Master of Health Administration (MHA)

Health Administration – MH8157

Department of Social and Public Health
Grover Center W324
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701
740.593.4675
sph@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Online

Terms of Entry:  Fall, Spring, Summer

Program Overview

The mission of the master of health administration (MHA) program is to provide quality graduate education to early- to mid-career professionals currently working within and those who aspire to work within the healthcare industry by developing students’ leadership, interprofessional communication, and innovative problem-solving skills relevant to the dynamic healthcare system. Our mission is aligned with the student-focused and community-driven aspirations for our department, college, and institution. Faculty within the MHA program engage in relevant health services research and professional development activities that contribute to the greater good of the industry. 

The MHA online degree program prepares early to midcareer professionals for leadership positions in a variety of U.S. health organizations. The MHA program prepares strategic leaders who can offer solutions to health care challenges – today and into the future.

The program is delivery entirely online. Students taking a normal load of two courses per semester (Fall/Spring/Summer) will complete the program in two years. There is also one-year option in which studnets compete our courses every semester. 

Specializations

The MHA offers a traditional track and 5 specializations:

Traditional MHA

The traditional MHA offers a breath of course topics encompassing topics related to the healthcare industry including epidemiology, health information systems, and an elective option so students can explore a new area or course that is of interest to them.

MHA with a specialization in Leadership

Designed to offer high-quality educational opportunities to assist health professionals in leading people more effectively, improving quality and safety, enhancing the patient experience, stimulating financial growth, and further developing a robust organizational culture for staff. Given the current complexity of the healthcare delivery system and its related programs and services, effective leadership is a critical success factor.

MHA with a specialization in Business Analytics

Gain specialized training in the use of advanced analytical techniques for managerial decision-making. Focus will be placed on managing, processing, and analyzing data in order to address a multitude of business challenges and opportunities. Draws upon a portfolio of methods that include data mining, optimization, and database management so that data can be transformed into information and insights in order for organization to meet their strategic goals.

MHA with a specialization in Project Management

The Project Management concentration focuses on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®), as identified by the Project Management Institute (PMI). This concentration serves as a graduate-level option for working professionals to pursue a graduate educational experience and can augment other graduate experiences at Ohio University.

MHA with a specialization in Aging Studies

This specialization addresses the educational needs of graduate students and professionals not only in healthcare but a variety of disciplines who work with the aging or elderly population. Students gain knowledge and skills related to working with the elderly.

MHA with a specialization in Quality Improvement

Students take a deep dive into the concepts associated with the delivery of quality in the U.S. healthcare system, trends in quality improvement, and Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. This specialization creates a strong foundation in the concepts and interactions of cost, quality, and access to care within the U.S. healthcare system, the theoretical models and transformation of quality improvement over time, the structure, function, and goals of healthcare teams, the fundamental principles of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. These courses cover the body of knowledge for the Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA) exam by American Society for Quality (ASQ).

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• analyze and recommend financial management and systematic concepts and tools to evaluate organizational viability and effectiveness.

• evaluate research, epidemiological, and evaluation concepts and tools for quality improvement strategies. 

• critique the principles of organizational behavior and diverse workforce strategies to improve organizational operations, efficiencies, and workplace communities. 

• differentiate effective leadership methods and strategies to balance ethical values, risk management techniques, and policy requirements in administrative decisions.

• synthesize and disseminate organizational and community-based, legal and ethical, financial, and regulatory data for effective decision making as informed healthcare leaders.

Specialization Learning Outcomes

• Leadership: Students will be able to evaluation methods and tools that contribute to positive outcomes related to qualtiy matters. 

• Business Analytics: Students will be able to apply analytical methods to find solutions to problems. 

• Project Management: Students will be able to synthesize

Further Information

Link to Program: https://www.ohio.edu/chsp/social-public-health/health-services-admin/graduate

Admission Requirements

• Entrance Examinations Required/Recommended: English Language Testing when English is not first language

1. IELTS 8.0 minimum across all bands

2. TOEFL 100 (iBT) minimum, 26 minimum on Writing Section, or

• Bachelor’s degree from regionally accredited institution or equivalent
  • Minimum GPA: 3.00
  • Coursework Required: Statistics, Financial accounting with grade of ‘B’ or better or completion of approved non-credit courses which can be taken after admission.
• Resume or Vitae
• One letter of recommendation
• Professional Statement - Statement should detail purpose and goals (250-500 words) identifying skills, career and educational accomplishments, and professional plans and why the Ohio University MHA online program is the right educational path.
• Work experience preferred.

International Students

This program does not permit full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 cannot be issued based on admission to the program.

Graduation Requirements

Complete 36 credit hours as follows: