Overview of Master of Health Administration (MHA) Degree Program
Majors Overview November 10, 2017This article talks about Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree programs and their education requirements, coursework, career options, and job and wage outlook.
Master of Health Administration (MHA) Program Overview
Students enrolled in a Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree program can expect to be prepared for careers in the healthcare sector as policy experts, leaders, consultants, decision makers, or managers. The program teaches undergraduate degree holders ways of helping institutions and organizations to provide affordable quality healthcare to communities.
Varying by the program, specializations options may be available in areas such as policy, management, information technology, finance, or quality control. A residency or practicum opportunity may be available in some programs, allowing the practice by students of their learned skills in real healthcare settings. Program graduates would need two years to complete the program.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to have a strong academic background with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college and a grade point average of 3.0. Applicants for admission are also required to submit above-average scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Requirements also include letters of recommendation, a current resume, and a personal statement covering the student’s career plans and goals. Work experience in healthcare administration may also be necessary at some schools.
Coursework
Program graduates can expect to become well-versed in every area of management and administration within the healthcare field. Students learn all the details of running a healthcare facility, including money management, daily operations, and patient care.
For instance, they learn how to control medical costs, budget healthcare funds, measure the quality of care provided, and ensure that more individuals are given access to healthcare services. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Medical facility management concepts
•Strategic management concepts
•Healthcare law and ethics
•Medical financial management
•Issues in Healthcare
•Healthcare Economics
•Healthcare information systems
•Human resource management
•Healthcare system project management
•Patient care quality control
Career Options
Program graduates can seek career advancement in the field of healthcare management and enhance their job opportunities and earning potential. They can expect to be trained to work in this dynamic field that needs leaders equipped to resolve these issues and find new solutions. Graduates may seek careers in various organizations and facilities, including medical practices, hospitals, community health organizations, and health insurance companies. They may choose from possible job positions such as:
•Department head
•Clinic operations director
•Hospital administrator
Job and Wage Outlook
Medical and health services managers are expected to see a faster-than-average job growth of 20% over the 2016 – 2026 decade. Most managers brought in an average annual wage of $96,540 ranging between $56,970 and $172,240 in May 2016 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
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