Online MHA in Health Systems Management

Program Description

George Mason University’s online CAHME-accredited Master of Health Administration (MHA) in Health Systems Management is a premier degree program, dedicated to preparing future executives for leadership positions in health care organizations. Students develop contemporary strategic, business, analytic, and decision-making skills needed to successfully navigate the evolving health care industry in the post-pandemic era.

Study at the First and Only College of Public Health in Virginia

The College of Public Health at George Mason University is the first and only College of Public Health in Virginia and a national leader in inclusive, interprofessional, public health research, education, and practice. The College’s transdisciplinary research seeks to understand the many factors that influence the public’s health and well-being throughout the lifespan. With more than 500 partners, the College serves the community through research, practice, and clinical care with a focus on the social determinants of health and health equity. Our graduates are uniquely prepared to thrive in an increasingly multi-cultural multidisciplinary, community-focused public health landscape.

Built on the Same High Standards as Our CAHME-Accredited On-Campus Program

Our online MHA program combines the flexibility of online learning with the same rigorous standards of our on-campus program, which is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). CAHME is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the accrediting body for master’s-level health care management programs. We’ve integrated the same world-class curriculum from our on-campus program into the online program.

Our expert faculty delivers a program driven by a set of professional competencies in each of the following domains:

Knowledge of the Healthcare Environment
Communications and Relationship Management
Business Knowledge and Skills (And Critical Thinking)
Leadership
Professionalism (Ethics)

Most courses are offered in convenient online, asynchronous classes. A field-based capstone practicum is completed in the final semester of study, providing students with experience and the opportunity to demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills acquired from coursework.

Students must choose one concentration from the following:

Healthcare Quality

Addresses the growth of the health care industry to understand and evaluate the quality of care being delivered. Students will develop skills in quality methodologies, techniques, and patient safety law.

Executive Concentration

Prepares students for leadership positions in a wide variety of health care organizations by focusing on mastery of critical thinking needed for creative revenue cycle, business, and system management strategies.

Capstone Practicum

Spend 6 to 8 weeks with a health care organization, engaged in the analysis of a complex problem assigned by the host organization. Demonstrate critical thinking skills to key health care executives while conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information to inform an executive decision regarding an important, real-life issue. Performance in this role can provide the student with a launchpad to pursue opportunities for future professional growth and development.

Application Deadline

The online MHA in Health Systems Management program accepts applications on a rolling basis and is currently accepting applications. Applicants for the online program should apply here.

Virtual Open House

The George Mason University faculty dedicates time throughout the year to hold interactive sessions online for those who want to learn more about the programs we offer. If you would like to find out more about what you can expect from an online MHA in Health Systems Management, visit our pre-recorded Virtual Open House and watch at your convenience. For more information on upcoming sessions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

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DETAILS COURSES COST CAREERS CONTACT READY TO APPLY?

Who should apply?

Working professionals will find a flexible fit to their busy schedules with George Mason’s online MHA degree’s asynchronous and synchronous courses. Students come from a variety of backgrounds, including health and allied health (physicians, nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists), health care financial management and accounting, health insurance, business analysts and consulting, and quality and risk management.

A prior health-related bachelor’s degree or field experience is not required but is considered in the admissions process. Eligible students may transfer up to 12 semester hours from equivalent courses taken at another accredited college or university.

Why choose George Mason?

Our online program is CAHME-accredited and mirrors the on-campus MHA program in Health Systems Management.
The MHA program is the 2023 recipient of the CAHME/Canon Solutions America Award for Sustainability in Healthcare Management Education and Practice.
Students can complete the online degree program in 30 months.
The same experienced, industry-shaping faculty experts teach in both the online and on-campus MHA programs.
The program includes a virtual opportunity to interact with health care policy making that takes place in Washington D.C. Both live and recorded online panel discussions with Capitol Hill policy-makers, fellow students, policy experts and faculty focus on the most cutting edge topics relating to health care.

Program requirements for the master’s degree in health administration are subject to change.

Requirements: 45 total credit hours

Most courses for the George Mason’s online MHA in Health Systems Management are offered in convenient, online asynchronous format. One in-person practicums develop leadership skills in real-world settings.

