Master of Public Administration: Health Administration

Fast Facts 
Program Founded: 1985
Program Accreditation: NASPAA
Graduates to date: 330+

Why an MPA:HA?

What will I learn?

The MPA-HA provides students with the skills to succeed in public service and health care management positions in a wide variety of organizations.  This program integrates the core curriculum of the MPA with a special focus on health services; students select their specialty area as Health Administration at the time they opt for the MPA: HA degree.  At least 30 credits of the 60 credit program must be health-specific, and may be part of the substantive core, skills courses, or specialization courses.

How will it prepare me for the future?
An MPH-HA degree prepares graduates for a wide range of careers in public or health services administration, planning, policy, evaluation, consulting, and related careers.  Both seasoned professionals and students in the first stages of their careers will benefit from the MPH-HA at PSU.  Faculty members work diligently to ensure that graduates receive a highly relevant and efficacious educational experience.  Classes prepare students beginning their careers to be competent and effective leaders, and mid-career students to enhance their capacities as managers and leaders through the opportunities provided for reflection and integration of new knowledge.  The MPA specialization in health administration enables students who wish to pursue a career in public service and health care to focus a substantial amount of their curriculum on courses with grounding in health services.

Why Portland State University?

Experienced and Committed Faculty
Classes in the MPA-HA are taught by faculty who have expertise and experience in health services.  The lead faculty members teaching in the MPA-HA have substantive expertise teaching and conducting research in areas such as health systems organization and change, health care financing, access to health services and health insurance, economics of health, patient safety and health care quality, local and regional government, health care leadership, community health improvement and sustainability.  All faculty members teaching in the MPA-HA have completed their graduate studies and/or have substantial professional experience in fields related to health services and public management.  Their breadth of knowledge in the health sector and commitment to students ensure a rich and fulfilling classroom experience.

Unique Partnerships and Community Connections
Portland State is well-known for its focus on community service and engagement, and the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government is one of the best places to take advantage of the numerous community partnerships PSU has developed.  The MPA-HA curriculum shares many courses with the MPA program, and students also benefit from many classes exclusively focused on health services.  Students have the unique opportunity to make use of resources through the School of Community Health, the Oregon MPH Program, and other departments across PSU.  Partnerships and cooperative arrangements also exist with Oregon Health & Science University and Oregon State University as well as multiple health, community and governmental agencies in Portland, across Oregon, and nationally.

Creating Leaders
While in the MPA-HA program you will be working closely with others who share your passion and commitment to health administration.  Together, you are the future leaders of your field.  Alumni of the MPA-HA program hold positions with nonprofit, public, and consulting organizations including, but not limited to, the following:

American Red Cross
Legacy Health Systems
Multnomah County Health Department
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Kaiser Permanente Northwest
Providence Health System
Treece Consulting
CM Research Services
Shriners Children’s Hospital
Standard Insurance Company
Merck Pharmaceuticals
Stockamp & Associates, Inc
OSU College of Pharmacy
The Waldorf Center
Avamere
Oregon College of Oriental Medicine
NYC Health & Hospital Corporation

The Division of Public Administration is the only university in Oregon that is a graduate member of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA), the international consortium devoted to advancing health administration education and practice (see www.aupha.org).

For more information on Degree Requirements for this, and other programs in the Division of Public Administration, go to our Forms page.