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College of Health and Human Services

About the Program

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Mission Statement

[In concert with the Mission of GMU and the CHHS] The mission of the Department of Health Administration and Policy is to provide innovative education and research that contributes to improving health and human systems and the quality of life and health for those they serve across the life span. The Department prepares working professionals and those who aspire to careers in health and social systems to work as Healthcare Systems and Senior Housing and Chief Electronic Medical Record System Officers, and Chief Privacy and Data Security Officers in Health Systems.

The research and scholarly activities of the department will contribute to basic and applied knowledge about the organization and effective management, financing and performance of US health systems and public health services to foster innovation and quality improvement and effective use of information technology by health services researchers, health/social system managers and public health policy makers.

The Department works with consumers, stakeholders, students, faculty alumni, research funders and the community to ensure rigorous, relevant educational programs (including post graduate professional development), service activities and the development and timely dissemination of research.

Accreditation

The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits George Mason University. The College is in Pre-Accreditation Status with the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). The program serves physicians, nurses and clinicians who wish to get management experience as well as accountants, information system specialists and other related professions who wish to work in the health care industry.

Perceived Benefits

The Master of Science in Health System Management program offers high quality academic preparation in health care management, policy analysis, health information systems, security assessment and assisted living management. Courses are scheduled at the Fairfax campus, and are offered evenings (after 4:30 pm), weekends, and on-line, allowing students many options to complete program requirements. The program has extensive links with area health care institutions.

Students who have previously earned graduate credits from another accredited university may transfer up to twelve semester hours to the Master of Health System Management, according to the transfer credit policies as stated in the University Catalog. Once admitted to George Mason University, students may not take graduate courses at another accredited institution for transfer to the Master of Health system Management, without obtaining prior approval. George Mason students are eligible to take up to six semester hours at area universities through the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area, providing students an opportunity to take classes not available at George Mason University while paying George Mason tuition rates.

George Mason is a public University with excellent tuition rates for those who qualify for Virginia residency. Review current tuitions at http://www.gmu.edu/catalog/tuition/index.html.

An additional strength of George Mason University is its location in Northern Virginia with close proximity to Washington DC. Students benefit by taking classes from leading professors in health policy and from adjunct instructors working in government, management, or non-profits, supplementing academic theory and enriching students’ educational experience. In addition the Northern Virginia Technology corridor provides an excellent background for students who wish to focus on Information Systems.

Library Services

Students may study at and check out books from any of the area Universities belonging to the Washington Research Library Consortium, and conduct research at The Library of Congress. George Mason University also belongs to several other local, regional, and national library consortia. For details of library services including online services consult http://library.gmu.edu.

Credit Requirements

The Master of Science in Health Systems Management provides students with the skills and tools to work in following capacities:

  1. Leaders and executive-level managers in evolving health systems;
  2. Health policy analysts;
  3. Consultants and managers of electronic commerce and technology products and enterprises in the health system
  4. Information system specialists
  5. Healthcare data security professionals
  6. Executive management of assisted living/senior housing programs for elderly

The 39-42 credit curriculum was developed in response to the demand for advanced, health management and policy preparation for a variety of health care and allied health professionals.

The program of study is designed to prepare graduates with state of the art technical and humanistic skills to serve as leaders, managers, consultants, and health policy advisors in a variety of health care settings. Graduates are prepared to work in public and private health care systems; legislative arenas and public health agencies; health policy-related trade and consumer organizations; and health accreditation / regulatory organizations. The curriculum integrates concepts selected from a variety of disciplines
with application in health management and policy endeavors; business management, economics, philosophy, organizational behavior, information technology, social psychology, public policy, law, and ethics as they uniquely apply to health management and health policy analysis.

Students with a baccalaureate degree are eligible to apply. The curriculum is designed for experienced, working professionals with a track record of success in academic and work areas. An introductory course to the health care industry is available for applicants with limited background in health care. Students also are expected to possess basic computer skills (familiarity with Windows environments, e-mail, and Internet web browsers). An introductory noncredit course is available for those who do not have these skills.

