OFFERS ONLINE HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION DEGREE

Investing in signature healthcare programs

Minnesota State University Moorhead is responding to the growing need for skilled healthcare executives to manage organizations and programs across the region by offering its Health Services Administration (HSA) degree entirely online beginning Spring 2019. The HSA degree is for students interested in managing hospitals, acute and long-term care organizations or public health agencies.

The HSA program is approved by and meets licensure requirements of the Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators in Minnesota and North Dakota Long Term Care Administration, and is a member of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration. HSA courses have been delivered in a hybrid format using online and on-campus classes since the late 1990s.

However, a recent market study conducted for MSUM indicated the growing need for 100 percent online delivery of this type of program. Online delivery allows students to earn the degree from anywhere in the world, under the same rigor and quality of an on-campus experience.

“Another key reason we decided to deliver the program online was to fulfill our promise to non-traditional students,” says Jitendra Singh, associate professor and coordinator of the HSA program. “You can manage the program and still have time for your family or a full-time job.”

Even without face-to-face interaction, professors like Singh ensure online learners get the same experiences as on-campus students. Technology tools promote teamwork for real-time discussions and group projects, allowing students to interact fully with their professors and peers.

Tony Santos, a 2018 HSA graduate, took several online classes, which he preferred over on-campus courses because of their flexibility and convenience. That wasn’t the only reason Santos enjoyed the program.

“The faculty members go the extra mile in helping students find ways to showcase their knowledge and skills,” Santos says. “I took part in many great opportunities throughout my undergraduate experience that supported my goals as an aspiring healthcare professional.”

Santos credits Singh’s mentorship and support in securing meaningful internship and project management experiences that have equipped him to be job ready upon hire.

In addition to bringing the HSA degree online, MSUM’s nationally ranked Master of healthcare administration (MHA) — designed for early to mid-careerists working in the healthcare field — recently added additional faculty resources to keep up with market demand. MSUM also offers an MBA in healthcare management designed for high-level healthcare managers to assume leadership roles in the industry. All of these programs are delivered online or in a hybrid format to accommodate students’ lifestyles.

“One of MSUM’s strategic priorities is to promote and invest in our signature programs, which include healthcare offerings in HSA, MHA and MBA in healthcare management,” says Marsha Weber, interim vice president for academic affairs. “We strive to serve new populations by adding fully online options for students that align our academic offerings with market demand and workforce needs.”

Students can expect MSUM to continue its investment in online delivery, says Lisa Karch, interim dean of graduate and extended learning. “Online courses and programs meet students’ needs in being accessible and flexible so they can continue working part- and full-time.”

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE online Health Services Administration program, visit mnstate.edu/health-services.

To learn more about graduate programs for healthcare professionals, visit mnstate.edu/graduate/programs.