6 students in graduation gowns posing in front of Huff Hall

Community Health:

Master of Health Administration (MHA)

Great leaders at work – Trust. Integrity. Compassion. Drive.

Accreditation

logo for CEPH AccreditedThe Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) is an independent agency recognized by the US Department of Education to accredit schools and programs of public health, health administration, and related programs nationwide. The Master of Health Administration (MHA) program at Illinois became accredited by the CEPH in October 2019. To obtain copies of the most recent final report and self-study documents, please email mha-advising@ahs.illinois.edu.

Concentration Competencies

In addition to the foundational competencies, the MHA program has identified six concentration competencies that relate to our mission. These competencies are fulfilled by four concentration courses.

Competency
  1. Understand and use statistical and financial metrics and methods to set goals and measure clinical and/or organizational performance
  2. Use evidence-based techniques to improve clinical outcomes, quality of care, and/or efficiency
  3. Analyze and design or improve an organizational process, including incorporating the principles of high reliability, continuous quality improvement, and user-centered design
  4. Consider the business, demographic, ethno-cultural, political, and regulatory implications of decisions and develop strategies that continually improve the long-term success and viability of the organization
  5. Understand and explain advanced financial and accounting information, prepare and manage budgets, and make sound long-term investment decisions.
  6. Recognize staff development and other management practices that represent contemporary best practices and comply with legal and regulatory requirements to optimize the performance of the workforce and meet the strategic goals of the organization.

Foundational Competencies

CEPH developed 22 Foundational Competencies that are informed by traditional public health core knowledge areas as well as cross-cutting and emerging public health areas. All CEPH accredited health administration programs fulfill these foundational competencies.

Evidence-based Approaches to Public Health
  1. Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice
  2. Select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context
  3. Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate
  4. Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy or practice

Public Health & Health Care Systems
  1. Compare the organization, structure and function of health care, public health and regulatory systems across national and international settings
  2. Discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community and societal levels

Planning & Management to Promote Health
  1. Assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities’ health
  2. Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or implementation of public health policies or programs
  3. Design a population-based policy, program, project or intervention
  4. Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management
  5. Select methods to evaluate public health programs

Policy in Public Health
  1. Discuss multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence
  2. Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes
  3. Advocate for political, social or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations
  4. Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity

Leadership
  1. Apply principles of leadership, governance and management, which include creating a vision, empowering others, fostering collaboration and guiding decision making
  2. Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges

Communication
  1. Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors
  2. Communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation
  3. Describe the importance of cultural competence in communicating public health content

Interprofessional Practice
  1. Perform effectively on interprofessional teams

Systems Thinking
  1. Apply systems thinking tools to a public health issue

Contact Information

  • MHA Program
  • Department of Kinesiology and Community Health
  • 1206 S. Fourth Street
  • Champaign, IL 61820
  • Phone: 217-244-1075
  • Email: mha-advising@ahs.illinois.edu