Accredited healthcare administration degree programs in Georgia provide valuable management resources for the state and the southeastern region. Georgia is a picturesque state with large urban centers and sprawling rural areas. Given the significant rural populations, Georgia has tremendous unmet healthcare needs, which require trained and dedicated human resources. The road forward in Georgia will depend on substantial additions to suburban and rural healthcare facilities, and as greater numbers of Georgians gain health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid coverage, the rate of change will accelerate.

Armstrong Atlantic State University

College of Health Professions

The College of Health Professions at Armstrong Atlantic State University offers comprehensive health professions education. It is a regional center for health professions education; it serves the needs of its local region consisting of southeast Georgia, South Carolina, and northern Florida. The college awards bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and Doctor of Physical Therapy. It issues certificates from programs in several key public health areas including rehabilitative services and respiratory therapy. The college emphasizes rigorous curriculum, small class size, and clinical experience. The school maintains extensive clinical relationships with local public health systems and a nationwide network. Students have outstanding opportunities to learn in the classroom and in clinical settings where real patients and situations challenge students to apply academic concepts.

Bachelor of Health Science

Among the leading accredited healthcare administration degree programs in Georgia, the College of Health Professions emphasizes the conservation of good health among Georgia residents as a primary goal. The task of healing illness differs from maintaining good health. The administration and management of health care programs in a variety of settings requires expert management and innovative thinking. The Armstrong Bachelor of Health Science offers three tracks. One into the area of wellness and fitness, a second into public and community health programs, and a third focused on administration of complex healthcare systems and healthcare service organizations. Healthcare delivery organizations include public hospitals, group practices, and private institutions. It also involves the health and fitness industry, health equipment and medical sales, elder-care and senior programs, and public health campaigns. A Bachelor of Health Science can lead to career options with healthcare organizations of every size and kind.

Accreditations

  • Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (CCSACC).

Contact
Armstrong Atlantic State University
College of Health Professions
11935 Abercorn Street
Savannah, GA 31419
912.344.2565
[email protected]
http://www.armstrong.edu/Health_professions/deans_office/health_science

Master of Public Health

Public health administration is a rapidly expanding field due in part to landmark health care reform legislation for expansion of healthcare services and increased coverage of uninsured by private insurance and Medicaid. Public and community health programs are the cornerstone of healthcare delivery in the United States. Millions depend upon hospitals, clinics and rural services institutions for wellness and preventive care, in addition to emergency care. The program revolves around the core areas of administration, human behaviors, environmental health sciences, and the study of the causes of disease. Information and statistical analysis are vital tools. They identify priorities for investigation and support structured decision-making. Communications are vital within the work environment and as a tool to educate and inform the public. Graduates receive instruction on clear thinking and effective communications. In hands on methods and with close faculty supervision, students build up to a supervised internship.

Accreditations

  • Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (CCSACC); and
  • Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Contact
Armstrong Atlantic State University
College of Health Professions
11935 Abercorn Street
Savannah, GA 31419
912.344.2565
[email protected]
http://www.armstrong.edu/health_professions/health_sciences/healthsciences_master_of_public_health

Clayton State University

School of Business

The Clayton State University School of Business serves the Greater Atlanta Area. Among its primary missions are to attract a diverse and talented student body, and, using advanced technology, provide excellent education focused on leadership and innovation. The future directions of management will depend on adaptation to technology and control of management information. The quality of decision-making will directly reflect the accuracy and management of business information. Future business leaders must master concepts of business systems; however, they must apply them to benefit the communities that they serve. The School of Business supports and encourages faculty research; it recognizes that innovation is a key to future success.

M.H.A. Master of Health Administration

The Master of Health Administration degree program prepares students for leadership roles in healthcare delivery and healthcare organizations. The rigorous curriculum will prepare graduates for entry level and further career choices. The program incorporates the business and other related backgrounds into qualifications for leadership roles in healthcare services. The graduates will contribute to higher quality of care and improve management of healthcare resources. The areas of coursework and instructional focus include independent thinking and ethical decision-making. Students will gain knowledge on health economics, finance, and policies. They will understand the political and social involvements and impacts on healthcare organizations. In a complex healthcare environment, critical and analytical thinking are vital attributes for leadership. It requires superior healthcare systems knowledge and a foundation in management of information systems. One must be able to assess data accurately and apply it to a systematic decision process.

Accreditations

  • The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges;
  • The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International
  • The Health Care Management Association of University Programs in Health Administration.

Contact
Clayton State University
Master of Health Administration
College of Business
2000 Clayton State Boulevard
Morrow, GA 30260-0285
(678) 466-4931
(678) 466-4669 (fax)
Email: [email protected]@clayton.edu
Program Coordinator, Master of Health Administration
http://www.clayton.edu/mha

Columbus State University

Graduate School

The Columbus State University Graduate School has awarded graduate degrees over a period of more than 25 years. Currently, it awards masters and specialist degrees in more than 35 areas of study, and a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Leadership. Graduate School programs focus on the student and provide outstanding opportunities for growth. The curriculum is comprehensive and the programs supplement academics with small class size and mentor arrangements. Students also work closely with faculty advisers on theses, publication of research, and career development. The Graduate School promotes student achievement through sponsored research and high levels of scholarship. The school advances opportunities for global learning through strategic partnerships. On a constant basis, the faculty inspires students to greater discovery and practice.

