Admission and Program Requirements
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Apply to this program through a central application. Review the sections below before you begin.
Certificate in Health Administration
Michael Merrigan, Graduate Director
Glass Hall, room 403; Phone 417-836-3092
MichaelMerrigan@MissouriState.edu
Program description
The Certificate in Health Administration (CHA) is a postbaccalaureate program designed for healthcare professionals who wish to enhance and update their knowledge in healthcare administration in order to increase their skill set to better position themselves for advancement. It will also assist students with no healthcare experience seeking entry-level management positions in healthcare organizations. The Certificate in Health Administration will be taught in a graduate learning environment providing new knowledge to allow the student to better understand the organization and structure of healthcare services along one of the three different tracks; Leadership, Management or Quality and Population Health.
Leadership
Leadership development in healthcare organizations is fundamental to organizational survival. Those leading today's healthcare organizations must possess a high level of leadership skills and strategic knowledge. The Leadership track will offer an overview of healthcare organization/systems, leadership competencies, health policy and strategic management in order to provide students with the capabilities to effectively lead various types of healthcare organizations.
Management
Healthcare management skills are critical to the effective operation of healthcare organizations. This track is designed to assist students in becoming better supervisors and managers by increasing their understanding of healthcare organizations/systems, key human resource issues, healthcare organization management and organizational behaviors; all fundamental to improving the management decision-making process.
Quality and Population Health
Future value in healthcare will be determined by increasing the quality of healthcare provided to patients and by the ability to maintain or improve the health of a given population in order to avoid costly illnesses and unnecessary care. Students seeking to enhance their knowledge of healthcare quality and population health management will be exposed to principles related to the management of healthcare quality and the origin, distribution and control of disease as well as theories of health behavior relevant to individual and community health promotion program planning.
Admission
To be considered for the program, a student must apply and be admitted into the Graduate College. The CHA requires a total of 12 hours of graduate credits (in addition to possible individual course prerequisites). The courses are the same as those offered to Master of Health Administration (MHA) students. The program does not require a comprehensive examination or a capstone research requirement.
Admission to the MHA program from CHA
Admission to and successful completion of the CHA does not guarantee admission to the MHA program. Students who are enrolled in or have completed the CHA must apply separately for admission to the MHA and comply with the MHA admission standards and the requirements of the Graduate College.
The CHA is designed for persons in management positions who need a limited number of selected courses in contemporary methods, skills, and models of management specific to the healthcare environment. On occasion, however, a person may pursue the CHA and then decide that it would be desirable to pursue the MHA degree. Credits earned in the Certificate program can later be applied to the MHA degree subject to application and acceptance into the program. All requirements for the MHA degree, including the credits earned in the Certificate program, must be completed within an eight-year period.
Requests for information
For information about the Graduate Programs in Health Administration, please contact: Dr. Michael Merrigan, MHA Program Coordinator, Department of Management, Missouri State University, 901 S. National Ave, Springfield, MO, 65897. MichaelMerrigan@MissouriState.edu. Students may begin in the Fall or Spring semester.
Completion requirements
Students must have an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 for completion of the certificate program.
Required courses for designated Track - 12 hours total
Leadership track:
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MGT 701 | Health Services Organization | 3 hrs |
| MGT 703 | Health Law and Ethics | 3 hrs |
| MGT 705 | Strategic Management of Healthcare Organizations | 3 hrs |
| MGT 770 | Leadership Development | 3 hrs |
Management track
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MGT 701 | Health Services Organization | 3 hrs |
| MGT 702 | Managing Healthcare Organizations | 3 hrs |
| MGT 704 | Human Resources in Healthcare Organizations | 3 hrs |
| ACC 688 | Healthcare Accounting Concepts | 3 hrs |
Healthcare quality and population health track
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MGT 701 | Health Services Organization | 3 hrs |
| MGT 711 | Measurement and Management of Quality in Health Care | 3 hrs |
| PBH 720 | Epidemiology | 3 hrs |
| PBH 740 | Health Behaviors | 3 hrs |