Health Administration, MHA

Mission Statement

The mission of the MHA program is to improve the practice of healthcare administration across all sectors of the industry. The graduates will promote evidence-informed concepts and techniques to produce positive and innovative organizational outcomes, meet organizational goals and objectives, and support top organizational performance in the health care industry.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the MHA program, graduates will demonstrate the ability to

Evaluate scholarly research that contributes to sound evidence-based practice in the administrative health care setting.
Collaborate with other health care disciplines in the administration of health care services.
Analyze the effect of various policies on the delivery of services in a health care environment.
Develop written and oral presentations that effectively communicate to both health professionals and non-health professional audiences.
Develop and maintain standards of accountability based on organizational values.
Demonstrate skills necessary to create an ideal organization performance standard in health care settings.
Apply evidence-based decision making to the process of quality improvement.

Admission Requirements

Application to the MHA program is open to all who entered the profession with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or higher from an accredited institution.

To be considered for admission, a candidate must submit the following:

Application for Admission form
Official transcripts from each college or university previously attended. An official transcript is one sent directly to the Student Services Office by the registrar of the issuing institution or one forwarded in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution.
TOEFL scores sent directly to the University if an applicant completed his or her education in a country where English is not the primary language or if the applicant is from a non-English speaking country.
References as required by the program
Statement of purpose
Professional résumé or curriculum vitae

If the applicant completed his or her education in a foreign country, the applicant must submit an original copy of a degree credentialing evaluation from an agency recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). The evaluation must indicate previous education at the minimum level of a baccalaureate degree earned at an accredited college or university in the United States.

Minimum requirements for admission include a 2.5 GPA in undergraduate work. For students with a non-health related, entry-level degree, at least 1 year of experience in a health field is required. Above average written communication skills are required and evaluated through the statement of purpose.

International Students Applying for Admission

Foreign-trained candidates who do not require a student visa to participate in University courses and/or degrees can be considered for admission. USAHS does not offer English language services, including instruction. All instruction at the University is conducted in English. To enter the MHA program, the following criteria will apply:

Submit transcripts (original and a translated version, if applicable) and a credentialing evaluation from an agency recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) that provides evidence of training at a level equivalent to that of a bachelor’s degree in the United States.
Candidates must submit an official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score report if their education was completed in a language other than English or they reside in a non-English speaking country. A minimum score of 210 (computer-based testing), or 83 (IBT – Internet based testing) is required.

Notification of Status

The applicant will be notified by e-mail from the Admissions Office of his or her admission status after all required application materials have been reviewed by the Admissions Committee.

Academic Requirements

To remain in the MHA program, the student must

maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, and
complete the required courses and any elective courses.

Program Overview

There are 37 required credits that will be taken over the span of 6 trimesters (approximately 24 months).

Core coursework is required (31 credits), while electives can be assembled to achieve emphasis areas (six credits). USAHS will also consider accepting graduate credits from other accredited institutions. Please refer to the transfer credit policy in this catalog for further information on transfer credits.

Delivery of MHA Coursework

All coursework in the MHA program is offered in an online delivery format with the exception of an optional externship and consultation course which may require off-campus attendance at a health facility. Students are responsible for travel, lodging and meals.

Incomplete Coursework

The grade of “I” (Incomplete) is used, for reasons acceptable to the instructor(s), a student has not completed required work within a course by the end of a term. The length of time granted for the completion of the requirement of the course is one additional trimester (15 weeks) after which the “I” grade will be changed to an “F” if the coursework has not been completed. Upon successful completion of the requirement, the student will be assigned a letter grade by the instructor. If the “I” is assigned a grade of “D” or “F” the appropriate action will be taken per present written policy on academic standing.

Time Limit

It is required that MHA students complete all program requirements within 6 trimesters or 24 months. An extension of up to one year may be requested. If the program director approves the extension, there is an extension fee of $333.00 per trimester.