Program Overview

Master of Health Administration (MHA)

The Telfer School of Management provides an outstanding environment for students pursuing graduate studies in health care management both from an academic and a professional point of view. In addition to the Master in Health Administration (MHA), the Telfer School of Management offers at the graduate level a master of business administration (MBA), a master of science in management and a master of science in health systems, as well as a number of joint programs with the faculties of Law and of Engineering.

Mission

Through strong links with the community, the MHA prepares ethical and socially responsible managers to assume leadership positions in the changing health system by achieving excellence in professional education and research.

Goals and Objectives

Given its mission statement, the MHA program will pursue the following goals:

• Develop an understanding of management foundations and principles and their application to health systems management
• Develop an understanding of the governance of Canadian and provincial/territorial health systems, as well as a contextually based comparison of the Canadian system to other health systems internationally
• Formulating, implementing and evaluating health policy and strategy at micro, meso and macro levels
• Develop a strategic population health perspective
• Providing value to the health community
• Develop leadership, communication and teamwork skills in a patient-centered inter-professional environment
• Improving critical thinking for ethical decision making

History of the Program

The master's in health administration (MHA) program began as the School of Hospital Administration in 1964. It changed its name in 1970 to include the notion of health in order to broaden its focus. In 1979, a reorganization of the Faculty of Administration program changed the school's name to the MHA program. From 1997 to 2019, the core management disciplines of the MHA program were covered through MBA courses offered to both MBA and MHA students.

Accreditation

The Telfer School of Management is one of only three business schools in Canada to be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA).

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Master of Health Administration program is open to candidates holding a Canadian bachelor degree or its equivalent. A minimum standing of B or 70% overall average is required. The equivalency of qualifications for applicants from non-Canadian institutions will be determined by graduate studies. In addition, a limited number of candidates may be considered for admission on the basis of substantial managerial or professional training and experience (normally 10 years or more) even if they do not hold a university degree or do not meet the minimum academic requirements.

Requirements and Documents

Admission to the program is competitive and the number of candidates that can be accommodated is limited. Admission will be granted only to those who clearly demonstrate high promise of success in the MHA program. In applying to the program, candidates should provide the following documentation:

• A duly completed application form
• A non-refundable application fee
• Past academic performance: original transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, as well as any additional evidence of academic excellence such as grade point average, class rank, awards, publications, professional designations
• Related work experience: a current curriculum vitae that details managerial or professional experience
• A minimum of 5 years of full time work experience is required. In general, preference is given to those applicants who have greater work experience, particularly when there is evidence of career progression. In exceptional circumstances, volunteer work, internships and other demonstrated leadership roles can be considered as part of this criterion
• Two confidential letters of recommendation that comment on the applicant's suitability for graduate study
• A narrative statement that indicates the applicant's personal motivation for entering the MHA program, and how they would contribute to the learning environment
• A standardized test: The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is compulsory for all candidates planning to take the MHA (both anglophones and francophones, since the MHA specialization courses are offered only in English). A score of at least 50 percentile is required for the GMAT, and each individual component being within the 45 percentile. A score of 4.5 is also required on the essay writing.

Language of Instruction

The MHA program courses are offered in English only. However, students may submit assignments, research papers, directed readings or examination papers either in English or in French. Administrative residencies can be arranged in French-language institutions.

Recognition of Courses

At the time of admission, a student may receive advanced standing for graduate courses in management completed previously as a regular student either in a Canadian MBA program or a similar program accredited by the AACSB International or an equivalent.

Computer Skills

Students must be familiar with the use of computers and basic applications related to administration such as word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software.

Curriculum

The MHA curriculum is composed of 45 units as follows:

• Health management (MHA) courses: 39 units
• Administrative residency and field project: 6 units.

Courses

Courses for this program consist of both 3 unit courses and 1.5 unit courses. 1 unit is equal to 12 contact hours.

• MHA 5140: Financial Accounting (1.5 Units)
• MHA 5141: Managerial Accounting (1.5 Units)
• MHA 5300: Fundamentals of Data Analytics: Making Data Useful for Health Care Managers (3 Units)
• MHA 5330: Human Resource Management in Health Care (3 Units)
• MHA 6203: Program Evaluation for Health Care Managers (1.5 Units)
• MHA 6250: Health Care Finance (1.5 Units)
• MHA 6260: Project Planning and Management (1.5 Units)
• MHA 6271: Application of Information Technology in Health Care (1.5 Units)
• MHA 6301: Epidemiology and Population Health (3 Units)
• MHA 6312: Strategy, Governance, and Ethical Management in Health (3 Units)
• MHA 6315: Quality and Performance Management in Health Care (3 Units)
• MHA 6351: Health Economics (3 Units)
• MHA 6360: Health Care in Canada in a Comparative Context (3 Units)
• MHA 6361: Organizational Behavior and Change in Health Care (3 Units)
• MHA 6370: Health Informatics (3 Units)
• MHA 6380: Quantitative Methods and Their Applications to Health Care Decision Making (3 Units)
• MHA 6990: Residency and / or Field Project (6 Units)

Evaluation and Promotion

Grades are awarded according to the following scale:

• A+ 90 - 100% 10 points Exceptional
• A 85 - 89% 9 points Excellent
• A- 80 - 84% 8 points Excellent
• B+ 75 - 79% 7 points Very Good
• B 70 - 74% 6 points Very Good
• C+ 65 - 69% 5 points Good
• All grades below C+ are failing grades for graduate students.
• C 60 - 64% 4 points
• D+ 55 - 59% 3 points
• D 50 - 54% 2 points
• E 40 - 49% 1 point
• F 0 - 39% 0 point

Duration of the Program

The program is designed to be completed in 24 months. All students must complete all degree requirements within five years from the date of initial enrollment.

Transfer of Units

Under certain circumstances it is permissible for students enrolled in the program to take courses at another faculty or another university and to have the units for these courses transferred towards the requirements of the degree. Arrangements for enrollment in such courses must be approved in advance by the Telfer School of Management and completed by the closing date for enrollment of the MHA program in the term concerned.