Healthcare Administration

Mission 

The purpose of the Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program is to develop healthcare leaders who will possess the attributes, values and competencies needed to lead healthcare organizations. The MHA program offers an avenue for healthcare professionals who have graduated from an accredited baccalaureate degree program to acquire a master’s degree for career advancement opportunities, as well as for individuals seeking future careers in healthcare. Experienced faculty engage students through scholarship and instruction, with a focus on real world application that prepares our graduates for career advancement and leadership positions of the future. 

Vision 

To be recognized as a thoughtful, dedicated, and innovative contributor to our communities and professions. 

Values 

• Promote lifelong learning and interprofessional studies 
• Creating an inclusive, professional learning environment for all 
• Promote leadership with personal and academic integrity 
• Strive to serve others both locally and beyond 
• Support faculty professional development and scholarly activity

The Radford MHA program welcomes applicants who aspire to leadership roles across various sectors of healthcare.

Whether you're an early-career professional eager to build your career or a mid-careerist looking to advance your professional growth, this program is designed to support your journey. Here are our admissions requirements:

Educational Background:

• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a recommended GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Prerequisite Coursework:

• Completion of a college-level statistics course with a grade of C or higher, either prior to or during the first semester of the program.

References:

• Two completed recommendation forms from professional or academic references. Forms are included in the online Radford graduate application.

Professional Resume:

• A current professional resume detailing relevant experience and qualifications.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: The Radford MHA program is rolling admission. The program aims to admit 25 qualified students each year, starting with the Fall semester. 

Additional Admissions Information

Transfer Credits

• You may transfer up to twelve (12) graduate credit hours to the MHA program. (Refer to the Transfer of Credit Policy  in the Academic Policies section of the Radford Graduate Catalog.)

Healthcare Experience

• While previous healthcare experience is not required for admission, students without a minimum of one year of healthcare experience must complete HADM 770, a healthcare practicum, prior to graduation.

Academic Calendar

Here is a link to Radford’s academic calendar with future semester dates: https://www.radford.edu/registrar/academic-calendar.html

Tuition and Fees

For information on current rates for Radford’s MHA program tuition and fees visit: https://www.radford.edu/bursar/tuition-fees/ruc-special-rate-graduate/healthcare-administration.html

Radford MHA Curriculum and Sequence

Degree Requirement: 36 credit hours

The curriculum is offered as synchronous online courses either in full-term or a 7-weeks format. Full-time students may complete degree requirements in four semesters. Students seeking to be part-time work with their faculty advisor on course sequence.  

Semester 1: Fall (9 credits)

HSCI 600 Professional Communication in the Health Sciences  Credits: 3

HSCI 610 Health Information Systems Credits: 3, (7-weeks)

HADM 660 Strategic Leadership and Marketing  Credits: 3, (7-weeks)

Semester 2: Spring (9 credits)

HADM 651 Research Methods and Analysis Credits: 3, (7-weeks)

HADM 740 Organizational Theories and Leadership Credits: 3, (7-weeks)

HADM 730 Healthcare Economics and Policy Credits: 3

Semester 3: Summer (9 credits)

HADM 661 Human Resource Administration Credits: 3

HADM 760 Financial Management  Credits: 3

HADM 720 Healthcare Ethics and Law  Credits: 3

Semester 4: Fall (9 credits)

HADM 640 Operations & Performance Management Credits: 3, (7-weeks)

HADM 650 Quality Assessment and Improvement Credits: 3, (7-weeks)

Select one:

HADM 770 Practicum (If the student has less than 1-year healthcare experience, student must take HADM 770), Credits: 3

OR

HADM 780 Capstone (If a student has greater than 1-year healthcare experience, student may take HADM 780 or 770), Credits: 3   

MHA course descriptions are found in the Radford University Graduate Catalog.

Healthcare Leadership Alliance Competency Model (Modified)

The Radford MHA program, in partnership with its faculty, Healthcare Administration Advisory Board members, and alumni, has adopted the Healthcare Leadership Alliance (HLA) Competency Model to develop students who possess the attributes, values, and competencies needed to lead healthcare organizations. There are five domain areas and nineteen competencies in Radford’s modified model.

