The program competencies are in keeping with the industry standard of the Healthcare Leadership Alliance (HLA) associations, the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) 2020 Competencies, and the Commission of Accreditation for Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). The levels of competence range from Novice 1 (1) to Expert (5). At the conclusion of the field placement/senior residency, MHA graduate students are expected to achieve a level of Competent I (3) or Competent II (4). 

The levels of competence are evaluated on 14 standardized skill competencies within five domains (Communications and Relationship Management, Leadership, Professionalism, Knowledge of the Healthcare Environment, and Business Skills and Knowledge). 

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  • COMPETENCY LEVEL

    • The individual understands and comprehends the key components needed for the specified skill and is able to define, cite, repeat, recall, and recognize the skills, concepts, theories, and models relative to the skill. The individual requires help and guidance when explaining key concepts, models, and aspects relative to the specified skill competency.

    • The individual fully understands and comprehends the skills and components needed and is able to classify, describe examples, report, explain to others, and discuss alternatives. The individual seeks additional reading, resources, and material when attempting to provide examples or explanations about current concepts, models, and issues relative to the skill competency.

    • The individual determines and applies appropriate knowledge, makes decisions, and takes action independently in most cases pertaining to the skill competencies. The individual may need coaching or prompting and may seek out experts relative to complexities or dilemmas with the skill competency. 

    • The individual solves problems, makes decisions, and acts independently relative to the skill competency and does so on a consistent basis. The individual experiments appropriately with various techniques, seeks out resources appropriately, and conducts research and writes in the field.

    • The individual designs, leads, solves problems routinely, innovates, recognizes, and acts on patterns, and instructs others with the skill competency in a job role. 

  • COMPETENCIES BY COURSE

    •  

      Communication & Relationship Management

      Tr/E

      		 

      Knowledge of Healthcare Environment

      Tr/E

      1

      Relationship Management

      3/4

      8

      Patient's Perspective

      4

      2

      Communication Skills: Verbal & Written

      4

      9

      Management of Personnel

      3

      3

      Graduate-Level Writing (Quality, Depth, Breadth, GCSP, & APA)

      		 

      10

      Community & the Environment

      		 
       

      Leadership

      		  

      Business Skills & Knowledge

      		 

      4

      Leadership Skills & Behavior

      3

      11

      Financial Management

      3/4

      5

      Managing Change

      3

      12

      Quantitative Analysis

      3

      6

      Operational Climate & Culture

      3

      13

      Critical Thinking

      3

       

      Professionalism

      		 

      14

      Strategic Planning & Management

      3

      7

      Personal & Professional Accountability

      4

      		   

      Legend: Tr = Traditional MHA and E = Executive

    •  

      Communication & Relationship Management

      Tr/E

      		 

      Knowledge of Healthcare Environment

      Tr/E

      1

      Relationship Management

      1/2

      8

      Patient's Perspective

      		 

      2

      Communication Skills: Verbal & Written

      1/2

      9

      Management of Personnel

      		 

      3

      Graduate-Level Writing (Quality, Depth, Breadth, GCSP, & APA)

      2

      10

      Community & the Environment

      		 
       

      Leadership

      		  

      Business Skills & Knowledge

      		 

      4

      Leadership Skills & Behavior

      1/2

      11

      Financial Management

      		 

      5

      Managing Change

      		 

      12

      Quantitative Analysis

      		 

      6

      Operational Climate & Culture

      2

      13

      Critical Thinking

      		 
       

      Professionalism

      		 

      14

      Strategic Planning & Management

      1

      7

      Personal & Professional Accountability

      		    

      Legend: Tr = Traditional MHA and E = Executive

    •  

      Communication & Relationship Management

      Tr/E

      		 

      Knowledge of Healthcare Environment

      Tr/E

      1

      Relationship Management

      		 

      8

      Patient's Perspective

      2/3

      2

      Communication Skills: Verbal & Written

      		 

      9

      Management of Personnel

      		 

      3

      Graduate-Level Writing (Quality, Depth, Breadth, GCSP, & APA)

      		 

      10

      Community & the Environment

      		 
       

      Leadership

      		  

      Business Skills & Knowledge

      		 

      4

      Leadership Skills & Behavior

      2/3

      11

      Financial Management

      		 

      5

      Managing Change

      2/3

      12

      Quantitative Analysis

      2

      6

      Operational Climate & Culture

      		 

      13

      Critical Thinking

      		 
       