MPA

The Master of Public Administration prepares students for working healthcare services organizations. The healthcare environment is complex. It involves medical services to patients and an enormous trail of paper records of clinical testing, laboratory research, care records, insurance paperwork, government compliances of several varieties including costs and costs reimbursements. Database development and management are a key function area. Budgeting is a vital process for planning and enabling organizational operations. At every level, good management requires review of policies, and active oversight of organizational processes. For the career development path, the MPA is a platform for moving into any of the elements of healthcare delivery. It has a business component comprised of consuming goods and services including strategic acquisitions of capital assets such as buildings, land, and advanced scientific equipment. It exists in an environment of databases and management information needed to support a sound decision making process. Clearly healthcare exits in an evolving area of politic and public policy development.

Accreditations

  • Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Contact
Faculty Office Building 324
Columbus State University
4225 University Avenue
Columbus, Georgia 31907
Phone: 706-507-8483
[email protected]
http://gradschool.columbusstate.edu/cols/politicalscience/HealthTrackSheet_updated.pdf

Georgia State University

Robinson College of Business

The Robinson School is a highly regarded school of business; a leading institution in the Southeast Region U.S. News & World Reports recognized the graduate programs for achievement. The respected annual academic assessment rated the part-time MBA as No. 29 nationwide, within the top ten percent; in the same survey, the magazine ranked the School of Business at No.19 among public university programs. The Robinson School offers excellence and a worldview in its business curricula. There is a strong emphasis on academic excellence and student achievement. Rigorous effort to master the basics is a platform for academic and career success. There is an equal emphasis on leadership in a global economy.

Bachelor of Business Administration in Computer Information Systems with a concentration in Health Informatics

The purpose of this specialization is to produce graduates with demonstrated high skill levels in the use of information technology. The curriculum will provide training and instances to apply concepts and innovative techniques in medical services. The long-term goal is to inspire innovation and improvement in the use of emerging technology resources to improve administrative processes in the healthcare industry. The curriculum combines a business administration core with a healthcare policy core. The program requires an additional section of quantitative and information system coursework. Combining the business administration core to the health policy core produces the desired mix of analysis and industry knowledge. Managers with knowledge concerning effective data arrangement and information analysis are needed for reform. They must lead the effort to organize and control information technology can bring badly needed innovations in medical services organizations. They can use innovative concepts and modernize the administrative processes within the healthcare industry. The healthcare industry grows rapidly as heath care reform gradually takes a large role in expanding coverage. The challenge of new technology is to make information workable, understandable, and useable.

Accreditations

  • The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Contact
Department of Computer Information Systems
J. Mack Robinson College of Business
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 4015
Atlanta, GA 30302-4015
404-413-7360
[email protected]

MBA/MHA (Master of Business Administration/ Master of Health Administration)

The Master of Business Administration/Master of Health Administration joint programs prepares leaders for management of healthcare service organizations and health businesses. The primary advantage of this M.B.A./M.H.A. program is in innovation and creativity that results from application of the theoretical concepts of business administration to the rapidly evolving situation of health administration. The curriculum provides a foundation in each discipline of theory and practical applications. Management must address a wide variety of business organizations, and the application of theory to practical settings must involve realistic business environments. The technical skills needed to manage in the healthcare business are specialized. The business involves many unique traits such as clinical trials, state and federal oversight, and intricate insurance involvements. Ethics and community responsibility must be part of decision-making and mastering management information is necessary for sound business processes. The health industry aspects of the program also require in-depth study and a core of fundamental coursework. Once students have mastered the basic concepts, the applications to healthcare situations are a vital part of training and education.

Accreditations

  • The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Contact
Frances Marine
Communications Director
School of Public Health, Georgia State University
404.413.1504 (office)
[email protected]
http://healthadmin.robinson.gsu.edu/academic-programs/mba-mha/

MSHA (Master of Science in Health Administration)

Georgia State University offers the MBA and MHA degrees as a joint program, The Robinson College of Business offers the Master of Science in Health Administration as a single degree. Designed to meet the needs of students who want some qualifications in the health area, students can combine skill sets in related fields such as business administration or healthcare services management. The career development potential is outstanding. Nearly every healthcare organization seeks to improve management effectiveness in the face of overwhelming amounts of high technology information inputs. The challenge is to manage information into useable elements. Students have a well-rounded approach to business excellence including clear communications and collaborations. The combination of the fields has been done in a way that brings a greater effect. There will be opportunities for internship, thesis development, and close supervision from faculty. The best results for employment include obtaining a degree from accredited healthcare administration degree programs in Georgia.

Accreditations

  • The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Contact
J. Mack Robinson College of Business
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 4015
Atlanta, GA 30302-4015
404-413-7360
[email protected]
http://www2.gsu.edu/~catalogs/2011-2012/graduate/7000/7210_master_of_science_in_health_administration.htm

One cannot avoid noticing the inspiration and enthusiasm that comes through the messages from these outstanding universities and colleges. The state and a wide national community benefit from the research and spirit of innovation from accredited healthcare administration degree programs in Georgia.