About the Department

Located in the Washington, DC suburbs of Northern Virginia, the George Mason University Department of Health Administration and Policy (HAP) has been nationally and internationally recognized for its innovative curriculum, providing students the skills to succeed as leaders in both the U.S. and global healthcare systems. The mission of the department is to provide education, service and research that contribute to improving the quality of care and delivery of healthcare services. The department accomplishes this mission by preparing professionals for careers as executives and managers in acute and ambulatory care and senior housing/assisted living organizations, as well as specialists in health information systems and health informatics, healthcare risk management, and health policy.

Students within the department benefit by taking classes from faculty, adjunct instructors, and guest speakers recognized as leaders in their field, as well as from all levels of government and many of the nations’ premier healthcare organizations. The department is involved in research activities across the healthcare spectrum and collaborates with numerous public and private organizations. As part of its national role, the department collaborates with the Center for Health Policy, Research and Ethics to host the widely recognized Washington Health Policy Institute each summer, as well as the Annual Healthcare Quality Improvement Awards, recognizing the best in quality care in healthcare and senior housing organizations from throughout the United States.

Graduate Curricula

The department’s graduate curriculum has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as among the nations’ “Top 40” programs in healthcare management (#36, 2011). The Graduate concentration in Executive Management is additionally accredited by CAHME, the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education. Current graduate degrees, concentrations, and certificates offered by the department include:

• MS - Health Systems Management
• MS - Health and Medical Policy
• MS - Health Informatics
• MS - Senior Housing Administration
• Graduate Certificates (15-18 credit hours). Available as a stand-alone credential or in addition to a Master’s degree, the department offers graduate certificates in Health Information Systems, Physician Practice Management, Public Health Leadership & Management, Quality Improvement and Outcomes Management in Health Care Systems, and Senior Housing Administration.

Undergraduate Curricula

The department offers the largest undergraduate program in health administration in Virginia, including a Bachelor’s of Science (B.S.) in Health Administration certified by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA). As part of this degree, students can obtain a concentration in Health Systems Management, Health Informatics, or Senior Housing Administration. Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree outside of Health Administration may also obtain one of two undergraduate minors through the department, in Health and Social Policy or Health Information Technology.

Learn More

Additional information about the department, including curriculum, faculty, student resources, research/news, and admission criteria can be found on links available on this website, or by attending one of the Prospective Student Information Sessions (schedule to be posted in the near future).