Prepare for a Lifetime of Leadership with a Master’s in Health Care Administration/Public Health
If you’re looking to be a leader in health care, a master's degree in Health Services Administration/Public Health from IUP (also referred to as a master's in health care administration or health care management) will set you up to make a major impact in a fast-growing field—a field that desperately needs you.
There are plenty of job openings for nurses, doctors, and other specialists, but the health care industry needs more than medical professionals. It needs leaders like you to manage and support the people who tirelessly care for others.
IUP’s program is unique: Your professors will give you the technical skills and leadership tools to successfully manage teams of health care providers. Our program focuses on people management, an undervalued area in the healthcare industry—until now. It offers advanced education and training in health policy but is focused on people management and employment law, rather than the business and accounting pieces of health care management.
Why Earn an MS in Health Services Administration/Public Health at IUP?
IUP’s master's in health care management is open to students of all undergraduate backgrounds, so you won’t need a health care education or previous experience to get your degree. The MS in Health Administration/Public Health degree program offers maximum flexibility with rolling admissions, so you can start any semester that works for you and your life. Geared toward working professionals, this degree program is an efficient and economical way to enhance your resumé as a healthcare administrator. You can:
- Follow a self-paced program you can pursue full-time or part-time, and you'll have your choice of evening or online classes, in-person or by videoconferencing.
- Get help paying for school with a scholarship or a graduate assistantship, which includes tuition assistance and bi-weekly stipends.
- Graduate in as little as 12 months, saving time and money.
An MS in Health Services Administration/Public Health at IUP can easily be paired with a second master’s degree in a dual master’s program—like Human Resources and Employment Relations, Public Affairs, Sports Administration, or Safety Sciences—so you can broaden your knowledge base and become extra competitive on the job market.
What You’ll Learn
IUP’s master's in health care administration/public health program builds on a foundation of health policy and builds deep expertise in human resources, conflict resolution, and employment relations. You’ll gain a thorough understanding of the American health care system and leadership and management skills.
Affordable and Competitive Tuition
Our affordable tuition makes the MS in Health Services Administration/Public Health an excellent value, and graduate assistantships and scholarship funding are offered on a competitive basis.
Imagine Your Future
Earning your MS in Health Services Administration proves your commitment to the field of health care and the concepts of people management. In recent years, the need for professionals who understand both the health care system and the intricacies of human resources and employment law has grown exponentially—with an added need for experts in public health. With a solid foundation in those areas, you’ll be ready to move up in health care and take on leadership roles.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 28 percent from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
- The median annual wage for medical and health services managers was $101,340 in 2021.
- Roughly 56,600 openings for medical and health services managers are projected each year over the next 10 years.
Career Opportunities
With a Health Care Administration MHA degree from IUP, you can look forward to a wide variety of roles, including work as a clinic coordinator or director at a medical practice or as a medical and health services manager, among many others.
Graduates can find work at:
- Emergency services agencies
- Health insurance companies
- Hospitals
- Long-term care facilities
- Mental health facilities
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Physician practices
- Private practices
- Public health and human services agencies
- Rehabilitation facilities
- Specialty facilities
Classes and Requirements
The program’s curriculum is a unique blend of health policy, human resources, conflict resolution, and other areas that will prepare you to be a manager to people who provide services in the field of health care.
You’ll complete 36 credits to obtain your MS in Health Services Administration/Public Health. You’ll earn credits from the Department of Nursing and Allied Health Professions and from the Department of Employment Relations and Health Services Administration, alongside specialized electives.
You can opt to replace six elective credits with an internship, which is highly recommended if you’re considering a doctoral program in the future.
Full Academic Catalog Listing
The course catalog is the official reference for all our degree and course offerings. Check it out for a full listing of the classes available and requirements for this degree.
- Loading...
Join the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Graduate Chapter
As a future HR professional, consider participating in the Society for Human Resource Management. This vital international organization has an active student chapter at IUP. It offers a range of opportunities for networking, leadership, and additional professional development activities––including professional certification as you progress through your career.
Like our master’s in health services administration program, SHRM graduate chapter meetings are held in person and online.
Learn Outside the Classroom at our Leadership Retreat
If you think “managing a Mickey Mouse operation” is an easy task, just ask the staff at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. IUP offers an optional annual conference with discounted rates for graduate students in the MS in Health Services Administration program. You’ll attend faculty-guided leadership and HR activities, including special training from Disney staff.
Dual Master’s Program in Human Resources and Employment Relations
While pursuing your MS in Health Services Administration/Public Health, you can also add a second MS in Human Resources and Employment Relations at any time before you graduate and count 18 credits toward both programs. Combining your credits means two master’s degrees for 54 credits in as little as 21 months.
Adding on the second degree adds value and deepens your preparation for management and broadens your employment opportunities. Note that there are other dual combinations available.
Early Admission: Get a Head Start on Your Advanced Degree
If you're a bachelor’s degree student at IUP and expect to pursue a master’s in health services administration, you’re encouraged to apply for early admission. To do so, you’ll need to:
- Be in the semester in which you’ll earn your 60th credit (typically 2nd semester sophomore year).
- Have earned at least 15 credits in your major.
- Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA.
This is also a great option if you believe your major is not matching job aspirations and health care is a potential career interest.