If you're interested in expanding your understanding of health services administration and building a strong foundation to advance your career, the FIU Master of Health Services Administration program is an excellent choice. Our master's program is geared towards healthcare administrators who wish to develop themselves in the management and administration of today’s healthcare organizations. The program also offers Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training and certification at no additional cost to students. The fourth and fifth semesters are dedicated to the Lean six sigma certification.

The Master of Health Services Administration is centered on the patients, clinicians, and our community's needs and concerns.

Compared to traditional clinical management programs, the MHSA graduate curriculum is expanded by the practice of unique healthcare trends throughout its activities, leveraging the delivery of its competencies throughout the curriculum.

• Communications & Interpersonal Effectiveness  
• Healthcare Management & Leadership    
• Critical Thinking, Analysis & Problem Solving       
• Ethics in Business, Health Policy Formulation, Implementation & Evaluation, Legal Principles Development, Application & Assessment  

Our program values:

Excellence, Compassion, Caring, Innovation, Integrity, Cultural Competence, Collaboration, Social Responsibility, Readiness

Mission: To engage and educate a diverse group of students with the skills necessary to lead a system of high-performing healthcare organizations as exceptionally skilled health services administrators. We offer a flexible curriculum that prepares students to manage organizational resources efficiently while also building healthier, sustainable communities to achieve health equity. Our students will be equipped to solve contemporary healthcare challenges through evidence-based research and assessment, including practical experiences that focus on patient outcomes and communication with stakeholders. 

Vision: The FIU Master of Health Services Administration program aims for our graduates to become leading health services administrators with comprehensive, dynamic, industry-specific, multicultural, and diverse competency-based skills to exalt high-quality healthcare systems. Our graduate students act as catalysts for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare for all individuals. We aim for our graduate students to serve as catalysts for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare for all individuals. 

A Leading Health Education Institution

The FIU Online Master of Health Services Administration program is a part of the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences (CNHS), which has earned a reputation as a highly ranked, highly relevant academic force that is shaping the future of nursing and health professions. CNHS is committed to preparing diverse healthcare professionals who are providers and leaders in the delivery of high-quality, accessible, culturally competent and compassionate care within a highly technological and global environment.

In-Demand Career Opportunities

FIU Online's Master of Health Services Administration prepares students for executive leadership roles in a variety of health services organizations, including hospitals, healthcare systems, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities.  

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that by 2029, employment of health service administrators will grow by 32% percent, much faster than average for all occupations.

In May 2019, the median annual wages for medical and health services managers was $100,980, with the top 10 percent — those with the most experience and advanced training — earning more than $189,000 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Future of the Healthcare Industry

As the large baby-boomer population ages and people remain active later in life, the healthcare industry will see an increase in the demand for medical services. This demand will result in an increase in the number of physicians, patients, and procedures, as well as in the number of facilities. There will be a high demand for managers and nursing care facility administrators that will be needed to organize and manage medical information and teams in the healthcare industry.

Health sciences-based approaches are scarce in conventional healthcare training programs that are typically housed in business schools—most have few courses in the healthcare industry. As a result, they fall short of providing training to match the performance objectives of community health infrastructures and services. Employers may have difficulty recruiting qualified healthcare professionals that focus on healthcare administration if industry-specific training is not available. While business school programs dedicate significant time to developing business abilities, these skills, while important, are insufficient to advance graduates to handle healthcare practitioners and organizations. 

Each individual is unique, and our expertise transcends a one-size-fits-all approach. Our curriculum is customized to meet your unique career aspirations, and we collaborate closely with you for engagement in professional growth. When our adjunct faculty members mentor you, you will be taught vital principles in the art of innovation by individuals who are chief executives, chief financial officers, or run their healthcare businesses.

We collaborate with alumni and our advisory board to innovate and stay at the forefront of the latest in the field of health, supported by industry experts and business people who will talk about what it's like to be a healthcare entrepreneur.

Career and Talent Development (CTD) at FIU has partnered with Handshake - a modern career development platform - to be your one-stop shop for launching your career.

