Health Sciences

The graduate degree in Health Administration prepares students for management and leadership roles in health services organizations and systems. The curriculum provides for advanced study of issues, problems and strategies for managing the effective and efficient delivery of healthcare through public, voluntary and private sector healthcare organizations, including, but not limited to, hospitals, long-term care organizations, medical and dental group practices, health maintenance organizations, health insurance and health benefits administrations, and public health agencies.

Mission

The graduate program in Health Administration prepares a diverse student body for leadership positions in healthcare organizations. Graduate students in the program can advance in their current healthcare, health services, or health administration positions or make their initial entry into a health administration role. With a faculty focus on learning-centeredness, community and university service, and scholarship, the program is well positioned to educate students for professional practitioner positions aligned with the current healthcare environment.

Vision

The graduate program in Health Administration aspires to prepare a workforce to enhance healthcare organizations’ operational efficiency and effectiveness and improve the delivery and access to quality care in our service community. Our vision is to be a premier leadership program that provides a high-quality, respected healthcare management education that prepares students to meet the needs of an evolving healthcare delivery industry. The program consistently seeks to meet the national standards associated with excellence in graduate education in health administration.

Values

• Impact: improve the health status and strengthen the healthcare delivery system in our local, state, national and global communities.
• Collaboration: recognize how interdisciplinary teams and organizational partnerships can enhance effectiveness in the healthcare industry.
• Professionalism: instill throughout all aspects of the program, including student development and faculty interactions.
• Ethics and Integrity: demonstrate behavior that exhibits a high degree of character and exemplary behavior.
• Cultural Competency: instill an understanding and appreciation of the diversity of our service community.

A. Application Evaluation Criteria

Please see the Master of Health Administration website for detailed applicant instructions.

The following criteria are used for evaluating applicants to the Health Administration graduate program:

1. Cumulative undergraduate GPA.
2. Undergraduate degree. Students not having a degree in health administration, if accepted, will be required to take a qualifying program prior to being admitted to classified graduate status.
3. One year of paid healthcare work experience is preferred; however, internships and volunteer experience will also be considered.
4. Two (2) letters of recommendation.
5. Statement of purpose.
6. Resume in reverse chronological order.

B. For Admission to Conditionally Classified Graduate Status

Applicants may be admitted to the Master of Health Administration on a classified status, which means they have no required prerequisites. Many applicants are accepted on a conditional basis if they meet the admission criteria but do not have an undergraduate degree in Health Administration, a closely related major, or if they lack key undergraduate coursework (Statistics and Accounting taken within the last 5 years). An accepted applicant assigned a conditional admission will have specific requirements to meet before becoming elevated to classified status.

1. An accepted applicant who has a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college with a major other than Health Administration or its closely related equivalent will be assigned a program of prerequisite coursework.
2. Specific information concerning prerequisites or qualifying programs may be obtained through consultation with a program graduate advisor. Additional prerequisites needed for some students to advance to classified status from conditional status:
   1. An accounting and/or a statistics course, both of which must be approved by the graduate coordinator and taken prior to completing the first 12 units of graduate work.
3. All conditional requirements must be completed within the first 12 units of graduate work.
4. All 600-level core courses require classified status.
5. Students completing qualifying coursework must meet with their faculty advisor to complete the paperwork to advance from conditional to classified status.

C. Advancement from Conditional to Classified Status

Students admitted as conditionally classified must complete all qualifying coursework prior to moving from conditional to fully classified status. Consult with the graduate advisor. In addition:

1. A GPA of 3.0 or better must be achieved in qualifying coursework.
2. No more than 12 units of work taken prior to attaining fully classified status will be applied to the master’s program.
3. Students completing qualifying coursework must meet with their faculty advisor to complete the paperwork to advance from conditional to classified status.

Qualifying Courses: To be determined at advisement.

D. Requirements for the Degree

The Master of Health Administration program requires a minimum of 45 semester hours of coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. A minimum grade of “B” is required for each course, and an overall program GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation.

1. Required Courses (36 units)

2. Electives (6 units minimum)

With approval of the graduate coordinator, students take electives from approved Health Administration or related courses.

3. Culminating Experience (2-3 units)

Select one of the following:

1. Comprehensive Examination: Student registers for HSCI 697 Directed Comprehensive Studies (3) (Credit/No Credit only).
2. Graduate Project (with faculty permission only): Student registers for HSCI 698 Thesis or Graduate Project (2) (Credit/No Credit only).

Total Units Required for the M.H.A. Degree: 44-45