      Professionalism

      		 

      14

      Strategic Planning & Management

      		 

      7

      Personal & Professional Accountability

      3

      		   

      Legend: Tr = Traditional MHA and E = Executive

    •  

      Communication & Relationship Management

      Tr/E

      		 

      Knowledge of Healthcare Environment

      Tr/E

      1

      Relationship Management

      		 

      8

      Patient's Perspective

      		 

      2

      Communication Skills: Verbal & Written

      3

      9

      Management of Personnel

      		 

      3

      Graduate-Level Writing (Quality, Depth, Breadth, GCSP, & APA)

      		 

      10

      Community & the Environment

      		 
       

      Leadership

      		  

      Business Skills & Knowledge

      		 

      4

      Leadership Skills & Behavior

      		 

      11

      Financial Management

      3

      5

      Managing Change

      		 

      12

      Quantitative Analysis

      3

      6

      Operational Climate & Culture

      		 

      13

      Critical Thinking

      		 
       

      Professionalism

      		 

      14

      Strategic Planning & Management

      		 

      7

      Personal & Professional Accountability

      		    

      Legend: Tr = Traditional MHA and E = Executive

    •  

      Communication & Relationship Management

      Tr/E

      		 

      Knowledge of Healthcare Environment

      Tr/E

      1

      Relationship Management

      		 

      8

      Patient's Perspective

      		 

      2

      Communication Skills: Verbal & Written

      3

      9

      Management of Personnel

      		 

      3

      Graduate-Level Writing (Quality, Depth, Breadth, GCSP, & APA)

      		 

      10

      Community & the Environment

      		 
       

      Leadership

      		  

      Business Skills & Knowledge

      		 

      4

      Leadership Skills & Behavior

      		 

      11

      Financial Management

      3

      5

      Managing Change

      		 

      12

      Quantitative Analysis

      3

      6

      Operational Climate & Culture

      		 

      13

      Critical Thinking

      		 
       

      Professionalism

      		 

      14

      Strategic Planning & Management

      		 

      7

      Personal & Professional Accountability

      		    

      Legend: Tr = Traditional MHA and E = Executive

    •  

      Communication & Relationship Management

      Tr/E

      		 

      Knowledge of Healthcare Environment

      Tr/E

      1

      Relationship Management

      		 

      8

      Patient's Perspective

      2/3

      2

      Communication Skills: Verbal & Written

      		 

      9

      Management of Personnel

      1/2

      3

      Graduate-Level Writing (Quality, Depth, Breadth, GCSP, & APA)

      2/3

      10

      Community & the Environment

      		 
       

      Leadership

      		  

      Business Skills & Knowledge

      		 

      4

      Leadership Skills & Behavior

      2

      11

      Financial Management

      		 

      5

      Managing Change

      		 

      12

      Quantitative Analysis

      		 

      6

      Operational Climate & Culture

      		 

      13

      Critical Thinking

      2/3

       

      Professionalism

      		 

      14

      Strategic Planning & Management

      		 

      7

      Personal & Professional Accountability

      2/3

      		   

      Legend: Tr = Traditional MHA and E = Executive

    •  

      Communication & Relationship Management

      Tr/E

      		 

      Knowledge of Healthcare Environment

      Tr/E

      1

      Relationship Management

      		 

      8

      Patient's Perspective

      4

      2

      Communication Skills: Verbal & Written

      3

      9

      Management of Personnel

      		 

      3

      Graduate-Level Writing (Quality, Depth, Breadth, GCSP, & APA)

      3

      10

      Community & the Environment

      		 
       

      Leadership

      		  

      Business Skills & Knowledge

      		 

      4

      Leadership Skills & Behavior

      		 

      11

      Financial Management

      		 

      5

      Managing Change

      		 

      12

      Quantitative Analysis

      3

      6

      Operational Climate & Culture

      3

      13

      Critical Thinking

      3

       

      Professionalism

      		 

      14

      Strategic Planning & Management

      		 

      7

      Personal & Professional Accountability

      4

      		   

      Legend: Tr = Traditional MHA and E = Executive

    •  

      Communication & Relationship Management

      Tr/E

      		 

      Knowledge of Healthcare Environment

      Tr/E

      1

      Relationship Management

      		 

      8

      Patient's Perspective

      		 

      2

      Communication Skills: Verbal & Written

      2/3

      9

      Management of Personnel

      		 

      3

      Graduate-Level Writing (Quality, Depth, Breadth, GCSP, & APA)