Domain	Competency	Description
1.       Communication & Relationship Management
	1.1 Interprofessional Communications	Build collaborative relationships and communication skills within healthcare and professional teams
	1.2 Oral, Written, and Presentation Skills	Prepare and present professional business communications; Demonstrate effective oral presentations using diverse communication methodologies.
	1.3 Group Interprofessional Collaboration	Demonstrate the ability to work effectively as a team member
2.       Leadership	2.1 Mission, Vision, and Values	Map mission and vision statements to an organization's values
	2.2 Culture & Diversity	Promote cultural awareness and exhibit a diverse and inclusive organizational culture
	2.3 Change Management	Promote and manage change within healthcare environment; Examine the roles of technologies on the healthcare delivery system
3.       Professionalism	3.1 Professional Ethics	Adhere to ethical professional principles and exhibit ethical behaviors
	3.2 Professional Development	Participate in service and professional groups
4.       Knowledge of the Healthcare Environment	4.1 Healthcare Issues and Trends	Analyze circumstances causing major changes, policy, and reforms in U.S. and international healthcare delivery
	4.2 Legal Concepts in Healthcare	Critically analyze health-related legal principles/concepts to include regulations, policy, risk management, and inclusion
	4.3 Health System Workforce	Recognize and evaluate workforce needs, diversity, and population/community health assessments
5.       Business Skills and Knowledge	5.1 Business Basics	Compile and analyze financial data; Understand accounting principles
	5.2 Strategic Planning	Analyze and implement strategic planning methods, including change execution and ongoing review
	5.3 Human Resource	Apply techniques for managing health system employees and staff
	5.4 Organizational Governance	Understand roles, responsibilities, structures, and factors influencing governing bodies and health systems
	5.5 Information Systems	Recognize the role of information systems in organizational communication and problem-solving; Apply process improvement concepts, outcomes, and risk management
	5.6 Risk and Quality Management	Identify challenges and opportunities surrounding risk management and quality outcomes; Emphasize process improvement and patient safety
	5.7 Project Planning	Design, plan, implement, and assess projects; Develop appropriate timelines, key indicators, and outcomes
	5.8 System Processes	Critically review and assess the potential impacts and consequences of decisions across various situations; Apply problem-solving and decision-making skills effectively

 

Teaching and Learning

Courses use a variety of teaching methods and tools, such as:

• Case studies
• Collaborating with peers and external organizations
• Discussion through D2L, VoiceThread, and virtual Zoom or Team meetings
• Interactive learning through discussion with guest lecturers and speakers
• Lecture
• Presentations
• Projects
• Simulation and strategic planning exercises
• Synthesizing of literature
• Team-based learning activities

Assessment Methods

Assessment for courses includes several methods, such as:

• Course surveys
• Exams
• Mentor evaluation
• Papers
• Presentations
• Reflections

Grading Policies

View the Radford MHA program’s Grading Policies in the Graduate Catalog.

Our MHA program is committed to student success and excellence in healthcare management education.

CAHME Annual Program Report

Each year, as a CAHME candidate, we report key outcomes, including student retention and graduation rates, employment placement of graduates, time to degree completion, and alumni satisfaction. These measures reflect our dedication to preparing future healthcare leaders. View our latest CAHME Annual Program Report.

Graduate Outcomes and Program Metrics

Graduation Year	Post Graduation Employment	Job Median Salary	Acceptance Rate	Enrollment Rate	Retention Rate
2022-2023	100%	$71,200	82%	52%	83%
2023-2024	100%	$85,000	94%	77%	100%

Radford University is authorized by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) to offer postsecondary education in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
 
Radford University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award Associate, Baccalaureate, Masters and Doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Radford University.

The Radford University Master of Health Administration program is a candidate for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). In addition to accrediting graduate programs in health administration, CAHME is a partner in the resources and development of healthcare management professionals and provides benchmarking to ensure that students are prepared to lead healthcare organizations across the continuum of care. MHA student outcomes can be found on the Radford University MHA Program Profile on the CAHME website https://programs.cahme.org/?radforduniv

Candidate status is an indication that a program in health care management has voluntarily committed to participate in a plan of self-improvement and is actively progressing toward the status of accreditation. Candidate status is not accredited status and does not guarantee the eventual accredited status.

In 2023, medical and health services managers made a median annual salary of $110,680,  according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Graduates become successful healthcare leaders across a wide range of healthcare settings, including:

• Hospitals (inpatient and outpatient)
• Physician offices
• Long-term care facilities
• Home healthcare services
• Employment services
• Rehabilitation centers
• Government agencies
• Outpatient care centers
• Social assistance agencies
• Educational institutions
• Research institutions
• Public health

For more information on the occupational outlook of medical and health managers, visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Mentorship

The Radford MHA offers students the opportunity to match with a mentor during their program. Potential mentorship activities include career coaching, coffee chats, job shadowing, networking events, one-to-one student meetings, panel presentations, and networking events.

Throughout the program there are opportunities to engage as a student leader and participate in conferences and networking opportunities, including the Upsilon Phi Delta (UPD) Student Honor Association, American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE),  Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), and Radford’s virtual series on public health and healthcare leadership.

https://www.aupha.org/resourcecenter/currentstudents/honorsociety

https://www.ache.org

https://www.hfma.org