Health Adminstration

The Master of Health Administration (MHA) program at Dalhousie University is designed to prepare future leaders in the complex and rapidly evolving healthcare sector. This comprehensive program combines rigorous academic coursework with practical experiences to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge required to improve health systems, manage healthcare organizations, and promote patient-centered care. The curriculum covers a broad range of topics including health policy, healthcare financial management, strategic planning, organizational behavior, and health information systems, ensuring graduates are well-versed in both theoretical concepts and real-world applications.

Students in the MHA program benefit from Dalhousie’s interdisciplinary approach, engaging with faculty who are experts in public health, management, and policy. The program emphasizes leadership development, ethical decision-making, and innovative problem-solving, fostering graduates capable of addressing the challenges faced by modern healthcare environments. The program also emphasizes experiential learning through case studies, group projects, and internship opportunities within the Nova Scotia healthcare system. This hands-on approach allows students to apply their knowledge in practical settings, build professional networks, and gain valuable industry insights.

The Dalhousie MHA program is suitable for individuals aiming to pursue careers as healthcare administrators, policy analysts, or health services managers in a variety of settings, including hospitals, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private healthcare companies. It is designed to accommodate working professionals through flexible scheduling options, including part-time study pathways. Graduates of the program are equipped to lead initiatives that improve healthcare delivery, foster innovation in health services, and contribute to meaningful health policy development. With a focus on sustainability, equity, and quality improvement, the Dalhousie Master of Health Administration prepares students to make a positive impact on health systems both locally and globally.

First Year

• Introduction to the Canadian Healthcare System
• Management & Design of Healthcare Organizations
• Financial Accounting, Governance and Management Control in Healthcare
• Healthcare Law
• Statistics for Health Administration
• Interprofessional Health Education
• Managing Change in Health Systems
• Managerial Epidemiology
• Healthcare Economics: Evaluation and Policy
• Management Control and Funding Systems in Healthcare
• Interprofessional Health Education
• Health Administration Residency

 Second Year

• Ethics Health Administration
• Analyzing the Outcomes of Healthcare
• Strategic Planning in Healthcare
• Human Resources in Healthcare
• Interprofessional Health Education
• Healthcare Policy
• Information Systems in Health Administration
• Quality Management in Healthcare
• Senior Seminar
• Interprofessional Health Education

Electives 

• Nursing Administration and Leadership
• Continuing Care Administration
• Management Union Relations in Healthcare
• Comparative Healthcare Funding & Insurance Systems
• Directed Project
• Directed Reading
• Business Law for Health Administrators
• Advanced Healthcare Law
• Health Law and Policy: Current Issues

Requirements

• Applicants must have completed or be about to complete a 4-year bachelor's degree with a minimum of B+ average.  Candidates must satisfy the general requirements for admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies.  Admission is based on an assessment of professional experience, previous academic work, letters of reference, GMAT, and TOEFL for foreign students.
• Application form
• Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B average) in the last 60 credit hours of study
• Degree granted by university of recognized standing
• Students for whom English is not their first language and who did not complete their previous degree at an English-speaking university will need to submit proof of English language proficiency.Internet-based TOEFL 92, Written TOEFL 580. IELTS 7.
• Pay $100 application fee
• An official academic transcript for each post-secondary institution attended, sent directly from the host university in a sealed envelope (a notarized translation is also required for each non-English transcriptin addition to an original transcript sent directly from the host university in a sealed envelope). Notarized copies will not be accepted.
• Two academic reference letters, either through the electronic reference system in the online application or by paper
• If you plan to self-fund your studies, please include an original teller stamped or equivalent bank statement showing that you have sufficient funds for your full program fees plus $1200 per month for the full term of your studies.
• Resume
• Statement of career interests outlining your reason for applying to the program. 
  The Statement of Career Interests must articulate the applicant's career goals and rationale as to how successful completion of the program is essential to achieving these career goals.
• GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) - minimum score 550

Scholarships

• Bursaries
• Faculty of Graduate Studies Scholarships
• Phi Kappa Pi Joe Ghiz Memorial Award
• A.S. Mowat Prize
• Nova Scotia Graduate Scholarships

The Master of Health Administration (MHA) at Dalhousie University is a comprehensive graduate program designed to prepare students for leadership roles in the healthcare sector. The program emphasizes developing advanced managerial skills, strategic thinking, and an in-depth understanding of healthcare policies, economics, and organizational dynamics. It aims to equip graduates with the essential knowledge to address complex issues in health services management, policy development, and healthcare delivery systems. Students engaged in the MHA program benefit from a curriculum that includes courses in health policy analysis, financial management, human resources management, health law, ethics, and quality improvement. The program integrates classroom learning with practical experiences through internships, case studies, and applied projects, enabling students to gain real-world insights and develop critical problem-solving skills. Dalhousie University’s MHA program also promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, encouraging students to work with professionals from various health and social sectors. The program is suitable for individuals aiming to pursue careers in hospital administration, healthcare consulting, policy development, or healthcare entrepreneurship. Graduates of the MHA program are well-prepared to assume leadership roles in hospitals, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private healthcare companies. The university’s strong connections with regional and national healthcare institutions provide students with valuable networking opportunities and access to a diverse range of clinical and administrative placements. The program’s flexible structure accommodates full-time and part-time students, allowing them to balance their studies with professional commitments. Overall, Dalhousie University’s Master of Health Administration offers a rigorous and innovative education for aspiring healthcare leaders dedicated to improving health systems and patient outcomes across the region and beyond.