For aspiring healthcare administrators, taking classes in an MHA program may be a key factor for attaining a higher level of employment with greater management responsibilities. Due in part to increases in the nationwide demand for medical services, faster than average growth is anticipated for healthcare management positions over the next decade. Therefore, job candidates with appropriate credentials can choose from a wider array of employment possibilities with good salaries and career advancement opportunities. By holding an MHA from an accredited program, prospective job applicants have a strategic, employment advantage for attaining competitive, administrative healthcare positions.
Relationship between an MHA and Administrative Responsibilities
When first starting their careers, future healthcare administrators will usually hold a bachelor’s degree from nursing, public health, or management backgrounds, and their entry-level jobs may involve minimal supervision over staff and resources. With experience and hard work, management tasks may increase along with job opportunities. For example, floor nurses may move into charge nurse positions with greater personnel and program responsibilities. Progressing to the next level as a nursing supervisor, however, may require obtaining an MHA. Holding an MHA often correlates with promotions to administrative positions because employers equate a master’s degree with possessing advanced skill and expertise in the field. Professionals with an MHA are more likely to assume broader healthcare management responsibilities over resources, personnel, hospital systems, medical departments and inter-agency programs.
Choosing Accredited Master of Health Administration Programs
Master of Health Administration programs, should first and foremost be accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). CAHME sets high standards for the healthcare management field and approves programs that provide coursework focusing on advanced study of trending healthcare management issues. CAHME oversees curriculum content and suggests the appropriate course of study for all professional master’s degree programs in healthcare management education. As a result, graduates of accredited MHA programs possess higher level skills to lead staff, develop new programs and maintain cutting edge healthcare systems.
Common Classes for an MHA Degree
Based on CAHME’s standards for professional master’s degrees, classes in an MHA program will generally reflect studies about topics such as:
- Current medical terminology and database coding application
- Adaptations to healthcare technology practices
- Management and innovation of health information systems
- Staffing practices, staff training and human resources management
- Health economics, resource utilization and financial management
- Accounting methods and billing procedures
- Strategic planning, scheduling and hospital organization
- Protocols for legal action and ethical behavior
- Services promotion and corporate communication
- Patient-centric care and family communication
- Community wellness outreach and fundraising activities
Since accredited programs are most often geared towards working professionals, classes are typically offered in a variety of formats to accommodate work schedules. Formats most often include a hybrid approach, with some classes presented online and others scheduled in the evenings on a rotating basis. Completion of an MHA usually ranges between 18-30 months depending on a candidate’s prior experience and degree background.
MHA graduates are well positioned to take advantage of numerous career advancement opportunities in the competitive, healthcare administration field. Interested healthcare workers, desiring to improve the quality of healthcare services by taking on greater job responsibilities, should consider seeking graduate degrees from accredited institutions offering classes in an MHA program.
