Health Care Administration (MHA)
Associate Dean for Graduate Business Programs: Patsy Norman
Director for the Army-Baylor Graduate Program in Health and Business Administration, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX.: COL Dan M. Wood
The Master of Health Administration degree is awarded after sixty-six semester hours of study which includes five semesters of graduate courses, a comprehensive oral examination, a twelve-month administrative residency, and a graduate management portfolio (GMP). The objective of this program is to prepare students for a professional career in health services administration, with particular emphasis on middle and senior level management in federal health care systems. Through the course of study, students gain a broad knowledge of the theories, concepts, managerial tenets and techniques fundamental to effective administration of health care delivery.
The Executive Clinical Leadership (ECL) MHA track is a program that entails a 54-week didactic phase in which the student completes 66 credit hours, including a Graduate Management Project (GMP). Since the administrative residency year required for the traditional MHA is waived, substantial clinical experience is a prerequisite (generally 10 years). Students are either a senior Major or junior Lieutenant Colonel.
The Master of Health Administration degree will be granted upon completion of graduate course work (one year), the comprehensive oral examination, the administrative residency (one year), and the GMP.
A Top Ranked Nationally Accredited Program
- The Master of Heath Administration (MHA) program is ranked #12 in the nation for graduate healthcare management and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
- The program also offers a dual degree track for an MHA and Master of Business Administration (MBA). The MBA is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- The MHA program is tied with programs such as Johns Hopkins and Cornell University
- Complete U.S. News & World Report rankings
Residency Year at a Top Hospital
- The Army-Baylor Program consists of one didactic year hosted at the U.S. Medical Center of Excellence (MEDCoE), Fort Sam Houston, Texas and one residency year at large federal or civilian healthcare system.
- Civilian residency site options include the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Emory Health, UCLA Health, and Massachusetts General Hospital
- Military residency site options include Brooke, Tripler, Madigan, Landstuhl, and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Peer Network of Professionals
- Join a robust inter-service network of healthcare professionals in the federal health sector.
- Classmates have diverse backgrounds and may have experience working as physicians, nurses, administrators, social work, and medical evacuation pilots, among many others.
- Engage with active Army-Baylor Alumni that serve in and out of the federal healthcare system.
Preface
- All applicants must follow the application procedures established by their appropriate service's regulations. For specific information about services' procedures, contact your respective career activities/education office(s).
- U.S. military officers, Department of Defense Civilians, and VA employees must first be approved by their respective services to attend the Army-Baylor Program. Attendance to the Army-Baylor Program will likely result in an individual additional service obligation.
- For example, U.S. Army officers serving as Army Nurse, Medical Service, Medical Specialist or Veterinary officer must apply and be selected through the Long-Term Health Education Training.
Admissions Criteria
- Federal Service employment and approval from the respective service for attendance
- Baccalaureate degree or first professional degree from an accredited educational institution
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score is not required currently but we will take your GRE score into account if you provide it.
- Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score is not required currently but we will take your GMAT score into account if you provide it.
- Cumulative 3.0 undergraduate grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale from degree granting institution
- Executive Clinical Leadership (ECL) track (compressed into one-year) must have previous clinical experience in excess of 5 years with 10 preferred.
- Submit the required documentation to the Army-Baylor Program Administration Office:
- Officer record brief (U.S. Army Officers) or equivalent for other services
- Resume (civilian-style)
- Purpose Statement
- Official transcripts from accredited degree-granting institutions. Transcripts for transfer credits are not required.
- Test scores (GMAT or GRE) (Select 6032 for Baylor University and 68631 for U.S. Medical Center of Excellence)
The Army-Baylor Program can admit up to 55 single-track MHA students and up to 30 dual track MHA/MBA students.
The respective services often select officers for the MHA degree track. If any of these officers are interested in pursuing the dual MHA/MBA, Army-Baylor may provide an admissions waiver.
The Army-Baylor Program maintains an admissions committee to process any waivers into the MHA or MHA/MBA program. The admissions committee considers a holistic view of the candidate using the required documentation to include compelling purpose statements in their waiver recommendation to the Program Director. The Program Director may schedule interviews as necessary.
