HCA Degree Options : School of Health Sciences : Simmons College

Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.)
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (C.A.G.S.)
C.A.G.S. Health Professions Education
Certificate in Health Care Management
Certificate in Diversity Management

Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.)

Because the Simmons M.H.A. is designed for working professionals, classes are scheduled in the evening year round — and some courses are available on online. The program may be completed in as few as five semesters of full-time study, though most students enroll part-time and complete their degrees in eight or nine semesters.

Based on standards established by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education and the Pew Health Professions Commission, the curriculum emphasizes scholarship, as well as advanced business and management skills. All M.H.A. students are required to do fieldwork, which may take the form of a health care research paper of publishable quality, strategic analysis recommendations for a health care institution, a community health improvement project, or a short-term residency that includes a project demonstrating quantitative and/or financial analytic competency.

Waiving the GRE/GMAT Requirement

Students may waive the GRE/GMAT requirement by enrolling in the HCA 500: Health Care Accounting and HCA 501: Self and Small Group Leadership courses, as non-degree students. This option also allows students to evaluate whether the program is a good fit for them. Individuals who earn a minimum grade of B+ in both courses may then apply for degree status without submitting standardized tests. Due to visa restrictions, this alternative is available for U.S. students and permanent resident aliens only.

HCA Fieldwork Sites

Fieldwork projects are highly focused and directed. M.H.A. students enhance their professional portfolios while also providing value for the organizations where their projects take place. To learn more about clinical fieldwork, please see Clinical Placements.

Sample Fieldwork Projects

Dana Farber's FACT Accreditation: A Firsthand Look at Quality Improvement
Transforming Taiba Clinic
Physician Database Project at Newton Wellesley Hospital
Resolving the Dissatisfaction of Cardiac Surgery Physician Assistants at Miriam Hospital
Critical Thinking on a Nursing Floor at Children's Hospital
Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) Lines Placement
Clinical Investigations, Clinical Monitoring Reports: Finding a Better Process to Review and Collect Trials Data
Ambulatory Improvement Initiative at Brigham and Women's Hospital
Cost Per Visit Analysis-Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston-Brookline Office
Expansion for Boston Periodontics and Dental Implants
Analyzing the Root Cause of Acute Discharges at Youville Hospital
Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System Internship

Curriculum

Application

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (C.A.G.S.)

Management and leadership are important skills for persons seeking career advancement in health care organizations. For example, senior clinicians with advanced degrees in the health professions (medicine, nursing, social work and physical therapy) often are challenged by the "business side" of health care. Individuals who aspire to senior management or the C-Suite need special training in finance, organizational dynamics and leadership to be successful. Alternatively, business executives wishing to transition into health care often are challenged by the unique requirements of the industry. Students with a CAGS in Health Care Administration from Simmons College hold prominent positions in consulting, management and leadership in the Greater Boston health care market.

The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Health Care is an educational and career development program that prepares individuals who have graduate degrees in another discipline to be health care administrators and leaders. This 15-credit program is individually designed to build on the strengths each student possesses and to cover new material. Required and elective courses are chosen from the M.H.A. curriculum and may include fieldwork or independent research. Two concentrations are available: Finance and Analytical Thinking and Organizational Leadership.

Certificate in Health Care Management (For Simmons School of Management students and graduates; MBA graduates of an AACSB accredited institution)

This post-MBA Certificate is designed for current students and graduates of the School of Management (SOM) at Simmons College or MBA graduates of AACSB accredited institutions who are interested in the health care industry. This flexible program offers options to meet the needs of busy students and business professionals. Combining course work, individual and group projects, and a practicum experience, this program involves students in health care decision-making,economics, and business models.

Entry to this certificate program is in the January(spring) semester only. Interested candidates must apply to the School of Health Sciences by the November 1 application deadline, using the current year HCA application. Applicants should clearly indicate on the application that he/she is applying to this program. Carefully review the application since only certain sections are required.

After acceptance, individuals should register for the first class, GSM 610, 21st Century Health Care(1 credit). Ths course is offered during a week-end in January. Call the Office of Admission of The School of Health Sciences at 617-521-2605 to register for this class. Registration should be completed no later than one week before the class begins.

Application

FAQ's