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Master of Health Care Administration F.A.Q.

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What will an M.H.A. degree do for me?

A graduate degree provides opportunity! The entry-level requirement for a management position within the health care industry is a master's degree. Many of our students currently work in health care, but they desire to move into a management position-the M.H.A. degree will provide them this opportunity. For students with limited health care experience, or those looking to transition their career into health care, an M.H.A. degree can supplement their academic and professional experience by providing an introduction to health care delivery system and an opportunity to fine tune their business and leadership skills.
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Is an M.H.A. degree right for me? What about an M.B.A.?

If your career goals include leadership or management within the health care system, then the M.H.A. is a great option. If you currently work, or plan to work, in the health care industry (hospital, health system, clinic, long-term care facility, insurance company, etc.) then you should learn as much as you can about it, right? An M.H.A. degree is a focused business degree for health services managers and leaders. An M.B.A. will provide you with a business education that focuses upon for-profit organizations and private companies. If your goal is to leave health care for another industry, then an M.B.A. or other graduate degree may be the right choice for you. DMU does not have an M.B.A. degree.
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Is the M.H.A. degree available entirely online?

Yes, the entire M.H.A. degree can be completed online. All core M.H.A. courses are offered online at least once every two years. Most core courses are available at least once per year. The internship and capstone experiences can be completed within or near your community. While you don't have to come to DMU, you are welcome to visit for a tour, to meet your advisor or to participate in graduation! Learn more about online classes.
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How do online/on-campus courses work? What are the differences and similarities?

All core courses in the M.H.A. program are offered in both online and on campus formats. You can complete the degree entirely online, entirely on campus or a combination of both.

Students choose their course format for a variety of reasons; schedule, convenience, learning style or course subject to name just a few. The course outcomes for each course format are the same, often with the same faculty teaching both versions of the course.

The on-campus courses are schedule in the evenings and on weekends. Evening classes meet one night per week. Weekend classes meet Friday evening and all day Saturday; an average of once per month (for a 3 credit course).

Online courses have specific start dates and end dates with specific assignment due dates, but you set your own schedule for when you complete the coursework. You can participate in online courses at 3 a.m. or 11 p.m. whatever time is convenient for your schedule.

There are differences between course formats and students often say that online coursework involves more reading and writing than on-campus courses as the way to communicate with students and faculty online is through the written word. The on-campus courses are very discussion driven with spontaneous conversation between students, faculty and guest lecturers. The benefits and drawbacks to each format are different for each individual. The flexibility of earning your M.H.A. within your schedule while maintaining your professional and personal life balances any drawbacks for the majority of students.
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What is the difference between the M.H.A. and M.P.H. programs?

The degree program you choose depends on how you see yourself fitting into the health care system. The kind of work you do - or would like to do - will influence your degree path. Each program offers a distinct course of study. The M.H.A. Program emphasizes effective management and responsible oversight within the health care delivery system. The M.P.H. program focuses on identifying, resolving, and preventing health problems that affect communities and populations. Beyond these foundations, both programs challenge students to lead their organizations toward satisfying the future wants and needs of their communities.

Simply put, an M.H.A. Program emphasizes the history, organization and professional make-up of the health care system and develops the business skills for the student to manage or lead health care organizations and cope with the changes as dictated by society, the economy, public policy and the industry itself. Successfully managing within health care demands knowledge of what makes this industry so unique. It isn't that most health care facilities or organizations are non-profit entities, or that they employ a vast number of uniquely licensed professionals that makes it so unique. Perhaps it is the value that our society places on life and nursing back to health those who are ill. In essence the M.H.A. is a business degree that focuses on the intricacies of the health care industry and prepares students to lead their organizations to meet, and even exceed, the needs of their communities.

An M.P.H. degree is different. Public health takes a different view of health care-typically a more broad, community perspective. It focuses on identifying, resolving and preventing health problems that affect communities and populations. The DMU M.P.H. program is based upon nationally recognized, entry-level competencies that address changing health behaviors, the delivery of services in a culturally sensitive manner, service delivery with limited funding and protecting the environment and ensuring the safety of homes, workplaces and food and water supplies.
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Why earn a dual M.H.A./M.P.H. degree? When can I apply for a dual degree?

