The Master of Healthcare Administration/Doctor of Medicine (MHA/MD) dual degree prepares healthcare professionals to integrate clinical practice with administrative and leadership roles.
Medical students from Sidney Kimmel Medical College (SKMC) can pursue an accelerated Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) at Jefferson's College of Population Health (JCPH) by taking a dedicated year out of medical school between the third and fourth year. This integrated Healthcare Administration year offers comprehensive training in operations, leadership, change management, statistics, human resources, innovation, entrepreneurship, health economics and the healthcare ecosystem.
The MHA/MD coursework builds deep expertise in healthcare delivery systems, financing and economics, policy and regulation, and quality and safety. Students develop applied proficiency in operational excellence, Lean Six Sigma, change management, strategic planning and healthcare marketing. Students engage in experiential learning, guided by seasoned executives who provide real-world insight and mentorship. Executive coaching supports the development of a personalized leadership plan, empowering students to make an immediate and lasting impact in the field.
Students complete 38 credits (13 courses) of MHA coursework and collaborate closely with faculty to design and execute an independent project on a topic of their choice for their practicum, using their Lean Six Sigma skills as the methodology. The curriculum from SKMC provides the other 12 credits for the MHA degree.
At the Jefferson College of Population Health, MHA/MD students benefit from structured activities that complement classroom learning and focus on the intersection of clinical care and administration. These include a monthly lecture series, a practicum, and elective concentrations in one of five areas of interest:
- Healthcare Leadership & Operations Management
- Health Informatics & Digital Transformation
- Population Health Management
- Healthcare Quality & Patient Safety
- Global Health & Health Equity
Program Features
- A notable benefit of the program is the Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (CLSSGB), which students will be awarded after completing coursework and a project; this portable credential will shape their healthcare improvement strategies for the rest of their careers.
- In addition to this credential, the program features an innovative curriculum with a practicum that emphasizes experiential learning through the Lean Six Sigma methodology.
- Furthermore, students can choose from available concentrations in five (5) different areas of healthcare administration.
- To enrich the learning experience, optional monthly live virtual sessions offer deep dives into topics such as Digital Marketing, Dashboards, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, Cultural Intelligence, and many others.
Accreditation Thomas Jefferson University is accredited by The Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The Jefferson College of Population Health Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program is currently engaged in the process of applying for candidacy with the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). CAHME is a programmatic accrediting agency that conducts accreditation activities for professional programs in healthcare management at the master's level from degree-granting institutions. CAHME is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
