Health Administration

Recognizing that the national health care system is in a period of reform and redesign, the program emphasis involves design/redesign in a 36-credit curriculum. Based on eight core courses defined as the foundation of administration in health care, the degree is designed for part-time professional students already engaged in health administration careers. The mission of the program is to further student knowledge and skills in a continuous learning cycle. Students are expected not only to know the existing health system, but are to develop a capability for design consistent with demands of access to care, management, and control of costs and quality of care delivery.

Part-time students may start the program at the beginning of any semester. They usually take one or two 3-credit courses each semester. Students may also take one or two courses during the summer session to maintain steady progress toward the degree. All Health Administration courses are available during the evening for the convenience of part-time students. A student may complete the M.H.A. on a part-time basis in about two to four years.

Admission Requirements

Applicants apply for admission to the program via the Graduate School application for admission. Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-300 Admissions Policies.

Undergraduate degrees in any major are acceptable for admission. Applicants who are still completing their baccalaureate requirements at the time of the application may be provisionally admitted to the Graduate School conditional on the awarding of the baccalaureate degree.

Admission to the M.H.A program is based on clear suitability for the M.H.A. program as demonstrated by the application as a whole, to include:

• a completed online Graduate School application and payment of the nonrefundable application fee,
• evidence of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college as outlined in the link above;
• a statement of career and educational goals;
• a successful undergraduate record with a minimum grade-point average of 3.00 (with particular attention given to the last two years of undergraduate work);
  • satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) are required if the GPA is less than 3.00 (typically, applicants who have scores of 1,000 or higher on the GRE and are admitted to the program tend to be successful in the program);
• three years of work experience; and
• names of three references willing to provide recommendations.

The GPA requirement may be relaxed if the student has professional experience or other strong evidence suggesting likely success in the M.H.A. program. Some applicants may be admitted on a provisional basis; the condition for removal of provisional status is obtaining a grade-point average of 3.00 in 15 credits of approved courses within two semesters.

The language of instruction at Penn State is English. English proficiency test scores (TOEFL/IELTS) may be required for international applicants. See GCAC-305 Admission Requirements for International Students for more information.

Degree Requirements

Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.)

Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-700 Professional Degree Policies.

The degree requires a total of 36 credits, with a minimum of 33 credits at the 500-level, including a 3-credit culminating experience (faculty-supervised paper); up to 3 credits of 400-level work may be included in the electives. An overall 3.00 (B) grade-point average must be earned in all course work.

Minor

A graduate minor is available in any approved graduate major or dual-title program. The default requirements for a graduate minor are stated in Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-600 Research Degree Policies and GCAC-700 Professional Degree Policies, depending on the type of degree the student is pursuing:

• GCAC-611 Minor - Research Doctorate
• GCAC-641 Minor - Research Master's
• GCAC-709 Minor - Professional Doctorate
• GCAC-741 Minor - Professional Master's

Student Aid

Graduate assistantships available to students in this program and other forms of student aid are described in the Tuition & Funding section of The Graduate School’s website. Students on graduate assistantships must adhere to the course load limits set by The Graduate School.

Courses

Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 699 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.

Health Administration (HADM) Course List

Learning Outcomes

1. Communication and Relationship Management
2. Leadership
3. Professionalism
4. Knowledge of the Health Care Environment
5. Business Skills and Knowledge

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