Online Master of Health Administration (Competency Based)

The learner will utilize the theoretical framework of systems thinking as a strategy to address challenges in the health care environment. Topics include complexity science, design thinking, creativity, and flow.

The learner will explore the emerging intersection of marketing and economics in the health sector. Topics include consumer behavior, market segmentation, and identification of new market opportunities in health care, as well as regional/system commoditization, value proposition and differentiation, branding, and social media strategies in the health sector.

The learner will determine how to make sound decisions by utilizing patient data and organizational quality benchmarks in diverse health sector contexts. Topics include health care benchmarking, the management of data privacy and the electronic medical record, tracking organizational performance, employee productivity and morale, and safety.

The learner will explore the diverse and expanding regulatory environment of the health sector. Topics include compliance and privacy, the ethical responsibilities inherent in leading regulatory structures within organizations, and the specific laws that dictate privacy and compliance, as well as auditing, monitoring, and corrective action.

Learners will examine strategies for successfully elevating the role of the health care organization through a well-defined "brand." Topics will include brand as promise, brand as experience, and brand as emotional connection; as well as quality and outcomes; articulating the strategy; and engaging teams and leaders.

The learner will be able to identify emerging health care trends in areas such as systems, delivery, outcomes and quality, health care design, and population health. Topics include how to scan the environment, validate information, make decisions, and articulate solutions that are appropriate across diverse health care contexts.

Students will examine how health policy and organizational governance inform systems and delivery of care, and identify the policies that should be adopted to implement industry trends. Topics include the influence of policy, interest groups, and stakeholders on the health status of a society, as well as how to cultivate effective governance systems within organizations, and the importance of risk-based policy and governance models in the health sector.

The learner will begin to identify networking opportunities within the health sector, both internally (i.e. industry associations, boards of directors) and externally (i.e. community, donors). Topics include objectively determining which relationships are vital to the organization, how to nurture relationships and manage transition, and maintaining integrity to protect the organization.

The student will begin to exemplify the traits of authentic and adaptive leadership in the context of the health sector. Topics include leading in complex environments (transparency, vulnerability, and servant leadership), modeling ethical decision making, creating and adjusting organizational culture, and meaningful collaboration.

Learners will respond to developing trends and insights across the health sector that inform workforce development and hiring. Topics include recruitment and retention strategies, succession planning, leadership strategies for a multigenerational workplace, embracing diversity, and considerations for positive morale and engagement.

The learner will operationalize health care sustainability in three ways: personal legacy, organizational environment, and community development. Topics include sustainability in a health sector context, mentorship, board and association leadership, economic analysis and sustainability practice within organizations, and fostering community interactions.

In this MHA capstone course, learners will synthesize previous coursework from the program to identify and address strategic opportunities for change and innovation specific to the health sector. Topics include entre/intrapreneurship, innovation, communication, transformation, and execution.