MHA Program

The mission of the graduate programs in public and nonprofit administration is to develop both the general knowledge and specific abilities needed for leadership in a fast changing world. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to act ethically and effectively in complex organizations, and to transcend traditional boundaries in the pursuit of prosperous, safe, and healthy communities.

The Master of Health (MHA) degree program broadens the commitment of the School of Public and Nonprofit Administration to educate community leaders. The mission of the MHA is to teach and prepare individuals for managerial and leadership roles in the challenging and complex field of health care administration. The program centers on interdisciplinary learning experiences that integrate classroom study, applied research, professional development, and field experience. The curriculum is designed to develop advanced executive abilities through a combination of core competencies and specialized areas of concentration.

An advanced degree in health administration opens up career opportunities that span the diverse components that make up the health care delivery system including: hospitals, ambulatory care practices, assisted living communities, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies and hospice care. In addition to direct health service providers, MHA graduates are qualified for management positions in marketing, human resources, finance, and planning in pharmaceutical, medical device and supplies, and insurance companies.

The MHA program consists of a total of 45 credit hours and is developed into four parts.

Core Level I

Twelve credits earned in four courses:

• PA 630: Health Administration and Services
• PA 611: Research Methods
• PA 612: Human Resources in Organizations
  or MGT 633: Management of Human Resources
• PA 614: Organization Theory or BUS 631: Leadership and Organizational Dynamics

Core Level II

Twelve credits earned in four courses. PA 630 is a prerequisite for these courses, but may be taken concurrently.

• PA 631: U.S. Health Policy and Politics
• PA 632: Health Services Financial Management
• PA 633: Health Economics
• PA 634: Health Care Law and Ethics

Level III: Specializations

Choose one specialization for 12 credits.

Health Services Management

PA 630 is a prerequisite for these courses, but may be taken concurrently. PA 643 is required. Choose three courses from the remaining five courses.

• PA 643: Strategic Management and Planning or MGT 635: Planned Change and Organizational Development (required)
• NUR 646: Nursing Administration
• PA 635: Hospital Administration
• PA 637: Ambulatory Care Organization and Management
• PA 638: Long Term Care Organization and Management
• PA 640: Marketing Health and Human Services

Financial Management

PA 630 and PA 632 are prerequisites for these courses, but may be taken concurrently. ACC 511, FIN 521 and FIN 522 are required. Choose one courses from the remaining two courses.

• ACC 511: Financial and Managerial Accounting Concepts (required)
• FIN 521: Data Analysis in Business (required)
• FIN 522: Finance Principles for Managers (required)
• PA 615: Public Financial Management
• PA 662: Nonprofit Resource and Financial Management

Health Policy Analysis

PA 630 and PA 631 are prerequisites for these courses, but may be taken concurrently. PA 616 is required. Choose three courses from the remaining four courses.

• PA 616: Policy Analysis (required)
• PA 644: GIS in Public Service
• SW 610: Social Welfare Policy and Services
• SW 676: Community and Social Planning
• CJ 605: Program Evaluation

Level IV: Capstone

Prerequisite: All Core Levels I and II courses and at least one course from the specialization. Select three courses for nine credits

• PA 695: Internship
• NUR 648: Administrative Practicum
• SHP 625: Health Professions Leadership
• PA 619: Management Seminar