Program Description

The Master of Science in Health Care Administration is designed to provide individuals with a comprehensive perspective of the health care environment. Emphasis is placed on a global view of health care rather than a targeted sector (such as hospitals, nursing homes, etc.) of the industry. Students completing the program frequently pursue employment opportunities in environments ranging from hospitals to medical practices to health insurers/buyers. While the program attracts individuals from all undergraduate disciplines, many of the students have strong clinical backgrounds and are interested in building their management skills with a focus toward their clinical expertise.

Admission Requirements

Full Admission

Applicants should follow the admissions process described in this catalog or at the Graduate Admissions website: www.marshall.edu/graduate/admissions/how-to-apply-for-admission.

Applicants also must submit a copy of their resume and must either have:

1. An undergraduate degree from an accepted, accredited institution with an undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all previously completed undergraduate coursework.
   or
2. An undergraduate degree from an accepted, accredited institution with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5-2.99 on a 4.0 scale for all previously completed undergraduate university work, and, in addition to the resume, two letters of recommendation. Applicants may also submit additional documents such as statement of purpose, test scores, etc.
   or
3. A doctoral degree from an accepted, accredited institution.

Conditional Admission

Conditional Admission can be granted for one term if the applicant meets all program requirements for admission except they have not officially graduated with their bachelor’s degree. Once the degree is granted, the applicant would need to resubmit his or her official transcripts for full admission.

Note: Applicants may be asked to submit additional material if needed before an admission decision is made. Generally, more students apply to the H.C.A. program than are accepted each year; therefore, the selection process is competitive.

Program Requirements

Plan of Study

The student and his/her advisor shall prepare a Plan of Study which must be approved during the semester in which the student initially enrolls. A plan should be appropriate to meet the needs of the student in his/her chosen field. It shall include the specific courses the student is expected to complete; and shall also list all other requirements of the program or school. Courses listed on the Plan of Study shall be those judged appropriate by the faculty. Subsequent requests for changes in the plan must be formally approved by the Academic Advisor. Any deviation from the final Plan of Study and/or discrepancy between it and the student’s official transcript will delay graduation. Any Plan of Study that was approved may become void if a student is inactive for one year (unless on an official leave of absence).

Grade Point Average Requirement

A student must have a 3.0 overall GPA in all program coursework, with no more than two C’s in his or her program, In addition the student must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA in all courses completed after admission to the degree program, along with any previous Marshall University coursework to be counted toward the current degree. This standard must be met for the student to graduate. If the student falls below these standards, then that student shall be placed on academic probation and will be subject to dismissal from the program.

Comprehensive Assessment

Degree candidates are required to complete a comprehensive assessment prior to receipt of the master’s degree. The timing and form of a student’s comprehensive assessment shall be approved in advance by the Director of the Graduate School of Management. The comprehensive assessment is usually a written term paper required within the final, integrated capstone course, HCA 695 Fld Res/Health Care Mgt.

Course Enrollment Policy

In order to take any 600-level course in the College of Business, students must be enrolled in a graduate program in the college. On an exception basis, a student not enrolled in an LCOB graduate program may take only one 600- level course with the written approval of the Academic Advisor or the M.B.A. Director. Cooperative programs with other departments must by approved by the M.B.A. Director. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain this approval before attempting to register. Additionally, the student must meet the specific course prerequisites. Students who violate this policy will be administratively withdrawn.

Plan of Study

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Course Requirements
HCA 600	The Health Care System	3
HCA 640	The Health Care Professional	3
HCA 610	Health Care Financial Mgt	3
HCA 615	Health Care Econ	3
HCA 653	Integrated Health Care Del Sys	3
HCA 630	Legal Issues/Health Care Mgt	3
HCA 656	Mgt of Medical Technology	3
HCA 658	Long Term Care	3
HCA 655	Health Care Marketing	3
HCA 695	Fld Res/Health Care Mgt	3
Two Electives approved by advisor (one must be an HCA elective)		6
Total Credit Hours		36