Overview
The Master of Health Administration (MHA) program is a fully online program. The program is built on the College mission and values and is designed to prepare aspiring and existing healthcare professionals to serve or advance in healthcare leadership roles. The program will encourage students to demonstrate an understanding of evidence-based decision making within a context that values diversity and is sensitive to the ethical implications of decision making within healthcare delivery. The program provides a broad base of knowledge and prepares graduates to lead in a value-based healthcare environment.
Mission
The mission of the MHA program is to provide individuals with the advanced knowledge and skills needed to lead and to serve in dynamic healthcare organizations.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the MHA program, the graduate will be able to:
- Knowledge of the Healthcare Environment: Explain the legislative, regulatory, political, and consumerism impact on the environment of healthcare and the components of healthcare delivery systems in the United States.
- Essential Business Literacy: Demonstrate the essential business principles required for the stewardship of healthcare organizations.
- Ethical Practice, Diversity, and Inclusion: Evaluate the professional and ethical standards of decision making within the management and delivery of healthcare, including inclusion and diversity within employee and patient populations, and other related complex health issues.
- Population Health and Evidence-Based Decision Making: Analyze population health management strategies in the delivery of value-based healthcare, utilizing health information science, technologies, and analytics to drive evidence-based decisions in the management of care.
- Communication and Relationship Management: Demonstrate effective communication and human resource practices in the management of healthcare organizations.
- Health Leadership: Inspire individual and organizational excellence and successfully lead change to attain the healthcare organization’s strategic initiatives.
Admission Requirements
MHA Program Admission Criteria
An applicant must possess a bachelor’s degree or higher with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from an institution that is approved/accredited by a historically regional accreditor.
MHA Provisional Admission Criteria
An applicant with a minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from an institution that is approved/accredited by a historically national accreditor may be granted provisional admission.
An applicant with a minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from World Education Services (WES) with a U.S. equivalency summary indicating a bachelor's degree from a historically regional accreditor may be granted provisional admission.
Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 or not having graduated from a historically regional accreditor can be considered for provisional admission.
MHA Application Process
Students seeking admission to the MHA program must complete the following:
- Submit a completed graduate program application with required documents and any fees.
- Submit official transcripts from the bachelor degree granting higher education institution and all graduate-level transcripts.
- An applicant with less than 40 credit hours on the bachelor degree granting transcript will be required to provide additional transcripts.
- Submit a current professional resume or Curriculum Vitae.
Degree Requirements
Complete all of the following:
| HCA 510 | Healthcare Delivery in the United States | 3 |
| HCA 518 | Healthcare Project Management | 3 |
| HCA 520 | Health Policy and Law | 3 |
| HCA 525 | Healthcare Human Resource Management | 3 |
| HCA 530 | Healthcare Operations Management | 3 |
| HCA 535 | Healthcare Financial Management | 3 |
| HCA 540 | Healthcare Informatics | 3 |
| HCA 545 | Quality Improvement in a Changing Healthcare Environment | 3 |
| HCA 550 | Healthcare Leadership, Communications, and Organizational Culture | 3 |
| HCA 555 | Healthcare Ethics and Spirituality | 3 |
| HCA 560 | Population Health and Managed Care | 3 |
| HCA 570 | Healthcare Strategic Management | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 36 |
Sample Program of Study
Semester I
| HCA 510 | Healthcare Delivery in the United States | 3 |
| HCA 550 | Healthcare Leadership, Communications, and Organizational Culture | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Semester II
| HCA 518 | Healthcare Project Management | 3 |
| HCA 520 | Health Policy and Law | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Semester III
| HCA 525 | Healthcare Human Resource Management | 3 |
| HCA 535 | Healthcare Financial Management | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Semester IV
| HCA 530 | Healthcare Operations Management | 3 |
| HCA 540 | Healthcare Informatics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Semester V
| HCA 545 | Quality Improvement in a Changing Healthcare Environment | 3 |
| HCA 555 | Healthcare Ethics and Spirituality | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Semester VI
| HCA 560 | Population Health and Managed Care | 3 |
| HCA 570 | Healthcare Strategic Management | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Total Credit Hours: 36
Credit for Expertise
The Credit for Expertise program at Mercy College of Ohio offers a pathway for healthcare professionals to convert their professional expertise into academic credits towards a Master of Health Administration. This approach includes a five-step process encompassing an initial consultation, portfolio submission, competency assessment, credit allocation, and personalized feedback. Aimed at recognizing the practical knowledge gained through professional experience, the Credit for Expertise program facilitates an accelerated route to graduate education by aligning real-world expertise with academic competencies.
The below pathways align with specific program courses and their learning objectives. Candidates must display competency in all aspects of the course objectives, supported by evidence, to qualify for credit. A prerequisite of seven years in the healthcare sector, with documented sequential advancement or professional achievements, is essential for the evaluation within the relevant pathway.
The Credit for Expertise program is offered at no additional cost to the students. There are no fees associated with the initial consultation, portfolio submission, competency assessment, credit allocation, or feedback and guidance.
Contact the Master of Health Administration Program Director or MHA Faculty Academic Advisor for more information.
The Master of Health Administration degree will be awarded to students who have successfully completed all required coursework, have a minimum of 36 credit hours, and have fulfilled all other requirements for graduation. The program of study must be completed within five years as measured by the first semester of enrollment through degree completion.