The MHA degree program was established in 2000, and graduated its first class in 2003. It is CAHME accredited. Administratively, the program is housed in the School of Allied Health Sciences (SOAHS), Division of Health Care Management. The SOAHS is one of four schools/colleges and institutes that make up the health science academic core on campus. Other components include pharmacy, nursing and public health.
The curriculum is competency-based with forty-seven (47) credit hours distributed among core courses, including a capstone and fieldwork/residency component. Courses in finance, statistics, the application of research methods, and managerial skills development are designed to help students develop problem-solving and decision-making skills.
The management, planning and marketing, quality, and leadership courses are included in the curriculum to acquaint students with the conceptual framework and operational aspects of health services administration. Also included are courses that develop students’ understanding of the legal and political factors affecting the healthcare delivery system. A capstone course and the administrative residency represent the integrative components of the curriculum.
MHA Curriculum
MHA Course Descriptions
Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures
The MHA program utilizes a variety of teaching and learning methods based on the course
competencies, and desired mastery category and level. The mastery categories are:
The Novice level reflects basic skills encompassing knowledge and comprehension. The Bloom’s Taxonomy levels for Novice are 1 and 2. Courses at the Novice level utilize lectures with discussion, guest lecturers, research papers, and some teamwork.
The Competent level focuses on intermediate skills encompassing application of knowledge and problem analysis. The Bloom’s Taxonomy levels for Competent are 3 and 4. Competent learning activities include case analysis, several team projects, integrative exercises, strategic planning, evaluating health care delivery services, simulations and quality improvement proposals.
The Proficient level reflects professional competency, advanced skills encompassing the ability to evaluate, judge and synthesize information. The Bloom’s Taxonomy levels for Proficient are 5 and 6. Similar to Competent, the Proficient level learning activities include case analysis, several team projects, integrative exercises, strategic planning, evaluating health care delivery services, simulations and quality improvement proposals.
Assessment methods range from exams, quizzes, assignments, interviews, oral presentations, papers, proposals and project deliverables.
The Program admits a cohort twice a year, fall and spring. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements outlined by the School of Graduate Studies and Research. In addition to earning a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, applicants must have:
Interested persons must submit the application, a resume, three professional references, academic transcripts, and a personal statement, electronically via the CollegeNet system. All applicants will be interviewed by the Admissions Committee. Both scholastic and experiential factors are considered in screening prospective students. Meeting the minimum standards does not guarantee program admission. An applicant who does not have the required 3.00 GPA or GRE or GMAT score should enroll in an exam preparation class to facilitate obtaining an acceptable score on the exam.
The competencies that guide the MHA Program are adopted from the Healthcare Leadership Alliance Competency Directory which identifies competencies that are important across diverse professional roles within healthcare management. The Healthcare Leadership Alliance (HLA) is comprised of the following organizations: American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE); American College of Physician Executives (ACPE); American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE); Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA); Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSA); Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) and its certifying body, the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE).
Understanding the importance of shared decision-making, dispute resolution, determining stakeholder expectations, exhibiting integrity, and building trust.
Understanding the importance of effective communication, cultural competency, non-verbal communication, listening skills, and appropriate utilization of communication methodologies.
Knowledge and understanding of the health care and business regulatory environments.
Knowledge of leadership theories, ability to conduct self-assessment, understanding of theory application.
Knowledge of ethical professional expectations, standards, and behaviors.
Aptitude and knowledge of the health care infrastructure and key stakeholders.
Knowledge and understanding of the use of information and decision-making technologies.
The ability to understand and analyze individual and aggregated data.
Knowledge of finance and accounting, ability to create and manage budgets, and proficiency with decision-making skills based on financial data.
Knowledge of regulations and laws governing human resources, ability to make strategic decisions based on resources, understanding of organizational structures, designs, awareness, and governance.
The ability to understand and analyze the relevant components of the external market impacting business decision-making, understanding of market dynamics, ability to integrate demographic, cultural, political, regulatory environments, and market resources into decision-making.
Chad Adams, MS, FACHE |
Scott Campbell, MHA, RDCS, RVT |
Destiny Cruz, MHA |
Kallie Donaldson, MBA, MHA
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Lynn Dorvil, MHA
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Thabata Ford, MPH, FACHE
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Jonathan Jean-Marie, MSHA, FACHE
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Lerenda Johnson, MHA
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Lenetra King, FACHE
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Christy Kramer, MHA, LNA |
Dashawna Jimerson, mha student |
Johnathan Leonard, MSHA, LSSGB
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Donald Mitchell, RN, FACHE
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Barbara Mosley, PhD, RHIA
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Tiffany Northern, MSHA, FACHE
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Sherrick Orie, MSHA, LSSBB
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Elizabeth Paine, MS, MBA
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Temple O. Robinson, MD
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Jena tavares, MHa student |
Andrea G. Thomas, DHSc, MBA, MPH, CHEP, FACHE |
Kim Walker, MBA
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Marcus West, MHA, CSP
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Yashica Wilson-Hearns, RRT, MSHA
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The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) is the organization that accredits graduate programs in health administration. Accreditation is a two phase process: candidacy and accreditation. The program is preparing for the initial accreditation site visit in spring 2020. Obtaining full accreditation is our goal.
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Vice President of Operations, Practice Manager, Director of Operations, Operations Manager, Network Manager, Health Systems Specialist, Systems Coordinator, Compliance Officer, Nursing Home Administrator, Project Manager, Assistant Administrator, Program Manager, Analyst, Patient Advocate Coordinator, and Team Lead Coordinator.
Community Health Centers, Clinics, Consulting Firms, Health Insurance, Healthcare Associations, Managed Care Organizations, Hospitals, Home Health Agencies, Assisted Living Facilities, Medical Group Practices, Mental Health, Health Departments, Rehabilitation Centers, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Pharmaceutical Industry, and Government Agencies.
Yes. The background screening is required prior to residency/fieldwork placement. Students are required to pay for their background screening. The minimum cost is about $100.
Students are admitted twice a year, fall and spring.
The deadline for fall admission is July 1 and the deadline for spring admission is November 15.