The Master of Health Administration (MHA) is a postgraduate professional Masters degree that provides training in health policy, economics, project and program implementation. It is designed to give graduates of health disciplines (in particular) greater understanding of management issues and prepare them for senior management roles, and is awarded by many American, European and Australian universities. The degree traditionally focuses on health administration at the local, state, and federal level as well as in the nonprofit sector. This contrasts with the generalist Master of Business Administration or the Master of Public Administration. See University of Washington "Why the MHA degree?

Over time, there has been a convergence between the Master of Health Administration and the Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees, due to the realisation that policy/project/program implementation could benefit from an understanding of health policy analysis, and vice versa. Today, the course offerings of many MHA and MPH programs are similar, with many common subjects.

General

Programs are intended to provide students with the essential knowledge required for senior managerial and planning work in the health services. The objectives of the program are to develop graduates who are: competent general and financial managers, competent planners, knowledgeable about public health and the structure, organisation and financing of health care systems, knowledgeable about society, law and ethics, and competent in quantitative skills.

In most countries applicants are required to hold minimum a three-year undergraduate degree and have a minimum period of professional experience in the health system, however the quantum varies between universities. The degree is primarily intended for medical doctors, however also nurses and other professional groups engaged in health care are represented.

Australia

In Australia the Master of Health Administration (MHA) may be divided in two parts; the first part awards a postgraduate diploma of Health Service Management, and, depending on the outcome, diplomates may be permitted to continue to the second part which culminates in the MHA degree. Course structures vary between universities, and may be either research or coursework based. The Master of Health Administration is considered the benchmark qualification by the Australian College of Health Service Executives. Unlike elsewhere, the MHA is not intended primarily for medical practitioners (who have courses provided by their professional organisations) but is open to graduates of any discipline wishing to pursue a career in health administration.

External links

• Masters Degrees in Health Administration. - Guide to programs predominantly provided in the United States offering masters degrees specifically in health administration (MHA), or business administration (MBA), and public health (MPH) degrees with a major in health administration.

Academic degrees | Master's degrees