Master of Health Administration

As the health care system in the United States evolves, its tradition of quality and technological leadership comes face-to-face with difficult financial and ethical challenges -- matched by unprecedented opportunities. The Master of Health Administration (MHA) program at Ohio State will prepare you to work in this complex and diverse environment. You can provide the leadership needed to advance care in our communities, improve the performance of our health system and nurture innovation.

Choosing the MHA at Ohio State

The MHA program at Ohio State prepares women and men for management and policy positions in health services careers. The education you receive will contribute to improving health care through instruction and practical experiences focusing on effective management of health care institutions.

Founded in 1969, our MHA graduates have achieved significant leadership positions around the U.S. and beyond. In 1995, the MHA program became part of The Ohio State University College of Public Health, the state's first and only accredited college of public health.

Pursuing your health education here connects you to one of America's great institutions of higher learning. The Ohio State University has one of the nation's largest single college campus enrollments and the vast resources that go with it. Ohio State also ranks highly in institutions awarding degrees to minority students.

 

Master of Health Administration Degree

The Master of Health Administration degree is the most widely recognized professional preparation for those who will take leadership roles in the delivery and financing of health services. Career settings range from care delivery organizations, such as hospitals and clinics, to related components of the health care system, including consulting, insurance and government agencies.

Guiding all aspects of the Ohio State University MHA program is its mission:

To provide early- and mid-careerists with an exceptional educational experience encompassing the organization, financing, delivery, and improvement of health care services leading to rewarding careers in health services management and policy.

Our students are grounded in the fundamentals of high-quality health care delivery and gain the ability to positively influence the health care delivery system. They achieve these skills through a carefully designed curriculum that includes: instruction by faculty who are actively engaged in research; field experiences with practitioners and alumni; strong connections to health care organizations and government agencies.

The MHA requires 84 credit hours and is awarded after successful completion of two academic years of full-time study or the equivalent. During the first academic year, you will take required courses that form a foundation of basic knowledge and analytical skills, an understanding of health care organization and policy issues, and exposure to problems and applied skills within health service organizations. The second academic year further develops core competencies and lets you concentrate on your areas of interest through electives within the College of Public Health and elsewhere throughout the university.

Course teaching approaches and student assessment methods reflect the diverse nature of the MHA curriculum and the expectations of graduate level education. Most of our classes are taught using a blend of methods, including lecture, class discussion, case analyses, guest speakers, and experiences with the field of practice. Similarly, student competencies across the MHA curriculum are assessed through a combination of methods, including examinations, written reports, individual and group projects and presentations, case study analyses, and preceptor evaluation.

View recommended preparation.

View required courses in the MHA Guide. 

On completion of the program, students can expect to have attained competencies in four domains: Management Functions and Skills, Health Systems and Community, Leadership and Professionalism, and Analytic Skills. At the start of every course, professors will explain in class and in the syllabus which competencies are addressed in the course. As part of our Program's goal in delivering a high quality, educational experience, all MHA students are asked to self-evaluate their current level of ability, knowledge, and skill in each competency area at various points in the program.

Review the MHA Competencies. 

 

MHA Core Courses (66 credit hours)

Health Care Organization I
Health Care Organization II
Economic Analysis of Health Services
Introduction to Health Policy
Legal Environment of Health Care
Health Services Organizational Management
Health Services Finance I
Health Services Finance II
Health Services Financial Decision-Making
Strategic Management and Program Development
Clinical Rotations
Design and Analysis of Studies in Health Sciences I
Human Resource Management
Health Care Marketing
Operations Management for Health Services Organizations
Information Systems
Behavioral Science Foundations for Health Care Managers
Essentials for Environmental Health Management
Principles of Epidemiology

Summer Administrative Residency

Between the first and second years of the program, you will be required to complete a summer administrative residency unless an alternative practice experience is approved. This three-month field program provides you with an exciting paid opportunity to test your skills by working on challenging projects in a health-related organization. The MHA program will help you find a site that matches your interests and constraints. You will gain hands-on experience working alongside seasoned professionals who enjoy mentoring students. Click here for more information on the summer residency.

 

Highlights

  • The College of Public Health's MHA degree program is ranked in the top 12 nationally by US News & World Report and is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).
  • Job placement for students with an MHA degree from The Ohio State University has consistently exceeded 85 percent within three months of graduation. View recent job placements.
  • A unique course in the MHA curriculum assigns MHA students to a clinical care team in the Ohio State University Medical Center to enhance their understanding of patient care processes.
  • The Director of Professional Development works with students individually on producing a polished resume, interviewing, and other practical skills that will help them meet their personal goals in obtaining a summer residency, fellowship, or initial job placement. Alumni, practitioners and health services organizations come to campus to help advise students. Visit our Career Services pages.
  • The MHA Alumni Society at Ohio State is one of the strongest in the nation. The members provide a built-in network for new graduates and financially support many aspects of the program. Learn more about the college's alumni societies.

Comments from Alumni

"I think the OSU program teaches students about the overall nature of healthcare and healthcare systems. It's really a great way to combine business skills with making a difference in society."
Mark Neaman, Class of 1974, President and Chief Executive Officer, NorthShore University Health System in Evanston, Illinois. Winner of the American College of Healthcare Executives Gold Medal Award for 2009.

"One of my mentors in healthcare told me early on that I really needed to pursue my MHA degree in order to move forward in my health administration career. OSU has a great program and it was really the only place I considered."
Kelly J. Scheiderer, Class of 1995, Administrator, Emergency Medicine, Ohio State University Medical Center

"I really think Ohio State's MHA program is unique because of the small class size and the great relationships between faculty and students. Faculty are always willing to work with you. Often those relationships you form extend long past graduation."
Jamie Cleverley, Class of 2004, a healthcare consultant for Cleverley & Associates, a consultant group based in Columbus, Ohio