Required Courses

Core

GCH 500 Foundations of Public Health *May be substituted for HAP 678 until Fall 2023
HAP 602 Statistics in Health Services Management
HAP 621 Leadership and Organizational Behavior
HAP 635 Role of Government in Health Care and Public Health
HAP 698 Quality Measurement and Evaluation
HAP 715 Health Economics
HAP 740 Management of Health Information Systems
HAP 750 Legal Issues in Health Administration
HAP 790 Capstone Practicum in Health Systems Management

Concentrations

Health Care Quality

HAP 697 The Healthcare Quality Environment
HAP 699 Liability in Health Care Quality and Patient Safety
HAP 704 Contemporary Issues in Health Systems Management
HAP 705 Strategic Management and Marketing in Health Care
HAP 746 Health Policy Leadership

Executive Concentration

HAP 652 Essentials of Health Insurance and Managed Care or HAP 764 Health Policy and Government Payment Systems for Health Care Services
HAP 702 Managerial Accounting in Health Care
HAP 703 Financial Management in Health Systems
HAP 704 Contemporary Issues in Health Systems Management
HAP 705 Strategic Management and Marketing in Health Care
HAP 707 Human Resource Management in Healthcare

Tuition & Fees (2024-2025):
Tuition is $895 per credit hour. An additional charge of $35 per credit hour applies for a Distance Learning fee.

Financial Aid:
For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department.

Post graduate employment is a strength of the MHA program. Graduates are prepared to support and solve a range of health care situations. Alumni work for hospitals, medical groups, clinics, governmental and non-profit organizations, and more roles including:

Medical records and health information manager
Hospital administrator
Population health care coordinator
Consultant
Clinical workforce administrator
Health care policy consultant
Underwriter at health care organization
Program manager
Community and social service specialists
Administrative services and facilities manager
Medical and health services manager
Start-up entrepreneurs
Risk management
Quality improvement
Artificial Intelligence (AI)

If you are unable to find the answers to your questions, submit a Request Information form or contact our admissions representative via the contact information below.

Phone: 703-348-5006
Email: online2@gmu.edu

How do I apply?
All admission applications for the online MHA in Health Systems Management program are handled online here. If you have more questions, please see our FAQs below.

ADMISSIONS FAQs

What accreditations do George Mason and the master’s of health administration program have?
George Mason University on-campus and online MHA program in the Department of Health Administration and Policy is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).

How long does it take to complete the program?
The online MHA in Health Systems Management is 45 credit hours and can be completed in 30 months. Students take one course per semester and have up to six years to complete their health administration degree program.

Graduate students who do not enroll in courses for two or more consecutive semesters must re-enroll in their program upon their return. Re-enrollment does not have fees; forms are available through the Office of the Registrar.

Can I transfer credits from another university?
Graduate students may transfer up to 12 semester hours of approved, equivalent course work from an accredited college or university to the online MHA in Health Systems Management. Transfer credit policies are available in the University Catalog.

When are classes offered?
Most courses for the online master of health administration degree are offered in asynchronous online format. In the Capstone Practicum course, students work in the field in a health service-related organization. Classes need to be taken one a time.

Where can I find course descriptions?
Course descriptions for the online MHA in Health Systems Management are available in the University Catalog, though the online course sequence may vary.

What tuition assistance is available?
George Mason’s Office of Student Financial Aid provides information on potential scholarships and aid packages.

What is the format for the practicum?
The capstone practicum’s 8-week sessions contain 3 required synchronous meetings, usually at the beginning, middle and end of the capstone course. Students are expected to meet with their preceptors and work on their projects and deliver on agreed upon deliverables during the 8 weeks of class. Depending on your capstone, meetings with your preceptor can be virtual or in-person. The capstone can also be virtual or in-person. Through this process, students gain new project management insights while executing their project plan.

What are the practicum requirements and eligibility?
All coursework must be completed before a student enrolls in the capstone course. Any exceptions must receive the approval of the student’s academic advisor and course faculty. This is important because the capstone requires the application of the knowledge and competencies students are expected to have acquired from prior coursework.

The MHA program cannot guarantee practicum placement or subsequent degree completion for students who do not pass a background check. Mason does not require background checks, however some companies do. Moreover, employment prospects for students are not likely for those who cannot pass a criminal background check and other pre-employment screening typically conducted by hospitals, health care clinics, long-term care or assisted living facilities.

How do I receive additional information?
Prospective online MHA in Health Systems Management degree students can complete an online form to request more information.

How much does it cost to apply?
While there is a $75 application fee, there are multiple times throughout the year that the fee may be waived.

What are the admissions requirements?

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
Minimum of a 3.0 GPA
Official transcripts
Resume/CV
Statement of Purpose and objectives
Two letters of recommendation
Program specific application materials

In addition to the requirements listed above, international students must submit:

All transcripts must be translated into English
Work Education Services (WES) ICAP course-by-course evaluation of academic records*
English proficiency test scores*

*Visit go.gmu.edu/CHHSinternational to see when this requirement applies

Health Administration in Health Systems Management (MHA)