Health Administration (online) (HLSO)
Graduate Degree Program
College: Public Health
ABSTRACT
The Master of Health Administration (MHA) program at the University of Maryland, College Park offers students a rigorous, multi-disciplinary program with courses in public health services administration, research methods in healthcare, health law and ethics, health economics and analysis, strategic management of human resources, health service information systems, financial management of health organizations, marketing for competitive health service, quality assessment and evaluation, and health care leadership and communications. The 46-credit professional degree will prepare graduates to manage the many complex health-related organizations including hospitals, long term care facilities, managed care organizations, rehabilitation agencies, public health clinics, state agencies, among others. The program is mostly online and requires in-person attendance a few weekends of the Fall semester at the University of Maryland College Park Campus.
Public health and health services now comprise the largest industry in the United States, producing nearly one seventh of the United States’ gross national product. According to the World Health Report 2000, the health care system should be conceptualized as including not only health services, but also public health and social welfare activities. The Department of Health Policy and Management adopts this integrated approach to address current health needs, provide leadership in a rapidly evolving health care industry, and anticipate future health challenges in an expanding global economy.
CONTACT
Negin Fouladi
Program Director
Department of Health Policy and Management
3310 School of Public Health Building
4200 Valley Drive
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Email: fouladi@umd.edu
The Master of Health Administration (MHA) online program has a two-part application process: applicants must submit the SOPHAS application (sophas.cas.myliaison.com), the centralized application service for schools and programs of public health, and the UMD Supplemental application. Both applications must be submitted, complete with all required documents and verified by the scheduled deadline. Applications will be reviewed once both the SOPHAS and UMD Supplemental applications are complete.
GENERAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- A Bachelor's degree
- Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
- Transcripts from all previous coursework
- English proficiency test score (TOEFL, IELTS or PTE) (international applicants)
- Statement of purpose and objectives
- Response to personal experiences question(s)
PROGRAM SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
- SOPHAS application & UMD Supplemental application
- The statement of purpose should include career and educational goals, professional experience, and public health areas of interest
- At least one undergraduate math course
- Three letters of recommendation
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Alignment between the applicant's professional goals and expectations and the program's degree competencies and faculty expertise.
Note for applicants with foreign credentials:
- The SOPHAS application requires that applicants submit a WES credential evaluation
- The UMD supplemental application requires transcripts issued in the original language with a literal English translation. Visit the Graduate School website for additional information
- Evidence of English Language proficiency is required if the applicant does not hold a degree from a U.S. institution or from one of the English-speaking countries listed on the Graduate School website
-
Language scores must be submitted both to SOPHAS and the UMD supplemental application
For detailed instructions on how to apply, please visit the School of Public Health Website: sph.umd.edu/graduate-application-process
APPLICATION DEADLINES
| Type of Applicant | Fall Deadline | Spring Deadline | Summer Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Applicants | |||
| US Citizens and Permanent Residents | May 14, 2027 | November 20, 2026 | N/A |
| The Fall priority deadline for both SOPHAS and UMD applications is January 15, 2027 | The Spring priority deadline for both SOPHAS and UMD Supplemental applications is October 9, 2026 | ||
| International Applicants* | |||
| F (student) or J (exchange visitor) visas; A, E, G, H, I and L visas and immigrants | N/A | N/A | N/A |
*Visa Eligibility: This program is not eligible for I-20 or DS-2019 issuance by the University of Maryland. International students who currently reside in the U.S. on existing visas may apply.
RESOURCES AND LINKS
Office of Extended Studies (OES) Program Website: https://exst.umd.edu/professionals-post-baccalaureates/professional-graduate-programs/school-public-health-graduate-programs-online/master-health-administration
SPH Program Website: sph.umd.edu/mha-master-health-administration-online
Application Process: sph.umd.edu/graduate-application-process
Admissions FAQ: sph.umd.edu/graduate-application-faqs
Faculty information: sph.umd.edu/people/negin-fouladi
| Last Name | First/Middle Name | Graduate Faculty Status | Academic Credentials | Positions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boudreaux | Michel | Full Member | B.A., Augsburg College, 2003; M.S., University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 2009; Ph.D., University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 2014 | Associate Professor, Health Administration Assistant Professor, Health Equity Assistant Professor, Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation Assistant Professor, Health Services |
| Chen | Jie | Full Member | B.S., Shanghai University, 2001; M.A., SUNY-Stony Brook, 2006; Ph.D., SUNY-Stony Brook, 2008 | Chair, Health Administration Associate Professor, Health Administration Associate Professor, Health Equity Associate Professor, Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation Associate Professor, Health Services |
| Simon-Rusinowitz | Lori | Full Member | B.S., University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, 1975; M.P.H., University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, 1978; M.A., Whitworth University, 1985; Ph.D., University of Illinois-Chicago, 1987 | Associate Professor, Health Administration Associate Professor, Health Equity Associate Professor, Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation |
| Thomas | Stephen | Full Member | B.S., Ohio State University, 1980; M.S., Illinois State University, 1981; Ph.D., Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, 1985 | Professor, Health Administration Professor, Health Equity Professor, Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation Professor, Health Services |