Master of Health Administration

Learn More about the MHA at ETSU

• Admission Requirements

  Admission to the Master of Health Administration program is based upon scholarship, letters of recommendation, and evidence of potential for success in a graduate program, including a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 for domestic applicants and 3.0 for international applicants.  Application materials include transcripts, letters of recommendation from academic or professional references, a Statement of Purpose, and a résumé/CV. 

  Applicants to this program are required to use the online Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS), which can be accessed at sophas.org. 

  The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) are not required for admission. Applicants with a GPA of less than 3.20 are encouraged to submit GRE or GMAT scores with their application.  

  For additional information, please contact  PublicHealth@etsu.edu.

• Competencies

  ETSU’s Master of Health Administration (MHA) program prepares innovative leaders by developing student competency in four pillars of health administration: Finance, Quality, Policy and Regulation, and People and Partnerships. Each of these pillars incorporates methods of leadership and communication into the core of their coursework to ensure graduates are resilient leaders fully capable of driving health improvements.  

  Finance 

  • Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management. 
  • Apply key principles of accounting and financial management in health services organizations. 
  • Discuss main components and issues of the organization, financing, and delivery of health services in the U.S. 
  • Apply principles of leadership, governance, and management, which include creating a vision, empowering others, fostering collaboration, and guiding decisions. 
  • Apply principles of strategic planning and marketing in health services organizations. 

  Quality 

  • Select methods to evaluate health programs. 
  • Analyze data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming, and software, as appropriate. 
  • Select data collection methods appropriate for a given health context. 
  • Interpret results of data analysis for health research, policy, or practice. 

  • Apply quality and performance improvement concepts and tools to address organizational performance. 
  • Apply systems thinking tools to a health issue. 
  • Utilize analytical methods and informatics resources to investigate health and health services. 
  • Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice. 

  Policy and Regulation 

  • Design a population-based policy, program, project, or intervention. 
  • Demonstrate written and oral skills for communicating health policy and management issues with different audiences. 
  • Discuss multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence. 
  • Apply legal and ethical principles to issues of health services management and policy analysis. 
  • Apply principles of human resources management in health services organizations. 

  • Assess population needs, assets, and capacities that affect communities’ health. 

  People and Partnerships 

  • Perform effectively on interprofessional teams (teams and teamwork, values, and ethics). 
  • Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors. 
  • Compare the organization, structure, and function of health care, public health, and regulatory systems across national and international settings. 

  • Leverage health data and leadership skills to facilitate/inform organizational or community change. 
  • Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing health outcomes. 
  • Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges. 
  • Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or implementation of health policies or programs. 
• FAQs

  What is the primary focus of this program?  

  The ETSU MHA program focuses on preparing graduates for leadership positions in health care administration.  Students who complete an MHA indicate to potential employers that they have obtained a high level of knowledge related to the health services management environment. 

   
  What is the demand for this degree?  

  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that demand for health services is on an upward trajectory, growing much faster than average compared to other industries. 

   
  What is the tuition rate for this program? 

  Learn more about paying for graduate school here. 

   
  Can I take all of my courses online, and when/where do classes meet? 

  All of our MHA courses can be completed 100% online, and select courses are offered at our Johnson City campus.  More information on our online program offerings can be found  here. 

   
  How long will it take for me to graduate from this program, and what is the difference between the Standard Track and the Executive Track MHA?  

  1. The typical timeline to complete the MHA on a full-time basis is four semesters. However, the program is flexible and can be completed on a part-time basis, with a six--year time limit. 

  1. The Standard Track program consists of 51-54 credit hours.  Our Executive Track is 45-48 credit hours and is designed for students who have three or more years of experience in a supervisory or managerial role in health administration. 

  Does the MHA program require a specific undergraduate degree? Is there a thesis involved with either track?  

  Our MHA program does not require a specific undergraduate degree for consideration and does not require a thesis as part of the program curriculum. The program offers students the opportunity to complete a capstone course focusing on integrating health management and administrative techniques into real-world settings.  

   
  How often are applicants accepted into this program, and how long should I expect to wait for an admissions decision? Is there a minimum GRE score required for this program? 

  The GRE is not required to be considered for the MHA. Our MHA program admits students to start in either the fall or spring semester each academic year, and application deadlines can be found through our application on SOPHAS. 

   
  Can I transfer into the MHA from another ETSU graduate program? How about from outside of ETSU? 

  Our MHA program does accept transfer credits from CEPH- and/or  accredited programs. More information about our transfer policy is available here. CAHME-accredited programs. More information about our transfer policy is available here.  

   
  Are there additional requirements for applicants who are not United States citizens or permanent residents? 

  ETSU international admission requirements may be found here.   

  *The MHA is not currently accepting international applicants for the program.*