• Learn more at: https://fiu.joinhandshake.com/login?ref=app-domain

Career Path

Hospital Administration and Management

Medical Staff Directors

Financial Management

Ambulatory Care

Community Health Centers

Medical Coding and Billing

Database Administrator

Senior Care Staff

Nursing Home Administrators

Clinical Managers

Health Information Managers

Non-traditional Career Paths

Medical Writing/Illustration

Medical Interpreter

Art Therapist

Clinical Social Worker

Community Health worker

Healthcare Writer

Income Range

$53,000 - $196,000

Industry Outlook

US: 33% ⬆️

(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Completing the MHSA degree qualifies graduates in various fields of expertise through certifications that would increase earning potential, including the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), awarded through the American College of Healthcare Executives. Its primary concentration is on healthcare administration, and it is best suited for healthcare management professionals pursuing careers in finance and operations rather than information technology. The following certifications are accessible when paired with the MHSA degree:

• Certified Medical Manager (CMM): the Professional Association of Healthcare Office Management created this certification program to highlight the need for office management knowledge, abilities, and experience in healthcare settings.
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS): This certification is through the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM): Offered by the American Hospital Association (AHA), the CPHRM certification is regarded as being elite in the healthcare management industry.
• Certified Revenue Cycle Specialist and culminating with the Certified Revenue Cycle Executive.
• Other certification options are available through the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management Revenue Cycle Specialists and Managers Certifications.

Program Curriculum

The Master of Health Services Administration consists of 48 credit hours. For the fast-track hybrid format, each course will have both an online and on-campus component. Fifty percent of the content of each course will be online, and the other fifty percent will be on-campus. For the fully online format, classes will be 100% online.

Foundation Courses

Introduction to Health Policy and Management   HSA 5125
The American healthcare system is broadly analyzed in social, economic, and political terms, including examination of its major operational and programmatic components as they have evolved in their changing patterns and trends of organizational development.

Management and Organization in Healthcare  HSA 6185
Fundamentals of management and organizational theory with focus on roles and functions of managers, and the influences of organizational structure and design in the dynamic environment of healthcare systems. 

Financing & Reimbursement of Health Systems   HSA 6176
Introduction to principles and application of healthcare finance based on financial and managerial accounting.  Financing models and reimbursement strategies are analyzed.  Prerequisite or Co-requisite: HSA 5125

Core Courses:

Economic and Decision Analysis in Health Services   HSA 6156
The course is designed to focus on health economics and decision analysis of issues in health services policy and management. Economics will be used as a tool to analyze healthcare problems and to understand the functioning of healthcare markets.   Prerequisites: Completion of Foundation Courses or minimum of 9 credit hours of program coursework including HSA 5125, HSA 6185, HSA 6176

Financial Management of Health Systems   HSA 6175
Aspects of modern hospital and healthcare organization financial management are covered to prepare students for executive roles in policy planning and control responsibilities involving budgeting, auditing, investing, capital financing, etc. Prerequisite: Completion of Foundation Courses or minimum of 9 credit hours of program coursework including HSA 5125, HSA 6185 and HSA 6176. 

Health Law and Legal Aspects of Management  HSA 6426
The broad range of legal issues in healthcare and administrative aspects of law that concern healthcare managers are surveyed for implications concerning malpractice, patient rights, contracts, liability and immunity, taxation, surgical consent, etc. Prerequisites: Completion of Foundation Courses or minimum of 9 credit hours of program coursework including HSA 5125, HSA 6185 and HSA 6176. 

Leadership and Organizational Behavior in Healthcare Systems  HSA 6186
Examine leadership and organizational behavior in healthcare settings. Personal and profession growth are encouraged through integrative study of individual, group and organizations issues. Prerequisites: Completion of Foundation Courses or minimum of 9 credit hours of program coursework including HSA 5125, HSA 6185 and HSA 6176.

Quality Assessment and Outcome in Healthcare  HSA 6759
The concept of quality and quantity assessment are examined from multiple perspectives: patients, healthcare providers, payer's standard setting organization and healthcare policymakers. Prerequisites: Completion of Foundation Courses or minimum of 9 credit hours of program coursework including HSA 5125, HSA 6185 and HSA 6176. 

