Overview
MASTER OF HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION (M.H.C.A.)
(732)
The field of health care administration offers students an excellent opportunity to focus their graduate business study in one of the largest industries in the United States. Major changes are occurring within the U.S. health delivery system. Population growth continues in all age groups. These demographics have increased the demand for graduates with an academic foundation in health care management. Opportunities are noted in government at all levels, public health, professional agencies at multiple levels and in the direct delivery system.
This unique and rewarding professional program provides students with a carefully structured range of health care administration courses and enhances students' understanding of the U.S. health delivery system. This field of study focuses on the emergence of our health care system and its various components as outlined in the Health Care Management Program Handbook.
Graduates also enhance their opportunities for professional growth and job placement in this prestigious field through carefully planned residencies. Students also participate in scholastic research focusing on specific health care issues as the current delivery system undergoes reform.
To receive an MHCA degree, students must complete at least 54 quarter units of graduate work. A total of 13.5 quarter units of graduate credit may be granted for equivalent graduate work completed at another institution, as it applies to this degree and provided the units were not used in earning another advanced degree. Refer to the section on graduate admission requirements for specific information regarding application and matriculation.
Requirements
Degree Requirements
(12 courses, 54 quarter units)
Core Requirements
(12 courses, 54 quarter units)
It is recommended that students take the following courses in sequence:
ODV 610 Advanced Studies in Organizational Behavior in a Diverse Society
MKT 602 Marketing Management
TMG 620 Principles of Technology Management
HCA 620A Health Care Management
HCA 636 Ambulatory Care Continuum
HCA 634 Program Planning, Strategic Planning and Evaluation
HCA 629 Health Care Finance, Budget and Managed Care
HCA 609A Health Care Law, Policy, Politics and Ethics
HCA 640 Biostatistics and Research
HCA 641 Eldercare - Issues into Practice
HCA 691A Internship
Internship = 500 clock hours of onsite work
or
HCA 691B Research Practicum
Research Practicum = formal academic master level written work
Students must have completed five courses in the health care sequence before taking the capstone. Students are strongly encouraged to take HCA 640, Biostatistics, before beginning any quantitative research project, regardless of the number of courses completed in the sequence.
The lead faculty for the MHCA Program may make exceptions and allow students who have completed at least three courses in the health care sequence to take the capstone. In making this decision, the following criteria will be used:
- The student's background in health care and research methods
- Topic of the research or focus of the internship
- Any compelling reasons related to timing (for example, the desired internship opportunity will not be available at a later time)
Program Elective
(1 course, 4.5 quarter units)
For the elective, students should select a 600 level course offered in the School of Business and Management.
Note: It is recommended that students use ACC604 as the elective for the MHCA program.
| Degree Program Locations | |
|---|---|
| Kearny Mesa Campus | |
| La Mesa Campus | |
| Mission Valley Campus | |
| South Bay Campus | |
| Spectrum Business Park Campus | |