General Approach

The M.H.A. curriculum prepares students for career advancement by providing in-depth application of contemporary health policy and health management issues and situations.  Online M.H.A. students and graduates apply their newly acquired knowledge immediately.

Coursework

The M.H.A. program provides a challenging and unique curriculum, delivered online sequentially, and is completed over 39 credit hours (six semesters).  It embraces theoretical, as well as contemporary practical applications of dynamic healthcare leadership in each of the following areas:

Understanding the Environment:
PSMA 7511 Healthcare Systems
PSMA 8511 Managing Community Health Services

Managing Change:
PSMA 7513 Healthcare Management
PSMA 8518 Legal Aspects of Healthcare Administration

Financial Competencies:
PSMA 6005 Financial Management and Control
PSMA 7514 Healthcare Financial Management Accounting

Decision-Making:
PSMA 8514 Healthcare Economics
PSMA 6009 Managerial Decision-Making

Strategic Leadership:
PSMA 8517 Strategic Planning and Marketing in Healthcare Organizations PSMA 8512 Ethics in Healthcare Administration

Analytic:
PSMA 6002 Research Methods and Statistical Analysis

Concentration Specialty:
Students customize their online Master of Healthcare Administration degree by completing a final literature project devoted to a specialty interest. Designating an area of interest and building upon that interest through specialized study, students complete a two-course, six-credit concentration sequence of courses that are taken concurrent with the M.H.A. curriculum. This concentration begins with a readings course on topics relevant to the healthcare manager, and a project design completion course. The completed project affords students an opportunity to make a substantial contribution to their organization and their profession.

Residencies
The M.H.A. program is completely online, with exception of three weekend residencies - program orientation, mid-degree and final project. Students are required to attend three weekend residencies at the University's main campus in South Orange, New Jersey. The Program begins with the orientation residency, followed by a second residency approximately one year later (mid-degree) and the third and final residency the weekend of Commencement exercises.

Course Descriptions

PSMA 6002 Research Methods and Statistical Analysis uses analytical and statistical methods for planning, evaluating, and decision-making and the application of quantitative tools in understanding and managing data. 

PSMA 6005 Financial Management and Control explores basic financial, budgetary, and accounting concepts, processes, and techniques relevant to healthcare managers; how and why financial decisions are made; how they affect healthcare operations, use of financial documents, and financial analysis.

PSMA 6009 Managerial Decision-Making reviews decision-making theories, methods, and tools for the organizational decision-maker with emphasis on practical hands-on application and use of critical thinking and analytic skills.

PSMA 7511 Healthcare Systems is a systematic exploration of the healthcare system, governmental interactions, delivery systems, healthcare financing, innovations in organizational services and alternative strategies.  

PSMA 7513 Healthcare Management explores the role of the contemporary healthcare manager, emphasizing basic managerial skills and knowledge that contributes to effective healthcare management.

PSMA 7514 Healthcare Financial Management and Accounting studies principles of accounting, as applied to healthcare organizations and accounting as a healthcare management tool. The financial realities in health-services, emphasizing healthcare financial management concepts, terms, management techniques; and the interpretation and analysis of financial data in healthcare organizations are also covered.

PSMA 8511 Managing Community Health Services emphasizes the manager's role, responsibilities and involvement in developing, implementing and evaluating strategies for community health initiatives, while focusing on geographically related individuals, groups and organizations sharing health resources.

PSMA 8512 Ethics in Healthcare Administration provides an examination of specific medical and healthcare ethics, including clinical practice, legal dimensions, public policy, and professional practice and decision-making.  

PSMA 8514 Healthcare Economics applies economic theory toward understanding problems of organization, delivery, and financing of healthcare services. This important course emphasizes the shift toward a market economy and the application of economic principles and tools of economic analysis for healthcare managers.

PSMA 8517 Strategic Planning and Marketing in Healthcare Organizations explores the role, functions, and application of strategic planning and marketing in healthcare organizations, emphasizing the process of strategy assessment, development and implementation.

PSMA 8518 Legal Aspects of Healthcare Administration provides an overview of legal issues associated with delivery of healthcare and the legal pitfalls surrounding everyday healthcare practice and administration. This course also explores legal aspects of human resources administration in healthcare and issues of liability and corporate responsibility.