Course List - Master of Health Administration in Health Policy and Administration
Penn State's online MHA program spans seven continuous semesters and is composed of 13 online courses, an integrative online independent study, and two face-to-face management intensives, totaling 49 credits — designed to be completed within 28 months. An online orientation precedes the first semester of courses.
| Semester 1 | ||
| H P A 503 | Health Services Organizational Behavior A systematic application of the principles of organizational behavior to understanding professional roles in health services organizations. |
3 credits |
| H P A 520 | Introduction to Health Services Organizations and Delivery Introduction to health systems, health services organization and health care delivery focused on trends, problems, and issues. |
3 credits |
| Semester 2 | ||
| H P A 447 | Financing Health Care Analysis of financial flows, third party payment programs, and reimbursement practices in the health services sector. |
3 credits |
| H P A 822 | Clinical Issues for Health Services Management Introduction to current clinical issues in health services organizations focusing on the role of managers. |
3 credits |
| Semester 3 | ||
| H P A 527 | Health Care Operations Management Introduction to operations management techniques and analysis in health services. |
3 credits |
| H P A 524* | Management of Health Services Organizations A systematic study of the roles of health services managers and the organizational and environmental context within which they work. (*This course will be held face-to-face.) |
3 credits |
| H P A 805* | Change Leadership in Health Services Organizations Exploration of diagnostic and intervention strategies employed in planned change in health services organizations and programs. (*This course will be held face-to-face.) |
3 credits |
| Semester 4 | ||
| H P A 551 | Quality Improvement in Health Care Examination of major approaches to performance improvement in contemporary health care systems. |
3 credits |
| H P A 523 | Managerial Epidemiology Introduction to the principles and methods of managerial epidemiology and its application to health care. |
3 credits |
| H P A 595 | Independent Study Students will be asked to integrate their academic studies with a work experience, designed in consultation with the lead faculty member. Professionals currently employed in the health care field may plan the independent study component in a different functional area of their present organization. |
1 credit |
| Semester 5 | ||
| H P A 545 | Introduction to Health Economics Survey of the application of economics to the roles of markets and government in health care. |
3 credits |
| H P A 835 | Financial Management in Health Services Organizations The financial environment of health institutions; financial aspects of management decision making; emphasis on revenue sources, budgeting, and cost control. |
3 credits |
| Semester 6 | ||
| H P A 850 | Health Care Marketing Introduction to the theory, concepts, skills, and principles of marketing applied to health-related organizations and networks. |
3 credits |
| TBD | Elective Students can choose from an approved list of courses available through Penn State’s World Campus to complement their degree. |
3 credits |
| Semester 7 | ||
| H P A 836 | Health Law The legal process as it applies to the health administrator, health organization, medical provider, and patient. |
3 credits |
| H P A 855 | Information Systems in Health Services Administration Foundations of information systems for supporting clinical services, quality improvement, and administrative functions in health services management. |
3 credits |
| HPA 556* | Strategy Development in Health Services Organization Integration of prior course work in the program to develop a strategic plan for a health services organization. (*This course will be held face-to-face.) |
3 credits |