About the Program
The MHA program at Austin Peay State University was awarded CAHME accreditation (https://www.cahme.org/) as of May 17, 2024. From CAHME, "Since 1968, the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) has served the public interest by advancing the quality of healthcare management education globally. CAHME accredits 150 academic programs in management which has broadly been defined to include healthcare quality and safety, and population health.
CAHME works with leading academic programs and numerous healthcare practitioners to ensure that graduates entering the healthcare field have undergone an educational process meeting rigorous, measurable standards for effectiveness. The result is a formal academic education focusing on key competencies, plus practical experiences. This enables new graduates to quickly add value to an organization and grow into future leaders. CAHME is the only organization recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation to grant accreditation to individual academic programs offering a graduate degree in healthcare management."
The program at Austin Peay will give students the knowledge, skills, and expertise necessary to be leaders in healthcare through experience-based learning. The 42 credit hour program is offered online; however, a 2-day residency is required in both the first and last semesters. The first residency (first weekend in program) allows the students in the cohort to work in groups and learn about various aspects of leadership as well as solve real world problems, complete self-assessments on leadership styles, and learn about the competency-based curriculum. The second residency (last semester of program) is a culmination of the capstone course consisting of individual and group presentations. The program length for students who complete the program full-time is about 18 months. The program curriculum aligns with a competency model that ensures students are learning relevant and competency-based skills and information that prepare them to be healthcare leaders.
Students who graduate will be prepared healthcare managers to support the growing demand of workers in the industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that medical and health services manager jobs will grow by 32% between 2020 and 2030, which is must faster than the average for all occupations. This growth means that healthcare administrators are in-demand nationwide and will increase students likelihood of finding job opportunities.
What will Students Learn?
The APSU Master of Healthcare Administration Program will provide students with many skills, some of which are included below:
- Understand the United States healthcare system and how it differs from others across the world.
- Analyze real world situations and develop strategic plans for healthcare organizations.
- Learn financial analysis skills for better preparation of planning.
- Use data analytics to maximize decision making.
- Understand the patient experience and how to maximize results of an organization.
- Gain communication skills needed not only in operations, but with the public and stakeholders.
- Develop conflict management and negotiation skills necessary for day-to-day operations in healthcare.
- Improve critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
- Increase leadership skills and professional development.
Upon graduation, students will be fully qualified to take on intermediate to advanced administrative roles in healthcare settings such as hospitals, physician offices, long term care facilities, ambulatory surgery centers, mental health organizations, public health departments, pharmaceutical companies and more.
