Master of Health Administration (MHA)

Kurtis Takamine, Ed.D., Interim Dean, Professional Studies

Melissa Biel, M.S.N., D.P.A..

Donald R. Johnston, Ph.D.

Preparing Leaders and Managers for Tomorrow's Health Care Industry

Master of Health Administration is the graduate degree recommended for individuals who want to establish and strengthen their future in the health services industry. The program is designed for mid-career professionals whose responsibilities have expanded into management areas, as well as for recent college graduates planning to pursue a career in health care. Our program provides a solid core of health services administration courses offered in the evening, and online, to meet the needs of fully employed adults. The classes are small, an average of 12-20 students, with an emphasis on individual achievement.

Program of Excellence

The program provides courses in essential health services administration functions such as finance, strategic planning, adminisration, organization behavior and policy. The curriculum is designed to integrate theory and practice, combining both technical and communication skills and abilities to effectively lead and manage integrated delivery systems; subject matter includes:

• Organization, finance, and delivery of health services
• Population health management
• Planning and evaluation
• Industry analysis and strategic decision-making
• Leading organizational change and development
• Effective management and leadership of personnel
• Legal issues and public policy
• Written, verbal and group process communication

Highlights of the Program

• Chapman's MHA program is affiliated with local, regional, and national health care organizations.
• The health administration program offers continuing education for health care professionals.
• Our faculty and alumni help students to identify internships and employment opportunities.
• Chapman's faculty has extensive experience in teaching, research, and practice in the health care industry.
• A graduate certificate is optional in organizational leadership, human resources, or gerontology.

Career Opportunities

The MHA degree is appropriate for individuals who are working in the health care industry or health-related fields and for those who are considering career changes. While the emphasis of the program is on developing leaders who can manage in a variety of health care settings, Chapman graduates also secure positions in related areas such as consulting, insurance, education and government.

Expanding the Network

Among the opportunities available to help students and alumni succeed in job placement are internships, memberships in professional associations, and an ever-expanding network of faculty, alumni and students employed in the health care industry.

Admission to the Program and Prerequisites

Admission to the program may be achieved by the completion of each of the following requirements:

1. Satisfactorily fulfill graduate admission requirements for University College as stated in the catalog. (See the Graduate Admissions section.)
2. If the student uses Option Two in the CUC graduate admissions requirements, submit passing scores from one of the following standard admission tests:

   Graduate Record Examination (GRE): achieve the required minimum scores on two out of three of the subsections of the GRE or score at or above the 60th percentile on any one of the Graduate Subject Tests. (Minimum score for quantitative or verbal sections is 450. Minimum score for analytic writing is 4.5.)

   Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT): fulfill the formula GMAT + (GPA x 200) > 1000.

   Miller Analogies Test (MAT): achieve a minimum scaled score of 400.

3. Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic or professional abilities.
4. Statement of intent and completion of application form.
5. Option Four: Students may apply for admission under Option Four. Option Four criteria requires submission of a portfolio of evidence that shows adequate preparation for graduate studies. Specific criteria for Option Four is discussed in the Graduate Admission section of this catalog.

Specific Requirements for the MHA Degree

Thirty-six semester credits in health administration and related courses must be completed. Of these 36 credits, a maximum of 9 elective credits may be taken from the health administration, human resources or organizational leadership course offerings.

Transfer of Coursework

A maximum of 6 semester credits may be accepted as elective courses in transfer toward the Master of Health Administration degree program. (See Academic Policies and Procedures section.)

In addition to university policies concerning transfer of coursework, the health administration program will accept transfer of military coursework which meet the following requirements:

1. Course requested for transfer must include an official transcript or copy of ACE evaluation, which verifies graduate-level work;
2. Coursework must be letter graded or provide verification of completion at a grade of "B" or higher;
3. Coursework must be comparable to programmatic requirements (if marginal comparability, a written statement of rationale must be provided); and
4. Military coursework will be accepted in transfer as fulfilling elective requirements only.

Comprehensive Examination

Successful completion of a written comprehensive examination is required. The examination covers core content from the required courses. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 "B" to meet the minimum eligibility requirements to take the comprehensive examination. The examination may be taken upon completion of all required core courses.

Maximum Time for Completion of Degree

All master's degree requirements must be completed within a seven-year period effective at the time of admission (regular or provisional) to the program.

Certificate Programs

The Professional Studies Division offers graduate certificate programs in health systems administration (HA), gerontology (HA), human resources (HR) and organizational leadership (OL). These certificate programs allow the students to obtain specialized knowledge and expertise in related fields.

Health professionals with at least a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university may opt to pursue a non-degree curriculum in either health systems administration or gerontology and receive a graduate certificate. Admission to the certificate program is granted to individuals who meet the standards for admission to a graduate program.

No transfer credit may be used for either certificate program. Required overall GPA for either certificate is 3.0.

Health Systems Administration Certificate

Students who wish to pursue the Master of Health Administration degree program may use all of the above credits if the following requirements are met:

1. All certificate coursework applied to the master's program must be completed with a grade of "B" or higher.
2. All master's degree requirements must be completed within a seven-year period.

Gerontology Certificate

Students who wish to pursue the Master of Health Administration degree program may use 9 of the above credits as electives if the following requirements are met:

1. All certificate coursework applied to the master's program must be completed with a grade of "B" or higher.
2. All master's degree requirements must be completed within a seven-year period.