MHA PROGRAM
DESCRIPTION

Mission The University of Scranton MHA Program mission is to provide local, regional, and international students a comprehensive, practical, and interdisciplinaryset of core competencies, knowledge, skills, and values for health administration jobs in a variety of health organizations. Additionally, the Program contributes scholarship to its disciplines, especially applied research, publications, and presentations. The Program also contributes serviceto its communities and professions, especially voluntary work but also including consultation. In fulfilling its mission, the Program strives to satisfy interests of multiple stakeholders while reflecting Jesuit ideals. Admission Criteria The following is required to apply for admission: Bachelors Degree from an American College or University which is accredited, or equivalent from an International College or University; Undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 on a grading scale of 4.00; Completed Graduate School Application; Official transcripts; Three letters of reference from people capable of evaluating educational background and work experience or personal character; Resume and career statement with career goals; Score of 550 on the TOEFL exam for international students; Personal interview with Program Director. The entire Program Manual is available in or Adobe PDF format. AUPHA The MHA program maintains full graduate membership status with the AUPHA. For more information on the accredidation association click here: Association of University Programs in Health Administration.

VISION The vision of the University of Scranton MHA Program is to achieve and to be known for excellence in health administration education, scholarship, and service.   ACCREDITATION The Graduate Health Administration Program isaccredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (formerly ACEHSA). This accreditation reflects the commitment to and achievement of national standardsfor graduate level health care administration education.   VALUES The MHA program, in pursuit of its mission and vision, values the following: Respect for thedignity of each individual; Student-centered education. Continual personal andprofessional growth and development; Diversity in the educational community; Theory and practice; Openness to change andinnovation; Continuous quality improvement; Effective relationships with all stakeholders; Collegiality and teamwork; Development and dissemination of knowledge and practice; Service toothers; Jesuit spirit and tradition.

Curriculum

The MHA program requires 44 credits plus fieldwork for the degree.  The curriculum consists of 41 core credits, 3 elective credits, and fieldwork.  Students entering the program take early foundation courses: HAD 500 Health Care Organization and Administration, HAD 501 Health Care Financial Management I, HAD 505 Health Care Statistics and Research Methods, and HAD 519 Health Services and Systems.  These courses serve as prerequisites for more advanced courses in the curriculum and establish basic skills, competencies, and core knowledge.  Healthcare management requires practical applied experience, so students do a fieldwork course in their graduate studies.  An 8-credit 6-month administrative residency is generally required for students with no prior applied healthcare experience.  Other types of fieldwork include an internship (3 cr.), externship (1 cr.) or directed study (1-3 cr.).  The specific fieldwork requirement for each student is discussed during the admission interview and during one’s studies.  The fieldwork site is selected by the student, in consultation with the student’s advisor, to complement and assist in achieving career goals.  A 3 credit internship in health administration can be taken after 21 core credit hours.  An 8 credit administrative residency can be taken after 36 core credits.  Students receiving financial aid should contact the Financial Aid office prior to signing up for an administrative residency.

Fieldwork is an intensive demanding experience – yet many students consider it one of the most exciting, valuable, and fulfilling parts of their graduate studies.  This is because in fieldwork the student joins the management team of a health care organization and applies classroom learning to real-world health care management projects and problems.  To do it requires time and availability for management meetings and other fieldwork activities that are superb educational opportunities.  For fieldwork, a student carefully decides with which organization to do the fieldwork, and this requires research and personal assessment.  Then the student works with the faculty and preceptor to prepare and agree upon a comprehensive fieldwork plan that includes fieldwork goals, processes, readings, assignments, internal/external meetings, evaluation methods, and other aspects of the fieldwork.  The on-site fieldwork creates new activities, professional relationships, obligations, and learning experiences.  For this, the student may have to adjust one’s professional and personal schedules to have the necessary time.  Students should plan months ahead and confer with the faculty, preceptor, and others (e.g., family, employer) to help fieldwork.

There are four other requirements, which help prepare people for healthcare administration jobs and must be completed to graduate.  First, all students are expected to join the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and the Program’s Student Health Administration Association, or join a comparable professional association.  Second, students must have and interact regularly with an identified external mentor.  Third, all students must demonstrate personal computer skills.  Fourth, all students must perform 24 hours of community service with healthcare organizations.  The service is not service-learning, but it should involve and apply skills, knowledge, or competencies learned in MHA courses, such as helping a local organization survey clients or helping elderly people understand Medicare.  These requirements are further explained in a separate booklet.