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Master in Healthcare Administration Catalog
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MHA - Master in Health-Care Administration
Since our accreditation as a School of Public Health in 1967, Healthcare Administration has been one of the underlining areas of education, practice and research. Be a part of a legacy bridging the gap between populations and their health.
Why choose Loma Linda University School of Public Health’s Master’s in Healthcare Program?
- Strong curriculum that prepares you to successfully manage and lead in a variety of healthcare delivery systems while understanding public health and population health principles
- Experienced Faculty and Healthcare Executives who provide relevant and cutting edge case based learning into the virtual classroom with intermittent “live sessions”
- Individualized leadership and coaching opportunities
- Small faculty to student ratio allowing for a more meaningful and enriching discussions
- Increased networking opportunities via our partner organizations including the American College of Healthcare Executives national and local chapters
- CEPH accredited Program and a partner of the non-profit global network of colleges and institutions, Association of University Programs in Healthcare Administration (AUPHA)
- A built in practicum/culminating project that provides you with opportunities to master program competencies
Who would benefit from this program?
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Clinical professionals and mid-career leaders looking to advance their careers
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Individuals with exposure to the health care field and some relevant work experience
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Recent undergraduate students with an interest in health care administration
To our LLUH Employees:
Earn an ONLINE Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration for nearly half the cost!
As part of the Loma Linda University Health (LLUH) network, we have a wonderful opportunity for our LLUH employees where you can earn a Master’s in healthcare administration degree online at nearly HALF of the original cost of the Program using your tuition benefits along with an additional 30% partnership discount!
For those who are interested in advancing their career, the Online Master’s in Healthcare Administration is designed to prepare you to effectively communicate, motivate and lead teams, think strategically while having a strong command on industry trends and understand financial management and key metric for success.
We understand how busy you can be as a working professional, so our online program will give you the flexibility you need to earn your degree at your own pace.
50 years of Healthcare Administration Experience
Loma Linda University Health is continually recognized for excellence in health care administration. As the school of public health, we’ve been committed to providing the best education in healthcare administration for 50 years.
Real-world Opportunities
As a future health care leader, you’ll need to be innovative, flexible and work across disciplines. Loma Linda University is a world-renowned health sciences university which means that you’ll be within walking distance of the Medical Center and 6 other schools focused on health disciplines (Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Behavioral Health, and Allied Health Professions).
Working Toward Your Career Goals
According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, by the year 2024 jobs for healthcare managers will grow by 17%.
With an emphasis on data analytics and population health, our MHA program focuses on leading and managing healthcare organizations. Whether on or off our campus, there are ample opportunities to apply the principles learned in the classroom by completing a practicum experience in a health care environment. For new healthcare students, this puts you in a position to graduate with a relevant degree and 800-hours of experience for your resume.
Already a Healthcare Professional?
The hours required for your practicum may be reduced if you have relevant experience in healthcare management or a clinical degree. This means your current job in a health care setting (hospital, clinic, insurance company, or dental practice) may serve to fulfill your practicum requirement with an applied practical project. Take your experience as a clinician and add management theory and skills to lead your teams in any setting. Students enrolled in a clinical degree (MD, DDS, etc) will have 400 hours of the requirement waived.
Field Placement Settings for 2016-2017 MBA in Health Care Administration Students
- State, provincial, or regional government in the same country as the program – 1 student
- City, county, or other local government in the same country as the program –4 students
- Nonprofit/NGOs internationally oriented – 1 student
- Private sector, Healthcare Organizations, domestic –18 students
- Total –24 students
*The starting cohort is from the 2008-2009 academic year which reflects the ‘Maximum Time to Graduate’ of 5 years and the completion rate within that time frame.
**This number is based on 27 graduates. Three hiring locations/dates are unknown. 22 graduates were hired within health care of the known information within 3 months of graduation.
Employment Settings of Healthcare Administration Graduates from 2013-2017:
| Employment Setting | % of graduates |
|---|---|
| Hospital/Health System | 46.5% |
| Unknown | 15.2% |
| Employed outside of Health Care | 13% |
| Postgraduate Fellowship | 6.1% |
| Medical Clinic or Physician Practice | 5.1% |
| Insurance | 3% |
| Long-term Care of Home Health Agency | 3% |
| Consulting | 2% |
| Other - General | 2% |
| Further education (including Med school) | 1.1% |
| Recovery/Rehab | 1% |
| Military or VA | 1% |
| Association, foundation or voluntary agency | 1% |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a Master of Healthcare Administration?