The program is scheduled to be convenient for working professionals, and can be completed part-time or full time. An accelerated teaching/learning format consistent with executive-style programs is utilized. All courses are taught after 4:30 pm or on weekends. If taking 2 courses per semester, courses can be completed in 2½ years. An accelerated pathway is available for those who wish to go to school on full time basis. All courses are offered in classrooms but some courses are simultaneously broadcast on the Internet for students who wish to take them online. A practicum project is required after completion of courses.

Provisional admission can be made for students whose undergraduate GPA is less than 3.0 but whose work since school indicates high likelihood of success in graduate work. Students admitted provisionally with less than a 3.0 GPA must receive grades of B or better in the first 12 credits of graduate work (usually HAP 501, HAP 586, HAP 709 and HAP 715).

Student Skills After Graduation

Students will be prepared for positions in a variety of assignments and will be able to pursue a career in management positions within health care systems. Students will have skills in information technology, statistics, policy analysis, process improvement, accounting, law, management and organization development.

Applicaton Process

Applications are made through the College of Health and Human Services. Applications for admission to the Master of Health System Management are reviewed throughout the year for admission to either the Fall or Spring semester. Students admitted to the Fall session are allowed to start taking classes by the Summer Session. Applicants must submit:

  1. Transcripts from all previous college-level studies.
  2. A letter of interest specifying study goals.
  3. A curriculum vita.
  4. Completed copy of the George Mason Graduate Admissions Form.

A standardized graduate admissions test (GRE/GMAT) should not be submitted but maybe requested if the student does not have an existing graduate degree (e.g. Medical degree) or has an undergraduate GPA less than 3.0.

Application information and forms are available on-line at http://admissions.gmu.edu/common/onapps.asp. Applicants are generally notified of their admission status within 4-6 weeks of submitting the application. Checking on the application status can be done electronically by calling the Applicant Inquiry System at (703)993-4GMU (4468) and selecting option 2 or by calling the Graduate Health Science Division at 703 993 1929.

Applications are sent to:
Graduate Admissions Processing Center
MS 5A8 Robinson Hall B401
George Mason University
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 993-1736 telephone
hsingh@gmu.edu (email)

Specific contact information is available at:
Master of Health System Management
MS1J3 Northeast Module
George Mason University
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 993-1929 telephone
(703) 993-1953 (fax)
amccutch@gmu.edu (email)

Continuous Enrollment

Students who do not enroll in course work for two or more consecutive semesters need to re-enroll in their program upon returning. Students have six years to complete their master’s program. Re-enrollment does not incur any fees and the Re-Enrollment Forms are available through the Office of the Registrar website: http://registrar.gmu.edu/forms/ReenrollGrad.PDF

Tuition Assistance

Part time students are eligible for consideration for available Graduate Teaching Assistantships or Graduate Research Assistantships. A number of faculty of the college have funded research and are looking for graduate research assistants. Program participants are responsible for their own tuition not covered by waivers or financial assistance, in addition to living expenses while attending the University.

Advisement and Support

Students will receive assistance and guidance during the admissions and registration process through the primary faculty advisor and Director of the HSM program. George Mason University seeks for alumni to act as mentors and provide guidance to students.

Additionally, students will receive a wide range of services beyond their academic support from the University, all at minimal or no cost. This includes mental health services, health club membership, and tickets to top cultural events at the Center for Performing Arts at George Mason. Students are also encouraged to join social and professional organizations such as the American College of Healthcare Executives to supplement their education and expand their network for professional and career advice and assistance.

Program Evaluation

The success of the Master of Health System Management is measured using course evaluations, meetings with the students, and meetings with employers to ensure students are receiving the training they need to make their experience as beneficial as possible to the community in which they are serving. Students are provided the opportunity to evaluate each course. The evaluations are quantified, ranked, and posted on the George Mason web site. Students have access to the evaluations on the web from on-campus computers (see http://ratings.gmu.edu/). The faculty and HSM Director review evaluations and make changes when necessary.

We also monitor and evaluate the program through exit interviews with students before graduation. The greatest indicator of the program’s success at George Mason University is the continued growth of the program and the active involvement of alumni in developing programs for current students. Results of survey of alumni are provided at http://gunston.gmu.edu/healthscience/710/alumni_report.asp.

The following links are the results of program evaluation surveys of Health Systems Management Major graduates.

Course Descriptions

Up to date course descriptions are provided at http://www.gmu.edu/catalog/courses/hap.html.