As one of the most important and swiftly growing parts of the economy, students interested in accredited healthcare administration degree programs in Virginia will have the opportunity to join a dynamic and constantly changing field. One of the reasons why attending school in Virginia is a good idea is because of the state's proximity to the capital region. This means that students will have easy access to work at major federal institutions, as well as major biostatistics and epidemiological firms in the area who work in tandem with federal agencies. A healthcare administration degree is the expert melding of a business degree and healthcare-centric degree and is a vital degree in today's working world.
George Mason University
College of Health and Human Services
A public college located near Fairfax, George Mason University has almost 34,000 students attending at its Fairfax location, as well as at several additional campuses in Loudoun County, Prince William County, and Arlington County. The school was once a branch of the University of Virginia and became its own college in the 1950s. The university is known for strong programs in acres like creative writing, law, and computer science. With its large population, the school is the largest in the state for population. The university is named after George Mason, a founding father of the United States commonly referred to as the Father of the United States Bill of Rights alongside James Madison.
Master of Health Administration (MHA)
The MHA program at George Mason University requires that students complete 46 credit hours and is designed to help students become leaders in a quickly changing health care environment. Students who graduate from the program may find employment in a variety of private and public sectors including hospitals, consulting firms, medical practices, clinics, and managed care companies. Additionally, students will find their skills valued by various local, state, and federal government agencies. Most of the classes in the program are taught in the evening at the Fairfax campus; however, some courses are also offered on the weekend, and some are offered at the Arlington location. Additionally some classes are available through the internet. The degree program allows significant leeway in scheduling and students have six years from the date of their first class to complete the program. Admission requires that students have at least one year of work experience in a healthcare setting.
Master of Public Health Program (MPH)
The Master of Public Health program at George Mason features coursework in each of the essential disciplines of public health. Concentrations for students include epidemiology, health administration, environmental health, biostatistics, and social and behavioral sciences. The Epidemiology Concentration provides instruction on a variety of factors that impact the control, prevention, and distribution of disease. Overall, the field of public health offers students several different companies and organizations for which to work. Some of the career opportunities for graduates include jobs with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the DC department of health, and the Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. The school describes its program as one that's competitive and that students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA to apply. The school recommends that students take classes in statistics, biology, and the social sciences before applying and that volunteer or work experience in public health is also helpful for the application, as is the case with most healthcare administration degree programs in Virgina.
Accreditations
- Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
Contact
Department of Health Administration and Policy
George Mason University
4400 University Drive, MS:1J3
Northeast Module 1
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: (703) 993-1929
Email: [email protected]
http://chhs.gmu.edu/hap/health-administration.cfm
Marymount University
Malek School of Health Professionals
A four-year university affiliated with the Catholic Church, Marymount University has around 3,600 students attending from many states around the country, as well as 70 countries around the world. Founded in 1950 by a Catholic group named the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, the college was originally a two-year school for women and operated in a few other locations like New York and California. The school eventually became a four-year college by the 1970s and added master's degree programs shortly after. All students take classes in religious studies while getting their degree, as well as philosophy courses as part of the core curriculum.
Health Information Management (B.S.)
The university describes its HIM degree as one that offers an appropriate foundation to begin a professional career in health information management. Jobs available to students who complete this program include those in clinics, health facilities, hospitals, and doctor's offices. Students learn how to contend with the administrative, legal, medical, and ethical issues that impact today's health care delivery systems. Health information management requires that employees understand how the collection and maintenance of vital health information help in the analysis of that data. The program features the opportunity to engage in hands-on experiences through an internship, as well as a capstone project that allows students to work with a real client in the industry. Students will study the modern machines and information technology that guides today's medical information management roles. Some of the courses students will take in the program include Health Care Delivery Systems, Health Care Statistics, and Quality Management in Health Care.
Health Care Management (MSHCM)
The university describes Health Care Management as a diverse field that's fast-paced and helps students obtain leadership positions in an environment that's always changing and advancing. The school suggests that its location near many federal agencies in the country helps provide options for students to build essential connections while still enrolled at the school while also helping students understand the advanced knowledge required to work in the health care sector. Students are taught the essential professional and ethical standards needed to serve the community in which they live, which also helps fuel further schooling or publications in health care. Classes required in the program include Health Care Management, Health Care Reimbursement Systems, and Accounting Basics for Health Care Managers. To obtain the degree, students must complete a total of 42 credits. Additionally, students who haven't completed coursework related to accounting and finance must also take additional courses to complete the degree requirements.
Accreditations
- Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) (HIM Candidacy Status)
Contact
Marymount University
2807 North Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22207
Phone: (703) 522-5600
Email: [email protected]
Old Dominion University
Eastern Virginia Medical School
A public research university established in 1930, Old Dominion University was originally the Norfolk branch of the College of William & Mary. The school first started offering bachelor's degrees in the mid-1950s and the school obtained its modern status in 1962. The school is one of the largest providers of online distance learning in the country. The school's name has an interesting history. King Charles II of England originally gave the state of Virginia that nickname because it remained loyal to Britain during the English Civil War in the 1600s. The school has around 19,000 students enrolled for classes with around 5,500 of those students attending graduate school.
Master of Public Health (MPH)
The MPH degree at Old Dominion is a degree offered in cooperation with Eastern Virginia Medical School. The program is designed to ensure students graduate with broad knowledge of the health sciences and can participate in the management and research of methods needed to boost public health. There are four tracks available to students who enter the MPH program including Epidemiology, Health Management, Health Promotion, and Environmental Health. Most of the classes are held in the evenings during the week, as well as on some Saturdays. The classes are held on both the Old Dominion and Virginia Medical School campuses. After graduation, students will be able to take classes in a variety of community organizations, private companies, or government groups. Some of the responsibilities of students in those roles will include assessing health statuses, designing health care programs, and developing strategies to manage various functions in the health care world and to meet community needs.
