Academic Catalog

Health Administration (M.H.A.)

The Master of Health Administration program is designed to prepare individuals for administrative roles ultimately leading to top-level executive positions in complex health organizations. The curriculum emphasizes strategic and operational management, thus orienting students toward the broad spectrum of managerial problems and functions likely to be encountered by health organizations.

The MHA will provide graduates with the necessary organizational and leadership skills needed to effectively manage and shape health care organizations from an operational perspective. The MHA degree is intended for individuals seeking to pursue upper-level careers in health administration or related fields. The program provides students with an advanced understanding of administrative, managerial and operational principles of health organizations. The degree will combine didactic coursework with applied experiences as students learn about measuring the quality and safety of care in health facilities, budget funding, health record information and controlling the costs of healthcare.

Admission Requirements

Admission to this program is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School.

Program Requirements

Students accepted into the program will complete 40 total credit hours consisting of 12 core credits, 24 credits of electives, and 4 capstone credit hours. Enrolled full-time, students can complete their program within 24-27 months. All courses will follow an accelerated format consisting of seven weeks of instruction per course. Each course will be delivered online (asynchronously) with several virtual (synchronous) components throughout the program except for the internship and study abroad courses which with will be delivered in person and the capstone course which will be delivered in a hybrid (synchronous and asynchronous) mode.

A four-credit capstone course (Plan C) will be required for MHA degree-seeking students during their last semester.  Within this course, there are three comprehensive assessments accompanied by course instruction. Students will perform a case study of a defined health organization and present their findings and recommendations within a written and verbal assignment. Second, students will engage in a group eLearning module making weekly decisions which impact the organization. Based on the weekly results, team members will adjust their decision for subsequent weeks. They will be competing against other teams within the course and a computerized model. Lastly, students will develop an organizational strategic plan drawing on the learning outcomes from the program’s core courses.

Consult the Graduate School Academic Regulations for further university and graduate school requirements  https://bulletins.wayne.edu/graduate/general-information/academic-regulations/.

Core Courses (12 credits)

HA 7000Health Administration Organizations3
HA 7010Health Administration Finance & Budgeting3
HA 7020Health Administration Quality & Safety Improvement3
HA 7030Health Administration Operational Management 3

Capstone (4 credits)

HA 7200Health Administration Capstone4

Electives (24 credits)

All elective courses must be at the 7000 level or higher and must be offered within the Master of Health Administration (MHA) program in the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. The written approval of the Dean or his/her designee is required to take any course as an MHA elective outside of the program or the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

HA 7000 Health Administration Organizations Cr. 3

This course provides a holistic overview of the healthcare organizations within the United States and globally. Students will examine the key components of each key functional area including marketing, communications, human resources, customer relations, operations and financial management. Students will also review organizational behavior strategies and the goal setting process. Offered Every Term.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

HA 7010 Health Administration Finance & Budgeting Cr. 3

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the financial principles and practices essential to the management of healthcare organizations. Students will gain a solid understanding of the financial operations within healthcare settings, including budgeting, financial reporting, cost control, and resource allocation. Key topics include the analysis of financial statements, the development of operating and capital budgets, revenue cycle management, healthcare reimbursement models, and financial decision-making in the context of healthcare policy and regulation. Offered Fall.

Prerequisite: HA 7000 with a minimum grade of C

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

HA 7020 Health Administration Quality & Safety Improvement Cr. 3

This graduate-level course provides an in-depth exploration of the principles and practices of quality improvement (QI) and patient safety in healthcare administration. Students will learn the methodologies and tools used to assess healthcare systems, identify areas for improvement, and implement changes that enhance patient care outcomes and safety. Topics include the use of data for quality measurement, the implementation of evidence-based practices, risk management, patient safety culture, and the role of leadership in fostering continuous improvement. Offered Winter.

Prerequisite: HA 7000 with a minimum grade of C

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

HA 7030 Health Administration Operational Management Cr. 3

This course is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the principles and practices involved in the operational management of healthcare organizations. The course emphasizes the integration of operational strategies within healthcare settings, focusing on improving efficiency, patient satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness. Topics include healthcare systems and processes, workflow optimization, resource management, risk management, patient safety, and compliance with healthcare regulations. The course also covers leadership in healthcare operations, strategic planning, and the role of healthcare administrators in driving continuous improvement and organizational change. Offered Winter.

Prerequisite: HA 7000 with a minimum grade of C and HA 7010 with a minimum grade of C

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

HA 7110 Health Administration Change Management Cr. 3

This course provides an in-depth exploration of change management principles and practices within the context of healthcare organizations. Designed for healthcare administrators and leaders, the course focuses on the strategic, operational, ethical and human aspects of developing and managing organizational change in the healthcare sector. Students will examine various change management models, theories, and frameworks, with an emphasis on their application to healthcare settings. The course will cover key topics such as leadership strategies for driving change, assessing organizational readiness, addressing resistance, and designing effective change management plans. Offered Spring/Summer.

Prerequisite: HA 7000 with a minimum grade of C

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

HA 7120 Health Administration Research Cr. 3

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices of health care research. It emphasizes the importance of research in improving patient outcomes, guiding health care policies, and supporting evidence-based decision-making in clinical settings. Students will learn how to design and conduct research, analyze data, and interpret findings to advance knowledge in health care. Offered Spring/Summer.

Prerequisite: HA 7000 with a minimum grade of C

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

HA 7200 Health Administration Capstone Cr. 4

The Health Administration Capstone course provides students with the opportunity to synthesize and apply the principles, theories, and practices of health administration through an individual a case analysis, verbal defense and in a comprehensive group project. Each capstone project includes a thorough review of industry and competitive conditions and situational analysis of the company, including financial trends and concluding with defendable recommendations for specific strategies that improve organizational performance and sustainability. This course serves as the culminating experience for students pursuing a Master of Health Administration degree. Offered Every Term.

Prerequisite: HA 7000 with a minimum grade of C and HA 7010 with a minimum grade of C and HA 7020 with a minimum grade of C and HA 7030 with a minimum grade of C

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

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