Executive Master of Healthcare Administration

The M.H.A.

The University of Minnesota’s Master of Healthcare Administration (M.H.A.) program is ranked second in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) since 1968. Outstanding faculty, a track record of educating successful leaders for the healthcare industry, and a strong alumni network all contribute to this recognition of quality.

New in January 2010, the Executive MHA (EMHA) program brings an academically rigorous program to a largely online format. The EMHA is designed for individuals working in the healthcare arena who seek the educational foundation that will prepare them to be leaders in healthcare administration, or to be prepared for advanced careers in health services delivery and consulting.

Our program is specifically designed for employed healthcare professionals, executives, and physicians. Face-to-face classroom time is limited to 32 days spread across 5 on-campus sessions during the 25-month cohort program.

The University of Minnesota Rochester supports students enrolled in the EMHA by providing advising for career and course selection, software and research support, writing and math support, study space, and connections within the community and region for mentoring and networking. Student fees are based on Rochester campus services and infrastructure, rather than Twin Cities campus infrastructure.

Program Description

The EMHA program provides students with access to rich resources, full-time University faculty and guest lecturers using technology-enhanced learning methods. Projects integrate students’ experience with hands-on learning. All students will complete comprehensive coursework encompassing 42 credits that will focus on the core competencies required to be a leader in the industry along with a strong emphasis on healthcare finance, leadership, and problem solving. The EMHA will equip graduates to influence organizational mission and to advance their own career.

Delivery Format

This EMHA uses a combination of online and live delivery techniques to meet the schedule demands of working adults and to keep current in the fast-paced healthcare environment. Campus meeting sessions held twice per year will provide interactive classroom and group experiences, access to expertise, and opportunities to initiate professional relationships. Technology-enhanced web-based instruction will provide scheduling flexibility.

Degree Completion

The EMHA cohort model provides a rigorous, time managed track to degree completion in two years. Up to eight credits can be taken by non degree seeking students or by students prior to formal admission. University policy allows 7 years for the completion of graduate programs, should circumstances require departure from the cohort entered.

Admission Information

Full detailed admission information is available at http://www.sph.umn.edu/programs/mhaexec/index.asp.

Requirements

Admission to the program is decided by the Executive MHA faculty with the advice and counsel of an admissions committee. Admission to the Executive MHA requires the following:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• At least two years experience in a healthcare organization.
• Current employment in a healthcare organization which affords the opportunity to apply the assignments in the coursework, or an agreement with such an organization in which the applicant is not employed.
• A minimum score of 1000 on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or a minimum score of 500 on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). (Note: clinicians and administrators with extensive experience, and applicants who have achieved comparable scores on similar examinations may ask to be exempt from this requirement.)
• A letter of intent describing career interests and the relevance of the MHA degree to the applicant’s personal development.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• An interview with program faculty and/or alumni.

In addition, as noted in the School of Public Health Catalog, "applicants whose native language is not English or whose education was completed exclusively at an institution(s) whose language of instruction is not in English must prove English proficiency."

Application

The online application for admission to the University of Minnesota School of Public Health is available at www.sophas.org. All application materials should be provided directly to SOPHAS (Schools of Public Health Application Service).

1. Personal essay (Letter of intent)
2. Resume or CV
3. Three letters of recommendation
4. Official transcripts from each college/university attended*
5. Test scores (GMAT, GRE, MCAT, or DAT)
6. English language proficiency, if required

* U.S. citizens or permanent residents who have studied at institutions outside the U.S. must also provide a WES evaluation of their foreign academic credentials. Refer to www.wes.org.

Application Deadline

The Executive MHA program accepts applications for admissions in the fall of each year, with a deadline of October 15.

Curriculum Plan

42 Total Program Credits: On Campus Sessions: 9 credits. Online courses: 33 credits.

Year 1

January: 8 days on campus

6565 (2cr) Healthcare Delivery, Design & Innovation
6570-9A (1cr) Core Concepts in Managing HC Organizations

Spring Semester

6556 (2cr) Health & Health Systems
6535 (3cr) Accounting for Health Services
6751 (2cr) Principles of Management in Health Services Organizations

Summer Session

6557 (3cr) Health Finance I
6568 (2cr) Interdisciplinary Teamwork in Healthcare Services
6596 (2cr) Legal Considerations in Health Services

August: 4 days on campus

6570-9B (1cr) Core Concepts in Managing HC Organizations

Fall Semester

6553 (1cr) Healthcare Management Ethics
6558 (3cr) Health Finance II
6547 (2cr) Healthcare Human Resources Management

Year 2

January: 8 days on campus
6570-10 (2cr) Intro to Integrated Health Systems

Spring Semester

6541 (3cr) Qualitative Decision-Making and Problem Solving
6570 -12(3cr) Managing the Embedded Medical Practice

Summer Session

6555 (2cr) Topics in Health Economics
6562 (2cr) Information Technology in Health Care

6564 (2cr) Managed Care 

August 4 days on campus  

Student presentations
Panels and speakers

Fall Semester

6569 (1cr) Health Policy
6560 (2cr) Operations Research and Quality in Healthcare

Year 3

January: 8 days on campus

6554 (2cr) Healthcare Marketing and Strategy
Plus:
Student presentations

6570-9C (2cr) Core Concepts in Managing Healthcare Organizations

For information about faculty, events, or research within the School of Public Health, visit http://www.sph.umn.edu.

Contact Information

Maria L. Brown, MBA, MT (ASCP)
Program Director, Graduate Business, Management
and Public Health
University of Minnesota Rochester
300 University Square
111 South Broadway
Rochester, Minnesota 55904
Phone: 507-258-8058
Fax: 507-258-8066
E-mail: brow2785@umn.edu