Master of Health Administration

About the Program

Admission and Curriculum | Highlights | Core Components | FAQ

Admission and Curriculum

Applications are accepted and reviewed for fall and spring semesters on a rolling basis.

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Highlights

  • Enroll full or part time and decide if you want to take your classes on campus or take advantage of our immersive, asynchronous online option. You can also choose from two optional academic tracks: Operations Management and Long-Term Care Administration.
  • Students complete a 300-hour internship and practical project with guidance from an internship supervisor. The wealth of health services organizations within the New York City metropolitan area allows students to pursue internship opportunities across the health services spectrum, including hospitals, physicians’ offices, long-term care facilities, health insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, group purchasing organizations, behavioral health organizations, and urgent care.
  • Students are involved in Hofstra University and greater communities through participation in the MHA student-led organization Future Healthcare Leaders (FHL), as well collaborations with students in other University programs, student groups, and local and national health care executive associations, including Healthcare Leaders of New York and the American College of Healthcare Executives.
  • Students are individually advised and guided by program faculty mentors, which allows them to identify their interests in specific health services fields and select classes and internships that align with those interests.
  • Small class sizes provide the supportive environment necessary for students to become innovative, efficient, and knowledgeable leaders who are effective communicators.
  • The program's strong alumni network allows students to interact with health and health care leaders and potential employers and colleagues.

Core Components

The MHA programs’ innovative learning modules provide students with a foundation in the core components required of health and health care administrators. These components include:

  • Population health and the role of institutions, culture, and economics in health determination, health access, and health care utilization.
  • The macro- and micro-level organizations that comprise health and health care systems and how these organizations produce and deliver health and health care services.
  • Formation, implementation, and evaluation of health and health care policy.
  • Organizational and behavioral management and economic principles and theories as applied to health and health care systems to improve organizational performance, minimize costs, and maximize efficiency.
  • Human resources and staff organization, planning, credentialing, and management in health and health care systems.
  • Industrial organization of health care firms (e.g., generating, implementing, and evaluating firm-level strategies to compete in health and health care markets).
  • Leadership and management principles (e.g., development of the critical thinking process required to overcome challenges, innovate, and effectively and efficiently administer resources).
  • Health and health care law, ethics, and professionalism.
  • Health information systems and the use of technology in program and firm management, analysis, and innovation.
  • Finance and accounting principles in strategic planning, organizational evaluation, management, and administration for health and health care professionals.
  • Data analytics, economic analysis and statistical approaches to design, implement, and evaluate firm investment and market strategies, physical and labor resource allocations, policy-based benchmarking and goals, and other business and health planning initiatives.
  • Inter- and intra-personal navigation, including the development of the communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills needed to contribute to health and health care organizations from an individual, team-member, and leadership position, and then use these skills to successfully navigate an organization internally and externally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a deadline for admission?
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed and decided on as they are received. Students may apply to begin the programs in either fall or spring, or request to enroll during one of the summer sessions. While course offerings are flexible each year, it is recommended that prospective students apply with adequate time to register. The admissions committee prefers that students apply at least two weeks prior to the beginning of classes.
Can I transfer credits from a previous graduate program? If so, how many?
With MHA program director or faculty advisor approval, students may transfer up to 9 semester hours of equivalent graduate courses from an accredited higher education institution. Coursework must have been completed within the last five years with minimum grades of B. Students with extensive clinical or administrative health services experience may request and be granted individualized adjustments to the program requirements upon the recommendation of the program director.
How long does it take to complete the programs?
The curriculum is 48 semester hours. To be considered full-time, students register for 9 semester hours in the fall and spring semesters, though many students complete the programs part-time. Courses are generally offered during the fall, spring, and summer sessions as well as periodically during the January session. Advisors work with students to structure their plan of study. Full-time students may complete the programs in approximately two years (e.g.,12 semester hours per fall and spring semester for two years; or 9 semester hours per fall and spring semester and 6 semester hours across the summer sessions for two years), while part-time students usually complete the program in 2.5-3 years.
When are classes offered?
In-person classes are generally offered Monday – Thursday at 4:30, 6:30, or 8:30 p.m., along with some Saturday morning options. Courses are offered throughout the calendar year, including fall, spring, and summer sessions, and in some cases during January intersession.
How are students connected with internship sites?
Students are responsible for locating their own internship sites. MHA faculty assist students in their internship site search.
What if I don’t have any administrative experience in health care?
The programs encourages applicants with diverse backgrounds to apply, as no particular bachelor’s degree is required. As mentioned previously, all students have the opportunity to benefit from experiential learning through an internship placement to bolster knowledge and marketability.   Students are also encouraged to connect with mentors in the field and in course instructors who facilitate networking opportunities as well. Lastly, programs for professional development are frequently arranged by the Future Health Care Leaders organization and across Hofstra’s community.
Are scholarships available? How do I apply?

All graduate applications are reviewed for merit-based scholarships by the MHA program director and are distributed on a competitive basis to eligible applicants. No additional materials are needed outside of the MHA application to be considered.

Continuing students may apply for additional scholarships and are alerted when this opportunity arises during the semester.

In addition, employees of hospital systems are eligible for an additional Hofstra hospital system scholarship. For more information, please contact Nicolle Tumminelli, MSED, senior assistant dean.

Applicants are encouraged to speak with representatives in the Office of Student Financial Services (516-463-8000) to inquire about need-based aid and other resources to finance their degree. Matriculated students may also apply for a variety of campus jobs, which are continually updated on Hofstra's website.

What is the average class size?
In-person classes usually do not exceed 22 students. There are some cases when class sizes may be slightly larger with a maximum of 30 students.
What factors do you consider/what qualities do you look for in applications?
All applications are reviewed holistically to measure potential for success in the classroom and in the field of healthcare. There is no particular background required to apply for the MHA, though the admissions committee is sure to look for those whose professional goals connect well with the curriculum and competencies for graduation. Applicants are encouraged to describe their commitment to the field of health within their statement of purpose and to expand on their goals and objectives for the future.