Healthcare Administration, M.H.A.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Master’s curriculum, the new graduate will be able to:

• Analyze data that encompasses leading causes of mortality, morbidity, and health disparities among local, regional, and global populations that impact population health and associated healthcare organizations.
• Create evidence based solutions aimed at improving cost, access, and quality of care.
• Evaluate the internal and external environmental factors (social, cultural, economic, and political) impacting the strategic management of healthcare organizations.
• Assess the impact of legal, ethical, economic, and regulatory dimensions of healthcare and public health policy.
• Apply appropriate communication strategies based on communication goals and audience characteristics.
• Design strategic planning initiatives that incorporate financial analysis, human capital management, operational improvement, marketing, and legal/regulatory compliance based upon knowledge of current literature and industry best practices.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the master in healthcare administration must seek admission to the UNCW Graduate School. For admission to a graduate degree program at the University of North Carolina - Wilmington, applicants must (1) hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in this country or its equivalent in a foreign institution with a strong overall academic record as demonstrated by a B average or better. Candidates with an academic record lower than a B average in their undergraduate area of study with healthcare experience who believe they would be successful in the MHA program can submit the MHA program’s request for provisional acceptance for evaluation. The graduate coordinator, based on this review, will determine if provisional acceptance will be granted. Equivalency of international baccalaureate degrees will be determined from a course-by-course transcript evaluation submitted to the Graduate School from a NACES (naces.org) approved agency; (2) meet additional admission requirement(s) as outlined by the graduate program.

Part-time Study for MHA Programs

Students may enroll part-time. Each student will work with their advisor in designing a part-time program of study. Students who are enrolled full-time and find it necessary to change their status to part-time will develop a part-time program of study with their advisor. The program must be completed in five (5) years from initial enrollment into the graduate program.

Degree Requirements (48 credit hours)

A total of forty-eight (48) graduate credit hours is required for the Master of Healthcare Administration degree.

A total of six (6) credit hours of transfer credit may be accepted with approval from the graduate coordinator. In addition, candidates with healthcare experience who would like to request a waiver of the HCA 593/594 practicum courses can submit the MHA program’s request for waiver for evaluation. The graduate coordinator, or designated core MHA faculty, will review the request and supporting documentation. The graduate coordinator, based on this review, will determine if a waiver will be granted. 

With the exception of six approved transfer credits, all non-practicum courses must be completed at UNCW.  An MHA student must earn a “B” or better in each required course. If a student earns a “C”, they must repeat the course and must earn a “B” or better to progress. A student will only be allowed to repeat each course one time. A student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to progress through the program. Students with documented extenuating circumstances can request an exception by contacting the graduate coordinator.

The program has no language requirement.

Required Courses for 48 Hour Curriculum

• HCA 500 - Introduction to Healthcare Management Credit Hours: 3
• HCA 501 - Healthcare Systems Credit Hours: 3
• HCA 502 - Managing Human Capital in Healthcare Credit Hours: 3
• HCA 503 - Operations Management and Quality Assessment for Health Organizations Credit Hours: 3
• HCA 504 - Healthcare Informatics Credit Hours: 3
• HCA 505 - Strategic Management and Marketing for Healthcare Professionals Credit Hours: 3
• HCA 506 - Legal and Ethical Issues for Health Professionals Credit Hours: 3
• HCA 507 - Quantitative Methods and Evidence Based Decision Making in Healthcare Credit Hours: 3
• HCA 508 - Managerial Epidemiology and Population Health Credit Hours: 3
• HCA 509 - Long Term Care Administration Credit Hours: 3
• HCA 510 - Healthcare Economics and Policy Credit Hours: 3
• HCA 511 - Financial Analysis & Decision Making in Healthcare Credit Hours: 3
• HCA 512 - Finance for Healthcare Managers Credit Hours: 3
• HCA 590 - Healthcare Administration Capstone Credit Hours: 3
• HCA 593 - Healthcare Administration Practicum I Credit Hours: 3
• HCA 594 - Healthcare Administration Practicum II Credit Hours: 3

• Total: 48 Credit Hours