M.Ed. in Special Education
The University of North Florida (UNF) in Jacksonville offers a Master of Education (M.E...
Master of Health Administration
Jacksonville, Florida
INTAKE: August
Program Overview
The University of North Florida (UNF), located in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, offers a comprehensive Master of Health Administration (MHA) program through its Brooks College of Health. This program is specifically designed to develop effective administrators, managers, and leaders for the diverse organizations within the rapidly evolving health services field, with a strong emphasis on practical experience and transformational learning.
CAHME Accredited: UNF's MHA program holds the prestigious accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). This accreditation is a highly respected indicator of program quality in health administration education, signifying that the program meets rigorous standards for curriculum, faculty, student support, and outcomes. CAHME accreditation assures students and employers that the program provides a high-quality education relevant to the demands of the healthcare industry.
Curriculum: The MHA program at UNF is a minimum 45-credit-hour degree program. It is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary for success in entry-level health management positions and for career advancement. The curriculum includes core courses that delve into the structure of healthcare organizations, human resources, marketing, finance, economics, information systems, planning, and facility management within the healthcare context. A significant component of the program is a required internship, where students gain hands-on experience by working directly with local healthcare organizations. This practical experience allows students to apply management concepts to real-world scenarios. The program offers both full-time and part-time options, with many courses offered in the late afternoon and evening to accommodate working professionals.
Research Focus: The MHA program at UNF integrates a research focus to ensure graduates are equipped with analytical and critical thinking skills for evidence-based decision-making. Program faculty actively contribute to the knowledge base and development of "best practices" within the health services area through their research. This research is often integrated into classroom teaching, providing students with insights into current issues and challenges in healthcare administration. While not primarily a research-intensive thesis program, students learn to use statistical and analytical tools to measure and improve organizational performance, reflecting a data-driven approach to health management.
Industry Engagement: UNF's MHA program boasts strong industry engagement, a crucial element for preparing future healthcare leaders. Jacksonville's position as a significant medical hub provides excellent networking opportunities and a wide variety of local healthcare organizations for internships. The program actively fosters relationships with healthcare leaders, allowing students to learn directly from experienced professionals. The required internship provides invaluable hands-on experience, connecting classroom theory with practical application in real-world healthcare settings. The program's commitment to "transformational learning" and working with local healthcare organizations ensures that graduates are well-prepared to step into administrative and leadership roles immediately upon graduation.
Global Perspective: The MHA program at UNF actively encourages a global perspective in healthcare. It offers opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience and transformational learning related to healthcare delivery and financing in other countries through study abroad opportunities. The program's commitment to comparing and contrasting differences in the U.S. health system with international health systems helps students understand global health challenges and develop culturally competent leadership skills. This exposure is vital for aspiring healthcare leaders who may eventually work in organizations with international reach or address health disparities that transcend national borders.
Location
Jacksonville, Florida
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 18803
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $31
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
The University of North Florida (UNF) offers a variety of scholarships specifically designed to support international students in achieving their academic goals while easing the financial burden of studying in the United States. These scholarships recognize outstanding academic achievements, leadership potential, and community involvement.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UNF provides merit scholarships to international students based on their academic performance, standardized test scores, and extracurricular accomplishments. These scholarships can significantly reduce tuition costs and are awarded automatically to eligible applicants during the admissions process.
International Student Scholarships: Special scholarships are reserved exclusively for international students. Examples include the International Freshman Scholarship and the International Transfer Scholarship, which reward high-achieving students with financial aid packages that may cover partial to full tuition fees.
Need-Based Financial Aid: While limited for international students, some need-based financial aid options may be available through private organizations or partnerships coordinated by UNF’s financial aid office. International students are encouraged to explore external scholarship databases for additional funding opportunities.
Departmental Scholarships: Certain academic departments and colleges at UNF offer scholarships targeted to students enrolled in specific fields of study. International students can apply for these scholarships based on their major, research interests, or academic achievements within their discipline.
A Master of Health Administration (MHA) from the University of North Florida (UNF) is a highly valued credential for individuals seeking leadership and management roles within the dynamic healthcare industry. The CAHME accreditation, coupled with UNF's emphasis on practical experience and strong industry connections, ensures graduates are well-prepared for diverse administrative challenges in a constantly evolving sector.
Medical and Health Services Manager: This is a broad and common career path for MHA graduates. They plan, direct, and coordinate medical and health services in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and outpatient facilities. Their responsibilities include improving efficiency, ensuring quality care, and managing budgets.
Hospital Administrator: MHA graduates are highly sought after to oversee the overall operations of hospitals or specific hospital departments. This involves managing staff, resources, budgets, and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations and standards.
Clinic Manager/Administrator: In physician practices, urgent care centers, and specialty clinics, MHA graduates manage the daily operations, including staffing, patient flow, billing, and ensuring a smooth and efficient clinical environment.
Nursing Home Administrator: With an aging population, the demand for qualified administrators in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities, is significant. MHA graduates manage all aspects of these facilities, from resident care to regulatory compliance and financial operations.
Healthcare Consultant: MHA professionals can work as consultants, providing expertise to various healthcare organizations. They might advise on strategic planning, process improvement, cost reduction, regulatory compliance, or technology implementation to enhance operational efficiency and patient outcomes.
Health Information Manager: As healthcare becomes increasingly data-driven, Health Information Managers oversee the collection, security, and utilization of patient health information and electronic health records (EHRs). They ensure data integrity and compliance with privacy regulations like HIPAA.
Managed Care Executive: In the insurance and managed care sector, MHA graduates work in areas such as claims management, policy analysis, provider network development, and risk assessment. They play a crucial role in the business side of healthcare financing and delivery.
Patient Experience/Patient Safety Manager: These roles focus on improving the overall patient journey and ensuring high-quality, safe care. MHA graduates can develop and implement initiatives to enhance patient satisfaction, reduce medical errors, and comply with quality standards.
Director of Operations (Healthcare): This senior leadership role involves overseeing and optimizing the operational functions of a healthcare organization or a specific division. They work to streamline processes, manage resources, and implement strategies to meet organizational goals and improve service delivery.
Business Development Manager (Healthcare): In a competitive healthcare landscape, Business Development Managers identify and pursue new growth opportunities for healthcare organizations. They may forge partnerships, expand service lines, or develop new programs to meet community needs and market demands.