Class Composition and Curriculum
Each class is tri-service in composition, and most classes include Coast Guard, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Navy civil servants. Class members typically include physicians, dentists, nurses, allied health professionals, and administrators, making the year an invaluable, multidisciplinary learning experience. The M.H.A. program of study consists of 18 core courses and one required elective.
Requirements for an MHA in Health Care Administration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HCA 5105 | Ethics in Health Care | 1 |
| HCA 5106 | Fundamentals in Graduate Studies | 1 |
| HCA 5150 | Federal Health Seminar | 1 |
| HCA 5301 | U. S. Health Care Systems | 3 |
| HCA 5306 | Foundations in Healthcare Quality and Safety | 3 |
| HCA 5309 | Health Economics | 3 |
| HCA 5310 | Quantitative Analysis I: Statistics & Research Methods | 3 |
| HCA 5314 | Fundamentals in Health Policy and Policymaking in the United States | 3 |
| HCA 5317 | Digital Health Strategy | 3 |
| HCA 5322 | Organizational Behavior and Theory | 3 |
| HCA 5329 | Leadership in Complex Organizations | 3 |
| HCA 5336 | Healthcare Law | 3 |
| HCA 5350 | Finance I: Corporate Finance for Healthcare Leaders | 3 |
| HCA 5353 | Finance II: Financial Management of Healthcare Organizations | 3 |
| HCA 5358 | Quantitative Methods II: Modern Data Science | 3 |
| HCA 5359 | Human Resources Management | 3 |
| HCA 5360 | Operations Management in Healthcare | 3 |
| HCA 5212 | Population Health | 2 |
| HCA 5111 | Emergency Management | 1 |
| MMGT 5225 | Healthcare Strategic Management Seminar | 2 |
| MMGT 5125 | Healthcare Strategic Management Lab | 1 |
| MMKT 5371 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| HCA 5315 | Foundations of Applied Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| Residency Year | 9 | |
| Standard Track: | ||
| Administrative Residency | ||
| Executive Clinical Leadership Track: 1 | ||
| Graduate Management Study Development 1 1 | ||
| Graduate Management Study Development 2 1 | ||
| Graduate Management Study Development 3 1 | ||
| Residency Rotation I 1 | ||
| Residency Rotation 2 1 | ||
| Total Hours | 66 | |
- 1
Students approved for Executive Clinical Leadership Track will complete HCA 5101, HCA 5102, HCA 5103, HCA 5305, and HCA 5307 during the didactic year in lieu of completing the residency year course HCA 5961.
Electives
Electives are subject to change based on instructor availability. Students enrolled in the Army-Baylor M.H.A. program may take electives from both the H.C.A. and the M.B.A. courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HCA 5211 | Project Management | 2 |
| HCA 5308 | Lean Six Sigma | 3 |
| HCA 5V92 | Special Studies in Health Care Administration 1 | 1-3 |
| MBUS 5101 | Seminar in Business Foundations | 1 |
| MBUS 5151 | Seminar in Business Law | 1 |
| MBUS 5152 | Seminar in International Management | 1 |
| MBUS 5153 | Seminar in Macroeconomic Analysis in the Global Economy | 1 |
| MBUS 5154 | Seminar in World Economic Systems | 1 |
| MBUS 5155 | Seminar in Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation | 1 |
| MBUS 5310 | Selected Topics in Business Law | 3 |
| MBUS 5320 | Organizational Ethics | 3 |
| MBUS 5330 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| MBUS 5350 | International Business | 3 |
| MBUS 5311 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| HCA 5311 | Business Analytics for Healthcare Leaders | 3 |
- 1
May be repeated with a different topic for up to 12 credit hours
Residency
Degree candidates are required to serve an administrative residency in a selected health care institution. During this residency, performed under the guidance of a qualified preceptor, students study and analyze all the functional elements of the organization. They develop managerial skills through experience in the performance of administrative tasks and through direct participation in the problem-solving process. Additionally, students perform special studies as directed and conduct a portfolio of graduate management projects. Approval of proposed projects must be secured from the preceptor and the student’s faculty advisor at the Medical Center of Excellence.
