Curriculum and Competencies — MHA | Des Moines University

Q: Transformation and Innovation

Change Management and Leadership Lead and support organizational transformation by communicating change, engaging stakeholders, navigating uncertainty and sustaining commitment to outcomes. Innovation and Improvement Thinking Develop or apply creative solutions, including emerging technologies, to improve health care systems, processes and outcomes.

Q: Population Health and Equity

Population Health and Health Equity Identify and address population health needs, including social determinants of health and equity considerations.

Q: Professionalism and Ethics

Professional and Social Responsibility Demonstrate honesty, accountability, transparency and adherence to professional standards, along with a commitment to social responsibility. Law and Ethics Understand legal and regulatory statutes relevant to the health care system.

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Coursework That’s Flexible and Focused

The Master of Health Care Administration program at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences offers flexible enrollment options, allowing you to complete your degree in as little as two years.

The academic calendar is organized into five 8-week terms, making it easy to balance coursework with professional and personal commitments.

You’ll complete 47 total credit hours across 17 courses, including:

44 credit hours of academic coursework
A 3-credit field-based learning or long-term care internship

Competency-Driven Curriculum

The DMU MHA program is designed to prepare you for leadership roles across a variety of health care settings. The curriculum emphasizes:

Competency development in health care management
Interprofessional education and experience
Preparation for entry to mid-level leadership positions in the health sector

Competency Model

The DMU Health Care Administration Competency Model was designed to prepare early- to mid-career health care professionals to enter leadership and management roles. This model was created in 2026 to meet the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow’s health care needs.

The model was created by consulting with students, alumni, preceptors and health care leaders about the skills that DMU MHA graduates need to possess to be successful.

The competency model consists of the following domains, each of which addresses a set of essential competencies:

Communication and Relationships

Communication (Written and Oral)

Effectively communicate in written and spoken formats to build shared understanding and support decision-making.

Collaboration and Teamwork

Collaborate with individuals and teams, including interprofessional and cross-functional groups, to achieve shared goals.

Stakeholder and Relationship Management

Build, maintain and leverage relationships with diverse stakeholders through influence, conflict resolution and negotiation.

Critical Thinking and Analysis

Data-Informed Decision Making

Select and apply appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative data, analysis, interpretation and presentation approaches to support organizational decision-making.

Strategic Thinking

Consider long-term, system-level implications and develop forward-looking strategies aligned with organizational goals.

Problem Solving

Define problems, identify root causes, evaluate alternatives and implement effective solutions.

Business Literacy, Leadership and Management

Leadership Development and Human Resources

Develop strategies that support recruitment, retention and well-being to achieve workforce sustainability and organizational goals.

Organizational Systems and Governance

Demonstrate knowledge of health care systems, payment models, organizational structures and policy environments that shape decision-making.

Financial and Resource Management

Apply financial principles, budgeting and resource allocation to support organizational sustainability.

Project and Operations Management

Plan, execute and oversee projects and operational processes to achieve defined outcomes.

Information Systems and Data Governance

Evaluate and apply technologies, information systems and ethical data governance principles to improve operations and decision-making.

Quality and Performance Improvement

Design, implement and evaluate continuous quality and performance improvement initiatives.

Transformation and Innovation

Population Health and Equity

Professionalism and Ethics

Competency Proficiency Targets

Beginning: Demonstrates awareness and initial application of the competency with regular coaching, support, feedback and supervision.
Progressing: Demonstrates growing proficiency in applying the competency and performs with increasing independence while benefiting from intermittent coaching and feedback
Competent: Demonstrates professional level application of the competency, performs independently in typical practice settings and appropriately seeks guidance, collaboration and feedback when needed

Grading Policies

Assessments throughout the MHA program are graded with rubrics that clearly inform students of their performance strengths and weaknesses. All assignments are scored on a typical 0-100% scale. Student competence is evaluated as follows:

Below 70%: Student did not demonstrate competence
70-80%: Competency met 70-80%
80-90%: Competency met 80-90%
90-100%: Competency met 90-100%

Percentage is also tied to a letter grade, following the MPH/MHA grading policy.

Length of Program

The MHA program offers flexible enrollment, allowing students to earn their degree in as little as two years. Its calendar is based on five 8-week terms. Students earn 47 total credit hours in 19 courses — 44 academic course credit hours and a required three-credit-hour Field Based Learning or Long Term Care Internship. This required class is to be completed in-person, at an organization of the student’s choice, including any current places of employment.

Interprofessional Experiences

Online Seminars and Development

Students participate in seminars that connect them with other members of the health care industry. Within these teams, students collaborate to address issues, solve problems and enhance real-world organizations with their work.

Expand Your Impact with Dual Degrees

MHA + Clinical Dual Degree

Students enrolled in DMU’s clinical programs (DO, DPM, DPT, OTD) may be eligible for a dual degree option leading to a Master of Health Care Administration.

This pathway allows students to combine clinical expertise with administrative leadership, enhancing patient care and career opportunities.

Interested students typically apply during the first year of their primary clinical program.

MHA + MPH

Students in the MHA program may also pursue a dual degree with a Master of Public Health. Faculty guide students toward culminating experiences that allow them to use both the MPH and MHA competencies and skills.

To apply, you must first complete nine semester hours in the MHA program.

The dual curriculum includes overlapping credits, requiring a total of 78 semester hours to complete both degrees.

Current DMU students can apply through the DMU Direct Application — no need to resubmit transcripts or test scores, as these are retrieved from the DMU Registrar’s Office.

University Partnerships

DMU partners with select universities and colleges in the health sciences, allowing eligible students to begin MHA coursework during their undergraduate studies and apply approved credits toward both degrees.

Curriculum and Competencies — MHA