Master of Health Administration

The Master of Health Administration, Online (HLSO) is offered through the Department of Health Policy and Management in the School of Public Health. The program adopts an integrated approach to address current health needs, provide leadership in a rapidly evolving health care industry, and anticipate future health challenges in an expanding global economy.

Mentoring and advising are an essential part of the program. Students meet with faculty and the academic program director to ensure that educational goals and career learning and development goals are met. Students with specific academic questions may contact Dr. Negin Fouladi, via email: fouladi@umd.edu.

Overview

The Master of Health Administration, Online (HLSO) is a rigorous, multi-disciplinary program that provides an integrated curriculum to address current health needs, provide leadership in a rapidly evolving health care industry, and anticipate future health challenges in an expanding global economy.

• Prepares graduates to manage the many complex health-related organizations including hospitals, health care systems, insurance companies, long term care facilities, managed care organizations, rehabilitation agencies, public health clinics, state agencies, among others.
• Helps build a platform of professional network support, benefiting students throughout their careers.
• Can be completed in eighteen months of full-time enrollment. Part-time enrollment is welcome. See Designation of Full-time/Part-time Status.

Program Features

The program has a 46-credit, sixteen-course, multi-disciplinary curriculum, that features coursework in public health services administration, research methods in healthcare, health law and ethics, health economics and analysis, strategic management of human resources, health service information systems, financial management of health organizations, marketing for competitive health service, quality assessment and evaluation, and health care leadership and communications.

• 39 cognate credits (thirteen 3-credit courses) allowing students to gain expertise in healthcare management and administration;
• 4 internship credits (credits may be spread over multiple semesters); and 
• 3 capstone project credits (one course).

Registration Overview

See the sample plan of study below. Students should use this as a guide to develop a plan with the academic program director. 

• Actual course offerings are determined by the program and may vary. Students should note if a course has a prerequisite or corequisite.
• Specific class meeting information (days and time) is posted on Testudo, University of Maryland’s (UMD) interactive online course catalog. Once on that site, select “Schedule of Classes,” then the term/year. Courses are listed by academic unit.
• The program uses specific section codes for registration that are listed on the sample plan of study.

Sample Plan, Full-time

Sample Plan, Part-time

Courses

For a listing of program courses, see the Graduate School Catalog program requirements for HLSO. For course descriptions that include prerequisites or corequisites, see HLSA and SPHL.

Program Information

This dual degree program with the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore allows students to complete both a medical degree and Master of Health Administration in five years through the University of Maryland, Baltimore and the University of Maryland, College Park School of Public Health. View the informational presentation.

Overview

• Features online instruction that is supplemented with traditional in-person learning.
• Instruction provided by UMD faculty and professionals in the field.
• Uses the semester academic calendar with classes held during fall and spring semester (16 weeks each) and Summer Session (two 6-week sessions).

Online Learning

• Most courses are offered via 100% online instruction.
• Using advanced audio and video technology, UMD’s online learning environment delivers dynamic and interactive content.
• Featuring convenience and flexibility, online instruction permits asynchronous or synchronous participation.
• Lectures are video-archived. Students who are unable to attend in real time can review the session through asynchronous participation.

In-Person Learning

• The only course with required in-person elements is HLSA772: Healthcare Leadership and Communications.
• This requirement consists of a total of four to five weekend days of residency in the fall semester, designed to deepen professional network support.
• Residency classes meet at the UMD College Park campus, offering students the opportunity to engage in a focused, distraction-free learning environment. 
• Students enrolled in a program that features in-person instruction are required to submit the University’s Immunization Record Form prior to the first day of their first semester/term. See Health Requirements. 

Upon successful completion, graduates will have mastered the following competencies:

What is unique about the Master of Health Administration?

• Convenient online coursework gives you the flexibility to complete your degree without taking time off from work.  
• Stimulating online courses are conducted by UMD School of Public Health faculty and experts from leading public health organizations in the Greater Washington DC Area.
• Focus on practical knowledge and professional skills that you can immediately apply to your work in the health industry. 
• Internship and capstone projects that can launch you to the next stage of your career.

What will I learn to advance my career as a leader in Health Administration? 
The Master of Health Administration (MHA) has a 46-credit, 15-course, multi-disciplinary curriculum that prepares graduates to manage the many complex health-related organizations, including hospitals, health care systems, insurance companies, long-term care facilities, managed care organizations, rehabilitation agencies, public health clinics, and state agencies, among others. The plan of study includes:

• 39 credits (thirteen courses) in cognate courses selected from a list of approved electives and additional courses in consultation with the academic advisor, which allows flexibility for students to specialize in a certain area of health care management and administration;
• 4 credits (credits may be spread over multiple semesters) for the internship; and 
• 3 credits (one course) for the capstone project.

How is instruction delivered? 
The MHA features online learning with stimulating online instruction and a total of four to five weekend days in the fall semester at the UMD College Park campus. UMD’s online learning environment delivers online content through easy to use web-based technology that enables learning in an engaging, interactive environment.

How long will it take to complete the MHA? 
The MHA may be completed full time or part time; although full time is preferable. All requirements must be met and the degree awarded within five years following the date of entrance into the program. The recommended sequence for completing the MHA considers prerequisites and course scheduling. Refer to the part-time and full-time plans of study for additional information.

Will my diploma indicate that I took my degree online? 
No. Your diploma and your transcript will look the same as a student attending the physical campus.

Is the School of Public Health accredited? 
The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accredits the School of Public Health at University of Maryland, College Park. Acquisition and fulfillment of key competencies are required by CEPH and are the foundation for a successful career. The MHA competencies are listed and mapped to specific courses, as mandated by the CEPH accreditation requirements.

Who are the faculty? 
Full-time faculty and experts from leading public health organizations appointed by the Department of Health Policy and Management deliver instruction.

I have taken one or more of the required courses at another institution. Can I transfer these credits? 
No more than six (6) credit hours of graduate work may be transferred from CEPH-accredited institutions. Additional requirements apply. Students seeking acceptance of transfer credits are urged to consult with the academic program director to ensure compliance with The Graduate School guidelines.

Whom do I contact if I have questions? 
Negin Fouladi, PhD, MPH, MS; Assistant Clinical Professor, Director of Graduate Programs in Public Health Practice: fouladi@umd.edu.