The Master of Health Administration (MHA or M.H.A.), or Master of Healthcare Administration, is a master's-level professional degree granted to students who complete a course of study in the knowledge and competencies needed for careers in health administration, involving the management of hospitals and other health services organizations, as well as public health infrastructure and consulting. This degree traditionally focuses on health administration at the local, state, and federal level as well as in the nonprofit sector.
What is the difference between and MHA and an MBA?
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is generally pursued by those interested in general business management who are undecided to commit to a career goal in healthcare. MBA programs train people to work in a variety of industries and while some have an emphasis on healthcare, the core of the curriculum is general business. MBA programs are typically housed in a School of Business whereas MHA programs are housed in different types of schools including public health, medicine, allied health or policy and usually found on a health sciences campus.
MHA programs are intended to provide students with the essential knowledge required for senior managerial and planning work in the health services and systems sectors. The objectives are to develop graduates who are: competent general and financial managers, competent planners, knowledgeable about public health and the structure, organization and financing of health care systems, knowledgeable about society, law and ethics, and competent in quantitative skills.
Why should I consider a career in health administration?
Health care is the largest industry in the US and the second largest employer, offering 11 million jobs total. Numerous leadership opportunities are available for those interested in working within hospitals, physicians’ practices, health insurance companies, nursing homes and a variety of other health-centric environments.
The MHA curriculum includes subjects such as human resources, health care delivery, finance, ethics, health policy and business management. MHA students become versed in health care scheduling, budgets and policies.
Health administration is one of the most rewarding and challenging career opportunities available today. It is rewarding because administrators play a key role in establishing a professional and caring environment in which healthcare services are delivered. In addition, the health care industry continues to expand, increasing the variety of career paths available.
By the year 2024, the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects that healthcare management jobs will grow by 17%.
What kinds of positions are available for persons with an MHA?
The healthcare field offers a wide variety of job opportunities in health delivery settings such as hospitals, ambulatory care centers, behavioral health facilities, long term care and rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, home care agencies, and physician group practices. Examples of other settings include insurance companies, Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) and other managed care systems, healthcare consulting firms, regulatory agencies, and professional associations.
What is the value of having a dual degree such as an MD/MHA or RN/MHA degree?
For clinical healthcare professionals looking for an education that can prepare them for career advancement, particularly within their current healthcare position, the healthcare-centric approach of an MHA program may seem like an ideal path. The MHA is guided by experienced healthcare leaders instructing fellow healthcare professionals on best healthcare management practices.
According to Becker Hospital Review, 15.2 percent of physicians plan to seek a non-clinical job within healthcare in the next three years. Compared with hospitals run by non-physician administrators, overall hospital quality scores are 25% higher when a physician ran the hospital.
Dual degree programs such as an MD/MHA are designed for those who are interested in the study of medicine as well as the financial and managerial aspects of healthcare. The MHA degree will help accelerate clinicians’ career into management, administration and leadership positions. The practical skills gained from an administration program will help clinicians navigate through the complexity of healthcare delivery systems, equipping them with practical skills necessary to be effective in administration and management.
What are the benefits of an MD/MBA vs. MD/MHA?
Graduates from MD/MBA programs can pursue management roles in hospital administration, health care policy research, pharmaceutical or insurance companies, or medical device entrepreneurship with biotech companies. Being able to understand the financial motivations within the health care industry allows those with an MD/MBA to improve the health care system.
Both degrees offer promising professional opportunities, but the key is deciding whether you are committed to building your career in the health care industry. If you are fascinated by the inner workings of a hospital, for instance, an MHA will provide you with the in-depth instruction necessary to help manage the entire operation. MHA programs generally put more weight on applied healthcare experience with curriculum that focuses on areas such as population health, healthcare economics, health policy and management of healthcare organizations, while also having those “business” courses seen in many MBA programs: financial analysis and management, human resource management, marketing and communications, and strategic business management.
Why should I consider the MHA at Loma Linda University School of Public Health?
Expertise and Specialization:
Loma Linda University School of Public Health is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and has offered healthcare administration as a key program for over 50 years. Students not only gain competencies in both management and public health but understand whole person care from a faith based perspective. Being part of the Loma Linda University Health System, unlike MBA programs offered in Business schools, students learn not only from academics specializing in healthcare but industry experts who integrate relevant and timely cases and apply it in a learning environment.
Strong Curriculum:
Our students graduate with confidence and command in health care competencies. The non- course requirements (i.e., practicum, culminating projects, colloquia, seminars, 1:1 faculty mentorship, leadership assessments, and faith activities) help students gain cutting edge experience and knowledge.
