Requirements
Program Overview
The Master of Science in Health Administration and Education program is designed to prepare the allied health practitioner for the enhanced role of educator or healthcare administrator. This program has a focus on administration and leadership in the healthcare setting as well as education for healthcare professionals. Graduates will be prepared to apply both administrative and business theories in leadership roles in the healthcare industry. They will also be prepared to apply educational theories and concepts to the classroom setting. The goal of this program is to prepare professionals for administrative and educator roles that facilitate quality patient care in the increasingly complex healthcare industry. Students will be required to take 38 masters-level hours to meet the requirements of the Master of Science in Health Administration and Education degree.
Graduate Outcomes
The graduate will be able to:
- Integrate knowledge gained from bio-psychosocial fields, community and cultural health, quality improvement, and organizational sciences for the continual improvement of health education and administration in diverse settings.
- Incorporate leadership, collaborative, and organizational skills into practice in order to emphasize ethical and critical decision-making, effective working relationships, and a system-perspective.
- Integrate the principles of quality improvement and evaluation into the health administrator or educator role.
- Utilize evidence-based practice, research findings, and collaborative skills to effect accountable change in health administration, education, and policy.
- Analyze practice, legal, and ethical considerations of current and emerging healthcare technologies utilized in patient care and health administration and education.
- Integrate patient-centered and culturally competent concepts of planning, delivering, and evaluating community healthcare at the local, regional, and global levels into health education and administration practices.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the general admission requirements to the graduate school, each applicant must:
- hold a health-related baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent, from a nationally accredited school;
- submit a statement of professional goals and current resume;
- hold a current unencumbered license, registry, or certification if professionally licensed, registered, or certified in a healthcare field;
- have an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or a GPA of 2.5 on the last 30 undergraduate hours;
- demonstrate competency in scholarly writing by submission of a GRE analytical writing score of 3.5 or better within the last five years OR passing the HAE 600 - Scholarly Writing for Healthcare Professionals with a grade of B or better.
Admission Status
An applicant for the Master of Science in Health Administration and Education program is admitted to regular or nondegree graduate status as follows:
Regular—Regular graduate status will be granted to those students who meet all requirements for admission to the program and are actively pursuing a degree.
Nondegree—Nondegree status may be assigned to those students who meet the requirements for admission, but do not wish to become a candidate for a degree. No more than nine hours of credit earned in a nondegree status may apply toward a degree.
Incomplete admission status may be granted for one term for a student who appears to be eligible for admission but is unable to supply certain required records prior to registration. Students may also be admitted as incomplete admission status for one term without demonstrating writing competency; however, the student may not register for courses within the dissertation track.
Health Status Requirements
All students entering HAE courses are required to have a completed College of Health Sciences health examination form. All students must submit documentation of receiving the hepatitis B immunization series, or positive titer; two varicella immunizations, or positive titer; a DTaP immunization; the results of appropriate screening for TB; and evidence of influenza vaccination annually and any other assigned healthcare facility requirements. Failure to comply with all health requirements will result in the inability to attend the practicum portion of a course and failure of the course.
All students must complete (re)certification of CPR for the Healthcare Providers by the American Heart Association. This will be done at an institution of the student’s choice. Students are responsible for submitting evidence of current certification. Failure to do so will result in the inability to attend the practicum portion of a course and failure of the course.
Criminal Background Check
All students enrolled in HAE courses must have clearance of criminal background checks performed within the last two years by the MS State Department of Health or equivalent agency if licensure is in a state other than Mississippi prior to participating in HAE courses. This is a mandatory requirement as part of the Mississippi state law, Section 43-13-11 of Mississippi Code of 1972.
After initial enrollment, any subsequent disciplinary action, arrest, charge, addiction, or impairment shall also be reported immediately to the program head. Failure to report any and all subsequent disciplinary actions, arrests, or impairment will constitute falsification of records and may result in expulsion from the program.
Drug Testing
All students will be required to have drug screens prior to practicum courses or provide proof of a clear drug screen within the last year. These students can have the required drug screen done individually or may provide proof drug screen within the last six months. Random drug screening can be performed at the discretion of the College of Health Sciences. Refusal by a student to submit to testing will result in denial of admission for new students and immediate dismissal from the program for continuing students.
Any admitting student who tests positive for illegal drugs must withdraw from practicum courses. The student may reapply for admission in six months and will be admitted based on admission criteria as any new student making application.
All costs associated with drug testing and criminal background checks are the responsibility of the student.
Computer Requirements
Technology is an essential and integral aspect of online courses. The student must have access to a computer and stable connection to the internet on a regular basis. A high-speed internet connection, such as a cable modem or DSL line, is preferred. The student will need access to a Word, PowerPoint, and an Excel software program, for example: Microsoft Office 2010 Professional. Students will also need access to audio through speakers and the capability to record through a microphone for selected web-enhanced assignments.
Attendance
Students are to participate in courses and verify and submit coursework on a weekly basis as required. Refer to College of Health Sciences Graduate Handbook and individual course syllabi for specific course requirements.
Requirements for the Master of Science in Health Administration and Education Degree
These general requirements apply to all candidates for the Master of Health Administration and Education degree:
- Each student must have acquired regular graduate admissions status.
- All required courses must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Only two grades lower than a B are allowed. A grade of “F” must be repeated for a grade of C or higher. Upon receiving a second grade lower than a “B”, the student is advised to repeat one of the first two grades before continuing in the program. Students making a third grade lower than “B” are dismissed from the program. After three or more years from dismissal, an appeal to reapply (in writing) may be presented to the HAE Leadership Team explaining why the student will have greater chances of success if readmitted. See Graduate Catalog-Academic Regulations-Academic Standing.
- Proficiency in writing and speaking the English language is a requirement for the Master of Health Administration and Education degree. Students failing to exhibit an acceptable proficiency while performing class work will be asked to eliminate such deficiency by enrolling in a noncredit course in English usage or by other appropriate methods. An informal interview with a candidate for the purpose of determining a plan of action in this area may be requested.
- A student must complete all required work within a period of six years after enrolling in graduate courses.
- Participation in the graduation ceremony is required. Degrees are not conferred in absentia, except by special permission of the registrar, for which students must submit a written request. Students who are candidates for May degrees are required to file applications for their degrees in the registrar’s office by October 15. Candidates for August graduation must file by March 31. Late applications will be accepted up to 30 days after the respective deadlines. There will be a late fee in addition to the graduation fees charged for all late applications.
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