Healthcare Administration (HCA)
HCA 5101 Graduate Management Study Development 1 (1)
This is the first in a series of three (1) credit Graduate Management Study (GMS) writing courses for students on the Executive Clinical Leadership track. The goal of this specific course is completion of the GMS proposal.
HCA 5102 Graduate Management Study Development 2 (1)
This is the second in a series of three (1) credit Graduate Management Study (GMS) writing courses for students on the Executive Clinical Leadership track. The goal of this specific course is completion of the GMS.
HCA 5103 Graduate Management Study Development 3 (1)
This is the third in a series of three (1) credit Graduate Management Study (GMS) writing courses for students on the Executive Clinical Leadership track. The goal of this specific course is to use the GMS as a basis from which to submit an article to a peer reviewed journal.
HCA 5105 Ethics in Health Care (1)
This course introduces students to the principles of bioethics and explores ethical issues that arise in the healthcare setting. The "big ideas" and values that inform those issues will also be engaged. Critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and decision-making will be incorporated throughout the course while fostering a climate of collegiality, dignity, and respect.
HCA 5106 Fundamentals in Graduate Studies (1)
This course teaches skills and design concepts necessary for employing the abilities and functions of Microsoft Excel programs and processing, understanding and manipulating the basic ability of SPSS to analyze and manipulate data points, using library and electronic resources for analyzing journal articles and basic research tools, and improving upon effective written communication tactics while focusing on proper APA formatting. Students learn through practical exercises with real data allowing them to create, manipulate, and use spreadsheets; work the interface between Excel and SPSS; and work with hands-on research tools and basic writing exercises to improve the basic skills required in graduate studies.
HCA 5107 Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics Residency Project (1)
This is a 1-credit applied concentration project embedded within the residency year and assessed through faculty validation and Residency Committee review. Students enrolled in the AI and Business Analytics Concentration are required to complete an approved AI-related or advanced data analytics project during the residency year. Under the guidance of a qualified preceptor, concentration candidates will complete a project that demonstrates meaningful application of AI and/or data analytics concepts in a real-world healthcare environment. Successful completion of the AI and Data Analytics Concentration requires both satisfactory completion of all didactic coursework and faculty validation that the residency project demonstrates meaningful application of AI concepts in a real-world healthcare environment. Approval of the proposal and completed project is secured through the Program’s Residency Committee.
HCA 5111 Emergency Management (1)
The course will examine medical readiness and explore the boundaries of the twenty-first-century national security mission. This will be accomplished by examining the threats, actors, and organizational structures and resources required to defend the American homeland.
HCA 5150 Federal Health Seminar (1)
This seminar is designed to expose students to the federal healthcare sector, focusing on the intricacies of military health systems and the unique challenges they face. Through interactions with military leaders and health administrators, students will gain insights into federal health policies, management strategies, and operational practices. The course aims to enhance competencies outlined in our competency model by fostering leadership skills, strategic thinking, and understanding of healthcare systems.
HCA 5201 Residency Rotation (2)
During this required residency and under the guidance of a qualified preceptor, degree candidates are provided opportunities to study and analyze the functional elements of a hospital. Their managerial skills are developed through varied experiences, the performance of administrative tasks, and direct participation in the problem-solving process. They also perform special studies in functional areas and conduct one graduate management project.
HCA 5212 Population Health (2)
Introduces students to epidemiology as a diagnostic discipline of population health. Material discussed will prepare students to communicate concepts of risk and understand epidemiological information. Common tools will be introduced to evaluate health problems and policies at a population level.
HCA 5213 Health Insurance and Managed Care in the U.S. (2)
Pre-requisite(s): All MHA Core Courses
Covers the foundation concerning insurance benefit plans for private insurers, TRICARE, Medicare, and Medicaid. Also covers the history of health insurance in the US, the Affordable Care Act, insurance coverages, insurance demand, adverse selection, underwriting, risk adjustments, moral hazard and pricing, utilization management, selective contracting and the insurance industry, employer-sponsored health, and smallgroup and high-risk pools.
