Program Overview

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Introduction to the Executive Master of Healthcare Administration

The Executive Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is designed to create the next generation of healthcare leaders. This program is tailored for professionals who aspire to manage and lead equitable healthcare and public health organizations at the state, national, and global levels.

Program Overview

The UNC Executive MHA curriculum is designed to give students a depth and breadth of healthcare knowledge that spans from the system to the individual, from finance to operations, to strategy, marketing, and beyond. The program is intentionally designed to combine online convenience with in-person connection, providing students with the best of both worlds.

Curriculum

The curriculum is structured to create a comprehensive understanding of healthcare as a system and the fundamentals of healthcare business. In the first year, students immerse themselves in healthcare as a system and how the fundamentals of healthcare business come together to create the healthcare system as we know it. In the second year, students dive deeper through courses in healthcare strategy, data analysis, law, and finance, culminating in an applied Capstone experience.

Combining Online Convenience with In-Person Connection

The Executive MHA program is designed to give students the best of both worlds – top-tier online academics paired with curated in-person experiences that build cohort connectedness and enhance the learning experience. Students take the bulk of their coursework virtually, engaging with materials through online platforms and live sessions. Seven times throughout the two-year degree program, students come together in-person to connect with their cohort, network, meet faculty, and engage in learning experiences that can only happen when they are together.

Philosophy of Teaching

UNC MHA professors have high standards and are eager to support students in reaching them. Professors create a welcoming and engaging classroom environment through targeted lectures, guest speakers, case studies, team exercises, and applied scenarios. The value of team-based activities in the Executive MHA academic experience cannot be overstated, as students elevate their competency through engaging with the lived and learned professional experiences of their peers.

Philosophy of Grading

While grading is a fundamental part of monitoring progress in the program, it is certainly not the most important part of the program experience. The UNC MHA does not assign letter grades and instead aligns with the UNC Graduate School grading policy, which assigns grades using the following scale:

• High Pass (H)
• Pass (P)
• Low Pass (L)
• Fail (F)

Competency Model

The UNC Executive MHA program is built for action, with students developing their abilities across 24 targeted competencies. These competencies are aligned with the demands of today’s healthcare workplace as well as the healthcare workplace of tomorrow. Throughout the program, students are given individualized feedback on their competence progression and how to develop further.

Faculty

UNC MHA faculty are researchers and practitioners, experts and leaders in the many disciplines that make up healthcare management. Their expertise is varied, but their focus is singular – developing the next generation of compassionate leaders for our complex healthcare system.

Admissions and Applications

Admissions Requirements

• Minimum requirements necessary for application to Executive MHA Program:
  • An undergraduate degree with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher (4.0 grading scale)
  • Minimum of three years full-time experience in the healthcare field
  • Current employment in a full-time position related to healthcare at application and throughout time in program
  • Applicants are advised to prepare in microeconomics, accounting, and statistics
  • International applicants are required to submit a Financial Certificate

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines are available upon request.

Required Application Materials

• Completion of online Graduate School application
• Nonrefundable application fee
• Transcripts: One complete, unofficial transcript from each university attended must be uploaded within the application
• Three recommenders and their email addresses
• Personal statement addressing:
  • How the degree program at UNC-CH will contribute to the projected career
  • Experience working in teams and what can be contributed to a team
  • How lived experiences and strengths will contribute to a positive learning environment
  • Any additional information that will help evaluate the application
• The GRE is not required, and scores will not be reviewed if submitted
• Select applicants will be invited to a virtual interview

International Students

In addition to the materials above, international students must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores that are no more than 2 years old.

FAQs

• Can I see the academic calendar?
• Is an interview required? Select applicants will be invited for a virtual interview.
• What is the most recent retention rate for this program? The 2022 Retention rate for the Executive MHA: 100%
• What is the graduation rate for the program? The 2023 Graduation rate for the Executive MHA: 94%

Student Ambassadors

The program features student ambassadors who are available to provide insights and support to prospective students.

Mission, Vision, and Values

Mission

The mission of the Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program at UNC is to improve decision-making and leadership skills for professionals at all career stages who aspire to manage and lead equitable healthcare and public health organizations.

Vision

The vision is to educate healthcare leaders worldwide to develop, manage, and lead effective, equitable, and responsive healthcare and public health organizations, improving the health of individuals and eliminating health inequities.

Department Values

• Ethical standards
• Free intellectual exchange
• Student-centered environment
• Balance and growth
• Focus on results

Awards and Funding

Students fund their education through a combination of sources, including loans, fellowships, awards, assistantships, and grants. Several awards and scholarships are supported by generous contributions from donors.

Costs and Residency

Tuition and fee information can be found on the Office of the University Cashier's website. Residency information can be found on the University Registrar website.

Professional Development and Career Services

The program offers resources for professional development and career services, including job resources for students and graduates.

Empowering Career Switchers

The UNC Executive MHA can help individuals gain the functional skills needed to make an impact in another realm of healthcare.

Conclusion

The Executive Master of Healthcare Administration program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a comprehensive program designed to create the next generation of healthcare leaders. With its unique blend of online convenience and in-person connection, the program provides students with a depth and breadth of healthcare knowledge that spans from the system to the individual. The program is built for action, with students developing their abilities across 24 targeted competencies, and is supported by a faculty of researchers and practitioners who are experts and leaders in the many disciplines that make up healthcare management.