Health Administration, M.H.A.

General Program Information

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Amal J. Khoury, Ph.D., MPH, Professor and Chair
College of Public Health
Lamb Hall 167
Box 70264
(423) 439-4937
e-mail: khoury@etsu.edu

Ryan Youngblood, DHSc, MHA, NHA, MHA Program Director
Lamb Hall 142
(423) 439-4115
email: youngbloodr@etsu.edu

Faculty: Manik Ahuja; Casey Balio; Kate Beatty; Richard Campbell; Nathan Hale; Jennifer Hunt; Amal Khoury; Hadii Mamudu; Wondi Manalew; Saman Naz; Michael Smith; Ryan Youngblood.

The Master of Health Administration (MHA) is a professional degree preparing graduates for leadership positions in health care administration. The MHA equips students with the management, analytic, and strategic thinking skills necessary to lead health services organizations and improve population health. The health care industry is rapidly growing and changing, and demand for graduate training in health administration is at an all-time high. MHA students gain business and management skills specific to the health services industry, giving them a competitive employment advantage across the full spectrum of health services organizations. The MHA is a rigorous program accredited through the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH).

This program allows the student to follow one of two tracks:

1. An Executive MHA track designed for working health services professionals seeking to advance to executive leadership positions. Students complete 42-45 credits of coursework including an applied capstone project. Students utilize past managerial experience to accelerate their degree progress while enriching the learning experience of their classmates.
2. A Standard MHA track for students who do not have workplace experience but who have completed an undergraduate degree from any field of study. Students complete 48-51 credits of coursework including studies in health administration careers, an applied capstone project, and an administrative internship.

Both tracks are available on-ground and 100% online, on a full-time or part-time basis, allowing students the flexibility to balance school, work and family.

Mission:

“The ETSU Master of Health Administration equips early and mid-careerists to advance population health in Appalachia and beyond. Our faculty, composed of seasoned administrators and academicians, prioritizes application and interprofessional training to provide an impactful education. Our curriculum prepares innovative leaders by developing their competency in four domains of health administration: Finance & Delivery, Quality, Policy & Regulation, and People & Partnerships. Each domain incorporates principles of Leadership, Communication, Problem-Solving, and Professionalism in its coursework to ensure that our graduates are fully capable of driving population health improvement. Students apply their knowledge through practical experiences and collaborative arrangements with healthcare organizations in their community.” 

Vision:

“ETSU MHA aims to become nationally recognized for attracting and building effective leaders in an ever-changing healthcare environment.” 

Values:

Dedication: Commit to the production of optimal health outcomes.

Professionalism: Devoted to competency while fostering honesty and respect.

Integrity: Adhere to the highest ethical principles.

Teamwork: Promote collaboration through equitable participation.

Innovation: Strive for creative advancements in healthcare settings.

Excellence: Focus on world-class protocols.

Humility: Teachable and ever learning. 

Competencies

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ETSU’s Master of Health Administration (MHA) program prepares innovative leaders by developing student competency in four domains of health administration: Finance & Delivery, Quality, Policy & Regulation, and People & Partnerships. Each of these domains incorporates principles of Leadership, Communication, Problem-Solving, and Professionalism into the core of their coursework to ensure that these leaders are resilient and are fully capable of driving Population Health Improvement.

Finance & Delivery

1. Discuss main components and issues of the organization, financing, and delivery of health services in the U.S.
2. Compare the organization, structure, and function of health care, public health, and regulatory systems across national and international settings
3. Explain principles and tools of budget and resource management 
4. Apply key principles of accounting and financial management in health services organizations 
5. Apply leadership and/or management principles to address a relevant issue
6. Apply principles of strategic planning and marketing in health services organizations

Quality

7. Apply a systems thinking tool to visually represent a health issue in a format other than standardized narrative
8. Select methods to evaluate health programs
9. Select data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context
10. Analyze data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming, and software, as appropriate
11. Utilize analytical methods and informatics resources to investigate health and health services
12. Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy, or practice
13. Apply quality and performance improvement concepts and tools to address organizational performance 

