Health Administration, Master of Health Administration (153)
Department website: https://www.wku.edu/publichealth
Program Coordinator
Gregory E. Ellis-Griffith, gregory.ellis-griffith@wku.edu, (270) 745-3076
The Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree program prepares graduates for administrative and managerial positions in different types of healthcare facilities and agencies including acute care, long-term care, group medical practices, managed care organizations, public health agencies, clinics, and health-related organizations such as pharmaceutical firms, medical equipment firms, and health care consulting firms. There are two MHA options for candidates who meet the admission requirements: the traditional or residential MHA program and an online MHA program for those currently working with at least two years of professional work experience. Both programs consist of 42 semester hours but with different admission requirements. The Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree program prepares graduates for administrative and managerial positions in different types of health care facilities and agencies including acute care, long-term care, group medical practices, managed care organizations, public health agencies, clinics, and health related organizations such as pharmaceutical firms, medical equipment firms, and health care consulting firms. There are two MHA options for candidates who meet the admission requirements: the traditional or residential MHA program and an online MHA program for those currently working with at least two years of professional work experience. Both programs consist of 42 semester hours but with different admission requirements.
Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP)
This degree offers a Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP) which provides academically outstanding students the opportunity to complete both an undergraduate and graduate degree in an accelerated timeframe. Contact the graduate program coordinator for additional information.
Applicants to the residential MHA program option may receive full admission if they hold a baccalaureate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher is required on their baccalaureate degree, along with a statement of intent (minimum of 1 page, and no more than 2 pages)sent to the graduate program coordinator (Dr. Gregory Ellis-Griffith: gregory.ellis-griffith@wku.edu).
Applicants to the online MHA program may receive full admission if they hold a baccalaureate degree, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and at least two years of professional work experience. Applicants to the online program must also send a statement of intent, current resume (with professional positions listed), and two reference contacts to the graduate program director (Dr. Gregory Ellis-Griffith: gregory.ellis-griffith@wku.edu).
International Student MHA Admissions: The MHA program follows WKU Graduate Studies’s international student admission requirements (https://www.wku.edu/graduate/prospective_students/admission/requirements.php).
Conditional Admission: If a student does not meet all university and program admission requirements, and if the academic program’s review of the student’s record indicates the likelihood of success, the student may be granted conditional admission by the Associate Provost for Research and Graduate Education upon the recommendation of the program.
• Application and Graduate Studies Fees. Apply through: Graduate Admissions
Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP)
The Master of Health Administration program’s Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP) allows undergraduate students to earn graduate credit towards a graduate degree in an accelerated time frame. Qualified students will apply directly to the Joint Undergraduate Master's Program. A recommendation will then be made to Graduate Sudies for acceptance to JUMP. Please contact the MHA graduate program coordinator for additional information.
JUMP students may complete a maximum of fifteen (15) graduate hours as undergraduate students. However, for undergraduate candidates pursuing a first baccalaureate degree in combination with a master’s degree, up to twelve (12) graduate hours may be counted on both the undergraduate and graduate transcripts as prescribed by the approved program curriculum.
To be considered for admission to the MHA JUMP program to earn a BS and MHA, a student must meet the following requirements:
- Be an undergraduate student in one of the following majors: Health Sciences (564), Health Care Administration (559).
- A minimum of 60 credit hours earned and 15 or more credit hours remaining to complete the undergraduate degree.
- A minimum of 24 undergraduate hours earned at WKU.
- A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.25 for individuals earning their first baccalaureate degree.
- A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00 for individuals earning their second baccalaureate degree.
Graduate Studies Admission
Please refer to the admission section of this catalog for Graduate Studies admission requirements.
Degree Requirements (42 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: 33 | ||
| HCA 540 | Health Care Organization and Management | 3 |
| HCA 541 | Strategic Management & Marketing of Health Services | 3 |
| HCA 542 | Health Care Human Resources Administration | 3 |
| HCA 543 | Health Care Quality and Accountability | 3 |
| HCA 545 | Managerial Finance for Health Services | 3 |
| HCA 551 | Health Care Jurisprudence | 3 |
| HCA 586 | Health Economics & Policy | 3 |
| PH 520 | Biostatistics for Public Health | 3 |
| PH 582 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| PH 587 | Health Behavior Theory | 3 |
| PH 583 | Public Health Administration | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 3 hours of the following | 3 | |
| Healthcare Systems Design and Behavior | ||
| Healthcare Preparedness and Leadership | ||
| Ambulatory Care/Rural Health | ||
| Health Systems Informatics | ||
| Special Topics in Health Services | ||
| Decision Making in Health Care (Select 3 hours of the following) | ||
| Principles of Environmental Health | ||
| Select one of the following options: (A total of 6 hours must be completed) | 6 | |
| Graduate Internship (Internship Option ) | ||
| Thesis Research/Writing (Thesis Option ) | ||
| Total Hours | 42 | |