HCA 5214 Project Management (2)
This course provides an examination of project management (PM) principles and practices within healthcare organizations. Students will learn to plan, execute, and evaluate projects that improve operational efficiency, patient outcomes, and organizational performance. Key topics include project planning, budgeting, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and performance monitoring using case studies and simulations.
HCA 5218 Finance II: Financial Apps (2)
This capstone course instructs healthcare leaders about their roles and responsibilities in operating and managing clinics and facilities within the financial environment of the healthcare system. The course provides opportunities to learn the business case analysis approach and further develop other decision-making tools and skills, building on sound financial, marketing, and strategic management practices learned in other courses.
HCA 5301 U. S. Health Care Systems (3)
Conceptual dimensions for health services organizations/systems at the macro and micro level are considered. Various aspects of health delivery systems are examined including clinics and hospitals, as well as managed care systems and other third party payers. Provides a conceptual framework for identifying, analyzing, evaluating and managing factors that influence the design, structure and effective operation of hospitals and other health care organizations. Material for this course considers a historical perspective and is drawn from a variety of disciplines, including economics, sociology, and the behavioral and biological sciences.
HCA 5305 Residency Rotation I (3)
During this required residency rotation and under the guidance of a qualified preceptor, degree candidates are provided opportunities to study and analyze the functional elements of a hospital. Their managerial skills are developed through varied experiences, the performance of administrative tasks, and direct participation in the problem-solving process. They also perform special studies in functional areas and identify a best practice.
HCA 5306 Foundations in Healthcare Quality and Safety (3)
Covers the historical evolution, current concepts, and future trends associated with monitoring and evaluation of health quality. Explores the major components of quality improvement to include patient care assessment, risk management, patient safety/environment of care, medical management, outcomes management, and process improvement.
HCA 5307 Residency Rotation 2 (3)
Pre-requisite(s): HCA 5305
During this required residency and under the guidance of a qualified preceptor, degree candidates are provided opportunities to study and analyze the functional elements of a hospital. Their managerial skills are developed through varied experiences, the performance of administrative tasks, and direct participation in the problem-solving process. Students also perform special studies in functional areas and conduct a graduate management project.
HCA 5308 Lean Six Sigma (3)
Given the widely used lean six sigma tools in today’s business environment, this course provides an understanding of lean processes and introduces students to the DMAIC cycle of process improvement. Classes are often hands-on and participative. Students will earn a green belt certificate of training for this course. They can earn a full green belt certification following successful completion of a project outside the course.
HCA 5309 Health Economics (3)
This course is a study of the dynamics of our healthcare delivery system from an economics-based perspective. Students learn to apply economic principles to make effective decisions as healthcare practitioners in areas related to medical practice, education, research, and public healthcare policy.
HCA 5310 Quantitative Analysis I: Statistics & Research Methods (3)
This overview course introduces the student to the use of data science and quantitative analysis in a management environment. Topics include probability, measurement theory, causal inference, experimental design, and critical evaluation of research. While primarily a statistics course, focus is on critical thinking skills in order to derive appropriate inferences from data.
HCA 5311 Business Analytics for Healthcare Leaders (3)
This course provides students with applied training in business analytics using Excel, Power BI, and artificial intelligence to support data-driven decision-making in healthcare organizations. Students develop skills in structuring, managing, analyzing, and visualizing healthcare data to evaluate operational performance and organizational effectiveness. Emphasis is placed on translating analytic results into clear, executive-level insights relevant to healthcare systems and leadership.
HCA 5312 Issues in International Health (3)
Health policies and delivery mechanisms within representative countries. Cross-cultural analytical techniques are reviewed. International health organizations, programs, and other cooperative efforts are discussed. International issues concerning environmental health, health status, and health care activities are studied.
