The Master of Health Administration (MHA)—also Master of Healthcare Administration—is a graduate professional degree that provides training in health policy, economics, project and program implementation. The degree program is designed to give graduates of health disciplines (in particular) greater understanding of management issues and prepare them for senior management roles, and is awarded by many American, European and Australian universities. The degree traditionally focuses on health administration at the local, state, and federal level as well as in the nonprofit sector. This contrasts with the general Master of Business Administration or the Master of Public Administration degrees. A professional degree is an academic degree designed to prepare the holder for a particular career or profession, fields where scholarly research and academic activity are not the work, but rather a profession such as law, medicine, engineering, religious ministry, or education. ... This article is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Look up Management in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Health administration is a term that typically refers to the Master of Health Administration (MHA)—also Master of Healthcare Administration— degree, which is a graduate professional degree that provides training in health policy, economics, project and program implementation. ... Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a masters degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. ... The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is one of several master level professional public affairs degrees that provides training in public policy and project/program implementation (more recently known as public management). ...

Over time, there has been a convergence between the MHA and the Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees, due to the realisation that policy/project/program implementation could benefit from an understanding of health policy analysis, and vice versa. Today, the course offerings of many MHA and MPH programs are similar, with many common subjects. The Master of Public Health (MPH) is a professional masters degree awarded for studies in areas related to public health. ...

General

Programs are intended to provide students with the essential knowledge required for senior managerial and planning work in the health services. The objectives of the program are to develop graduates who are: competent general and financial managers, competent planners, knowledgeable about public health and the structure, organization and financing of health care systems, knowledgeable about society, law and ethics, and competent in quantitative skills.

In most countries, applicants are required to hold minimum a three-year undergraduate degree and have a minimum period of professional experience in the health system. The quantum, however, varies between universities. In some educational systems, undergraduate education is post-secondary education up to the level of a Bachelors degree. ...

United States

In the United States, applicants are required to hold a four-year undergraduate degree prior to enolling in the MHA program. Some universities offer dual MHA/MBA degree programs to be completed concurrently. Some MHA programs do not require professional experience prior to enrollment, but often require an essay and interview as part of the admission process. Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a masters degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. ...

Australia

In Australia the Master of Health Administration (MHA) may be divided in two parts; the first part awards a postgraduate diploma of Health Service Management, and, depending on the outcome, diplomates may be permitted to continue to the second part which culminates in the MHA degree. Course structures vary between universities, and may be either research or coursework based. The Master of Health Administration is considered the benchmark qualification by the Australian College of Health Service Executives [1]. Unlike elsewhere, the MHA is not intended primarily for medical practitioners (who have courses provided by their professional organisations) but is open to graduates of any discipline wishing to pursue a career in health administration. The Postgraduate Diploma is a qualification awarded typically after a bachelors degree. ... A university is an institution of higher education and of research, which grants academic degrees. ... Health administration is a term that typically refers to the Master of Health Administration (MHA)—also Master of Healthcare Administration— degree, which is a graduate professional degree that provides training in health policy, economics, project and program implementation. ...

See also

• Upsilon Phi Delta
• Bachelor of Science in Public Health

Upsilon Phi Delta is the national academic honor society for students in healthcare administration. ... The Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) is a undegraduate degree that prepares students to meet challenges faced by both government, and private organizations that are seeking ways to maintain or improve the quality of health care in the United States. ...

External links

• Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). - The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) has been granted formal recognition by the U.S. Department of Education. CAHME is the only organization recognized to grant accreditation to individual academic programs offering a professional master's degree in healthcare management education in the United States and Canada. The list of CAHME accredited programs can be found here: Accredited Programs : By Name.

• The Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA). - The Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) is a not-for-profit association of university-based educational programs, faculty, practitioners, and provider organizations. Its members are dedicated to continuously improving the field of healthcare management and practice. AUPHA's membership is comprised of the 160 best programs in healthcare management. Membership in AUPHA is tied to the pursuit of program accreditation at the graduate level and undergraduate certification at the bachelors degree level. Thus, AUPHA can ensure that its members represent the premier programs in the world.

• Upsilon Phi Delta. - The national academic honor society for students in healthcare administration. It is administered by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) in the United States.

• Masters Degrees in Health Administration. - Guide to programs predominantly provided in the United States offering masters degrees specifically in health administration (MHA), or business administration (MBA), and public health (MPH) degrees with a major in health administration.

• US News and World Report Health Services Administration Rankings. - Rankings of the Nation's Best Graduate Schools in the discipline of Health Services Administration according to US News and World Report.

• MHA/MPH Central- non-profit guide to MHA and MPH programs