Published on June 23, 2020 by Sarah Waller  

In coordination with its School of Public Health and Brock School of Business, Samford University now offers a joint Master of Healthcare Administration (M.H.A.) and Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) program that can be completed fully online. 

Designed to prepare individuals seeking leadership positions within healthcare systems or organizations, the program’s full-time plan of study can be completed in just three years. While the two degrees can be earned individually, Samford’s joint M.H.A/M.B.A. program combines the expertise of the schools’ faculty—as well as its resources—to provide graduates with a dynamic experience rooted in business and healthcare leadership and reflective of the challenges posed by the U.S. health system today. 

“Leadership progression within a healthcare system or organization will require a master’s degree,” said Carol J. Ratcliffe, professor and chair of the School of Public Health’s Department of Healthcare Administration and Informatics. “We are excited to partner with the Brock School of Business to offer this joint degree, further differentiating our graduates as they take the next step in their careers.”

While students will complete only M.H.A. courses in the first semester, the rest of the experience will be a true blend of healthcare administration and business course work. Samford’s M.H.A. program is offered fully online, but students can take advantage of the Brock School of Business’ hybrid format, completing their M.B.A. classes either online or in-person. 

“It would be an understatement to say that the U.S. healthcare system is complicated,” said Barbara Cartledge, senior assistant dean of academic programs at Brock School of Business. “Those who seek to manage and lead these systems and organizations require immense knowledge and experience, understanding how to navigate an industry that is consistently evolving. With this joint degree program, we are confident that our graduates will be prepared to accept this challenge and excel.” 

To learn more about the joint degree, including its application process and admission requirements, go to samford.edu/publichealth/master-of-healthcare-administration-joint-degree.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.