Design and Management of Health Information Systems   HSA 6197
The development and management of health information systems to support managerial decision-making. Emphasis is on the integration of clinical, personnel, and financial data.  Prerequisites: Completion of Foundation Courses or minimum of 9 credit hours of program coursework including HSA 5125, HSA 6185 and HSA 6176.

Strategic Planning and Marketing of Healthcare Services  HSA 6149
Principles, techniques, and case study applications of strategic planning and marketing in the context of changing environmental, policy, and competitive forces in the health services industry. Prerequisite: Completion of 36 credit hours in program coursework.

Hospital and Health Facilities Organization  HSA 6205
Administrative theory and management principles are examined in their application to the organizational analysis of hospitals and healthcare facilities. Prerequisites: HSA 5125, HSA 6185 or permission from the instructor.

Ethical Decisions in Health Services Administration  HSA 5655
This course will study ethical principles as they apply to areas of management, supervision and clinical practice in the delivery of healthcare. Emphasis is on managerial decision-making. Prerequisites: HSA 5125, HSA 6185.

Managing Human Resources and Health Professions  HSA 6187
Study of human resource functions and activities necessary to enhance knowledge, competencies, skills, attitudes and behavior and to improve individual and organizational performance in healthcare organizations. Prerequisites: Completion of Foundation Courses or minimum of 9 credit hours of program coursework including HSA 5125, HSA 6185 and HSA 6176.

Management of Long Term Care Systems  HSA 5226
Organizational, financial, and policy issues in the management of long term care systems in the U.S. with special emphasis on the State of Florida.

Professional Seminar   HSA 6930
A professional seminar to provide career development skills in preparation for residency or master's project.  Prerequisite: Completed 36 credit hours in the program coursework.

Integrative Coursework:

Advanced Health Services Management and Research Seminar  HSA 6717    
Integrates the theoretical and practical knowledge of other courses and activities in the curriculum. Selected case studies and relevant research provide the substantives framework for seminar analysis of issues and policy questions. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

Administrative Residency  HSA 6875
Off-campus placement in residency with healthcare organizations under supervision of a managing preceptor at the site. Prerequisites: HSA 6930 and approval of the coordinator.

or

Master's Research Project  HSA 6977
The student will be field afforded the opportunity to conduct a research project on a specific healthcare management problem in a community or institutional setting. A formal proposal will be prepared and approved by faculty. Students will be expected to demonstrate during the course of this research project that they can implement theoretical knowledge and skills learned earlier in courses on research methods and design. Prerequisites: HSA 6930 and permission of advisor.

NOTE:

 Administrative Residency (HSA 6875) Information Session Presentation Link:

• https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sibbhth5XQkAENkr-SFQ9qjRgv71j3pJ/view?usp=sharing

After watching the presentation above, if interested in pursuing the Administrative Residency  course ( HSA 6875) (entirely virtual + in-person) in the Summer 2022 Term, please find the link to the application below:

 HSA-6875 Administrative Residency Application Form

• https://cnhs.fiu.edu/academics/health-services-administration/programs/mhsa/mhsa-residency/index.html

 Eligibility for  in-person MHSA Administrative Residency course experience:

• 3.0 GPA

• Eligible for Graduation in Summer 2022 Term

• Submit a complete application (including the anti-nepotism policy), your resume, and a cover letter.

• Hybrid Student

• Entirely Online Student Whom is local (Miami Dade or Broward Counties)

 Eligibility for entirely virtual  MHSA Administrative Residency course via simulation experience:

• 3.0 GPA

• Eligible for Graduation in Summer 2022 Term

• Submit a complete application (including the anti-nepotism policy), your resume, and a cover letter.

• Fully Online Student  

Elective Coursework:

Teaching Health Education  HSC 5319  (4 credits)
Students will select various modern techniques and tools for teaching health education in elementary and secondary school settings.

Information and Communication for Health Professionals  HSC 5665 (3 credits)
Information and communication technology introduce technology and practical computer applications for today’s healthcare professional. This online course uses a web-based format. Prerequisite: Basic computer experience.

On which campus will the hybrid courses take place?

