Health Services Administration

Graduate Program Coordinator -- In-Residence and Executive Programs
H660 Health Sciences, Box 357660
206-543-8778
mhap@u.washington.edu http://depts.washington.edu/mhap/

The graduate program in Health Services Administration offers two modes of study leading to the Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.) degree: an in-residence program and an executive program. The M.H.A. degree is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Education in Health Services Administration. It provides the educational foundation for careers in management, planning, consulting, and policy-making in ambulatory care organizations, hospitals, long-term care facilities, mental health care organizations, government agencies, planning agencies, and other organizational settings in the health field. The curriculum is designed to be interdisciplinary with a faculty drawn from the graduate schools of Public Health, Business Administration, Public Affairs, Nursing, Medicine, and Law. Concentrations of study may vary according to the student's academic interests and career objectives. In addition to academic work, in-residence M.H.A. students are strongly encouraged to participate in an internship experience in a health facility or agency typically under the preceptorship of the administrator or director of that organization.

Concurrent degree programs combining health administration with business administration, medicine, law, or public administration are also offered. These curricula (with the exception of the M.H.A./M.D.and M.H.A./J.D.) typically require three years of intensive academic study and culminate in joint degrees (M.H.A./M.B.A., M.H.A./M.D., M.H.A./M.P.A, M.H.A./J.D.).

The Executive Master of Health Administration program, launched in January 1998, is designed primarily for mid-career physicians and other clinical practitioners, as well as experienced health services managers, who have demonstrated interest or competency in administration or management. It offers advanced curriculum in planning, organizing, and implementing programs that improve the cost-effectiveness and quality of patient care. Courses meet once each month for three-day sessions (typically Thursday through Saturday) for 24 months (October to September). This program structure allows practicing professionals to continue their careers while gaining a graduate degree.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the in-residence program must submit, in addition to Graduate School admission requirements, a supplemental program application, four narrative statements, a resume, a self-assessment, three recommendations, and scores from either the GRE or the GMAT. MCAT or LSAT scores are accepted for relevant concurrent degree applicants. Informational interviews with members of the program faculty may be requested but are not required for the formal admission review process. Relevant health services experience is preferred. Applicants are accepted for autumn quarter only of each year. Application deadline is January 15. Applications received after this date (U.S. and Canadian only) are considered on a space-available basis.

Applicants to the executive program must submit the same application materials as listed above for the in-residence program. Priority for admission is given to applicants with medical/clinical training and professional experience. Applicants are accepted for autumn quarter only of each year. Applications are reviewed following the preferred deadline of April 30. Applications received after this date (U.S. and Canadian only) are reviewed on a space-available basis.

Applicants can expect to hear about the status of their application within approximately four weeks of the application deadline. Those interested in applying should contact the program office as soon as possible to inquire about availability and the application process.

Earlier application deadlines and additional documentation are required for international applicants.

Financial Aid

Financial support for current M.H.A. students may be available from several sources: loans, work study positions, internships, possible outside fellowships, and possible teaching or research assistantships outside the program. For more information on financial aid, contact the UW Office of Student Financial Aid (105 Schmitz Hall, Box 355880, 206-543-6101, osfa@u.washington.edu) or the M.H.A. program office.

Research Facilities

In addition to its University facilities, the program makes extensive use of community health facilities and agencies for research and training.