MHHS vs MHA?

Graduate School
1

Hi everyone,

I don’t know if this post is in the right place…if it isn’t I am sorry and moderators should feel free to move it to the correct place :slight_smile:

My question is…What is the difference between a Master of Health and Human Services and a Master of Healthcare Administration?

I am currently applying to a Master of Health and Human Services program with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Human Resource Administration. I would like to work in healthcare administration. This particular program is attractive to me because some courses can be completed online making it flexible with working and it does require a practicum or thesis to graduate, the practicum being the more attractive option because I believe it makes one much more marketable because you’ll have real-world experience. I haven’t come across many programs that require this. It also has a few tracks you can choose from, the one I want to go with is “Healthcare Informatics” and I would also have the option to complete a certificate with the program in “Healthcare Management.” The last reason is the program is quite affordable for a Masters degree.

Here is the curriculum:

MHHS Degree (required of all students):

Tool Courses (6 SH)

-Research & Statistics (3 SH)
-Health Informatics (3 SH)
OR
-Grant Writing (3 SH)

Management Skill Courses (6 SH)

-Optimizing Human Performance in Organizations (3 SH)
OR
-Optimizing Performance and Commitment (3SH)
AND
-Organizations Staffing Process (3 SH)
OR
-Research Programs (3 SH)
OR
Management Information Systems (3 SH)
OR
Health Informatics (3 SH)

Issues in Health and Human Services (12 SH):

-Community Health Practice (3 SH)
-Health Behavior (3 SH)
-Health Services Issues (3 SH)
-Health Care Reform (3 SH)

HEALTH INFORMATICS TRACK (12-13 SH):

-Clinical Informatics (3 SH)
-Health Care Systems Analysis (3 SH)
-Planning and Fiscal Management (3 SH)
-Internship Practicum (3 SH)
OR
-Thesis (4 SH)

Healthcare Management Certificate (18 SH):

Business Tool Courses (6 SH):

-Statistical Problems (3 SH)
-Basic Economic Analysis (3 SH)
-Financial Accounting and Finance for Decision Making (4 SH)
-Foundations of Management (2 SH)
-Information Systems for Management (2 SH)
-Foundations of Marketing (2 SH)

Healthcare Management Courses (12 SH):

-Organizational Behavior (3 SH)
-Program Planning & Evaluation (2 SH)
-Planning and Fiscal Management (4 SH)
-Community Health Practice (3 SH)
-Foundation and Planning (3 SH)
-Implementation and Evaluation (3 SH)

All in all it does seem like a pretty decent program…we have a great selection of actual clinical programs, which is partially why this exists. I was a bit nervous about not being a clinician or something healthcare related now, but the director of this program said that while it is aimed more towards clinical people, he himself is not a clinical person and never has been and it is a good program for those who want to go into administration positions regardless of their background and actually likes and prefers business students…they have business course pre-requisites to get into the program to begin with (business statistics, accounting, management, business research).

2

Most healthcare administration programs require some sort of practicum or internship.

There could be a difference or there could be no difference - it depends entirely upon the specific MHA program you are comparing the MHHS to. The curriculum for this MHHS seems very similar to the curricula at most MHA programs, so the difference is probably very small for the average MHA.

The most important thing: ask about job placement and career services. Where do graduates work afterwards? What percentage of them get jobs, and how quickly, after graduation? And what are average salaries? This is especially important if you are going to be remote.

3

I apologize for the delay in replying to you, juillet. I appreciate your feedback.

I am not comparing this MHHS to any particular MHA program, just the average MHA I have come across.

I did speak to someone in career services and they said they don’t get a lot of feedback on the MHHS program so they cannot speak to where alumni are now. I would imagine the director would actually know just based on student interaction. I will ask him and see if he has any insight. The last time I spoke to him he seemed very confident in finding a job for me, because that was my main concern when talking to him.

I won’t necessarily be entirely remote. I only live 15-20 minutes from the school. I would only opt for an online course if work conflicted with it. Anything in the evening or any weekend classes I think I will opt for an on-campus option simply to make connections with the professors in person and what not.

Thanks again for the feedback! :slight_smile: