Master of Science in Healthcare Administration (Online)

Overview of the Program

The Master of Science in Healthcare Administration (Online Program) degree provides the knowledge and skills needed to prepare leaders to deal specifically with the United States healthcare marketplace. Healthcare administrators are responsible for the business and financial aspects of hospitals, clinics, and a variety of other health services organizations. They are partners with other healthcare providers in providing care and serving the needs of patients, their families, and communities. Healthcare administrators are needed to organize and manage in all areas of the industry.

Courses in this degree include information related to health services delivery, healthcare policy, law, and ethics; financial management, managed care, and reimbursements; organizational behavior; information systems management; interdisciplinary approaches to creating systems; and quality improvement and accountability.

The online program is designed to prepare healthcare professionals to successfully manage and lead healthcare organizations. It provides a quality educational experience and professional development that enhances the student’s abilities in healthcare management and enables achievement in career goals.

Accreditation

The Master of Science in Healthcare Administration is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and will seek additional accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to the Healthcare Administration program must meet the following requirements:

1. Complete and submit all admission requirements for Graduate Studies to the Office of Graduate Studies. See “Admission to Graduate Studies Requirements” for more information.
2. Complete the MHCA application process by published deadlines.
3. Demonstrated leadership experience.
4. Submit current CV or resume.
5. Submit a personal letter of intent describing educational and career goals.
6. Submit two professional letters of recommendation.
7. After documentation is received, participate in a scheduled interview with the MHCA executive director and a MHCA advisory board member.
8. A student failing to meet one or more of the standards required for admission as a regular student may be eligible for provisional admission, if space in the program is available. Students who fail to make progress under provisional admission must withdraw from the program.
9. International students may apply for the Master of Science in Healthcare Administration (Online Program) if they are completing this program while living outside the United States. International students must meet the admission requirements stated above and the international student admission requirements for Graduate Studies. (See “Admission to Graduate Studies”.) The Master of Science in Healthcare Administration (Online Program) is not available for an international student on a F1 visa living in the United States. Online programs will not satisfy visa requirements.

Application

Applications for admission should be completed online at uafs.edu/apply. For admission information or other general information, email graduate-studies@uafs.edu or call (479) 7887518.

To ensure the application is processed in a timely manner, submit all application materials by published deadlines. All required documents must be sent to:

OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - FORT SMITH
5210 GRAND AVE.
P.O. BOX 3649
FORT SMITH, AR 72913

Transcript Note

• If mailing official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, they must be in official, sealed, school envelopes that have been sent to the student. Do not open the envelopes, as transcripts not in the original, sealed envelopes, will not be considered official.
• Transcripts may be sent by mail or electronically to the UAFS Registrar’s Office from the individual institution(s).
• If courses/degrees have been completed previously from UAFS, the Office of Graduate Studies will obtain transcripts from the UAFS Registrar’s Office.

Required admission documents are kept for one full year. If the student does not enroll after one year, all documents are purged.

Graduation Requirements

Students must satisfy all graduation requirements as listed in the Graduation Requirements. Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in degree requirements.