Health Administration (MHA)

Brooks School of Public Policy

Program Website

Program Description

The Sloan Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree program is a comprehensive two-year, 64-credit, non-thesis professional program. Throughout the program, students engage in coursework covering various aspects of health care management, including:

  • Management
  • Health Care Delivery and Finance
  • Population Health
  • Quantitative Analysis and Methods
  • Law and Ethics
  • Accounting
  • Economics
  • Health Policy

Accreditation

The program’s accreditation by the Committee on Accreditation for Health Management Education (CAHME) ensures adherence to high standards of education and prepares graduates for leadership roles in the health care industry. 

Academic Standards

Program Policies

MHA students are expected to meet policies set by the Brooks School of Public Policy and the university for professional master's students. Please review Brooks School Policies and Procedures for detailed information on academic policies and requirements, as well as Cornell University Academic Integrity policies.

Petitions

Students may request to take alternate Cornell electives at the 5000 level or higher that are not included on the pre-approved list of electives. These proposed substituted electives must be approved by the student’s advisor. In the petition, the student must explain how the proposed course aligns with their academic interests and career goals in the field of health administration.   

Students may also petition to waive a core course based on prior academic coursework in which they demonstrated mastery of Sloan program competencies.

In order to qualify for a core course waiver, a student must have taken a similar course (or courses) prior to matriculating in the Sloan program and must demonstrate content mastery by: 

  • Submitting a course syllabus to the Sloan instructor demonstrating that the prior course covered substantially similar content; and 
  • Submitting an official transcript showing a grade of B or better in the prior course. 

Individual faculty members reserve the right to test a student’s mastery of course competencies prior to approving a waiver.

Please note that if a waiver petition is approved, the result is that the specific petitioned course is “waived,” freeing those credits for another advanced course (5000 level or higher) in lieu of the waived course. A total of sixty-four (64) credits are still required for graduation. Sloan does not accept credits earned elsewhere in lieu of credits completed at Cornell.

Independent Study  

Students may enroll in an independent study under the supervision of a Sloan instructor for a maximum of 2 credits per semester. The scope and workload of the project should be equivalent to a two‑credit course. 

A maximum of 6 total independent study credits may be applied toward the 64 credits required for graduation. 

Independent study credits earned outside the Sloan program will be reviewed for applicability toward graduation on a case‑by‑case basis. 

An independent study may only be undertaken when a faculty member has agreed to serve as the supervising instructor. 

To count toward elective requirements, an independent study must receive enrollment permission from the Brooks School Registrar and meet all of the following criteria: 

  • Be taken for a letter grade (S/U is not permitted).  
  • Include a formal written plan of work, approved in advance by the supervising instructor.  
  • Require submission of a final deliverable—such as a written report, a verbal presentation with slides, or a comparable product—for evaluation by the instructor.  
  • Receive approval from the student’s faculty advisor as an appropriate elective.  

Examples of acceptable independent study activities: 

  • Participation in a case competition.
  • Work on a project with an external client (unpaid).
  • Independent work on an approved research or applied project.

Group projects are permitted, provided that the final submission includes documentation outlining each student’s individual responsibilities. This documentation will be used to assess both individual and group performance. 

Case Competitions 

Participating in an optional case competition is an excellent opportunity to apply your coursework to real-world problems, gain team-based experience, work under tight deadlines, and connect with MHA students from other programs.  Students who choose to participate should register for 2-credits of PUBPOL 5001 Case Competitions (1-day hackathons are worth 1-credit).  Selecting a Sloan team (when only one is allowed) varies by case competition.  

Academic Standing

Residential master’s students are expected to meet the following academic standards:  

  • Maintain a minimum semester and cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
  • Receive a grade of C or better in all courses applied toward degree requirements.
  • Receive a grade of B or better in the capstone requirement (PUBPOL 5951 and PUBPOL 5952).  
  • Carry no more than two incomplete grades at any time.
  • Complete at least 12 credits each fall and spring term, unless an approved petition for a reduced course load has been granted.
  • Remain in residence unless participating in an approved off-campus activity with prior written approval from the program director.  
  • Make satisfactory progress toward completion of a Brooks School master’s degree.  
  • Complete the internship requirement between the first and second year, unless an alternative arrangement has been approved by the program director.  

For additional information regarding the academic standing review process, refer to the Brooks School Policies and Procedures.

Career Management and Practical Training  

In addition to support offered through the Brooks School Office of Admissions, Student Services and Career Management the Sloan program offers the following resources to support students in career management and practice training:   

Colloquium Requirement  

PUBPOL 5990 Challenges and Trends in the Health Services Industry 

The colloquium series aims to expose students to recent trends, issues, and innovative developments in the health care field. The series provides a platform for students to network with high-level professionals and gain insights into real-world practices and challenges.  

Capstone Requirement 

PUBPOL 5951 Field Studies in Health Administration and Planning I &

PUBPOL 5952 Field Studies in Health Administration and Planning II

During the second year in the program, students engage in a comprehensive capstone project that spans the entire year. This project involves collaborating with a small team of classmates, typically three to four individuals, to address a real-world challenge faced by a health care organization. This hands-on experience allows students to apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout their coursework and internships at Sloan to provide practical solutions for actual clients.

Summer Internship Requirement  

Students in the program are required to complete a 10-week internship during the summer break between their first and second years, typically in a paid capacity. This internship serves as a crucial opportunity for students to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world projects within a health care organization while gaining practical experience.   

Professional Development Workshops  

Each fall, incoming first-year students are offered a series of career and professional development workshops aimed at refining their professional skill set. These workshops cover a range of essential areas including communication, networking, interviewing, negotiating, etiquette, and health care management skills.  

Practitioner-Led Intensive Courses (PLICs)  

PUBPOL 5900 Special Topics in Health Administration and Finance 

Throughout the year, Sloan offers a variety of Practitioner-Led Intensive Courses (PLICs), providing students with opportunities to delve into specialized topics and acquire practical skills under the guidance of experienced health care executives.   

Off-Campus Trips 

 Off-Campus trips to places like Washington, D.C. offer students the unique opportunity to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world practices and challenges in the health care sector. They also facilitate networking, exposure to diverse perspectives, and a deeper understanding of the broader health care landscape beyond classroom teaching.