HCA 5314 Fundamentals in Health Policy and Policymaking in the United States (3)
This course offers a comprehensive exploration of the fundamental aspects of health policy and policymaking in the United States. It lays the groundwork for understanding the processes of policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation. Students will delve into the content and context of health policies, analyzing the effects of significant health and healthcare related policy and legislation on individuals and populations across the nation. The course will investigate how policy decisions influence the triple aim of healthcare—addressing the patient experience, population health, and reducing costs. Additionally, the course will examine and assess political trade-offs, the social dimensions of policy, and the future of healthcare policy in light of the evolving political landscape and economic conditions. Through practical exercises, debates, and presentations, students will engage with contemporary issues and trends in the field of health policy.
HCA 5315 Foundations of Applied Artificial Intelligence (3)
This course provides an overview of artificial intelligence concepts, methods, and applications relevant to healthcare administration. Emphasis is placed on practical understanding of machine learning, automation, decision support systems, ethical considerations, and governance within healthcare and defense contexts.
HCA 5317 Digital Health Strategy (3)
Studies focus on the concepts and formulation of digital health technologies. This course is designed to integrate and apply knowledge, concepts, and methods in digital health to the ongoing strategic planning and assessments conducts by health care organizations. Business practices and issues associated with setting strategic goals related to digital health, acquiring and implementing digital health solutions, sharing information with stakeholders, and transforming the health care industry will be discussed in detail. Students have the opportunity to apply these ideas to health care business cases. In addition, students will learn about emerging technologies and apply their benefits to the health care sector.
HCA 5322 Organizational Behavior and Theory (3)
The focus of this course is the application of resources, behaviors, and theory in the organizational setting. Emphasis is placed on the skills and competencies necessary for effective health services management as well as the functions performed by, and roles required of, middle and senior level managers. The course progresses from individual, group, and organizational dynamics.
HCA 5329 Leadership in Complex Organizations (3)
This course is designed to explore a broad range of leadership issues. Students will have the opportunity to examine their own leadership qualities and develop ways to improve them. Readings will cover both theoretical bases for leadership and practical strategies for effective leadership. The format for the class will be group discussion. Each class the instructor or one of the students will present an article/book chapter on leadership and the class will discuss its relevance and importance.
HCA 5330 Health Care Contracting and Negotiations (3)
The common law of contracts will be analyzed in the areas of formation, performance and discharge, breach and remedies, the statute of frauds, covenants, and third party rights. The bases of government contracting will be laid and followed by study of contract types, formation, administration, termination, remedies, and ethical problem areas. The study of negotiations will include the process and applicable techniques, strategies, and tactics.
HCA 5334 Current Problems in Bioethics and Health Law (3)
The fundamentals of ethical decision making followed by study of current critical areas, such as abortion, the right to die; organ harvesting and transplanting; genetic screening, counseling, and engineering; other human subject research; and allocation of scarce resources or "the right to health care.
HCA 5336 Healthcare Law (3)
A study of the legal and regulatory environment related to healthcare law, including an introduction to the legal system, tort law, contract law, medical malpractice, liability of the U.S. Government and federal healthcare providers, requirements for tax-exempt status, antitrust enforcement concerns, and healthcare fraud. The course will focus on an analysis of relevant case law in each area and risk mitigation.
HCA 5340 Selected Topics in Financial Management (3)
Managing the external interface with markets (stock and bond valuation and issuing, endowment management, cash management and dividend policy) and advanced tools for managing financial resources (modeling and simulation, process costing, activity-based costing, transfer pricing and joint product costing).
HCA 5342 Health Applications in Networking (Elec) (3)
Provides a conceptual framework for identifying, creating, applying resources and advances in networking, telecommunications, and telemedicine to specific diseases, problems in health care, and public health. Resources on the Internet will be used to develop HTML documents. Databases will be explored to develop in-depth reports on individual diseases, resources, public health and infrastructure deficiencies, and health related issues of concern to military operational planners and health care executives.
HCA 5344 Advanced Research Methods (3)
Advanced Research Methods combines skills learned in research methods, statistics, and organization behavior into a blended class that integrates the three previous courses with large databases and statistical software. Students are expected to design research methodologies based on sound theoretical modeling techniques resulting in testable hypotheses reviewed through appropriate analytical assessments. Mathematical/Statistical proofs, operationalization & transformation of data, power and error analysis, and advanced techniques in MANOVA, regression and research design are emphasized.
