Mission
With the goal of improving the health of people in Arkansas and beyond, the Master of Health Administration program in the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health prepares recent graduates and early careerists to be ethical managers and leaders in a broad range of healthcare organizations by integrating traditional and emerging instructional methods with practice-based learning experiences in a generalist-oriented, competency-based academic program.
Vision
The program’s vision is to be the program of choice for healthcare management education and leadership in Arkansas and the region.
Values
1. Our MHA students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community are treated with respect and dignity.
2. We value and include students from all backgrounds, including underrepresented communities.
3. We believe that personal and population health are influenced by individual, social, environmental, political and economic factors.
4. We value social responsibility as an ethical obligation of individuals and organizations to support the welfare, interest and needs of the community in which they operate. We encourage students to volunteer as health advocates in their communities.
5. We strive for academic excellence and are committed to scientific rigor and evidence-based healthcare management practice.
6. We promote and expect the highest standards of ethics, honesty, and integrity in all aspects of our program.
7. We value partnerships and collaboration with community, organizational and governmental partners and believe these to be critical to improving health and healthcare delivery.
8. We believe in lifelong learning and seek opportunities for professional growth through our research and community and professional service.
Program Overview
The Master of Health Administration (MHA) program has been preparing students for careers as health care administrators for more than thirty years. It is the only program in Arkansas accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), and our graduates work in organizations involved in the provision, financing, insuring, and regulation of health care. 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 health care organizations. To further expose our students to real world issues a number of courses are taught by practicing senior-level health care administrators. The Master of Health Administration 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 health care 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 health care organization, and senior administrators also serve as Preceptors for these experiences.
For information on career opportunities, fellowships, and internships visit Office of Student and Alumni Affairs Career Services and National Administrative Fellowship Centralized Application Service (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 Master of Health Administration competencies.
Program Competencies
The Master of Health Administration Competency Model consists of five domains — Leadership, Professionalism, and Ethics; Communication and Relationships; Management and Strategy; Measurement and Analysis; and Knowledge of the Health Care Environment — 22 competencies identified as relevant for graduates from the Master of Health Administration Program. Student competency is assessed on a 5-point scale (1=Novice, 2=Advanced Beginner, 3=Competent, 4=Proficient, 5-Expert.) Students are expected to assess at the competent level on all 22 program competencies by graduation. Learn more about the MHA competency model by clicking here.
Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Methods
Consistent with its mission, the MHA Program utilizes traditional and emerging instructional methods with practice-based learning experiences. Our classes emphasize team-based learning, case studies, and practice-based applications to create a deep and rich learning environment. Across the curriculum, assignments include real-world problems and opportunities to practice the competencies developed throughout the program.
The Master of Health Administration Program is CAHME Accredited.
The Master of Health Administration program is a full member of the Associate of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA)
Admission requirements for the
MHA Program are as follows:
- A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75 (4.0 scale) overall or 3.0 (4.0 scale) in the last 60 hours
- Personal statement or letter of interest (500 to 700 words) detailing reasons for seeking this degree including previous work experience, career goals, and objectives
- Two recommendations from people who can attest to the applicant’s ability to do graduate level work (i.e., academic and professional references)
- A current résumé
- A online personal interview with the MHA Program Faculty
- Optional: Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores. If submitting, the test must have been taken within the five (5) years immediately preceding the application deadline of the requested semester of admission. GRE/GMAT are not required, and students will not be penalized for not including scores.
For additional information on the application requirements and application process and checklist, visit our How to Apply page.
Students interested in applying to the Master of Health Administration program, please review the following documents:
- 2022-2023 Master of Health Administration Program Guide
- View Degree Track Planners
- View Tuition and Fees
- COPH Academic Calendar
Master of Health Administration
Student Association
Students enrolled in the Master of Health Administration Program have an opportunity to be involved in the Master of Health Administration Student Association (MHASA), which represents all students enrolled in the Master of Health Administration Program. The Master of Health Administration Student Association is focused on service, education, and professional development of future health care leaders. All students in the Master of Health Administration program are automatically members of the association and are eligible to serve on committees and access the services offered. More information on the Master of Health Administration Student Association.
Employee tuition discount of 50% is now available for Master of Health Administration students, effective fall semester 2021.
Student Retention Rate by Academic Year
| Start Year | Retention* |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 100% |
| 2020 | 92% |
| 2019 | 94% |
| 2018 | 92% |
| 2017 | 100% |
| 2016 | 100% |
Time to Completion Rate by Graduation Year
| Graduation Year | Proportion of continuing full-time students who completed the program within 2 years | Proportion of continuing part-time students who completed the program within 4 years |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 88% | 100% |
| 2021 | 100% | 75% |
| 2020 | 100% | 100% |
| 2019 | 100% | 100% |
| 2018 | 100% | 100% |
Graduation Rate by Cohort
| Start Year | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| 2014-2015 | 94.7% |
| 2015-2016 | 80.0% |
| 2016-2017 | 92.3% |
| 2017-2018 | 100.0% |
| 2018-2019 | 100.0% |
Job Placement Rate by Academic Year
| Graduation Year | Proportion of graduates who are placed in jobs within 90 days of graduation |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 75% |
| 2021 | 82% |
| 2020 | 92% |
| 2019 | 93% |
| 2018 | 88% |
Recommended Course Schedule for Full-time 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)
- HPMT 5215: Statistics for Healthcare Managers (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 Part-time Students Starting Fall Semester
Fall Year 1
- HPMT 5103: The Health Care System (3)
- HPMT 5215: Statistics for Healthcare Managers (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)
Notes
Please Note – The Master of Health Administration 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 Master of Health Administration offerings are taught only once a year. All spring semester entrants are informed of this during the application process and given the option to defer to fall semester if they wish.
There are no electives or selectives for this program. So, there is no guide, just an example.
Contact Information
Phone: 501-526-6631
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