Health Administration, M.H.A.
Minimum Totals for Graduation: 39 hours
Editor's Note: Following external approval, this program has undergone curricular changes. Contact your advisor for more information.
The Master of Health Administration (MHA) is designed for students interested in a career as executives or senior staff in healthcare institutions and organizations. The program's curriculum content meets established competencies accepted in the field and includes healthcare administration and management, organizational behavior, managerial epidemiology, healthcare finance, statistics, health informatics and analytics, health policy, health economics, research, human resource management, and international health systems. Applicants for the program may come from students who completed an undergraduate degree, persons who are interested in changing careers, and professionals in the field who desire the MHA degree. The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).
The MHA degree is part of the continuum of health administration and health policy education offered at Central Michigan University. Related programs include an AUPHA certified undergraduate major in Health Administration, two graduate level certificates in International Health and in Health Systems Leadership, and the Doctor of Health Administration.
The MHA degree is offered in an online format, allowing professionals in the field and working adults to enroll from almost anywhere in the world. All students in the program must complete a capstone project. An internship option is provided to students who have no prior working experience in healthcare settings.
Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards
Admission Requirements:
The program reviews all applications and submitted documents in making a determination on admission and makes such recommendations to the Office of Graduate Studies.
- Graduation from a regionally accredited undergraduate degree program.
- At least a 2.70 GPA as an undergraduate. Applicants with an overall GPA of less than 2.70 may be considered for regular admission if they have a 2.70 GPA in the last 60 hours of course work. Applicants with an overall GPA of 2.50 to 2.69 may be admitted with stipulations.
- Resume that includes: educational experience; professional goals; work history; professional experiences; memberships and participation in professional activities.
- A personal statement (500-1000 words) that conveys the applicant’s reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in health administration at CMU.
- TOEFL Internet Based Test (iBT) exam is required for graduates from a non-English speaking country. Applicants must achieve minimum scores in Reading (22), Listening (22), Speaking (26 minimum), and Writing (24).
For students who may not meet one or more of the admission requirements, admission with stipulations may be considered by the program. In such cases the student will need to earn at least a 3.00 GPA during the first 9 credits taken in the program. Applicant’s wishing to be considered for admission with stipulations will need to submit a rationale for granting such admission, which will then be reviewed by the program, which has the final authority in making a decision.
Retention Requirements:
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Students must maintain a 3.00 GPA to graduate. Students who do not maintain the minimum GPA may be put on academic probation and develop an academic performance improvement plan with their advisor
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Students who may be admitted with stipulations must demonstrate during the first semester that they can achieve a 3.00 GPA.
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Grades of C- or less do not count for graduation.
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Students will be allowed to repeat a course no more than two times in order to improve the grade.
Transfer Credits: Students may transfer into the degree program up to 12 credits of course work from another regionally accredited graduate degree program, provided that the course is determined by the Program to be equivalent to courses taught in the MHA and the student earned a grade of B or better. The determination of the Program is final in determining what courses, if any, can transfer.
Program Requirements
Required Courses (36 hours)
| HSL 611 | Healthcare Administration and Ethical Compliance | 3(3-0) |
| HSL 621 | Healthcare Operations and Structures | 3(3-0) |
| HSL 631 | Healthcare Law, Compliance and Risk Management | 3(3-0) |
| HSL 641 | Health Economics and Policy Implications | 3(3-0) |
| HSL 651 | Fundamentals of Healthcare Finance | 3(3-0) |
| HSL 661 | Healthcare Planning & Marketing | 3(3-0) |
| MGT 643 | Human Resource Management | 3(3-0) |
| MHA 601 | Statistics for Health Professionals | 3(3-0) |
| MHA 602 | Managerial Epidemiology | 3(3-0) |
| MHA 603 | Health Informatics and Quality Improvement | 3(3-0) |
| MHA 604 | Quantitative Decision-Making for Health Administration | 3(3-0) |
| MHA 605 | International Health Systems, Policy and Administration | 3(3-0) |
Other Requirements (3hours)
Select one of the following courses, for three credit hours, in consultation with an academic advisor:
| MHA 698 | Applied Research Project in Health Administration | 1-6(Spec) |
| MHA 699 | Health Administration Internship | 1-6(Spec) |
Total: 39 semester hours
Accelerated Admissions to the Master of Health Administration
Undergraduate students in Health Administration can pursue a Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree while still fulfilling the requirements for their Bachelor's degree. The Accelerated Master's Degree Program allows students to reduce the number of credits to complete their undergraduate and graduate level by applying up to 15 credits (500 level courses) towards graduate requirements.
If you are admitted to an AMDP, your financial aid may be affected. Contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid for information (989-774-3674) or cmuosfa@cmich.edu.
Admission criteria:
Students must have an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 and have signed an Intent to Health Administration Major with their academic advisor the semester they apply for admission to the Accelerated MHA program.
The information below indicates the undergraduate course that when completed they will count towards the MHA degree for students who have been admitted to the Accelerated program.