Is wanting a Masters of Health Services Administration a stretch for me?

BeastieGirl91 · 10-13-2012, 11:31 PM

I'm getting my Bachelor's in Economics. I'm not interested in getting an studying Finance or getting a master's in Economics, I want my career to be in the financial/economic sector of the health field. I looked at UCF's Master's of Health Services Administration degree, and I feel like it's perfect for me. But I'm worried I won't get accepted or won't get a job because of my qualifications. I really like studying Economics and don't want to give it up, but do I need certain medical experience to even be able to consider that Master's? I really really feel like I could do this and succeed but I want to be qualified to ensure I get in! What would I need to better my chances of being accepted?

Thanks

juillet · 10-14-2012, 06:57 PM

You don't need medical experience to get an MHA. In fact, most healthcare administrators on the more business/financial side don't have any medical experience as practitioners.

What WOULD help you is a few years of business experience. The best thing is getting an administrative position at a hospital or healthcare agency that requires a bachelor's degree, and working for 2-5 years. Then you could not only apply to MHA programs, but also consider MPA programs, MBA programs, and MPH programs with a focus in health policy and management. There are more and more MPA and MBA programs that have a focus on healthcare business, like NYU Wagner's MPA (one of the top healthcare policy/management programs in the country). I feel like an MPA or MBA would make you more versatile than an MHA, but if you really want the MHA then go for that.

BeastieGirl91 · 10-15-2012, 01:00 PM

Thank you, this was very helpful! I find it very difficult to find administrative jobs, since I only have 2 years experience in retail/sales jobs...I find the catch to these jobs being that you need experience to get that job, but entry-level administrative positions are so hard to find...would getting a job as a bank teller be any help? or volunteering at a hospital?

juillet · 10-15-2012, 04:10 PM

Volunteering at a hospital could definitely help. Working as a bank teller...not so much, unless you can tie your experience there to what you plan to do once you get the MHA. But do what you need to do to pay the bills and then volunteer in your spare time until you can find a paying job in your field.