Master of Healthcare Administration

Description

The Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program offers a structured and progressive educational pathway designed to prepare graduates for the dynamic and evolving responsibilities of healthcare administrators across diverse healthcare settings. This program equips students with the essential skills to implement best practices, enhance patient and institutional outcomes, and foster healthy organizational environments.

The MHA program is tailored for individuals who have already completed a degree in a health-focused field (e.g., healthcare administration, nursing, public health) at the undergraduate or graduate level.

Delivered in a 100% online format, the program is ideal for busy, working professionals seeking a master’s degree that accommodates their schedules. Students benefit from rigorous online coursework combined with personalized, one-on-one attention from program faculty. This flexible format allows individuals to continue working full-time while pursuing their degree.

Program Structure

The 36-credit curriculum emphasizes practical application grounded in theoretical knowledge and culminates in a capstone project. It includes:

• Core Courses: 30 credits (10 courses) covering foundational and advanced topics in healthcare administration.
• Elective Courses: 6 credits (2 courses) offering opportunities to deepen knowledge in specialized areas of healthcare and management.

Students have the option to enroll on a part-time or full-time basis. Full-time students can complete the program in as few as four semesters or within 15 months, depending on their pace and schedule.

This program is designed to empower graduates with the expertise and flexibility needed to thrive in the ever-changing healthcare landscape.

Admission to the Program

The application consists of:

• A baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited four-year college or university with priority given to an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The baccalaureate degree must reflect at least 120 credits.
• Statement of Objective
• Résumé

For additional information on admissions or to start your application, contact the Center for Graduate Studies.

Program Requirements

Students must meet the College’s standards for graduate study.

The program consists of 36 credits of coursework:

Required Courses

• HCS 571 Healthcare Informatics (3 credits)
• HCS 572 Managing Healthcare Organizations and Systems (3 credits)
• HCS 573 Health Insurance and Payment Reform (3 credits)
• HCS 616 Financial Management for Healthcare Administrators (3 credits)
• HCS 617 Health Policy, Law and Ethics (3 credits)
• HCS 619 Managerial Epi Methods for Healthcare Administrators (3 credits)
• HCS 620 Advanced Human Resources Management in Healthcare (3 credits)
• HCS 621 Strategic Planning in Healthcare (3 credits)
• HCS 636 Healthcare Economics for Healthcare (3 credits)
• HCS 696 Emergent Issues in Healthcare (Capstone) (3 credits)

Graduate Electives (choose 2; 3 credits)

• HCS 525 Long Term Care and Nursing Management  (3 credits)
• HCS 530 Geronotology and Health Issues for the Aging (3 credits)
• PAD 546 Foundations of the Non-Profit Sector (3 credits)
• HCS 575 Entrepeneurship and Applied Marketing in Healthcare (3 credits)
• PBH 604 Health Behavior Theory (3 credits)
• PBH 641 Community Organization (3 credits)
• HCS 677 Health Outcomes and Performance (3 credits)
• PAD 678 Nonprofit Management (3 credits)
• HCS 679 Executive Leadership & Governance in Healthcare (3 credits)

Student Learning Outcomes

The program’s primary student learning outcomes (SLOs) are:

1. Knowledge of the healthcare environment
   Students will apply comprehensive knowledge of the healthcare environment, encompassing the latest industry trends, legal frameworks, healthcare policies, and diverse patient demographics, to effectively analyze and navigate complex healthcare systems.
2. Communications and interpersonal effectiveness
   Students will develop and exhibit effective interpersonal communication skills, proficient professional relationship management capabilities, and adept negotiation techniques, alongside strong writing and presentation abilities, crucial for successful leadership and collaboration in the healthcare field.
3. Management and leadership
   Students will actively participate in self-assessment, demonstrate the capacity for holistic systems-level thinking, proficient problem-solving skills, and sound decision-making abilities necessary for effective leadership and management of teams within healthcare organizations.
4. Professionalism and ethics
   Students will articulate the significance of ethical principles and regulatory frameworks in healthcare, emphasizing their role in ensuring patient safety, confidentiality, and professional integrity, and apply effective teamwork strategies in a healthcare setting.
5. Business and analytical skills
   Students will develop critical analytical skills, including proficiency in analysis, to resolve complex challenges encountered in the healthcare industry.