Accreditations
- Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
Contact
Old Dominion University
1 Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA 23529
Phone: (757) 683-3685
Email: [email protected]
University of Virginia
School of Medicine
A research university in Charlottesville, the University of Virginia boasts an illustrious history with its founding in 1819. According to history, the school had input from several presidents of the United States with one of its main buildings designed by Thomas Jefferson. Land used for the college came from land previously owned by James Monroe. The school's history has led the United Nations to declare the university a World Heritage Site. There are around 14,600 undergraduates and 6,400 graduates attending school today. The university has been an extraordinarily strong university with several Nobel Laureates, Churchill Scholars, and Rhodes Scholars coming from study at the school.
Master of Public Health Program
The Master of Public Health program focuses on the practical competencies required to enhance community health. Students learn essential research topics on qualitative and quantitative research habits. The program was initially developed in 2003 and was created from the knowledge of several different faculty around the university. Students can choose from one of two tracks including Health Policy, Law & Ethics or Research in Practice. The university also offers a variety of dual degrees connected with the Master of Public Health program. The curriculum is designed to ensure students can build strong relationships with various community health organizations and students participate in a variety of projects with community partners during the program. Students may also choose to work toward making a presentation at a state public health conference or work with officials in public health policy while earning the degree. Students may even choose to serve in the Peace Corps while earning their degree through a partnership the University of Virginia has with the Peace Corps.
Accreditations
- Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
Contact
Public Health Sciences
P.O. Box 800717
Charlottesville, VA 22908
Phone: (434) 924-8430
Email: [email protected]
http://www.medicine.virginia.edu/clinical/departments/phs/degree_programs/mph/mphprogramdescription-page
Virginia Commonwealth University
School of Allied Health Professions
Established in 1838, Virginia Commonwealth University was originally just a medical branch of another college but became Virginia Commonwealth University in the early 20th century. The school is a large size with over 31,000 students attending in over 220-degree programs. The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education classifies Virginia Commonwealth as a school with very high research activity. The school also has a variety of graduate and professional programs ranked highly on lists developed by U.S. News & World Report. The athletic teams at the school are part of the NCAA Division I and the athletes play under the team nickname of the Rams.
Master of Health Administration
The university says that its Master of Health Administration program is one of the top 10 such programs in the country, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. The school describes its program as one that requires vigorous study of business and management training alongside the important study of issues that impact health care in the private, government, and non-profit sectors. During the third year in the program, students will get to participate in a 12-month residency and will have the opportunity to be mentored by a health care executive currently working in the industry. Entry into the program is competitive, and students must showcase a healthy application that showcases the potential for a strong career. Students must complete a total of 59 credits in the program to obtain the degree including classes like Health System Organization, Financing and Performance, Health Care Organization and Leadership, and Health Care Managerial Accounting.
Master of Public Health
The Master of Public Health program is for students who want a career in various health care sectors who want to help prevent health problems in their communities before they have a chance to develop. The program is described by VCU as a rigorous program with several goals. Students will benefit from training designed to facilitate success in the student's chosen career path, as well as skills taught that will help graduates perform well in job interviews and in any job they choose. Overall, students must complete at least 45 credits toward the degree which includes courses in areas like environmental health, health policy, biostatistics, and epidemiology. The program begins with students gaining practical experience, and students will get to work in a real health care setting such as the Virginia Department of Health or in a research program mentored by faculty members. Students also complete two semesters in a practical setting at a place like a professional public health organization or a local health district office.
Accreditations
- Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
Contact
Virginia Commonwealth University
School of Allied Health Professions
Department of Health Administration
1008 East Clay Street
Richmond, VA 23298
Phone: (804) 828-9466
Email: [email protected]
http://www.had.vcu.edu/index.html
Virginia Tech
Department of Population Health Sciences
The full name of Virginia Tech is the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, but locals just call it Virginia Tech. The university was established in 1872 and has grown to include several sites around the state, as well as some study-abroad locations. It was in the early 20th century when the school's leaders decided to switch the school from the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute to a traditional college granting four-year degrees. The school's purpose in training students is the creation of jobs on a local and regional basis, as well as the economic growth granted by learned professionals in the workforce.
Master of Public Health-
Virginia Tech describes its Master of Public Health degree as one that's designed to produce public health leaders for the country and for Virginia. The program requires that students complete at least 42 credits in vital public health issues. The program's mission is to promote, protect, and improve public health by instructing future leaders on how they need to operate in the work force. Like most healthcare administration degree programs in Virginia, the Virginia Tech program includes environmental health sciences, biostatistics, health services administration, social behavior sciences, and biostatistics as its main, core competencies. Additionally, students may choose one of two concentrations including Public Health Education or Infectious Disease. To apply for the program, students must submit all the normally required materials of such an application such as a personal statement, resume, and transcripts, as well as letters of recommendation. The school also gives information sessions designed to help students decide whether they want to enter the program.
Accreditations
- Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
Contact
Public Health Program
Department of Population Health Sciences (0395)
Sandy Hall, Suite 100
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Phone: (540) 231-3945
Email: [email protected]
http://mph.vetmed.vt.edu/
The state of Virginia offers students the choice of an education from many respected institutions of different sizes and dates of establishment. Virginia schools also offer degrees accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), which ensures a student will exit the program with a degree that's relevant and valuable in today's healthcare environments. For any student interested in approaching the world of healthcare from a business perspective, investigating the accredited healthcare administration degree programs in Virginia is a good place to start.