Program Overview
The Master of Health Administration (MHA) program has been preparing students for careers as healthcare administrators for more than thirty years. It is the only CAHME (Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education) – accredited program in Arkansas, and our graduates work in organizations involved in the provision, financing, insuring, and regulation of healthcare. The curriculum is developmentally structured, with each semester’s work building on previous semesters.
The program is designed to provide an optimal mix between traditional classroom work and experiential learning in healthcare organizations. To further expose our students to real world issues a number of courses are taught by practicing senior-level healthcare administrators. The MHA requires 51 credit hours, and is designed to be completed in 21 months by full-time students, or approximately three and one-half years by part-time students. Most courses are offered in the evening to accommodate the program’s mix of full- and part-time students. A limited number of core courses are offered online.
Full-time students participate in a paid Summer Residency between their first and second years. Senior healthcare administrators serve as Preceptors for these experiences. Effort is made to place students in experiences compatible with their career goals. Part-time students complete a Management Project which involves work on a significant management issue in a healthcare organization, and senior administrators also serve as Preceptors for these experiences.
For information on career opportunities, fellowships, and internships visit OSAA Career Services and NAFCAS.
This program is supported by the Department of Health Policy and Management, and is a member of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration. Completion of all course requirements, including the practical experience (Summer Residency or Management Project), ensures that graduates have attained the MHA competencies. The MHA Competency Model consists of five domains – (1) Leadership, Professionalism, and Ethics; (2) Communication and Relationships; (3) Management and Strategy; (4) Measurement and Analysis; and (5) Knowledge of the Healthcare Environment – 22 competencies identified as relevant for graduates from the MHA Program. Learn more here.
Students enrolled in the MHA Program have an opportunity to be involved in the MHA Student Association (MHASA), which represents all students enrolled in the MHA Program. The MHASA is focused on service, education, and professional development of future health care leaders. All students in the MHA program are automatically members of the association and are eligible to serve on committees and access the services offered. More information on the MHASA.
The MHA Program is CAHME Accredited.
The MHA program is a full member of the Associate of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA)
Students interested in applying to the MHA program, please review the following documents:
- For MHA Application Requirements and Application Checklist, visit our How to Apply page.
- 2022-2023 MHA Program Guide
- View Degree Track Planners
- View Tuition & Fees
Employee tuition discount of 50% is now available for MHA students, effective Fall 2021.
Master of Health Administration Student Retention and Job Placement Rate by Academic Year
| Academic Year | Retention* | Job Placement** |
| 2020 | 94% | 82% |
| 2019 | 97% | 92% |
| 2018 | 95% | 93% |
| 2017 | 90.9% | 88% |
| 2016 | 87.5% | 100% |
Recommended Course Schedule for MHA (Masters in Health Administration)
Full-Time Enrollment Guide for Students Starting Fall Semester
Fall Year 1
HPMT 5103: The Health Care System (3)
HPMT 5114: Management of Healthcare Organizations (3)
HPMT 5134: Introduction to Health Systems Financial Management (3)
BIOS 5013: Biostatistics I (3)
Spring Year 1
COPH 5003: Introduction to Public Health (3)
HPMT 5104: Introduction to Health Economics (3)
HPMT 5333: Applications in Health Systems Financial Management (3)
EPID 5330: Managerial Epidemiology (3)
Summer Year 1
HPMT 5285: Health Administration Residency (3)
Fall Year 2
HPMT 5344: Quality Management and Performance Improvement (3)
HPMT 5212: Health Information Systems for Administrators (3)
HPMT 5223: Seminar in Human Resource Management (3)
HPMT 5588: Strategic Management (3)
Spring Year 2
HPMT 5201: Health Law (3)
HPMT 5340: Management Capstone (3)
HPMT 5116: Communications and Negotiations for Health Leaders (3)
HPMT 5132: Introduction to Health Policy and Politics (3)
Recommended Course Schedule for MHA (Masters in Health Administration)
Part-Time Enrollment Guide for Students Starting Fall Semester
Fall Year 1
HPMT 5103: The Health Care System (3)
BIOS 5013: Biostatistics I (3)
Spring Year 1
HPMT 5104: Introduction to Health Economics (3)
COPH 5003: Introduction to Public Health (3)
Fall Year 2
HPMT 5114: Management of Healthcare Organizations (3)
HPMT 5134: Introduction to Health Systems Financial Management (3)
Spring Year 2
HPMT 5333: Applications in Health Systems Financial Management (3)
EPID 5330: Managerial Epidemiology (3)
Summer Year 2
HPMT 5285: Management Project (3)
Fall Year 3
HPMT 5212: Health Information Systems for Administrators (3)
HPMT 5223: Seminar in Human Resource Management (3)
Spring Year 3
HPMT 5132: Introduction to Health Policy and Politics (3)
HPMT 5201: Health Law (3)
Fall Year 4
HPMT 5344: Quality Management and Performance Improvement (3)
HPMT 5588: Strategic Management (3)
Spring Year 4
HPMT 5116: Communications and Negotiations for Health Leaders (3)
HPMT 5340: Management Capstone (3)
Please Note – The MHA degree may be completed in four (4) semesters if the student enters in the Fall semester. If the student begins in the Spring semester, the program will take five (5) semesters because of the sequencing of prerequisites and because, other than core classes, the MHA offerings are taught only once a year. All Spring entrants are informed of this during the application process and given the option to defer to Fall if they wish.
There are no electives or selectives for this program. So, there is no guide, just an example.
For More Information
Phone: 501.526.6643
Email: mhaprogram@uams.edu
Department of Health Policy and Management
UAMS Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health
4301 West Markham Mail Slot 820 Little Rock, AR 72205