HCA 5350 Finance I: Corporate Finance for Healthcare Leaders (3)
Basic principles of corporate finance, including financial statement analysis, governance, debt and equity characteristics and valuation, capital investment decisions, budgeting, audit readiness, and ethical decision making. This course is designed as an overview of finance for healthcare leaders.
HCA 5353 Finance II: Financial Management of Healthcare Organizations (3)
Pre-requisite(s): HCA 5350
Planning and controlling functions (time value of money, pro formas and budgets, ratio analysis), balance sheet management (working capital budgeting, debt and equity financing), and cost management (cost classification allocation and apportioning methods, standard budgeting, break-even and variance analysis).
HCA 5355 Law and Ethics of War and Terrorism (3)
With an emphasis on medical service, this course explores the ethical and legal aspects of military service through current literature, discussion, and film. It includes a study of that area of the law called just war theory and distinguishes terrorism from conventional war.
HCA 5357 MEDCOM Analytics (3)
This class introduces healthcare leaders to current critical topics and techniques in US Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) Analytics. Though focused on MEDCOM analytics, the material will have substantial applicability to other students in the military health system. The course enhances critical thinking and develops student abilities to conduct data analysis, using M2 as the primary platform.
HCA 5358 Quantitative Methods II: Modern Data Science (3)
Pre-requisite(s): HCA 5310
This course is a study of how to match appropriate data science approaches, methods, and techniques to analyze the increasing volume and variety of healthcare data to extract actionable insights for making improvements to our healthcare delivery systems.
HCA 5359 Human Resources Management (3)
Study of human resource management with emphasis on issues confronting health care administrators. Examination of emerging practices affecting procurement, compensation, retention, evaluation, training, and development of the human resources needed to provide health care and labor management relations. Emphasis on case studies, current trends and practical applications.
HCA 5360 Operations Management in Healthcare (3)
This course provides an introduction to the concepts and analytic methods that are useful in understanding the management of a hospital's operations. It provides basic definitions of operations management terms, and tools and techniques for analyzing operations and making operational decisions. The course emphasizes application of concepts, techniques and methodologies from the field of operations management to organizations in service industries.
HCA 5390 Consulting Practicum in Health Care Administration (3)
A work group project course where students personally observe, analyze, synthesize, evaluate, and report on various real-world healthcare problems in local health services facilities. Students are expected to integrate acquired knowledge, skills, and analytical tools previously obtained in the didactic year regarding the management of health services. The course focuses on significant problems and evolving trends in the local community and their implications for efficient and effective healthcare delivery.
HCA 5961 Administrative Residency (9)
Pre-requisite(s): All Didactic Phase Courses
During this required residency and under the guidance of a qualified preceptor, degree candidates are provided opportunities to study and analyze the functional elements of a hospital and/or healthcare organization. Their managerial skills are developed through varied experiences, the performance of administrative tasks, and direct participation in the problem-solving process. Students also perform special studies in functional areas and conduct graduate management projects. Approval of the proposal and the completed research is secured from the program's Residency Committee.
HCA 5V92 Special Studies in Health Care Administration (1-3)
Advanced work jointly planned by the professor and student in any of the various disciplines of health care administration represented by members of the graduate program faculty. The course provides students with a structured study in the selected topic area and permits advanced application of prior course work. May be repeated with a different topic for up to twelve hours credit.
HCA 5V93 Selected Topics in Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics (1-4)
Advanced work jointly planned by the professor and student in selected topics related to artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics, machine learning, digital health technologies, or related analytical disciplines relevant to healthcare administration. The course provides students with a structured study in the selected topic area and permits advanced application of prior coursework in analytics, strategy, quantitative methods, and healthcare management. May be repeated with a different topic for up to twelve hours credit, provided content remains focused on artificial intelligence or advanced data analytics applications in healthcare or defense health systems.