The U.S. health care system is in a period of flux. In such a context, there is a critical need for highly effective administrators. The Master of Health Administration (MHA) is a 36-credit program that equips students with the knowledge and skills required to manage and lead various types of health care organizations in a highly complex, competitive, and rapidly-changing environment.
The MHA program at Penn State Harrisburg is aimed at those beginning careers in health care administration and experienced professionals interested in advancing their careers. The program focuses on design and redesign of health-care systems. It spans all aspects of the U.S. healthcare system, while providing a comparative perspective. Over the course of the program, students develop skills to identify and address the potential impact of recent changes on system design and healthcare delivery, and to design systems that can meet demand for care, support mechanisms to contain and manage costs, and satisfy quality standards for care delivery.
The MHA program is offered evenings and Saturdays to accommodate working professionals. The program is an associate member of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA).
Career Outlook/Job Opportunities
Graduates of our residential MHA program most often end up employed in local or regional hospitals, long-term care organizations, health insurance companies, and public health organizations.
| Employment Sector | Percentage |
| Hospital Administration | 17% |
| Long-term Care Administration | 33% |
| Public Health Lawyer | 33% |
| Unemployed | 17% |
Total employment rate: 83%
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Further Graduate Study
The MHA program also prepares students for graduate study in business, law, medicine or allied health fields, health administration, health services research or policy, and public health. The School of Public Affairs offers the Ph.D. in Public Administration, which provides a broad-based academic program combining conceptual foundations with research and analytical skills in Public Administration. Students can specialize in several areas including health administration.
