If you are searching for accredited Master’s in Health Administration degree programs in Arkansas, then you will be happy to find out that there are many educational and professional opportunities available for students seeking to become leaders in the state’s thriving health sector. Situated in the south-central region of the United States with repute for being a “poor banjo-picking state,” Arkansas is ranked as the 2nd least healthy state in the nation by the United Health Foundation. As a result, there is a growing demand for qualified healthcare leaders to address the state’s rising obesity rates from physical inactivity, growing prevalence of smoking, dropping immunization rates among adolescents, and limited availability of physicians. In order to receive the accredited training to join the forefront of the public health field in the “Natural State,” the following is a look at the accredited health administration degree programs that call Arkansas home.
Arkansas Tech University
College of Natural & Health Sciences
Since being founded in 1909, Arkansas Tech University has become one of the fastest-growing comprehensive public research institutions in the state on its 559-acre rural campus in Russellville along Lake Dardanelle with a satellite location in the heart of the Ozarks. Recognized for being the most affordable higher learning option among the top five universities in Arkansas, Tech is home to more than 11,300 students in a diverse community of learners. Within the College of Natural & Health Sciences, there are a variety of high-quality educational experiences available for students wishing to major in biological sciences, health sciences, mathematics, physical sciences, or science education.
B.S. in Health Information Management
Boasting a recent 100% pass rate among graduates who sat for the national RHIA credentialing examination, the B.S. in Health Information Management program is designed to prepare undergraduate students for a professional career in the world of health record systems by becoming an active member of the modern healthcare team. Based upon the Code of Ethics of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), the curriculum aims to produce progressive, conscientious, knowledgeable, and cooperative professionals who have the expertise to direct the information hubs of traditional or non-traditional healthcare facilities for delivering accurate patient health data. Students will be required to complete a professional field practicum at an affiliated hospital for six hours each week during the fall and spring semesters of the senior year.
Accreditations
Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
402 West O Street
Russellville, AR 72801
(479) 968-0690
mwilkins@atu.edu
http://www.atu.edu/biosciences/
Harding University
Paul R. Carter College of Business Administration
As a four-year comprehensive private Christian liberal arts institution with an outstanding academic reputation, Harding University is home to more than 7,100 students on its 350-acre suburban campus in Searcy within central Arkansas. Well-known for being among the nation’s leaders in the admission of high-achieving National Merit Scholars, Harding is currently ranked as the 22nd best college and 3rd top value school in the South by the U.S. News and World Report. Rooted in the university’s affiliation with the Church of Christ, the Paul R. Carter College of Business Administration educates business students from a distinctively Christian perspective to produce leaders with strong moral convictions.
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) – Health Care Management Concentration
Established with the mission of preparing Christian business professionals with a good understanding of business principles to assume leadership roles in church, family, and community for lives of service, the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program has been fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) for teaching excellence in the classroom. After completing the liberal arts base, students have the freedom to select a Health Care Management Concentration, which will focus on essential knowledge and skills that are needed to find success in administrative positions in leading the delivery of quality patient healthcare services in diverse health settings. Students must complete at least 128 hours with a field practicum experience to graduate from the BBA program.
Master of Business Administration (MBA) – Health Care Management Concentration
Built upon a biblical and value-oriented foundation that incorporates issues of ethics with global awareness, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is available at Harding to qualified graduate business students who are interested in advancing their God-given talents with strategic business skills that are needed to make a difference in our world. In addition to competitions, business clubs, service projects, seminars, international trips, career fairs, and other leadership experiences, the MBA program offers the opportunity to select a Health Care Management Concentration to focus electives on blending business concepts with clinical practice. Students can also choose to complete the 42-credit program on-campus at the university’s various locations or fully online from anywhere.
Accreditations
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
915 East Market Avenue
Searcy, AR 72149
(501) 279-4240
coba@harding.edu
http://www.harding.edu/business
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health
Featuring 64 bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degree programs, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is the state’s sole public academic health sciences institution with an urban main campus in the heart of the capital city in Little Rock and a regional campus in northwest Arkansas. With nearly $130 million in total research funding, UAMS is ranked as the 84th best medical school for research in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. Furthermore, the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health is highly regarded for having the 54th best healthcare management and 30th top public health programs in America.
Master of Health Administration (MHA)
As the only program in Arkansas to receive accreditation by the CAHME for excellence in healthcare management education, the Master of Health Administration (MHA) program has a long tradition of preparing graduate students for leadership careers as healthcare administrators to become involved in the financing, insuring, provision, and regulation of health services. With a developmentally structured curriculum, the 51-credit program can be completed in as little as 21 months by full-time students or up to three and a half years by part-time students in convenient evening courses. In order to expose students to real-world issues facing senior-level management of healthcare organizations, the program is strongly focused on providing the optimal blend between traditional classroom instruction and experiential learning in the administrative offices of healthcare facilities.
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Available with six specialty tracks in Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Environmental and Occupational Health, Health Behavior and Health Education, Health Policy and Management, or Rural Public Health Practice, the Master of Public Health (MPH) program is designed to prepare graduate students in the art and science of preventing the occurrence of disease for improved well-being. Unlike other public health programs focused on individuals, this program is constructed to emphasize promoting health and wellness as ultimate goals for larger groups, especially among at-risk vulnerable populations. Within the 42-credit program, students are required to complete at least 200 clock hours of work in a public health-related setting.
Accreditations
Commission on Accreditation Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
4301 West Markham, Mail Slot #820
Little Rock, AR 72205
(501) 526-6600
rjault@uams.edu
http://publichealth.uams.edu/academics/masters/
Earning a degree in health administration can be the perfect option for students who have received the calling to help coordinate the delivery of patient healthcare services to improve wellness in the fast-paced healthcare sector. Whether you are a native Arkansan or are considering moving to the “Land of Opportunity,” make sure you further investigate these accredited Master’s in Health Administration degree programs in Arkansas to get started on a rewarding career in the growing health executive role.
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