Introduction

Programs within the Department of Health Administration and Policy provides students with the skills and tools to work in one of three capacities:

1. leaders and executive-level managers in evolving health systems;
2. health policy analysts; or
3. consultants and managers of electronic commerce and technology products and enterprises in the health system.

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 settings. Graduates are prepared to work in public and private health care systems; legislative arenas and public health agencies; health management and 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.

The interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to prepare graduates with an understanding of the larger sociopolitical and economic context of which the health system is a part. It prepares working professionals with leadership knowledge, skills, and abilities that serve to improve efficiency and effectiveness of health systems by alignment of decisions and resource management that optimizes organizational and health-related public policy objectives/goals. Students examine issues and mechanisms of universal access as a social imperative, and the feasibility, need, and mechanisms of strengthening market factors. They create linkages and alignment between public and private sectors, and among voluntary, market, and regulatory forces in the context of a variety of public policy frameworks. From a community focus, students explore the design of seamless systems of care that provide health services on the life span continuum, and how to manage these systems and their impact on outcomes of care using ethical principles.

Health care professionals with a baccalaureate degree and at least three years of leadership experience in the health field are eligible to apply. The curriculum is designed for experienced, working professionals with a track record of success in academic and work areas. An accelerated teaching/learning format consistent with executive-style programs is utilized. Class expectations are rigorous and require students to manage the learning of technically complex material at a fast pace. 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. If taking 2 courses per semester, courses can be completed in 2½ years. 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.

Applicants must submit transcripts from all previous college-level studies, a letter of interest specifying study goals, a curriculum vita, and completed copy of the George Mason Graduate Admissions Form. A standardized graduate admissions test (GRE/GMAT) 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. Applicants are competitively selected. Admitted students begin studies in January and September each year.

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 achieve a 3.0 GPA in the first 12 credits of graduate work (usually HSCI 501, HSCI 586, HSCI 709 and HSCI 715).

Applications are made to the Graduate Admissions Office in the College of Health and Human Services, MSN 5A8, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444.

Current tuition rates are available through the following link:
http://www.gmu.edu/catalog/tuition/index.html