The Master of Health Administration (MHA-Online) is a 45-credit rigorous and multi-disciplinary
professional graduate program at the University of Maryland, College Park designed to prepare graduates
to manage the many complex health-related organizations including hospitals, health care systems,
insurance companies, long term care facilities, managed care organizations, rehabilitation agencies, public
health clinics, and state agencies among others.

Public health and health services now comprise the largest industry in the United States, producing nearly
one seventh of the United States' gross national product. According to a World Health Organization, the
health care system should be conceptualized as including not only health services, but also public health
and social welfare activities. The Department of Health Policy and Management in the School of Public
Health at the University of Maryland, adopts this integrated approach to address current health needs,
provide leadership in a rapidly evolving health care industry, and anticipate future health challenges in an
expanding global economy.

The MHA-Online curriculum includes courses in public health services administration and health care
systems, program planning and management to promote health, policy in public health, inter-professional
practice and systems thinking, health law and ethics, strategic management of human resources, financial
management of health organizations, marketing for competitive health service, quality assessment and
evaluation, and health care leadership and communications. The curriculum also includes an internship
and a capstone project that integrates all course learning and experiences. The program may be completed
in 24 months of full-time study and part-time study is welcomed.
The MHA-Online features the convenience and flexibility of online instruction provided by School of
Public Health faculty and experts from prominent public health organizations in the Greater Washington
DC area. Online content is delivered through UMD’s online learning environment. Online instruction is
supplemented through the program’s residency course, HLSA772—the only course with required face to
face elements. Students meet for a total of four to five weekend days at the UMD College Park campus.
The program uses the semester academic calendar: fall and spring semester (16 weeks each) and Summer
Session (two 6-week sessions).

The MHA-Online program is considered to be equivalent to the MPH and is accredited by the Council on
Education for Public Health (CEPH).

MHA-Online students must complete:

  • 14 credits (six courses) of Core Courses in evidence-based approaches to public health that includes public health and health care systems, planning and management to promote health, policy in public   health, leadership, communication, and inter-professional practice and systems thinking;
  • 24 credits (eight courses) health administration cognate courses
  • 4 credits (credits may be spread over multiple semesters) internship
  • 3 credits (one course) capstone project.
Module Course # Course Name Credits
Module 1: Integrated Core Courses
14 credits
 SPHL601 Core Concepts in Public Health 1
SPHL602 Foundations of Epidemiology and Biostatistics  4
SPHL603 Public Health Data Laboratory 1
SPHL610 Health Program Planning, Development, Evaluation, and Resources 5
SPHL611 Public Health Ethics  1
SPHL620 Leadership, Teams, and Coalitions: Policy to Advocacy  2
Module 2: Health Administration
24 credits

 

 HLSA601 Introduction to Health Systems  3
HLSA710 Foundations of Healthcare Management  3
HLSA720 Health Law and Ethics  3
HLSA740 Healthcare Strategic Planning and Evaluation 3
HLSA760 Healthcare Financial Management  3
HLSA770 Continuous Quality Improvement 3
HLSA772 Healthcare Leadership and Communication 3
HLSA775 Public Health Research Methods  3
Internship and Capstone
7 credits
 HLSA778 Internship 4
HLSA786 Capstone 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Program competencies: Student learning outcomes will be evaluated with specific assessments mapped to specific courses, as mandated by the CEPH accreditation requirements. The following list represents the competencies for the MHA-Online degree:
 
Learning Outcomes Courses
Apply systems thinking and organizational theory to address public health and health care management issues. HLSA 601, HLSA710 or HLSA740, SPHL610, SPHL620
Evaluate the main components of the organization and delivery of healthcare in the US and other nations and impact on population health. HLSA 601, HLSA710, HLSA740, HLSA770, SPHL601
Apply the principles of strategic planning, development, marketing, budgeting, management and evaluation in organizational and community initiatives. HLSA710, HLSA740, SPHL610, SPHL620, HLSA760
Apply analytical methods for analysis of health management problems and potential solutions. HLSA775, HLSA770, SPHL602, SPHL603, SPHL610, SPHL620, HLSA760
Demonstrate leadership and management skills for building partnership through collaborative efforts and communication of health policy and management issues. SPHL610, SPHL620, HLSA772, HLSA710, HLSA740

How to Apply: 

Admission Criteria:

MHA applications are reviewed with consideration to the following criteria:

  • Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
  • Undergraduate and any graduate transcripts
  • 3 letters of recommendation that address your academic capabilities
  • Statement of goals and interests
  • Relevant academic/work experience

For more information, please contact the program director Dr. Negin Fouladi fouladi@umd.edu

For detailed program information, including plans of study, course descriptions, tuition and fees, FAQ’s please visit the program home at The Office of Extended Studies.

Advancing a Better State of Health Through Leadership and Health Administration: Online Format with Limited Residency.