The MHA curriculum includes courses in the core discipline of health administration, as well as courses specific to public health. The MHA student experience is enriched with career development, events, faculty support, and hands-on learning where teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills are applied to real-life management scenarios. The program is 54 hours total, including an internship and capstone project.
Year One
FALL SEMESTER
HPAM 7150 – US Health Care Delivery Systems (3 hours)
BIOS 7010 – Introductory Biostatistics I (3 hours)
DMAN 7100- Introduction to Disaster Management (3 hours)
HPAM 7500 – Organizational Behavior (3 hours)
HPAM 7910 – Professional Development Seminar in Health Administration I (1 hour)
SPRING SEMESTER
DMAN 7200 – Disaster Management for Health Professionals (3 hours)
HPAM 7760 – Public Health Law & Ethics for PH Practitioners (3 hours)
HPAM 7600 – Health Economics (3 hours)
HPAM 7410 – Health Informatics (3 hours)
HPAM 7920 – Professional Development Seminar in Health Administration II (1 hour)
SUMMER SEMESTER
HPAM 7650 – Comparative Healthcare Systems (3 hours)
HPAM 7900 – Internship in Health Administration (3 hours)
Year Two
FALL SEMESTER
HPAM 7400 – Policy Analysis in Public Health (3 hours)
HPAM 7250 – Human Resources Management in Healthcare (3 hours)
HPAM 7550 – Quality Improvement in Health (3 hours)
HPAM 7750 – Healthcare Finance (3 hours)
HPAM 7930 – Professional Development Seminar in Health Administration III (1 hour)
SPRING SEMESTER
DMAN 7500- Understanding Bioterrorism and Homeland Security (3 hours)
HPAM 7890 – Strategic Management & Marketing in Health Care Organizations (3 hours)
HPAM 7950 – Capstone Project in Health Administration (3 hours)
TOTAL: 54 credit hours
(Adapted from ACHE Competency Model)
Domain 1: Communication and Relationship Management
1. Demonstrate effective interpersonal relations and understand how to create an ethical culture in an organization.
2. Demonstrate how to provide and receive constructive feedback.
3. Prepare and deliver effective written and oral business communications.
Domain 2: Leadership
4. Understand how to create an organizational climate that encourages teamwork and values and supports diversity.
5. Identify and apply effective leadership and management skills.
Domain 3: Professionalism
6. Understand professional roles, responsibility, and accountability.
7. Integrate legal and regulatory frameworks and professional ethics considerations in decision-making.
Domain 4: Knowledge of the Healthcare Environment
8. Demonstrate an understanding of the performance, structure, and environment of the healthcare system including how the health system is managed, regulated, and governed.
9. Implement evidence-based management in approaching public health and health system issues.
Domain 5: Business Skills and Knowledge
10. Demonstrate an understanding of financial management and analysis principles, insurance and reimbursement methods, and economic concepts.
11. Demonstrate the ability to analyze, understand, and explain data.
12. Apply quality improvement theories, human resources principles, marketing principles, and strategic frameworks within a healthcare context.
Are GRE or GMAT scores required for admission?
No, we currently do not require standardized test scores such as the GRE or GMAT for admission to the MHA program. Students may choose to include GRE or GMAT scores for consideration with their application, but this is optional and not required.
Is the program traditional in format or can it be completed online?
The MHA program is a traditional, on-campus format with classes based on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens, GA. While there may be a few online or evening course offerings, the majority of the curriculum is completed on-campus, during the day.
How long does it take to complete the program?
The MHA program of study requires 54 credit hours over 5 semesters, which takes 2 years to complete.
Are students allowed to attend the program on a part-time basis?
The MHA program is a cohort-based program with a structured curriculum and no elective courses. Due to this, most courses are only offered once a year, thus the timeline for completion would vary for students wishing to enroll on a part-time basis.
Are graduate assistantships available?
Graduate assistantships within the department and college are limited and typically not available. Many students who have assistantships obtain those through grant-funded projects or working with faculty in other departments and colleges. Students interested in obtaining a graduate assistantship are encouraged to explore opportunities available within the entire university community.
Is the MHA available on the UGA Gwinnett campus?
No, all MHA coursework is completed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens, GA.
Is the MHA application completed through SOPHAS?
No, the MHA application is completed through the HAMPCAS. Application instructions are located under the “How to Apply” section.
Applicants to the MHA program must apply through HAMPCAS and through the UGA Graduate School. The MHA application opens in on September 3 and the deadline to apply is February 15. Applications received by this deadline will receive full consideration. Applicants will be notified of decisions regarding admission in March.
Step 1: Apply to HAMPCAS
- Online HAMPCAS application and fee. MHA degree program applicants must apply via the Health Administration, Management, and Policy CAS (HAMCAS). For detailed information, please visit the HAMPCAS Help Center.
Sept 2: Apply to the UGA Graduate School
Application Requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- Academic Transcripts
- Entrance Test Scores
- Application Processing Fees
- Current resume or CV
- Three recommendations by Discipline Specific Academic Advisors or Employers
- Personal Interview
- Personal Statement of Academic and Professional Background and Career Objectives
Prerequisites:
All students must have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution. There are no graduate credit hour requirements prior to admission to the program.
Students who do not have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a public health discipline are required to take a public health foundations course (PBHL 7100) during their program of study.
MHA Program Director:
Jessica Smith
311B Wright Hall
Email: ugamha@uga.edu
The College of Public Health offers the Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree within the Department of Health Policy and Management. The MHA program is designed for students who are interested in pursuing careers in leadership and management positions in hospitals, health systems, consulting firms, and other healthcare delivery systems. The program’s goal is to provide foundational knowledge and professional skills that will prepare students for careers in healthcare administration.
The MHA program at UGA has received candidate approval from the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). Candidate status is an indication that a program in healthcare management has voluntarily committed to participate in a plan of self-improvement and is actively progressing toward the status of accreditation. Candidate status is not accredited status and does not guarantee eventual accredited status.
