MHA Senior Services ConcentrationMHA Senior Services ConcentrationMHA Senior Services Concentration
The senior population is growing. They need a qualified workforce to grow with them.
According to Pew Research, an estimated 10,000 people turn 65 every day. And by 2030, 18% of the U.S. population will be 65 or older. That will require a major increase in geriatric healthcare services ― in-home care, long-term care, hospital-based care, assisted living communities, chronic condition management, and hospice ― all of which need well-trained and compassionate workers. Maryville University’s online master’s in health administration (MHA) with a concentration in senior services can help prepare you to make a lasting impact in this booming field.
Why Choose Maryville for Your MHA with a Concentration in Senior Services?
Caring for the geriatric community includes more than just focusing on their physical health. So many other aspects are involved ― cultural, psychological, physiological, and social elements are all key to an improved quality of life for seniors. The coursework in our MHA with a concentration in senior services gives you an overview of the challenges and opportunities in working with older adults. This understanding, along with the knowledge gained through core MHA curriculum, can help you gain the tools you need to succeed as a leader in the field.
Maryville University designed its MHA program to ensure that you face as few obstacles as possible in advancing your education. The 100% online curriculum typically takes two years to complete and doesn’t require a single visit to the campus. Many professionals continue working as they complete the degree, allowing them to immediately put their studies into practice.
Maryville also values networking and professional relationship-building, so you are encouraged to connect with faculty mentors who are active industry practitioners and scholars in the healthcare field. These aspects of Maryville’s program are valuable on their own, but when combined with an evolving curriculum that is continually updated to reflect current healthcare trends, it’s clear that Maryville University’s online master’s in health administration is a great choice for career-driven healthcare professionals.
What Does Our MHA with a Concentration in Senior Services Curriculum Cover?
Maryville’s online MHA with a senior services concentration is designed to provide you with a multidisciplinary perspective of the biological, psychological, and sociocultural aspects of aging. The program also examines the future of the industry, including the approaches to assisted-living services ― both today and in the future. The concentration includes two courses in addition to the core MHA curriculum:
- Introduction to Gerontology: This course allows you to better understand issues related to physical and mental health changes, role transitions, care and living arrangements, and the role of the older adult in our society.
- Assisted Living/Senior Services Management: This course provides an overview of the senior services industry and the different forms of senior healthcare and living services.
What Careers Can You Pursue with Your MHA Senior Services Degree?
Earning your MHA with a concentration in senior services can help you gain the skills to thrive as a leader in health services management. Combining this degree with significant work experience in a clinical or administrative role could lead to an exciting and meaningful career in the rapidly growing field of healthcare leadership.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), positions associated with healthcare leadership, including healthcare executives, earned a median annual salary of just over $99,730 in 2018. In addition, the BLS reports a projected job growth of roughly 18% in the industry from 2018 to 2028 — a much faster pace than the average of all professions.
The MHA with a senior services concentration can prepare you to work in a variety of organizations in the health administration industry, including:
- Nursing homes
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Hospice care
- Assisted living communities
- Hospital administration
- Consulting
Meet Our MHA Faculty
When you enroll in our online MHA, you’re choosing to pursue skills and knowledge that can make a powerful difference in your career. It’s important that you get the best information ― which can only come from exceptional teachers. That’s why our MHA in senior services is taught by passionate experts and mentors who work in the field. This real-world experience keeps them up to date on the latest trends, technologies, and methodologies being used today. It also allows them to see firsthand what the industry needs and the kinds of skills employers are seeking.
Director and Assistant Professor of Healthcare Management and Health Administration Programs
Professor Schechter oversees the development and implementation of the online Master of Health Administration program, as well as the online Bachelor of Science degree programs in Healthcare Management and Senior Living Management, and serves as academic advisor to the students enrolled in those programs. She is also the owner and senior healthcare advisor of Schechter Healthcare Advisors, LLC, a firm that provides physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers with practical solutions to address the ever-changing healthcare environment.
Professor Schechter brings 30+ years of healthcare experience in the provider and consulting segments of the industry. She served as group administrator at a large St. Louis hospital-owned medical practice, and spent 14 years as the director of healthcare services at a local accounting and consulting firm. She has developed a deep expertise in a number of areas within healthcare, including the implementation of quality-performance metrics programs, population health management, compliance, revenue cycle management, project management and strategic planning.
Admissions Requirements for Our Online MHA in Senior Services
We take a holistic approach to business education. Our MHA in senior services is designed to attract career-driven professionals. Upon meeting the following admissions criteria, you can enroll in classes at a time that’s most convenient for you:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- A 3.0 cumulative GPA required for full admission; less than 3.0 cumulative GPA can be considered for conditional admission
- Submit a personal letter explaining your qualifications for graduate work
- There is no Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) requirement
You do not need to submit letters of recommendation.
Success in our MHA program requires basic comprehension of statistics. If you have completed a statistics class prior to enrollment, you may already satisfy this requirement. If not, Maryville University offers an abbreviated online statistics course that will get you on track. This brief course can be taken alongside your first class.
Learn more at our admissions page.
International Admission Requirements
International applicants must demonstrate their English proficiency in one of the following ways:
- Show proof of test scores* (TOEFL IBT: 79, IELTS: 6.0, PTE: 58)
- Hold a college degree earned in the U.S.
- Hold a college degree from an institution where instruction was conducted primarily in English
*Low sub-scores may disqualify you. Test dates must be within five years of application.
Why earn your MHA with a concentration in senior services online?
If you need a degree program that can work around your busy career or personal life, a 100% online Master of Health Administration might be a great option. Completing your degree online can offer the following benefits:
- Access course materials and assignments from anywhere, and at any time
- Study in a comfortable or convenient environment
- Remove expensive or time-consuming commutes to and from campus
- Master various methods of communicating and collaborating virtually
Pick a Starting Time That Works for You
We want our degree to work for you. That’s why our MHA with a concentration in senior services offers three start times throughout the year. We have start dates at the beginning of our Spring, Summer, and Fall terms, so there are plenty of options to choose from.
How Many Credits Are Required for Your Online MHA with a Concentration in Senior Services?
Earning your MHA degree requires completion of 36 credit hours. Maryville University offers this program in 16-week semesters. Each course term is eight weeks long, meaning you can complete your degree in as little as two years.
If you are searching for your path to leadership in the medical industry, now is the time to learn more about Maryville University’s master’s in health administration program. Connect with an enrollment advisor today or visit our admissions page.
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