Program Overview

Introduction to the MHA/JD in Health Administration Program

The MHA/JD in Health Administration is a dual degree program designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate complex healthcare policies and legal frameworks. This program is offered by the OU Hudson College of Public Health and the OU College of Law.

Program Overview

The dual degree program combines the 3-year Juris Doctorate at the College of Law and the 2-year Master of Health Administration at the College of Public Health into 4 years of study. The program requires a minimum of 90 credit hours for the JD and 52 credit hours for the MHA. A dual-degree student will complete 81 credit hours at the College of Law and receive 9 credit hours towards the law degree from coursework completed at the College of Public Health. Similarly, the student will complete 49 credit hours at the College of Public Health and receive 3 credit hours towards the master's degree from coursework completed at the College of Law.

Curriculum

The curricular sequence is highly dependent on when and where a student initially matriculates and on that student's preferences for law school courses. The student will work closely with the dual degree advisor at the College of Public Health to ensure all curricular requirements are met. The curriculum includes a 400-hour internship, which provides students with hands-on experience in diverse settings such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, and university medical centers.

Sample Curriculum

A sample of the curricular requirements is available, which is representative of the curricular choices. However, all students should consult both colleges for their current requirements.

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for the program, applicants must have:

• A Bachelor's degree or entry-level first professional degree from an accredited institution
• A minimum grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, which can be met by:
  • 3.00 in bachelor's degree cumulative GPA
  • 3.00 in the last 60 credit hours of upper-division coursework applied to the bachelor's degree
  • 3.00 in the master's degree (or higher) cumulative GPA
  • 3.00 in the last 12 or more hours of graded graduate level coursework
• Admission to the JD program is also required, which has its own set of requirements.

Program Details

• Location: Oklahoma City
• Degree Acquired: Master of Health Administration / Juris Doctor
• Application Window: Applications open by August 1 for the following year
• Application Deadlines:
  • Fall: August 1
  • Spring: December 15
  • Summer: May 1
• Median Salary: $150,000
• Industry Demand: 28% job growth for medical and health service managers through 2031, which is over 5 times the national average.

Department of Health Administration and Policy

The Department of Health Administration and Policy offers the only CAHME-accredited health administration program in Oklahoma. The department provides a comprehensive, practical, and rigorous education, preparing students to become leaders in health policy and administration. The faculty includes:

• Dale W. Bratzler, D.O., M.P.H., Dean Chair & Edith Kinney Gaylord Presidential Professor
• Junying (June) Zhao, Ph.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor
• Aizhan Karabukayeva, Ph.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor
• Ganisher (Gani) Davlyatov, Ph.D., Program Director, Master of Health Administration, Assistant Professor
• Daniel Sledge, Ph.D., Associate Professor
• Mark Woodring, Dr.P.H., F.A.C.H.E., Assistant Professor
• Halley Reeves, M.P.H., M.C.P., Instructor, Assistant Dean for Online Education
• Edwin (Gerry) Ibay, J.D. M.H.A., Assistant Professor & Vice Chair
• Rahma Osman, M.H.A., P.M.P., Lecturer, Senior Program Manager, Center for Public Health Practice
• Claudia A. Rhoades, Ph.D., M.S., Adjunct Faculty
• Cynthia (Cyndie) Clubb, Assistant to the Chair

Hudson College of Public Health

The Hudson College of Public Health offers a diverse range of accredited degree programs, hands-on learning experiences, and state-of-the-art research opportunities. The college is enriched by its research partnerships with esteemed institutions and organizations, providing students with a robust, real-world learning experience. Students can apply their curriculum through immersive field experiences and practicums, fostering a hands-on, real-world understanding of public health challenges and solutions.