Hunting for Master’s in Health Administration degrees in New Mexico isn’t difficult. Two of the state’s accredited universities combine for four top-notch health administration programs. As America’s fifth largest state, New Mexico stands as a desert oasis for great economic opportunity. Generating over $80 billion, New Mexico’s economy has strong federal government presence and a thriving healthcare sector. Health administration majors benefit from training in nearly 60 hospitals, including Presbyterian Hospital, University of New Mexico Hospital, and Lovelace Women’s Hospital. New Mexico currently employs 2,170 health services managers with an annual yearly salary of $98,060. Climb the ladder into this growing workforce by considering the following master’s degrees in health administration for New Mexicans.
National American University
Harold D. Buckingham Graduate School
After earning HLC-NCA accreditation in 1985, National American University grew into an publicly traded, for-profit higher learning institution serving the Midwest from its headquarters in Rapid City, South Dakota. Educating approximately 7,500 students, NAU operates 33 locations, including two conveniently in New Mexico’s most populous city of Albuquerque. Around 53 percent of NAU’s student body studies online through the Desire2Learn platform. Deemed a “Military Friendly” college since 2012, the Harold D. Buckingham Graduate School awards master’s degrees ranging from accounting and entrepreneurship to criminal justice management and health care administration.
Master of Business Administration: Emphasis in Health Care Administration
At the Albuquerque campuses or wholly online from rural New Mexico, the Master of Business Administration program is available from the NAU Graduate School. Fully IACBE accredited, the program allows students to select 13.5 hours of elective credit in a specialized emphasis. There are nine emphases offered, including Health Care Administration. Constructed on a broad business core, this program incorporates the leadership to assume fiscal, personnel, political, legal, and regulatory control over health organizations. Around 60 percent of students finish the master’s degree within 14 months. Access to supportive faculty, financial aid, and learning resources is simplified. MBA graduates are well-positioned to become medical service managers and chief executives for coordinating effective, profitable patient care.
Master of Management: Emphasis in Health Care Administration
NAU’s Master of Management takes a “big picture” approach to preparing graduate students to make strategic decisions that spark organizational success. Management majors are trained to analyze key finance, marketing, HR, supply chain, sales, and operations viewpoints for holistic leadership. Within the 45-credit curriculum, students can follow the General track or specialize in 11 emphases, including Health Care Administration. Picking the HCA route will include courses in health policy, health services regulation, health finance, and global health. Aspiring health administrators can complete a master’s thesis or choose 13.5 hours of electives. The 14-month program ensures graduates demonstrate the ability to operate in global business through case studies, group projects, and a capstone.
Accreditations
International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
NAU Albuquerque-East
4775 Indian School Road NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
(505) 348-3700
albadmissions@national.edu
NAU Albuquerque-West
10131 Coors Blvd. NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114
(505) 348-3750
rioadmissions@national.edu.
http://www.national.edu/programs/roueche-graduate-center-2/masters/
University of New Mexico
School of Public Administration
Endowed for $403 million, the University of New Mexico is the state’s flagship public, co-educational RU/VH research institution educating around 27,300 students from its main 600-acre urban campus in Albuquerque and extensions from Los Lunas to Gallup. Ranked 74th in the South by Forbes, UNM is America’s 180th best college and 100th top public school according to the U.S. News. Twice, the UNM Hospitals have placed within the top 10 health systems nationally by Diversity Inc. The School of Public Administration is also lauded as the country’s 86th best graduate public affairs department.
Master of Health Administration (MHA)
Created in 2013, the Master of Health Administration (MHA) is a selective graduate program enrolling 20 students every Fall who already hold mid-level healthcare experience. Students are trained with the clinical leadership skills required to become well-informed health executives and policy advisors. Particular emphasis is given to the Southwest’s need to provide diverse, rural healthcare, especially to Hispanics. Concentrations are available for Hospital/Clinic Administration or Minority Health. The 48-credit curriculum features one semester-long field practicum and a strategic capstone project. Advanced coursework delves into institutional development, health governance, economics, finance, public policy, border health, managerial epidemiology, and health law. Full-time graduate assistantships are available for MHA students to waive nine hours of tuition.
Master of Public Administration (MPA) – Health Policy and Administration Concentration
Fully accredited by the NASPAA, the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at UNM is designed for graduate students striving for management or policymaking positions within public or nonprofit organizations. The 42-credit curriculum builds on core coursework in public policy, program evaluation, organizational behavior, public budgeting, personnel management, and research methods. Students then select 15 credits from three MPA concentrations, including Health Policy and Administration. This interdisciplinary track focuses on producing executive-level professionals capable of leading governmental health systems. Admission occurs every Fall and Spring for bachelor’s graduates with a minimum 3.0 GPA. High-achieving students can join New Mexico’s Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society for added development activities.
Accreditations
National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Social Sciences Room 3022
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131
(505) 277-1092
spadvise@unm.edu
http://spa.unm.edu/academic-programs/index.html
Healthcare is the United States’ second largest employer with over 11 million workers. There’s a great demand for skilled leaders to help manage personnel and services in the healthcare arena. According to the U.S. News and World Report, health services managers have the #6 best business job. Above-average job growth by 17 percent means 56,300 new administrative positions will open before 2025. From rural clinics to major teaching hospitals, the “Land of Enchantment” has endless opportunities for graduates in health administration. Attending any of these Master’s in Health Administration degrees in New Mexico will give you the business acumen to make decisions improving thousands of patients’ lives.
Related:
Top 10 Best Online Masters in Health Administration Degree Programs
