Program highlights
- Forward-thinking curriculum. Our comprehensive curriculum was developed with input from successful healthcare executives and aligned with the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) standards. It incorporates case studies, team projects, experiential learning and in-depth problem-solving exercises.
- Real-world experience. Two immersive learning experiences – an internship and a capstone project – provide graduates with experience and professional opportunities for cross-institutional collaborations with a variety of healthcare organizations.
- Flexible learning format for working professionals. Work at your own pace. Full-time or part-time classes are available in person during the evenings or online (synchronous and asynchronous). Start dates are available in fall, spring and summer semesters.
- Career connections. BGSU has an active alumni network of healthcare leaders that offers opportunities for students to connect with prominent industry organizations and potential employers. This includes the Midwest Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (MCACHE). MHSA majors serve on student committees and compete in an annual case competition.
Demand for medical and health service managers is expected to expand by nearly a third over the next decade – far faster than the average for all occupations.
– U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Career opportunities
Healthcare organizations are increasingly in need of smart, compassionate leaders who can steer their operations through the complex business realities while never losing sight of the mission to improve lives.
Growing demand for graduates with a master of health services administration degree can be attributed to several factors, including:
- An aging population
- Ongoing healthcare policy evolution
- Increasing focus on cost-effective, quality care
- Expansion of healthcare technology and data analytics
- Growing emphasis on prevention and health management
Those in healthcare administrator jobs are vital to healthcare operations. They help employers navigate regulatory changes, technological transformations and shifting patient expectations. It’s a perfect career for those who aspire to healthcare leadership positions, are passionate about improving patient outcomes and enjoy solving complex organizational challenges.
Career paths
- Hospital or public health administrator
- Clinic manager
- Practice administrator
- Healthcare consultant
- Healthcare compliance officer
- Health information manager
- Care coordination director
- Long-term care coordinator
- Pharmaceutical/Medical device company manager
- Healthcare human resources director
- Healthcare strategic planning director
Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Curriculum
The MHSA degree program at BGSU involves 37 credit hours of coursework and experiential learning. It is designed to prepare graduates to plan, direct, coordinate and supervise the delivery of care in healthcare administration jobs.
Core courses include classes such as Quality Management in Health Services Delivery and Healthcare Data Analytics and Decision-Making. Choose from electives such as Social Determinants of Health and Epidemiology.
The required internship involves 3-6 credit hours (180-300 clock hours) of relevant experience working for a health services agency. Students apply their mastery-level knowledge in a final project or experience – the Health Services Industry Capstone – demonstrating their skill in professional health services practice.
Graduates are prepared to:
- Master fundamental principles in business, technology and management in healthcare settings.
- Demonstrate communication and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Master applications of technology in health care practice.
- Use analytics to solve problems in health services administration.
- Demonstrate professionalism and ethical behavior.
- Analyze and evaluate daily operations for quality and efficiency.
- Make decisions based upon organizational priorities and financially sound business principles.
- Apply fundamental administrative and leadership skills to solve problems, evaluate outcomes and strategically plan in health services settings
Sample courses
- Managing Healthcare Complexities
- Healthcare Data Analytics and Decision Making
- Health Services Finance Management for Health Information Systems
- Human Resources and Leadership Development in Health Services
- Health Economics
- Healthcare Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Healthcare Law and Ethics
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The Master of Health Services Administration program is part of the BGSU Graduate College and BGSU College of Health and Human Services.
Updated: 07/22/2025 03:02PM