited MHA
- Business-focused curriculum with health care specialization
- Over 70 years of leadership education
- Personalized faculty mentorship
- Small, collaborative learning community
- Global alumni network of more than 1,500 health care leaders
- Applied learning through internships, executive speakers, and capstone experiences
Consistent with the broad theme of Cornell University (i.e., any person, any study), the Sloan Program has distinguished itself by equipping and placing our terrific students in a wide range of exciting health care organizations and positions. It is a privilege to lead a program that touches all corners of health care and has such a committed and vibrant community of faculty, students, and alumni.
– Michael Richards, MD, PhD, MPH, Faculty Director, Sloan Program in Health Administration
Choose the Degree Path That’s Right for You
Residential Two-Year MHA
The residential MHA is a 64-credit, full-time graduate program completed over two academic years at Cornell’s Ithaca campus.
Designed for recent graduates, military veterans, career changers, and early-career professionals, the program combines classroom learning with immersive practical experiences, including a required summer internship and a capstone project.
Combined Five-Year BS/MHA
Eligible Cornell undergraduate students may accelerate their path into health care leadership through the Combined Five-Year BS/MHA.
Students begin planning during their undergraduate education and transition directly into graduate study, creating an efficient pathway to earning both degrees while benefiting from advising across both programs.
Faculty Spotlight
Learn From Those Shaping the Future of Health Care
Cornell Sloan MHA students learn from nationally recognized faculty whose research influences health care policy, economics, management, organizational strategy, and innovation.
Michael Richards, MD, PhD, MPH
Professor; Public Policy and Economics
Research areas:
- Health economics
- Health care policy
- Public insurance systems
- Health care workforce issues
Professor Richards studies health care provider responses to public policies and evolving market environments.
Sean Nicholson, PhD
Professor, Public Policy and Economics
Research areas:
- Health care finance
- Pharmaceutical innovation
- Biotechnology markets
- Health care spending
Professor Nicholson examines the value of new medical technologies; innovation in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries; and the causes of regional variations in medical spending.
Colleen Carey, PhD
Associate Professor, Public Policy and Economics
Research areas:
- Industrial organization of health care
- Health economics
- Health policy
- Health insurance markets
Professor Carey’s research focuses on the industrial organization of health care, with special attention to federal regulation of health insurance markets.
Explore additional Sloan faculty whose expertise spans health policy, population health, business strategy, health care analytics, and organizational leadership.
CAHME Accreditation & National Recognition
The Cornell Sloan MHA Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare 
Management Education (CAHME), the recognized gold standard for graduate health care management education.
Cornell’s Sloan MHA Program is one of a select group of CAHME-accredited MHA programs in New York State, joining other nationally respected institutions. CAHME accreditation reflects rigorous standards for curriculum quality, faculty excellence, student outcomes, and leadership preparation.
Combined with Cornell University’s Ivy League reputation and nearly 70-year history of educating health care leaders, this accreditation assures employers that Sloan graduates are prepared for leadership in hospitals, health systems, consulting firms, government agencies, and health care organizations across the country.
Why Students Choose Sloan
At the Sloan Program in Health Administration, I found a place that encouraged me to cast a wide net on my career pursuits. I have been able to connect with several industry executives across the spectrum. It is a daily reminder that health care is not a solo act, and the Sloan Program has equipped me with the tools to be a valuable leader and teammate.
– Houth Som MHA ’23, United States Navy Veteran
Cornell stood out because of its unique interdisciplinary approach, experienced faculty, strong alumni network, and exceptional career outcomes. The opportunity to gain both policy and healthcare management perspectives within one program made the Brooks School the right fit for my academic and professional goals.
– Victor Wu ‘25, MHA ’26, Healthcare Transformation Consultant, Deloitte
Examples of Recent Internship & Employment Placements
Sloan’s culture is one-of-a-kind. Known as the “Sloan Family”, the program always feels welcoming and wholly supportive – both inside and outside the classroom. The culture is even stronger after graduation when you become part of the expansive and deeply interconnected alumni network.
– Lyla Saxena ‘24, Healthcare and Life Sciences Consultant, Deloitte
I have learned that creating change requires both critical thinking and courage. Brooks constantly reminded us that policy is not shaped in isolation. It is shaped through community, lived experience, and the willingness to engage with complex problems.
– Darnisha Augustin MHA ’26, Administrative Fellow, Cleveland Clinic
The Sloan Experience
Make a Difference
Health care executives improve the lives of hundreds or even thousands of people every day. Sloan prepares leaders who are committed to strengthening organizations while advancing better care for patients and communities.
Engaged Learning
Learning extends well beyond the classroom through:
- Summer internship
- Practitioner-led intensive courses
- Executive colloquium series
- Applied capstone project
- Networking with alumni and industry leaders
- Specialized Coursework
Students benefit from Cornell’s interdisciplinary environment, taking courses taught by internationally recognized faculty while engaging directly with health care executives and industry leaders.
An Immersive Residential Experience
Located on Cornell University’s campus in Ithaca, New York, Sloan offers an immersive residential graduate experience built around close faculty mentorship, collaborative learning, and a supportive professional community.
While students enjoy Ithaca’s exceptional quality of life and beautiful Finger Lakes setting, the program maintains strong recruiting relationships with employers throughout New York City and across the country. Sloan graduates regularly launch careers with major hospitals, consulting firms, biotechnology companies, and national health care organizations.
Career Opportunities
Health care remains one of the nation’s fastest-growing industries, creating demand for leaders with strong management and strategic decision-making skills.
Graduates pursue careers across:
- Hospitals and health systems
- Health care consulting
- Biotechnology
- Health insurance
- Government agencies
- Health technology
- Population health organizations
Many graduates also earn highly competitive administrative fellowships with leading hospitals and integrated health systems, prestigious post-graduate leadership programs that accelerate advancement into executive roles.
Career Pathways
Cornell’s residential Sloan MHA prepares graduates for leadership positions throughout the health care industry.
Graduates pursue careers as:
- Health care administrators
- Hospital executives
- Strategy managers
- Operations leaders
- Health care consultants
- Health policy professionals
- Innovation leaders
Employment Highlights:
Admissions at a glance
Application Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Unofficial transcripts for application review
- Resume
- Two academic or professional recommendations
- Statement of purpose
- GRE/GMAT not required and not considered
International Applicants:
- Proof of English-language proficiency is required through TOEFL, IELTS, or an approved exemption pathway established by Cornell Graduate School.
Work Experience:
Professional experience is welcomed but not required. The program is designed for both recent graduates and early-career professionals.
Looking for Admission Details?
Funding Your Degree
The Brooks School offers financial support opportunities to help qualified students access an exceptional health care management education.
Funding Options Include
Students may be considered for:
- Merit-based scholarships
- Federal student loans for eligible U.S. students
- Veterans education benefits
- External fellowships and scholarships
- Private educational loan options
All applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships during the admissions review process. No separate scholarship application is required.
Estimated Tuition
Tuition and Fees: $83,741
(Includes tuition and fees and estimates for indirect costs such as housing, food, books, transportation, and personal expenses.)
Your Future in Health Care Leadership Starts Here
Brooks Sloan MHA Spotlights
Brooks MHA student recognized nationally for leadership and mentorship in health care
Sloan MHA Student Named Winston Health Policy Scholar
Sloan MHA Student Awarded National Healthcare Administration Scholarship
Have Questions?
Cornell Brooks School
Contact Address
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
Contact Email
brooksgradadmissions@cornell.edu