• Courses for the Hybrid program have typically been held at FIU’s Biscayne Bay (BBC) campus

Is the GRE Exam required?

• No. GRE or GMAT exam scores are not required.

Is there a writing sample required?

• Students must submit a written personal statement describing their professional goals, motivations, and reasons for pursuing this degree at Florida International University (minimum one page/500 words in length).  

Does the personal essay need to be cited with references?

• If they are citing a specific quote or fact, then yes, it should. Otherwise, the source used can be included in the references/works mentioned.

How long should the personal statement submission be?  

• It should be a well-written, quality, and comprehensive (1) page. The search committee looks at minimal to no grammar errors.

I am an international student. Can I attend FIU on a student visa?

• Yes. Because of how our accelerated hybrid program is structured, FIU may issue I-20 Visa.

• Please refer to the Graduate School of Admissions website: http://gradschool.fiu.edu/future-students-international.shtml and contact the International Student Scholar Services at (305) 919-5813 and isss@fiu.edu 

I work in healthcare. Can the Administrative Residency be completed at my current place of employment? 

• Students may not complete the HSA 6875 Administrative Residency where they are employed. Students may select one of the administrative residency places recognized by the program, pending the availability of positions at these sites.

The HSA-6875 Administrative Residency experience is unpaid, and students receive credit hours as part of the program requisites for the MHSA degree requirement. 

How is the Administrative Residency graded?

• Pass/fail assessment.

Is there a schedule for the final semester of Administrative Residency?

• The student is required to complete 240 hours of Administrative Residency. The schedule is flexible and can be arranged on-site between the preceptor and the student.

• The Clinical Education Coordinator and Academic Support Services Coordinator will review the details with the student during the fourth semester of the program.

• The student may change the Administrative Residency Program selection later in the program. If this is the case, they can complete the Masters Research project instead (HSA 6977) as their culminating elective experience.

Does the MHSA program offer Graduate Assistantships?

• The program currently does not offer graduate assistantships. However, it may become available in the future.

Can the Administrative Residency be completed at an animal hospital?  

• All residency sites must serve human subjects. 

Are there any additional costs involved for the Administrative Residency option?

• The Administrative Residency will be the regular cost of tuition plus the compliance screening, which is $180 (variable, depending on the compliance screening cost). Basic Life Support CPR Certification via the American Heart Association, and some additional fees for lab work if necessary. The site may also charge the student a screening fee.

What is the graduate transfer credits policy? 

• Students may receive permission to transfer a maximum of 6 semester hours of graduate credit earned from another institution. This is based on individual assessment of the course (s) and the admissions committee recommendation.

• Or up to 12 semester hours of graduate credit earned at FIU into another graduate program, subject to the respective program Chair/Directors approval. 

• Acceptance of transfer credits is at the discretion of each program.

Is each online graduate student assigned a Success Coach?

• No. Success coaches are only available for undergraduate online students. Instead, each online graduate program has a faculty advisor or chair, the student's go-to person throughout the program. They:

• • Help students with any issues they are having with their course instructor or their assigned faculty advisor

  • Enroll students in the courses

  • help ensure that their financial aid is in order

Is the FL State Employee Waiver the same as the FIU Employee Tuition Waiver?

• No. Eligible FIU employees can use the employee tuition waiver to cover up to six credits per semester. The FL State Employee Tuition Waiver is for people employed by the State of Florida. FIU Employees should contact Human Resources to determine eligibility and the amount covered per program.

• Keep in mind that the FL State Employee Waiver does not cover our online graduate programs because the online programs are market-rate programs or self-supported (more expensive than the regular graduate tuition).

Besides MSIRE, why do the fully online graduate programs not offer an in-state tuition price?

• The graduate programs do not offer two different prices, one for in-state and one for out-of-state students, because of how the programs are funded at the university level. They are classified as Market Rate programs or are self-supported, which are competitively priced compared to the surrounding universities.   

Are students from Puerto Rico required to submit Proof of Degree?

• Since the student is considered Domestic, they are not required to submit Proof of Degree as the degree awarded should be stated on the submitted transcripts. Although considered Domestic, students from Puerto Rico are still required to submit a TOEFL exam score to demonstrate English proficiency.