Policy & Regulation

14. Discuss the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence
15. Apply legal and ethical principles to issues of health services management and policy analysis
16. Apply principles of human resources management in health services organizations
17. Design a population-based policy, program, project, or intervention
18. Demonstrate written and oral skills for communicating health management & policy issues with different audiences

People & Partnerships

19. Demonstrate professionalism, transparency, and a commitment to self-development and growth
20. Integrate perspectives from other sectors and/or professions to promote and advance population health
21. Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing health outcomes
22. Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges 
23. Leverage health data and leadership skills to inform/facilitate organizational or community change 

COMPETENCY ATTAINMENT LEVELS

These competencies are covered and assessed in multiple classes throughout the MHA program. For each competency covered in a class, faculty have assigned a target attainment level that depends on the context and the extent to which each competency is covered in that particular course. You can find the target levels for each competency in your syllabi.

1.  Novice (Basic Knowledge)

You possess a foundational understanding of essential concepts and techniques in your

field

Focus on learning.

2. Beginner (Limited Experience)

You have initial knowledge through but still require guidance when applying these skills.

Focus on developing through coursework.

• You can discuss relevant terminology, concepts, principles, and issues.
• You utilize a variety of reference materials related to your assignments

3. Proficient (Practical Application)

You can complete coursework related to this competency independently, though occasional assistance from instructors or textbooks may be necessary.

Focus on applying and enhancing your skills.

• You have successfully applied your knowledge in assignments and projects with minimal guidance.
• You understand and can discuss the application and implications of changes to processes, policies, and procedures related to your assignment.

4. Advanced (Applied Theory)

You can perform tasks related to this competency independently and are recognized for your ability to tackle complex assignments.

Focus on broader academic issues.

• You consistently provide practical insights that demonstrate an ability to succeed in the competency area.
• You are capable of clarifying complex concepts in related assignments.
• You engage in self-directed study that addresses higher-level topics related to the assignments you are involved with.

5. Expert (Recognized Authority)

You are regarded as an authority in your area of study, capable of providing expert guidance and troubleshooting related to relevant competency.

Focus on strategic academic issues.

• You demonstrate excellence in applying your skills across multiple concepts.
• You are the “go-to” person for questions related to the competency.
• You create new applications for and/or lead the development of reference and resource materials for this competency.
• You can articulate and explain complex concepts and trends effectively in written work, enhancing understanding for your peers. 

Program Admission Requirements

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Applicants to this program are required to use the online Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS) which can be accessed at http://www.sophas.org. Please check the SOPHAS web site for the application deadlines for your desired start term.

The priority application deadline for Fall admission is February 1st (for early admissions decision and early consideration for Graduate Assistantships and Tuition Scholarships).

The application deadline for Fall admission is May 1st for international students and June 1st for domestic students. The Spring admission deadline is August 1st for international students and October 1st for domestic students.

Admission to the graduate program in health administration is based upon scholarship, letters of recommendation, and evidence of potential for success in a graduate program, including a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 for domestic applicants and 3.0 for international applicants.  Application materials include transcripts, three letters of recommendation from academic or professional references, a Statement of Purpose, and a resume/CV.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required for admission. Applicants with a GPA of less than 3.20 are encouraged to submit the GRE or GMAT scores with their application. 

For additional information, please contact the MHA Program Director, publichealth@etsu.edu.

Graduation Policy

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Candidates for the MHA degree must complete all the requirements pertaining to the degree and the University as stipulated in the Graduate Catalog. Students must maintain a GPA at 3.0 or above in order to qualify for graduation.

Articulation Agreement

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Students who have completed the Health Care Management Graduate Certificate and subsequently are admitted into the Master of Health Administration may have up to thirteen (13) of the certificate credits applied toward the degree program of study as long as the courses fall within the matriculation limits and a grade of B (3.0) or better was earned for the course.