The request to inactivate HADM 6999 and revise MHA in Health Administration

Date: November 18, 2015
To: College of Health and Human Services
From: Office of Academic Affairs
Approved On: October 26, 2015
Approved by: Graduate Council
Implementation Date: Summer 2016

Note: Deletions are strikethroughs. Insertions are underlined.

Catalog Copy

HADM 6999 – Health Administration Thesis

Credit Hours: (3)

Production of independent research relevant to health administration which demonstrates contribution to professional knowledge through systemic investigation. Graded on a Pass/In Progress basis.

Health Administration, M.H.A.

The Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree prepares students for exciting careers in health services management for a variety of health related institutions in an evolving healthcare delivery system. Structured to meet the highest professional and accreditation standards the program is designed to address the needs of current healthcare managers, clinical professionals who anticipate future administrative responsibilities, and pre-professionals who wish to prepare for an entry-level career in healthcare administration.

The Master of Health Administration is a 51 credit hour degree program. Students take 45 credit hours of core courses including a 3 credit hours internship, and 6 credit hours of elective courses. Administratively located within the Department of Public Health Sciences, it is an interdisciplinary program with courses taught by faculty from the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the Belk College of Business and the College of Health and Human Services. The Master of Health Administration degree program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); and the Department of Public Health Sciences is a member of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration.

Students may enroll in the Master of Health Administration program on a full-time or part-time basis. Classes are scheduled primarily in the evenings at the UNC Charlotte main campus and at UNC Charlotte Center City.

Master’s prepared health service managers may work as chief or executive administrators, assistants to chief executives, or as directors and mangers of departments and units. Examples of the settings where MHA graduates work include: hospitals and hospital systems, physician practices and clinics, long term care facilities, managed care organizations, consulting firms, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, local/state/federal health agencies, health insurance companies, and medical supply and equipment manufacturers.

Additional Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to graduate study in health administration, a student must present the following requirements in addition to those required by the Graduate School.

  1. Acceptable scores on the verbal and quantitative portions of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
  2. An essay describing the applicant’s experience and objective in undertaking graduate study in health administration.
  3. Basic computer skills including word processing and use of spread sheets.

Applicants with a variety of undergraduate degree specializations have the potential to be successful in the program. Individuals with records of high quality professional experience who do not fulfill the formal requirements should discuss with the Graduate Coordinator of the Health Administration Program other factors that may have a bearing on admission.

Early Entry Program

An Early Entry Program is available for well qualified UNC Charlotte undergraduate students majoring in Public Health. The Early Entry Program allows students in the BSPH undergraduate degree program to begin work toward the MHA graduate degree before completion of the baccalaureate degree. For details, see the UNC Charlotte Undergraduate Catalog.

Degree Requirements

Each student is required to complete 45 credit hours (15 courses including the Internship) in the core curriculum. These courses offer a basic body of knowledge, skills, and values relevant to health services administration. Additionally, students select 6 credit hours (2 graduate courses) in elective studies. A student may choose to use the two elective courses to complete a thesis. Students are encouraged to select courses that meet individual professional needs. Electives are available in several areas including health information technology, management specialties, long term care, community health, and non-profit organization.

Core Courses (45 credit hours)

Sample Elective Courses (6 credit hours)

Assistantships

Positions as a graduate administrative assistant may be available. Grant funded assistantships may be available as well. Students seeking assistantships should contact the Office Assistant assigned to the Department of Public Health Sciences.

Internships

Each student in the program is required to demonstrate professional experience in the healthcare delivery system through an approved internship. HADM 6400 is graded on a Pass/Unsatisfactory basis.

Note: A criminal background check and drug screen are among the internship requirements. Students who fail these screening measures and who are unable to be placed in an internship face dismissal from the program.

Electives

Students will enroll in two elective courses and are encouraged to select courses that will complement their professional interest and educational goals. Elective courses are offered each semester by the Health Administration program or may be selected from other graduate programs to meet particular student interest.

Advising

Each student is assigned a faculty advisor. In addition, the MHA Coordinator serves as the back-up advisor for all students. Students are expected to meet with their advisor on a regular basis to plan their progression through their program of study. Any course substitutions and selection of electives must be endorsed by the advisor and approved by the MHA Coordinator in writing.

Thesis

Students may elect a two-course thesis sequence to produce and defend independent research relevant to health services administration that demonstrates a contribution to professional knowledge through systematic investigation. This course requires permission of the graduate faculty member who would direct the study as well as permission of the MHA Coordinator prior to registration.

Financial Aid/Financial Assistance

A wide range of opportunities for financial aid/assistance is available to qualifying students, which may be accessed through the Office of Student Financial Aid. See the Financial Information section for more information on the opportunities that are available, and how to contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.