Healthcare Administration, MHA

Mission

The mission of the Master of Healthcare Administration program is to provide a high-quality graduate, online education for students who wish to pursue opportunities in healthcare management or administration.  The Master of Healthcare Administration program emphasizes development of healthcare and business knowledge and skills, critical thinking capabilities, problem and scenario analysis skills, communication skills, and ability to comply with professional responsibility obligations and ethics specific to the field of healthcare.

Program Overview

This program is designed for those qualified individuals who wish to gain formal academic education in the field of healthcare administration.  These individuals may currently work in this field or may seek to seeks opportunities in healthcare administration.  The coursework is developed with consideration of the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives certification and exam content. The program requires completion of 10 courses (45 total quarter credit hours) and is designed to be delivered in a hybrid/blended format with opportunity for completion through distance education format or a combination of distance/onground courses in four-five consecutive quarters (full-time) over a period of 12 months. Part-time students may enroll in a minimum of one class per quarter and this option extends the completion time as applicable to course load completed.  Admission to this program will occur in each quarter of the year.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Master of Healthcare Administration program will accomplish the following outcomes:

1. Students will integrate a high level of business knowledge to functional areas of healthcare.
2. Students will utilize current technology in support of healthcare operations.
3. Students will demonstrate highly developed and effective communication skills.
4. Students will demonstrate managerial and leadership ability to implement strategic awareness and effective operational strategies.
5. Students will apply critical thinking and analysis skills for operational decision making.
6. Students will demonstrate collaboration and team building abilities to execute innovative thinking and solutions to the challenges in healthcare.

Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Master of Healthcare Administration program, the prospective student must meet individually, either in person or via electronic method, with an admissions representative to discuss the program and all requirements. Applicants must provide a completed South College application for admission and application to the program. Those selected for admission will provide the following:

Program Admission Requirements

1. Evidence completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education in business or closely related discipline approved by the faculty.
   1. Non-business undergraduate students may be required to complete a graduate level academic learning plan.
2. Evidence of a cumulative 3.0 undergraduate grade point average for admittance OR Evidence of a cumulative 2.50 undergraduate grade point average for conditional admittance.

Students accepted for conditional admittance are permitted to take three courses in the MHA program. If they maintain a 3.0 graduate grade point average in the three courses, they are granted admittance.

All admitted students are required to complete the South College orientation process which includes online modules before beginning classes. The online modules include a video introduction to the program, a review of students’ roles and responsibilities in an online instructional environment, important information about accessing South College email and Student Portal accounts, and a discussion and review of South College learning resources and student services.

Advanced Placement and Transfer of Credit

Applicants interested in the Master of Healthcare Administration program should be aware that all courses in the curriculum are required and must be completed at South College. Transfer credits, experiential learning, or advanced placement from another institution’s program are not allowed.

Program Design

The MHA program will be completed primarily via an asynchronous online format using the learning management system Canvas in order to provide flexibility and to accommodate the schedules of working professionals. The curriculum is tailored to provide a balance of theoretical, practical, and analytical instruction to prepare students for the unique challenges in the 21st century.

An online introduction to the program includes an orientation, a review of students’ roles and responsibilities in an online instructional environment, important information about accessing South College email and Student Portal accounts, and a discussion and review of South College learning resources and student services.

Course materials and assignments emphasize collaboration, critical thinking, research, and student accountability. The program cumulates with a capstone course which provides a unique opportunity for a thorough investigation of a healthcare administration dilemma, incorporating principles of accounting, finance, marketing, economics, and management concepts and theories. 

Academic Standards, Student Progress, and Grading

Upon entering the Master of Healthcare Administration program, students are required to confer with the Dean of the School of Business & Technology to map out their course curriculum and requirements for degree completion. Students are also required to meet each quarter with the Graduate Program Coordinator for an academic progress review and registration approval for the next quarter. If a student voluntarily withdraws from the program, a formal application for reentry is required, and program requirements in effect at that time must be met. The student will be required to meet with the Dean of the School of Business & Technology for approval to reenter the program. Students will only be allowed to be readmitted to the Master of Healthcare Administration program once unless in the case of mitigating circumstances.

