Health Care Administration
Valparaiso University’s Master of Health Care Administration (MHCA) provides students with the skills and experience to become leaders in a variety of health care settings. Graduates go on to positions such as hospital administrators, health information management directors, nursing home administrators, health care managers, and more.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has projected a 28% job growth for medical and health services managers between 2021 and 2031. A degree in health care administration provides the essential knowledge and fundamental skills for a successful future.
Valpo’s MHCA program teaches students to use critical thinking skills to effectively communicate and manage employees; to improve patient safety, clinical processes and health outcomes; and to respectfully recognize the diversity of their patients and populations while executing the policies of their health care organization.
Outside the classroom, students acquire practical experience through an internship totaling 240 hours (3 credits at 80 hours per credit).
Students may complete this 39-credit program on either a full-time or part-time basis.
| Requirements | 30 Credits | |
| Health Care Administration 501 |
Understanding the Profession and Health Care Organizations | 3 |
| Health Care Administration 517 | Leadership and Teambuilding in Health Care Administration | 3 |
| Health Care Administration 520 | Financial Management | 3 |
| Health Care Administration 601 | Research and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| Health Care Administration 602 | Managing and Analyzing Health Care Information | 3 |
| Health Care Administration 640 | Quality Health Care Management | 3 |
| Health Care Administration 650 | Managing People and Human Resources | 3 |
| Health Care Administration 672 | Legal & Ethical Issues in Health Care | 3 |
| Health Care Administration 675 | Organizational and Government Policy in Health Care | 3 |
| Master of Business Administration 505 | Marketing Management and Consumer Expertise | 3 |
| Two courses from the following options: | 6 Credits | |
| Health Care Administration 662 | Health in the Community | 3 |
| Health Care Administration 664 | International Health and Health Care Organizations | 3 |
| Inter-Professional Education 518 | Global Health | 3 |
| Internship | 3 Credits | |
| Health Care Administration 686 | Internship | 3 |
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All international students are required to take GRD-500.
*Effective Fall 2023 |
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Admission to the health care administration graduate program is decided by the following criteria for fall and spring start dates:
- A completed Graduate School application form (Graduate application fee of $30 for U.S. applicants, $50 for international applicants)
- Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work
- An undergraduate GPA of 3.0, or, if below, five years of work experience in the field
- Two letters of reference, at least one of which needs to be from an employer or academic adviser
- An essay indicating reasons for studying health care administration
Please note:
- A non-native English speaker is required to have a minimum TOEFL (iBT version) 82 or IELTS 6.5.
Online applications may be submitted through the Graduate School website.
CONTACT
Phrosini Samis-Smith, DHEd , MSSA, MSCEP
Assistant Dean for Health Professions
Email: phrosini.samissmith@valpo.edu
Phone: 219.464.5289
4+1 HCL/MHA PROGRAM IS SERVING BELLA RAVOTTO WELL
Standout women’s volleyball student-athlete, Bella Ravotto, recently completed her Bachelor’s in Health Care Leadership and is now pursuing her Master’s in Health Care Administration.
“One of my favorite things is the interprofessional collaboration among your peers and professors. I am learning from those that have been on the administration side, but also on the clinical side. That collaboration, among different occupations in the health care field, gives me great experience going into the workforce.”