Health Administration Master's (MHA) Faculty of Graduate Studies      School of Health Administration

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Master of Health Administration

Master of Health Administration

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Success in health management

Get a competitive edge with Dalhousie’s Master of Health Administration (MHA)—an internationally recognized program that opens doors and increases the range of career options available to you.

Our MHA graduates are in leading health leadership positions across Canada and the US. But they find success in other areas too—medical school, PhD programs, research groups, non-profit organizations, public policy offices and more.

The breadth of Dalhousie’s MHA program sets it apart. You’ll receive comprehensive training and develop diverse skills necessary for managing modern health care systems. You’ll develop partnerships and networks both on- and off-site.

You don’t need professional experience for admission

Many students come straight from undergraduate programs—arts, science, economics and more. Others are professionals from a variety of backgrounds, including medicine, accounting, architecture, nursing, rehabilitation and engineering. If you’d like to develop a healthcare niche and find new job opportunities, the MHA is for you.

Collaborative environment

Interprofessional health education (IPHE) is a unique component of the MHA program as it prepares graduates for the reality of today’s collaborative care team models. Many MHA courses are held in the new, state-of-the-art Collaborative Health Education Building, a shared space with Health, Dentistry and Medicine.

Value-add certificates

Bolster your CV and get a leg up on the competition by taking one of our value-added certificates while completing your MHA.

Find out more:

Program Details

Master of Health Administration

Admission requirements

All candidates must satisfy the general requirements for admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. A 4-year bachelor degree (honours or equivalent), with a minimum B+ average (3.3 GPA) is required.

Admission also depends on an assessment of supporting documents, including:

  • original transcripts of all previous academic work (2 copies, B+ average)
  • at least 2 academic letters of reference
  • resume/curriculum vitae
  • a statement of career interests and reasons for applying to the MHA program
  • GMAT (minimum score 550)
  • for students interested in pursuing the combined JD/MHA program, only the LSAT is required
  • for international students: proof of English language proficiency
  • completed application form

See full details on the application procedure, including links to all necessary forms.

Program structure

The Master of Health Administration (MHA) is typically a 2-year program:

Year 1

  • Fall and winter terms: 5 courses per term of preparatory education plus an interprofessional health education course
  • 4-month summer residency

Year 2

  • Fall and winter terms: 5 courses per term to integrate and expand your skills plus an interprofessional health education course

Options include part-time study, thesis research, and law for health administrators or strategic decisions specialization. Joint degree programs are also available.

Degree requirements

The MHA curriculum has both academic and hands-on components. It requires the successful completion of 54 to 66 credit hours. Please refer to the “Courses” section below for program requirements.

Students also maintain enrolment in IPHE 5900 (Interprofessional Health Education) for the duration of their MHA program. Successful completion of this course is required for graduation, and will be recognized with a special Certificate in Interprofessional Collaboration presented by the Faculty of Health.

Non-MHA electives must be approved by the School of Health Administration before registering.

Download our graduate handbook for more details. [PDF - 1.3 MB]

Courses

MHA Year One: 5 courses per term plus IPHE

Fall term

Winter term

Summer term

MHA Year Two: 5 courses per term plus IPHE

Fall term

Winter term

HESA electives

Students not completing an MHA+ certificate select three electives from the following options:

Certificate options (MHA+)

Distinguish yourself by choosing one of these certificates while completing your Master of Health Administration (MHA):

Taking one of these certificates will boost your credentials and give you a professional advantage. It will also help you carve out a distinct niche with up-to-date expertise.

To earn the certificate, you need to complete 4 topic-specific courses during the MHA program.

Student residency

The residency is a pivotal component of the Master of Health Administration (MHA) program, strategically positioned between Year 1 and Year 2 coursework. The goal of the 4-month residency is to provide students with an opportunity to put academic knowledge to the test, expand experiences, meet new challenges and work in a new environment.

Residencies are planned, selected and arranged in full consultation with students, to align with their interests and career goals. Students are placed in a Canadian health facility or agency to work with top tier management.

Host organizations may include, but are not limited to, the Department of Health, district and regional health organizations and other public-sector organizations.

Students have access to information about past residencies and feedback on particular placements.

Find out more about the MHA residency component.

Read sample student residency reports:

Juris Doctor/Master of Health Administration

Dalhousie’s Juris Doctor/Master of Health Administration (JD/MHA) is the only program of its kind in Canada. It is ideally suited for future health executives, policy-makers and lawyers in private practice, giving you the tools to effectively navigate the legal complexities of the Canadian health system.

The 4-year JD/MHA program is a collaboration between the Dalhousie Schulich School of Law and the School of Health Administration. Students select courses leading to two degrees: Juris Doctor and Master of Health Administration.

Learn more about the JD/MHA program.

Thesis option

Master of Health Administration (MHA) students may opt to conduct research and write a thesis in lieu of elective courses or a certificate. This is an attractive option for students interested in pursuing a career in research, academia or a PhD program.

Working directly with a School of Health Administration faculty member on their research program also equips health leaders to evaluate and use evidence in policy formation and decision making.

Find out more about the thesis option.

CA+HME accredited

The Dalhousie Master of Health Administration (MHA) program has met the rigorous criteria established by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CA+HME), one of only three programs in Canada to do so.

This prestigious accreditation is recognized throughout North America and ensures all graduates receive an outstanding level of training. To become and remain accredited, a graduate program in healthcare management must submit to a rigorous examination of its:

  • purpose
  • curriculum
  • student experience
  • success of the graduates in the competitive job market

Accreditation is evaluated through formal external reviews (including site visits and document reviews) by American and Canadian health administration experts.


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Graduate handbook for Health Administration
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Download our graduate handbook [PDF - 1.3 MB] for full details on all graduate programs available in the School of Health Administration.

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