Master of Health Administration (MHA)
Learning Objectives

The learning objectives for the MHA degree program are closely linked to the accreditation criteria established by CAHME. The following learning objectives are separated into curricular and professional development objectives.

Curricular (Instructional) Objectives
Upon completion of the MHA program, the graduate will be able to:

• Use the concepts and tools of epidemiology and biostatistics in the analysis of health care needs of the target community or service population and in the development of appropriate health services to address those needs

• Understand the other core disciplines of public health (behavioral and community health, environmental and occupational health, epidemiology, human population genetics, and infectious diseases to enhance decision-making in managing the health of the population or community to which the health care organization is accountable

• Apply knowledge of the structuring, marketing, and positioning of the health care organization to achieve its optimal performance

• Use the concepts and tools of financial management to sustain organizational viability and effectiveness under alternative financing mechanisms and reimbursement policies

• Demonstrate leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills (oral and written) in managing human resources and health professionals in diverse organizational environments

• Perform effectively in work teams, both as a leader and a follower

• Demonstrate understanding of the design, functions, and staffing of health management information systems

• Apply knowledge of information resources and technologies in collecting, accessing, analyzing, and using health information and business-relevant data in managerial decision-making

• Apply basic statistical, quantitative, and economic concepts and tools to support analysis and decision-making

• Understand the basic legal and regulatory principles and constraints affecting the health care organization, to facilitate informed decision-making

• Identify situations and issues that require more expert judgment and consultation (e.g., legal counsel, statistical and economic analysis)

• Demonstrate knowledge of the primary ethical values underlying health care delivery (i.e., respect for persons, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice, in managerial decision-making)

• Apply information relevant to the assessment of the health status of a population, the determinants of health and illness, and health risks in effective implementation of health services to a given population or service area

• Apply knowledge of the context and process of health policymaking at the federal and state levels of government in the U.S. in informed policy discussions

• Demonstrate understanding of selected contemporary federal and state health policy issues

• Apply policy competencies in analyzing and influencing the health policymaking process at the federal and state levels of government

• Understand the processes of health policy formulation and implementation to enhance decision-making relevant to the strategic direction and management of the health care organization

• Apply knowledge from the social and behavioral sciences in designing, organizing, staffing, financing, and managing health care systems

• Understand the benefits and challenges of managing a diverse staff in addressing the implications of gender, ethnic, racial, socioeconomic, age, and lifestyle diversity within the service population

• Identify, define, and apply relevant business and health outcome measures, process-to-outcome relationships, and methods for process improvement, to enhance and sustain the quality of health care services and outcomes

Professional Development (Socialization) Objectives
Upon completion of the MHA program, the graduate will have developed the professional skills, competencies, and characteristics to:

• Identify, effectively access, and build relationships within a network of professional contacts

• Initiate and sustain an effective learning relationship with a professional mentor(s)

• Adopt a professional demeanor, dress, and behavior that comports with prevailing norms and standards for executive management in health care organizations

• Develop and present an effective portfolio of career-related products that supports the graduate’s job search and longer term career plan

• Synthesize and apply classroom and experiential learning in both (1) an intensive, supervised, on-site experience in a health care or related organization, i.e., the management residency or practicum, and (2) the integrative capstone experience, i.e., the management or policy analysis project (master’s essay)

• Assess his/her leadership strengths and deficiencies in developing a plan for life-long learning and professional development