Program Overview
The Master of Health Administration (MHA) program has been preparing students for careers as health care administrators for more than forty years. It is the only program in Arkansas accredited by the 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 term’s work building on previous terms. We now have a specialization in Medical Laboratory Sciences Management.
Admission Requirements
- 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 (1-2 pages) detailing reasons for seeking this degree, 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/or professional references)
- A current résumé
- An online interview with the MHA Program Faculty
Accreditation and Membership
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).
Mission, Vision, Values and Outcomes
Outcomes Data
Student Retention Rate by Academic Year
| Start Year | Retention* |
| 2023 | 94% |
| 2022 | 100% |
| 2021 | 100% |
| 2020 | 92% |
| 2019 | 94% |
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 |
| 2024 | 86% | 100% |
| 2023 | 92% | 100% |
| 2022 | 88% | 100% |
| 2021 | 100% | 75% |
| 2020 | 100% | 100% |
Graduation Rate by Start Year
| Start Year | Graduation Rate |
| 2020 | 73% |
| 2019 | 94.7% |
| 2018 | 92.3% |
| 2017 | 100% |
| 2016 | 100% |
Job Placement Rate by Academic Year
| Graduation Year | Proportion of graduates who are placed in jobs within 90 days of graduation |
| 2024 | 80% |
| 2023 | 95% |
| 2022 | 75% |
| 2021 | 82% |
| 2020 | 92% |
Additional outcomes data can be accessed via the CAHME Advanced Search.
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 health care 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 health care management education and leadership in Arkansas and adjacent states.
Values
- Our MHA students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community are treated with respect and dignity.
- We value and include students from all backgrounds, including underrepresented communities.
- We believe that personal and population health are influenced by individual, social, environmental, political and economic factors.
- 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.
- We strive for academic excellence and are committed to scientific rigor and evidence-based health care management practice.
- We promote and expect the highest standards of ethics, honesty, and integrity in all aspects of our program.
- We value partnerships and collaboration with community, organizational and governmental partners and believe these to be critical to improving health and health care delivery.
- We believe in lifelong learning and seek opportunities for professional growth through our research and community and professional service.
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.
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