Finding accredited Master’s in Health Administration degrees in Maine along the northernmost edge of New England is easier than you might think. Despite being the least densely populated state west of the Mississippi, Maine has three great higher learning institutions within its borders providing five training options for future healthcare managers. The “Pine Tree State” also offers access to unparalleled job opportunities leading at regionally ranked organizations like the Maine Medical Center, Mid Coast Hospital, and Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital. It’s expected that there will be an increased demand for healthcare through 2022, so Maine will be adding to its 1,800 health administration jobs. Aspiring managers can start building the skills for this in-demand profession at one of the following colleges in Maine.
Kaplan University
School of Health Sciences
First founded in 1937 as the American Institute of Commerce, Kaplan University is a large private for-profit distance learning institution accredited to serve more than 43,000 students online and at 11 select campuses nationwide. Kaplan is owned by Graham Holdings Company to provide associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees with open admissions from its main headquarters in Davenport, Iowa. The U.S. News and World Report recognized Kaplan for having the 79th best online bachelor’s programs in America. In the School of Health Sciences, students can receive career-oriented training for entering the fast-growing medical field.
Master of Health Care Administration
Designed with flexibility in mind, the Master of Health Care Administration program at Kaplan is available fully online to fit the schedules of busy working adults. With convenient start dates every month, the 52-credit program trains graduate students for advancing into managerial leadership in health delivery systems. The curriculum is continually evaluated by experienced industry leaders to ensure students are building the management style required for the 21st century. Courses will span over a breadth of topics, including organizational behavior, statistics, economics, financial management, human resources, health policy, legal ethics, marketing, information systems, and quality improvement. Graduates will be prepared to serve as medical and health services managers in any setting.
Master of Public Health
Kaplan offers a regionally accredited Master of Public Health program for graduate students with a bachelor’s degree to further their knowledge on community-based health issues to seek leadership in government, non-profit, and private organizations. Students explore the five major public health principles for developing health initiatives and policies that will protect the wellness of our globe’s diverse communities. The 56-credit curriculum will cover public health biology, health behavior, health policy, ethics, disaster management, epidemiology, community health assessment, occupational safety, and chronic disease prevention. All courses can be completed online with the university’s flexible eight-week sessions. The program culminates with an applied public health capstone research project.
MBA in Health Care Management
Featuring a 76-credit curriculum built on real-world international business case studies, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Kaplan is offered for graduate students from business or non-business backgrounds to develop the strategic mindset for leadership. The program allows students to take four or five electives in a chosen specialization area. Those who select Health Care Management will focus on the managerial capabilities needed to spearhead effective health delivery operations with optimal patient privacy. The specialization will contain courses in quality assessment, health policy, health care marketing, and international epidemiology. In the final term, MBA students will be challenged to produce a capstone portfolio showing their leadership competencies in complex health systems.
Accreditations
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
Kaplan University – Augusta
14 Marketplace Drive
Augusta, ME 04330
(207) 213-2500
http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu/augusta-maine.aspx
Kaplan University – Lewiston
475 Lisbon Street
Lewiston, ME 04240
(207) 333-3300
http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu/lewiston-maine.aspx
Kaplan University – South Portland
265 Western Avenue
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 774-6126
http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu/south-portland-maine.aspx
University of New England
School of Public Health
Situated on a beautiful 540-acre suburban campus in Biddeford where the Saco River meets the rocky Atlantic coast, the University of New England enrolls more than 8,000 students annually as a premier private non-profit regional institution. It’s perhaps best known for housing the New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. According to the U.S. News and World Report, UNE is the 83rd best college and 61st top school for veterans in the North. As the only CEPH-accredited division in Maine, the School of Public Health is committed to provide quality training centered on resolving rural health disparities and preventing chronic illness.
Master of Public Health
Delivered in a fully online format with no required visits to Biddeford, the Master of Public Health (MPH) program gives UNE graduate students the valuable chance to enhance their skills for promoting improved health among vulnerable global communities. The 46-credit program can be completed either full-time or part-time in just 18 months from anywhere with high-speed Internet access. From a flexible generalist approach, the curriculum covers a breadth of knowledge in global health, epidemiology, biostatistics, program planning, ethics, public policy, behavioral health, community assessment, and health law. All MPH candidates will complete two public health practicum experiences in their local community. Graduates will have the competency to lead successful public health initiatives for preventing disease.
Accreditations
Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
11 Hills Beach Road
Biddeford, ME 04005
(207) 283-0171
publichealth@une.edu
http://online.une.edu/public-health/master/
University of Southern Maine
Muskie School of Public Service
Enrolling more than 9,800 students, the University of Southern Maine is a multi-site public research institution based on a main 142-acre urban campus in the state’s largest city of Portland with satellite locations in Gorham and Lewiston. Featuring a low student-faculty ratio of 15:1 for personalized attention, USM has been listed among the Princeton Review’s “Best in the Northeast” colleges for over 10 years. The Muskie School of Public Service is acclaimed for being the 104th best public affairs school nationwide by the U.S. News and World Report. Its CAHME-accredited health management track also ranks 57th in America.
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Students pursuing the Master of Public Health (MPH) through USM’s Muskie School will be prepared with the practical knowledge and skills to help resolve today’s complex population health challenges. Although the program is multi-disciplinary in nation, there’s an optional Health Management Specialization offered for graduates seeking administrative roles in coordinating healthcare. The competency-based curriculum requires the completion of at least 44 credits either full-time or part-time. Most courses are scheduled conveniently in the late afternoon and evening, but some are streamed via the Internet. MPH students will apply their practiced skills at a local public health agency through one fieldwork experience and an integrative capstone. There are also graduate certificates in Health Policy and Management or Public Health.
Accreditations
Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
96 Falmouth Street
Portland, ME 04103
(207) 780-4847
eliseb@usm.maine.edu
http://usm.maine.edu/muskie/mph-public-health-0
As the price tag of graduate school continues rising, earning a master’s degree related to health administration is becoming a big investment. It may seem counterintuitive, but investing in this extra step of advanced education can pay off tremendously. Graduates with an MHA or similar degree are able to become senior-level medical and health services managers. According to the BLS, health administrators bring home an average six-figure salary of $103,680 annually. Whether the master’s program will be completed in two years full-time or four years part-time, the effort will be rewarded with expanded leadership options in a thriving medical field. Take your career to the next level by attending one of these accredited Master’s in Health Administration degrees in Maine.
Another excellent resource:
Top 10 Best Online Masters in Health Administration Degrees
