Program Overview

Health Services Policy and Management, M.H.A.

Arnold School of Public Health

Learn how to lead organizations involved in the management and delivery of health and health care services.

A health care management career offers opportunities for growth and advancement in settings like hospitals, ambulatory care facilities, long-term care, insurance organizations, government agencies and consulting firms. When you're ready to assume or progress to a leadership position, two formats are available to meet your scheduling needs.

Program Highlights

• Assistance Available: Earn while you learn with graduate assistantships for both program years in the traditional track.
• Nationally Accredited: Study in a full-time program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education.
• Keep Working: Choose an executive track with weekend courses if you are an experienced health care professional without an MHA degree.
• Expansive Network: Take advantage of opportunities for leadership experience and networking with other health care professionals.

What You’ll Study

Courses include critical thinking and problem-solving in health services organizations. Gain management and leadership competencies, plus understand professionalism and ethics. Study accounting, law, policy and principles, as well as community perspectives and physician practice management. Traditional students will work as graduate assistants in a health care setting.

Building Skills

Gain the professional and personal intelligence it takes to have a successful career.

• Management: Directing and overseeing the activities and resources to achieve specific goals
• Networking: Building relationships and making connections with others to advance personal or professional goals
• Critical Thinking: Analyzing and evaluating information to make informed decisions or judgments
• Communication: Exchanging information and ideas through speaking, writing or other means of expression
• Teamwork: Working collaboratively with others to achieve a shared goal or objective
• Administration: Overseeing operations, managing resources and implementing policies for efficient and effective organizational functioning

Using your degree

Make your college experience the foundation for a successful future.

Potential Careers

• Chief Executive Officer
• President
• Chief Operating Officer
• Chief Financial Officer
• Director
• Administrator

Job Titles of Alumni

• Director of Operations
• Senior Consultant
• Executive Director
• Project Manager

Average Alumni Salary

Five to 10 years after graduation without additional education: $109,192

Workplace Settings

• Health Systems
• Medical Practice
• Insurance
• State Government
• Federal Government
• Nonprofit

Employers of Alumni

• Prisma Health
• Lexington Medical Center
• Atrium Health
• Bon Secours
• Medical University of South Carolina
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Advanced Degrees

Advance your career or options with post-graduate education.

• Doctorate: Health Services Policy and Management, Ph.D. (Arnold School of Public Health)