Frequently Asked Questions

Program Structure

How is the program offered?

The program offers both residential and online tracks. The residential track is for the more traditional student coming right out of undergraduate programs or with little professional experience.

The online track is an executive/professional program and ideal for students with multiple years of professional work experience, especially in healthcare and/or clinical settings.

What is the difference in course load between full-time and part-time students?

Full-time students will take three or four courses per semester, with some variation in credit load. Doing so allows the full-time student to graduate in two years.

Part-time students can take anywhere from one to three courses per semester. Those who take two to three courses, or four to seven credit hours, per semester can complete the degree in three years. Graduate students have up to eight years to complete their graduate studies at WVU.

When will classes be held?

Residential classes will generally be held during the day. Each semester the classes are concentrated at the beginning or end of the week to accommodate work schedules and allow students to fulfill other activities.

How many students are expected per course?

The MHA residential and online cohorts will generally be capped at 25 students each, typically with between eight to 15 students per course.

Will the online courses be held at a certain time?

No, the online courses are offered asynchronously (at your own time/pace). The online MHA program is designed to be completed entirely online.

What courses will be included in the program?

A full list of the courses can be found here, under "required courses."

Is an accelerated program track available?

The MHA residential track is intentionally designed to offer you the optimal course sequence and experiences, and it requires two academic years to complete with graduation in May.

WVU MHA Program Features

What distinguishes the West Virginia University MHA degree program from other programs that sound similar? Which one should I choose?

There are a variety of programs that, initially, seem very similar to our MHA program. But, in many respects, there are major differences between those programs and the WVU MHA program. Following are a few distinguishing factors about our MHA program and some guidance on how to choose the best program for you.

The WVU MHA is a highly-specialized, tailored and professional degree that addresses the unique challenges, opportunities, needs and contexts of the health sector throughout the curriculum. By graduation, you will be ready for entry-level and middle management positions in the health industry.
Students in the MHA program are given real-world examples, case studies, projects, presentations, data and instructional material that are specific to the health sector. It also offers many field experience and networking opportunities to best prepare students to find a high-quality job after graduation.
The WVU MHA program offers the unique and ideal combination of (i) being housed in an intensive R1-designated research university which means students benefit from the most recent and cutting-edge developments in health administration and public health, and (ii) individualized mentoring and support from faculty and staff in the WVU School of Public Health. Nowhere else will you get such an advanced and nurturing academic environment.
The MHA program is taught entirely through the lens of the health sector and population health by leading health sector experts in a way that other degree programs simply don’t offer. For example, Healthcare MBA programs generally add two to three health-related courses, but generally lack the breadth, depth and overall professional context and applications of the MHA.
As the only program in West Virginia to be a candidate for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education and to be granted membership in the Association for University Programs in Health Administration, WVU MHA students have exclusive access to cutting-edge health administration leaders and experts.

If you are interested in becoming an administrative leader in the health sector, you should consider the unique benefits of the MHA program at WVU -- one that is not offered by any other professional credential.

How do I find a good program?

The most important consideration is finding an accredited program. The gold standard for accreditation in healthcare management education is provided by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education. The WVU MHA program is currently in candidacy status with CAHME and adheres to CAHME’s rigorous standards of excellence.

There are programs at other reputable institutions that are accredited through agencies such as the Council on Education for Public Health and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, but CAHME is the only organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education to specifically accredit programs in healthcare management education. The WVU School of Public Health is the only accredited public health program in the state, fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.

"Fit" is also key.

In addition to accreditation, it is most important to find a program where you feel that you fit. National rankings are alluring but can be deceptive. Often the culture in the program or larger class sizes are not as conducive to student development or collegiality as you might want. As you explore potential programs, consider the following:

Where you will be living and working;
The school's partnerships with local and regional healthcare organizations, which are key to successful practice-based experiences (i.e., internships and/or residencies); and
The faculty and current students -- take advantage of opportunities to talk with them and ask questions.