There is naturally some overlap between the M.H.A. and M.P.H. programs. One of our objectives is to mesh the principles of public health - intervention and prevention - with traditional health services management.

Along with sharing some course work, both programs build upon a growing awareness that prevention and community health, when integrated into the health care delivery system, offer the greatest potential for optimal health. Traditional health care (treatment of an isolated, single patient) is becoming an event of the past. The new system of delivering care needs to be built on a model that blends the fields of health care administration (designing and managing systems to deliver efficient and effective health care) and public health (a team-, data-, population-, and community-based focus). A dual M.H.A./M.P.H. degree prepares students to respond and succeed within the new demands of the system.

You will need to choose a primary program to begin your coursework at DMU. After successfully completing a minimum of 9 credit hours in your primary program (M.H.A. or M.P.H.) with a GPA of 3.0 or above, you may complete the application for admission consideration for the second program. You should plan to be in close contact with your faculty advisor if applying for the dual degree option.
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What if I don't have a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) cumulative grade point average? Will I be considered for admission?

The program has a recommended GPA of 3.0. Students who have a GPA below a 3.0 are carefully reviewed, and may be considered for admission. Each individual application is reviewed for the student's ability to be successful within the program.
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Do I need to submit GMAT or GRE scores?

The program does not require submission of graduate testing scores (GMAT or GRE).
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What kind of undergraduate degree do I need to qualify for admission?

We accept a bachelor's degree in any field from a regionally accredited college or university. For the Early Admission M.H.A. Program, no degree is required for applicants.
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Can I transfer credits from another program or receive credit for a previously earned master's degree?

Upon request, faculty will review previously earned graduate credit for transfer.
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I have a full-time job and a family. Is it really possible for me to work toward a graduate degree?

Most of our students work full-time, have families and many other commitments outside of school. The non-traditional structure of the M.H.A. program (evening/weekend on-campus courses, online courses and full- or part-time attendance) provides a great deal of flexibility to students in completing the program. On average, students complete 6 credit hours or two courses each term. Course calendars are available to allow students to plan their schedules around courses they need. Finally, faculty has an understanding of the demands on adult students and work with them to meet the requirements of the curriculum.
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How long does it take to complete the M.H.A. degree program?

As a part-time student, taking an average of 6 credit hours a trimester, year-round, you can complete the program in less than 3 years. Full-time students, taking an average of 9 credit hours a trimester, year-round, can complete the program in less than 2 years. It is important to note that your ability to complete the degree within this timeframe is dependent on when you start the program, how many credits are taken each trimester and your flexibility to take courses when they are offered. You have up to seven years after your date of acceptance to complete all degree requirements.
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I noticed that there is an internship requirement for M.H.A. students. How can I complete this requirement and still work?

Students in the Master of Health Care Administration Program are required to complete an internship. This experience is completed as an independent study where the student works with an M.H.A. internship coordinator and an outside preceptor to develop the goals and objectives of the experience. The internship schedule is developed by the student, approved by the preceptor and coordinator and can be completed within up to a year from the date the student is registered for the course. The course flexibility was designed to allow students to complete a field experience while accommodating their work schedule and family obligations.
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Do you accept international students?

To be eligible to take courses on campus within the M.H.A. or M.P.H. programs, you must either be a U.S. Citizen or legal Permanent Resident (students with a Permanent Residency Pending status are not eligible for admission). International students, if admitted, are eligible to take courses online only. The entire degree of study is available in the online format. Learn more about international student admissions here.
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When is the application deadline?

All application documents must be received by Des Moines University by the posted deadlines to eligible for admission for the upcoming term. Applicants must plan to allow for adequate time for application materials to arrive at Des Moines University. Once an admission decision is finalized, students should be prepared to begin financial aid paperwork immediately.

International graduates should plan to allow more time for the application process especially if the international transcripts will need to be evaluated.
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Term Application Deadline Notification of Admission Decision Registration Deadline Term Start Date
Spring 2011 October 4, 2010 Mid October 2010 December 27, 2010 January 10, 2011
Summer 2011 March 1, 2011 Mid March 2011 May 23, 2011 June 6, 2011
Fall 2011 May 30, 2011 Mid June 2011 August 15, 2011 August 22, 2011

More questions?

Contact us and we will get back to you with an answer.
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