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).
All MHA-Online students will complete the following three modules:
Module | Description | Courses |
---|---|---|
Module 1 | Integrated Core Courses | 6 courses |
Module 2 | Health Administration | 8 courses |
Module 3 | Internship and Capstone | 2 courses |
- Module 1: Integrated Core Courses: 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.
- Module 2: Health Administration cognate courses.
- Module 3: Internship credits may be spread over multiple semesters. Capstone Project is one course.
Module Description and Course Details
Module | Semester | Course# | Course Name | Credit |
---|---|---|---|---|
Module 1: Integrated Core Courses
|
Fall - year 1 | SPHL601 | Foundations of Public Health | 1 |
Fall - year 1 | SPHL602 | Applied Data: Epidemiology & Biostatistics | 4 | |
Fall - year 1 | SPHL603 | Public Health Data Laboratory | 1 | |
Spring - year 1 | SPHL610 | Program Planning, Development and Evaluation | 5 | |
Spring - year 1 | SPHL611 | Public Health Ethics | 1 | |
Fall - year 2 | SPHL620 | Leadership and Policy Analysis | 2 | |
Total Integrated Core | 14 | |||
Module 2: Health Administration
|
Fall | HLSA601 | Introduction to Health Systems (Required) | 3 |
Spring | HLSA710 | Foundations of Healthcare Management | 3 | |
Spring | HLSA720 | Health Law and Ethics | 3 | |
Spring | HLSA740 | Healthcare Strategic Planning and Evaluation | 3 | |
Summer | HLSA760 | Financial Management | 3 | |
Fall | HLSA770 | Continuous Quality Improvement | 3 | |
Fall | HLSA772 | Healthcare Leadership and Communication | 3 | |
Summer | HLSA775 | Public Health Research Methods | 3 | |
Total Health Administration Module | 24 | |||
Module 3: Internship and Capstone
|
Fall, Spring, Summer | HLSA778 | Internship | 4 |
Fall, Spring, Summer | HLSA786 | Capstone | 3 | |
Total Internship, Capstone Module | 7 | |||
Total Credits Required for MHA Online | 45 |
online MHA Competencies | 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:
- Applications to graduate programs in the University of Maryland School of Public Health are processed through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS).
- Please see the Applications, Deadlines, and Requirements page on how to apply to the MPH in Public Health Practice and Policy.
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
Note: International applicants requiring an I-20 are not eligible to apply as this mostly online program has a mandatory face-to-face element. The University cannot issue an I-20 for this program. Otherwise, international applicants already in the U.S. who are permitted to enroll in such studies must follow The Graduate School International Admissions.
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.