Partnerships:
Life-long learning is promoted through our affiliation with the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), an internationally recognized professional organization with over 48,000 members and local chapters throughout the country. In addition, we are members of the Association of University Programs in Healthcare (AUPHA), a globally recognized organization that focuses on improvements in healthcare education management with over 150 health education programs. We are seeking accreditation with the Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), the accreditation body for graduate healthcare management programs. Our collaborations with these organizations helps us to align our curriculum with evidenced-based competencies and ensure we are delivering quality education.
Furthermore, in order to keep our curriculum current while addressing workforce gaps, we have created an Executive Advisory Board made up of healthcare industry leaders who have national and global experience and serve in senior executive positions across the healthcare delivery system. In addition, our partnerships with Loma Linda University Health, Adventist Health, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), and other local organizations give students access to a broad network of contacts that can be utilized for learning and employment prospects. We pride ourselves in that over 90% of our graduates are employed within three months of graduating.
Why can you earn an MBA in a year with less units compared to an MHA program?
The top MHA programs vary from 2-4 years usually requiring a minimum of 40 semester units (60 quarter units) to ensure the depth of healthcare competencies are met.
Why choose Loma Linda for your MHA?
The only MHA offered by an accredited School of Public Health in California
- Spiritual environment with an emphasis in whole person care
- Gain first-hand experience working on projects relevant to healthcare administration
- We are part of a global network of hospitals and clinics
- Community and Global health care service opportunities
- More than 40 practicum sites to choose from
- 1:1 practicum mentoring
- Instructors include leaders who are currently employed in healthcare organizations
- Opportunities to interact with established health care executives
- A University Health campus comprised of six hospitals serving 1.2 million patients annually and a University comprised of six other schools focused on health sciences
MHA Program Mission
The mission of the MHA program at LLUSPH is to provide quality education to new and mid-career professionals locally, nationally, and globally who are interested in health care management. The program fully integrates a health care perspective in all coursework which is guided by theoretical frameworks, scholarship, and informed practice. Wholistic Christian principles are practiced by faculty and serve to develop students into conscientious and ethical leaders who will integrate innovative solutions to health care challenges.
MHA Program Vision
The MHA program aims to be globally recognized in providing excellent, quality health care management education with an emphasis on service using a values-based approach to confront health care issues. Students will be prepared to confront and solve complex problems in health care delivery using evidence-based analytics, theory, and practice.
Program options
• Full time student takes at least 8 units per quarter and completes the program in about 7 quarters. They would complete about 200 hours of practicum each quarter beginning their second quarter of the program.
• Part time student takes approximately 4 years to complete the program however they may not be financial-aid eligible. Practicum hours can be reduced to 100 hours per quarter.
• Clinical students would benefit from the MHA as management skills will potentially enhance your leadership opportunities and expand your skill set. Students studying in medical, dental, pharmacy or other clinical fields may be eligible for a reduction in practicum hours, GRE waiver, and one-year degree completion. Cases are considered individually.
• Working health care professionals. Enhance your career by gaining management skills or filling the gaps in your experience. The MHA program may be completed part time, by taking 1-2 courses per quarter. If you have at least five years of management experience in healthcare, and are currently working in a health care setting you are eligible to replace the practicum hours with an applied project in your work setting.
Admission Criteria
1 Undergraduate degree from an accredited university
2 Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
3 GRE test (ideal % range 30-50%) – GMAT and MCAT accepted as well (Applicants with GPA’s of 3.2 or higher may be eligible to waive GRE requirement.)
4 Three letters of recommendation
5 Required prerequisites: Accounting, Microeconomics - These courses may be met through an accredited college or university with applicable transcript, MOOC or correspondence with a certificate or passing grade, or by passing a test. Please contact the Admissions office for questions about specific courses or options that are recommended.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this degree, students should be able to:
• Describe key aspects of the health care environment
• Demonstrate leadership skills and accountability aptitude
• Integrate strategic awareness and innovative thinking in health care management
• Apply business management skills and stewardship principles
• Develop awareness of public health issues and policies
What is the Practicum & how does it work?
The Healthcare Administration Practicum gives you a chance to integrate academic studies with workplace experience over a period of 800 hours (approximately 1 year). During this time, you will develop the skills required for administrative positions through hands-on work experience, special project coordination, administrative interaction, and other assignments.
The SPH Practicum Director meets with you individually to identify a site from one of more than forty sites in the local area. Once you’ve chosen a practicum site, you will meet with the site supervisor for an interview and to schedule your practicum hours (hours are scheduled based on the needs of the site and the skills of the student). Regular reports are submitted through-out your practicum and the experience culminates in a poster presentation at 400 hours. A final presentation is required at the completion of the practicum. Table 1 shows general categories of placements for students in the practicum.
If you have five or more years of experience in healthcare management and are currently working in that setting this will be evaluated. You will be able to complete the practical portion through an applied project at your work place.
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