Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA)

The Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA) program prepares individuals to work in a wide variety of professional settings, employing their leadership skills and knowledge of health policy and management to improve health and health services delivery in the communities where they serve.

• We seek to attract talented, committed students with diverse backgrounds and experiences who can be co-learners with each other and with faculty.
• We seek to provide students with durable, practical skills and knowledge that will outlive fads and on-going changes in the field and provide a foundation for lifelong learning.
• We seek to provide opportunities for students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• We seek to provide a high quality, relevant curriculum that focuses on system-level learning and application.
• We seek to foster a learning environment that extends beyond the classroom, featuring individualized attention and opportunities for professional development and mentoring.

Program Description

The MHSA program is a 56 credit-hour graduate professional degree program (effective August 2008), and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). The MHSA curriculum combines social science and business content in the context of health care. The Program is designed to prepare students for a variety of positions in health care organizations, meet the needs of students with diverse cultural and professional backgrounds, and integrate classroom and experiential learning.

The MHSA program has consistently been ranked among the top health administration programs in U.S. public universities by U.S. News and World Report.

Study in the MHSA program is available on both a full-time and part-time basis. Full-time and part-time students take classes together, providing a rich environment for learning and sharing knowledge and experiences. Full-time students complete the MHSA degree in two academic years. Part-time students typically complete the degree in three to four years.

Coursework for the MHSA program is offered at the KU Medical Center campus in Kansas City, Kansas. Classes are offered during the late afternoon and evening hours, Monday through Thursday.

The Department offers several joint degree programs including the JD/MHSA, MS in Nursing/MHSA, and MD/MHSA in cooperation with the Schools of Law, Nursing, and Medicine, respectively. Health Policy and Management also offers an BSHEIM/ MHSA Bridge Program.

Applicants to the MHSA and joint degree programs must have completed or anticipate completion of at least a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university or from a recognized university abroad before entry to the MHSA Program. Prior to matriculation, all MHSA Program entrants must have completed three credit hours of undergraduate statistics coursework. Applicants to joint degree programs should check to be sure that they have also completed any necessary prerequisites for the JD, MS, or MD, HEIM Programs.