The Dean of the School of Business & Technology will review each student’s scholastic achievement record at the end of each quarter. The academic standards that must be met by each student are outlined in the Academic Participation section. If a student fails to meet academic standards, the Dean will meet with the student in question. Depending on the nature of the academic deficiency, the Dean will determine the status of the student’s academic standing, which may include probation or dismissal from the program. The Categories of Academic Standing are:

• Good Standing: Status of a student who has met course requirements in a satisfactory manner and has demonstrated good professional behavior.
• Probation: Status of a student whose performance in the program has fallen below the minimum stated standards, or who has exhibited unacceptable professional behavior.
• Dismissal: Action whereby a student will be dismissed from the Master of Healthcare Administration program due to failure to adhere to academic standards. Dismissal will occur after review of the student’s academic or professional deficiency by the Dean of the School of Business & Technology.

Professional Behavior: For the purposes of this policy, unacceptable professional behavior shall be defined as inappropriate interpersonal communications (either written or verbal) directed towards South College faculty, staff, or fellow students, or actions and demeanor deemed inappropriate by the Dean of the School of Business & Technology.

The causes of and consequences for receiving a Warning, Probation, or Dismissal are:

Probation

A student will be placed on probation if his/her cumulative GPA falls below a 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.

Students with a cumulative GPA below 3.00.
A student with a cumulative GPA below 3.00 at the end of any quarter will receive notification from the Dean of the School of Business & Technology that he/she is on Probation. If the student fails to raise his/her cumulative GPA to a 3.00 at the end of the next quarter, he/she will be dismissed from the Master of Healthcare Administration program. If the student raises his/her cumulative GPA to a 3.00 or higher at the end of the next quarter, he/she will be removed from Probation. If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below a 3.00 a second time, he/she will be dismissed from the Master of Healthcare Administration program.

Dismissal

Action whereby a student will be dismissed from the Master of Healthcare Administration program due to failure to adhere to academic and program requirements.

1. A student has a cumulative GPA of less than 3.00 at the end of any quarter and then fails to raise his/her cumulative GPA to a 3.00 or higher at the end of the next quarter;
2. A student’s cumulative GPA falls below 3.00 for a second time;
3. A student’s professional conduct violates the performance standards set forth in the South College Academic Honor Code, the South College Standards of Student Conduct, or for unprofessional behavior or criminal activity.

South College reserves the right to dismiss at any time a student who, in its judgment, is undesirable and whose continued enrollment is detrimental to him/herself or his/her fellow students or whose presence is disruptive to the learning environment, or the orderly operation of the College.

Following dismissal, a student may appeal the dismissal by providing the Dean of the School of Business & Technology a written letter of appeal. The appeal will be considered by the associated School of Business Technology and the Dean. If the appeal is approved, the student will be allowed to return to the program for the designed period in a probationary status. All stipulations of the approved appeal must be met in order for the student to be returned to Good Standing. Failure to meet appeal stipulations will result in program dismissal.

Graduation Requirements

For a student to graduate from the Master of Healthcare Administration program, the student must be in a good academic and professional standing, have had satisfactory progress in all quarters of the academic program, and satisfactorily complete the following:

1. Successfully complete the required 45 quarter credit hours of academic course work.
2. Evidence a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above for the required coursework.
3. Achieve a letter grade of “C” or better in all academic courses.
4. Complete all required South College and Program documents in preparation for graduation.
5. Honor all professional and financial obligations to South College.

South College reserves the right, and the student, by the act of matriculation, concedes to give South College the right to require withdrawal at any time the college deems it necessary to safeguard the standards of scholarship, conduct, and compliance with regulations, or for such other reasons deemed appropriate by South College as set forth in the South College Student Handbook and/or the South College Catalog.

Additional Requirements

South College provides computer and Internet access to staff, faculty, and students while on-campus. Online students are required to secure their own access in their personal environments. Developing computer skills is critical to the success of students in the program and in practice. Though not a requirement for admission, students are expected to possess computer skills prior to matriculation. Please see the South College website for information regarding minimum computer requirements.

The Master of Healthcare Administration program is currently offered Online.