My previous college has shut down. Can I still request my transcripts?

• Yes. If your previous college is no longer open, you can request your transcript(s) through the US Department of Education here. The MHSA program does not offer transcripts. The link above will provide you with a list of schools shut down and instructions on requesting transcripts.

Lean Six Sigma Training & Certification is a problem-solving training that shows the most practical and straightforward approaches to achieving measurable organizational improvement results. Why is certification in lean six sigma key? Healthcare organizations are looking for knowledgeable and qualified talent to address the industry's most urgent and rapidly evolving challenges. Obtaining the green belt certification offers a competitive advantage.

The Healthcare Industry is confronted with the following:

• Patient wait times and quality of care
• Changing finances that result in shifting resources
• New guidelines /laws that mandate operational improvements
• Time constraints on training and process improvement
• Simplify problem-solving to assist the Healthcare Industry in overcoming these challenges so that they can serve your communities more effectively.

During the 32hr certification process, students:

• Choose the appropriate improvement projects
• Utilize the DMAIC Process to accomplish the project objectives.
• Get support for the project to ensure its success
• Showcase and expand your project's outcomes

To ensure every student’s success, we have certain admissions requirements for each of our programs. To help you through the application process, our enrollment advisors are here to answer your questions and guide you every step of the way.

• Graduate Program Policies and Procedures
• The Policy on Graduate Active and Full-Time Status
• The Policy on Graduate Academic Standing

Admissions Requirements

For application inquiries, contact us: 

Phone: 305.348.3125 or 1-(855)-FIU-Online
E-mail: onlineprograms@fiu.edu

Admissions Documents

A student wishing to enroll in the graduate program must complete the following:

• Complete the online graduate admissions application.
  
• Have official transcripts of all previously earned college or university credits from a regionally accredited institution sent to the University Admissions Office.
• Submit a personal statement. 
• All applications for admission should be reviewed by the Department no later than two months preceding the semester in which the student wishes to commence the program. Admissions are accepted for Fall and Spring Semesters only. A maximum of 12 semester hours taken as an affiliated student can be used toward the degree. Affiliated status does not guarantee admission to the degree program.

International Students 

• Proof of English Language Proficiency. If you earned a bachelor's degree in a country whose official language is not English, you must demonstrate English language proficiency by earning a passing score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). TOEFL required minimum score: 550 (paper-based exam) or 80 (internet-based). IELTS required minimum score: 6.5. When requesting official scores, please refer to FIU Institution code 5206. TOEFL / IELTS scores are valid for two years. View list of TOEFL/IELTS-exempt countries.

  • Graduate programs can use the Duolingo English Test.

  • Please visit Duolingo English Test for more information about how to register for the exam.

  • FIU Minimum Duolingo English Test Score: 110

• Course by Course Evaluation. If your post-secondary educational history includes coursework outside the United States, you must submit a course-by-course credential translation and evaluation, with grade point average (GPA) calculation included, for all non-U.S. coursework. FIU accepts evaluations/translations from any NACES member evaluation service.

  FIU accepts evaluations/translations from any NACES member evaluation services, below are a few FIU recommends:

  Josef Silny & Associates, Inc., International Education Consultants
  7101 SW 102 Avenue
  Miami, FL 33173
  Phone: 305-273-1616 | Fax 305-273-1338
  www.jsilny.org | info@jsilny.com
  Visit the Josef Silny & Associates FIU Form for details

  World Education Services
  PO Box 745
  New York, NY 10113-0745
  212-966-6311
  www.wes.org | info@wes.org 
  
  Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
  PO Box 514070
  Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
  414-289-3400 | www.ece.org

• Official Transcripts Translation. If official transcripts are not in English, a second copy of the transcript must be requested for translation. Both the official translation, as well as the original transcripts, must be submitted to FIU.

• Certified Copy of Diploma. If you obtained your degree at a foreign institution.

Official transcripts/translations must be submitted directly by the respective institution(s) in electronic format or mailed in a sealed institution envelope to: 

FIU Online
Florida International University
11200 SW 8th Street, MANGO 540
Miami, FL 33199

Learn more about the details of our program by listening in to our information session.