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2016-2017 University Catalog 
  
2016-2017 University Catalog

Health Systems Management, MHA


Banner Code:  HH-MHA-HSMG

College: College of Health and Human Services  
Department: Health Administration and Policy  

The Master of Health Administration (MHA) in Health Systems Management program prepares students with the knowledge and skills to work as leaders and executive-level managers in evolving health care organizations. The curriculum was developed in response to the demand for advanced health management preparation for a variety of health care and allied health professionals to be employed in hospitals, health systems, consulting and regulatory entities, medical practice groups, ambulatory clinics, managed care organizations, and government agencies in both the public and private sectors of health care.

The program of study offers state-of-the-art technical and humanistic skills so that graduates may serve as leaders, managers, and consultants in various settings. The curriculum integrates concepts from a variety of disciplines such as business management, economics, finance, philosophy, organizational behavior, marketing, information technology, social psychology, public policy, law, and ethics as they apply to the administration of health care organizations.

The interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to prepare graduates with an understanding of the larger sociopolitical, global health, and economic contexts in which the U.S. health system operates. It provides working professionals with leadership knowledge and managerial skills and abilities that contribute to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of health systems and alignment of decisions and resources to optimize organizational and health-related public policy goals. Students examine social imperatives for access to health services and the feasibility, need, and mechanisms of market factors. They create links and alignment between public and private sectors and among voluntary, market, and regulatory forces in the context of a variety of public policy frameworks. Students explore the design and management of seamless systems of care, information technology, and services that support the providers of health-related care and services over the life span. Using ethical principles, students explore approaches to improving access to care and services and the quality and safety of health systems and their integration to maximize quality of life and community health.

Admission Requirements

Health care professionals with a baccalaureate degree and one to three years of recent experience in health or a related management or technology field are eligible to apply. Applicants must meet the admission standards and application requirements specified in the Admissions  section of the catalog and must apply using the online Application for Graduate Admission. The application process is competitive, and applications are considered for the fall and spring semesters. For application deadlines and detailed application requirements, please refer to the CHHS Admissions website.

Transfer of Credit

Students may transfer a maximum of 12 credits into the Master in Health Administration program from graduate courses taken at other institutions or taken at Mason in non-degree status. Transfer credit is subject to university  and college policies and must be approved by the program director and the dean. Students who enroll initially through non-degree studies should seek course advising through the department and should submit their application to the Master in Health Administration program in their first semester of study.

Program Format

The program schedule is geared toward working professionals. The usual schedule for students involves part-time study, comprising two classes (6 credits) per semester. Classes are held primarily in evenings, with some Saturday daytime classes. Selected courses also are available via the Internet.

Degree Requirements


The program of study comprises 46 - 47 credits: required courses (40 - 44 credits) and elective courses (3 - 6 credits). International students whose scores on the English Language Tests are below the thresholds required by the program  are required to take EAP 508 - Graduate Communication in the Disciplines III  (Credits: 4) in their first semester of study. As a result, their elective requirement will be reduced from 6 to 3 credits. This will increase the degree requirements for these students from 46 to 47 credits.

Total: 46 - 47 credits


English Language Test Score Thresholds


International students whose scores on the English Language Tests are below the thresholds required by the program must take EAP 508 - Graduate Communication in the Disciplines III  (Credits: 4) in their first semester of study with a grade of B (3.0) or better.

  TOEFL IBT Overall: 100 Listening: 24     Reading: 26     Writing: 24     Speaking: 23  
  TOEFL PBT Overall: 610 Listening: 59     Reading: 60     Writing: 62      
  TOEFL CBT Overall: 253 Listening: 24     Reading: 25     Writing: 26     Speaking: N/A      
  PTE Overall: 65+ Subsections: 68+  
  IELTS Overall: 7 Listening: 7       Reading: 6.5    Writing: 7       Speaking: 6.5   

Master’s International


The Master of Health Administration in Health Systems Management program at George Mason University participates in the Peace Corps Master’s International (MI) program. For students enrolled in the Health Systems Management MHA degree program and in the Peace Corp/MI program, the Office of the Provost will provide funding for 6 credits upon the student’s return from their volunteer service. In order for the tuition support to be applied, a representative from the graduate degree program must provide proof of volunteer service completion for the student. 

Students apply separately, but at the same time, to the Peace Corps and to Mason. Students are special registered at Mason for the four semesters they are serving in the Peace Corps and participate remotely in classroom activities, working on an agreed-upon project and sharing experiences with HAP students and faculty. Students return to Mason after their two years of service to complete the remaining course work required for the program.

Students must apply and be admitted to the Master of Health Administration in Health Systems Management program using the standard online Application for Graduate Admissions and are encouraged to apply simultaneously to the Peace Corps. Once admitted to the MHA program, and offered a Peace Corps assignment, students should contact the Chair of the Department of Health Administration and Policy to discuss a program plan. Students admitted to the master’s program but waiting for notification of acceptance from the Peace Corps may begin their master’s program but will not be eligible for a tuition grant until they have been accepted into the Peace Corps and have returned from their volunteer service. For more information about the Master’s International program, visit their website at www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whyvol.eduben.mastersint.partschool