Students

Master of Health Administration (MHA)

A Master of Health Administration (MHA) is a professional degree focused on the organization, delivery and management of healthcare and public health systems and services. It is the premier program for those seeking to lead the health systems of the future.

The WVU MHA program prepares students for promising careers leading innovative, population health-oriented health systems. Graduates leave our program with the skills necessary to work in a variety of healthcare and public health settings such as hospitals, medical group practices, long-term and rehabilitation care facilities, behavioral health systems, healthcare consulting firms, and health departments. Students will also be excellently prepared for post-graduate administrative fellowships.

The program offers maximum flexibility with full-time, part-time, residential and online options available. 

As the only program in West Virginia to be granted membership in the Association for University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA), West Virginia University MHA students and faculty have exclusive access to a resource-rich network, maintaining the program's delivery of cutting-edge health administration and policy education and training.

Program Overview

The MHA program at WVU focuses on providing students with both a breadth and depth of knowledge in areas critical to success as an administrative leader in the health sector, including:

  • Health Services and Operations Management
  • Leadership and Organizational Behavior
  • Health Finance and Economics
  • Health Policy, Law and Ethics
  • Managerial Decision Making
  • Health Information Systems
  • Healthcare Quality and Outcomes Management

The program requires courses across these disciplines. Additionally, elective courses allow students to specialize in a variety of areas. Importantly, a robust practice-based internship requirement, paired with a professional development component, assures students experiential application of the competencies and skills learned in the classroom.

Internship Experience 

All MHA students complete a health administration internship as a required component to the MHA program. Internships allow MHA students an opportunity to apply the skills they are learning in the classroom in practical ways that make an impact. A variety of placement opportunities are available through the program’s local, state and regional partners in healthcare and public health systems and services. Students working full-time can complete the internship with their current organization.

Professional Development and Career Readiness

The MHA program incorporates four semesters of professional development seminars to assure our students are equipped with the essential skills and professionalism required of today’s healthcare leaders. This begins with a team-building retreat at the WVU Outdoor Education Center as each new cohort enters the program. Monthly professional seminars address topics such as: networking, resume writing, job interview skills, etiquette, conflict resolution, negotiation, emotional intelligence, and other essential leadership skills.

Learning Goals

Students will achieve a specialized set of health administration competencies, including:

Communication and Relationship Management

  • Building collaborative relationships
  • Negotiation and conflict resolution skills
  • Professional written communications and oral presentations

Leadership Skills

  • Self- and team-leadership
  • Promoting and managing change
  • Evidence-based methods for decision making

Professionalism

  • Personal and team accountability
  • Honest and ethical behavior
  • Community engagement

Knowledge of the Healthcare Environment

  • Examine critical issues in health systems and services
  • Articulate the impact of health policies
  • Explain the major determinants of population health

Healthcare Business and Analytic Skills

  • Financial and human resources management
  • Strategic planning and data-driven decision making
  • Project management

Required Courses

The Master of Health Administration is a two-year (four semester) program emphasizing the competencies and skills critical for leading in complex health systems and services.  Core courses cover health administration and operations management, health systems leadership, healthcare finance, strategic planning, project management, health policy and health economics, among others.

MHA Curriculum and Full-Time Plan of Study (Total credits: 45-47)

Fall (Semester 1)

Spring (1)

Summer (1)

Fall (2)

Spring (2) 

  • Integrative Capstone in Health Administration (HPML 659)
  • Prof. Issues in Health Administration: Talent and Culture (HPML 653)
  • Prof. Issues in Health Administration: Health Info. and Management Systems (HPML 654)
  • Elective (2-3 credits)
  • Graduate Seminar: Part 4 (HPML 696)

Admissions Guidelines

  • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a preferred overall GPA of 3.5, minimum 3.0
  • International applicants must submit proof of English language proficiency. 
  • Other requirements:
    • Resume
    • Two letters of recommendation
    • Personal statement
  • Additional guidelines can be found here.
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