New Master's Degree for Tomorrow's Healthcare Leaders

Students at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health have a brand new degree option: the Master of Healthcare Administration, offered through the Department of Health Policy and Management. Beginning this fall semester, the MHA program will give them intensive training in leadership and management along with a broad introduction to public health, health policy, and healthcare systems. Ninety students are enrolled in the first incoming Master of Healthcare Administration class. The semester begins on September 2nd.

"As the healthcare industry faces major changes with the introduction of the Affordable Care Act, there has never been a greater need for management professionals who balance business acumen with healthcare expertise," says Michael Sparer, PhD, JD, chair of Health Policy and Management. 

"The Master of Healthcare Administration degree will give tomorrow's leaders the skills they need to lead and manage healthcare systems," says Linda P. Fried, MD, MPH, Dean of the Mailman School.

The Columbia MHA degree, which is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation Healthcare Management Education and New York State, is offered in full-time, part-time, and executive formats. Through a combination of teaching methodologies, including case studies, simulations, and collaborative learning, students learn management and leadership skills of a traditional business school education in a context that emphasizes the unique nature of the healthcare system. Graduates will have the tools to pursue management positions in hospitals, clinics, and government agencies, as well as careers in consulting, bio-pharma, finance, and insurance companies.
 
"When the literature came out on the new MHA degree, I knew this was a perfect match to my interest in restructuring health systems,” said first-year student Annette Rabinovich. "Reform of the healthcare system will require a new skill set, and much like a business school education, the MHA allows for a decision-making and managerial approach—valuable expertise that will help me and others navigate the complex healthcare system.  I am also thrilled to be studying with a world-class faculty who have insight into so many aspects of healthcare."
 
Alongside the new MHA, the Department of Health Policy and Management will continue to offer an MPH degree that provides a broad introduction to domestic and global issues in health policy and management, emphasizing the fundamentals of public health philosophy and practice, as well as the analytical skills, content knowledge on population health, and methodological tools necessary for both health policymakers and managers.
 
The MHA announcement comes a year after the debut of the Mailman School's new MPH degree.

About Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health

Founded in 1922, Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health pursues an agenda of research, education, and service to address the critical and complex public health issues affecting New Yorkers, the nation and the world. The Mailman School is the third largest recipient of NIH grants among schools of public health. Its over 450 multi-disciplinary faculty members work in more than 100 countries around the world, addressing such issues as preventing infectious and chronic diseases, environmental health, maternal and child health, health policy, climate change & health, and public health preparedness. It is a leader in public health education with over 1,300 graduate students from more than 40 nations pursuing a variety of master’s and doctoral degree programs. The Mailman School is also home to numerous world-renowned research centers including ICAP (formerly the International Center for AIDS Care and Treatment Programs) and the Center for Infection and Immunity. For more information, please visit www.mailman.columbia.edu.