      		 

      10

      Community & the Environment

      		 
       

      Leadership

      		  

      Business Skills & Knowledge

      		 

      4

      Leadership Skills & Behavior

      2/3

      11

      Financial Management

      		 

      5

      Managing Change

      		 

      12

      Quantitative Analysis

      3

      6

      Operational Climate & Culture

      2/3

      13

      Critical Thinking

      3

       

      Professionalism

      		 

      14

      Strategic Planning & Management

      		 

      7

      Personal & Professional Accountability

      3

      		   

      Legend: Tr = Traditional MHA and E = Executive

    •  

      Communication & Relationship Management

      Tr/E

      		 

      Knowledge of Healthcare Environment

      Tr/E

      1

      Relationship Management

      		 

      8

      Patient's Perspective

      2

      2

      Communication Skills: Verbal & Written

      2/3

      9

      Management of Personnel

      		 

      3

      Graduate-Level Writing (Quality, Depth, Breadth, GCSP, & APA)

      3

      10

      Community & the Environment

      2/3

       

      Leadership

      		  

      Business Skills & Knowledge

      		 

      4

      Leadership Skills & Behavior

      		 

      11

      Financial Management

      		 

      5

      Managing Change

      		 

      12

      Quantitative Analysis

      1/2

      6

      Operational Climate & Culture

      		 

      13

      Critical Thinking

      2

       

      Professionalism

      		 

      14

      Strategic Planning & Management

      1

      7

      Personal & Professional Accountability

      2

      		   

      Legend: Tr = Traditional MHA and E = Executive

    •  

      Communication & Relationship Management

      Tr/E

      		 

      Knowledge of Healthcare Environment

      Tr/E

      1

      Relationship Management

      		 

      8

      Patient's Perspective

      4

      2

      Communication Skills: Verbal & Written

      3/4

      9

      Management of Personnel

      		 

      3

      Graduate-Level Writing (Quality, Depth, Breadth, GCSP, & APA)

      3

      10

      Community & the Environment

      3

       

      Leadership

      		  

      Business Skills & Knowledge

      		 

      4

      Leadership Skills & Behavior

      		 

      11

      Financial Management

      3/4

      5

      Managing Change

      3

      12

      Quantitative Analysis

      3

      6

      Operational Climate & Culture

      		 

      13

      Critical Thinking

      3

       

      Professionalism

      		 

      14

      Strategic Planning & Management

      3

      7

      Personal & Professional Accountability

      		    

      Legend: Tr = Traditional MHA and E = Executive

    •  

      Communication & Relationship Management

      Tr/E

      		 

      Knowledge of Healthcare Environment

      Tr/E

      1

      Relationship Management

      2/3

      8

      Patient's Perspective

      		 

      2

      Communication Skills: Verbal & Written

      3

      9

      Management of Personnel

      2

      3

      Graduate-Level Writing (Quality, Depth, Breadth, GCSP, & APA)

      		 

      10

      Community & the Environment

      		 
       

      Leadership

      		  

      Business Skills & Knowledge

      		 

      4

      Leadership Skills & Behavior

      2/3

      11

      Financial Management

      		 

      5

      Managing Change

      		 

      12

      Quantitative Analysis

      		 

      6

      Operational Climate & Culture

      		 

      13

      Critical Thinking

      		 
       

      Professionalism

      		 

      14

      Strategic Planning & Management

      		 

      7

      Personal & Professional Accountability

      		    

      Legend: Tr = Traditional MHA and E = Executive

    •  

      Communication & Relationship Management

      Tr/E

      		 

      Knowledge of Healthcare Environment

      Tr/E

      1

      Relationship Management

      2/3

      8

      Patient's Perspective

      		 

      2

      Communication Skills: Verbal & Written

      3

      9

      Management of Personnel

      		 

      3

      Graduate-Level Writing (Quality, Depth, Breadth, GCSP, & APA)

      2/3

      10

      Community & the Environment

      		 
       

      Leadership

      		  

      Business Skills & Knowledge

      		 

      4

      Leadership Skills & Behavior

      2/3

      11

      Financial Management

      		 

      5

      Managing Change

      3

      12

      Quantitative Analysis

      		 

      6

      Operational Climate & Culture

      3

      13

      Critical Thinking

      		 
       

      Professionalism

      		 

      14

      Strategic Planning & Management

      		 

      7

      Personal & Professional Accountability

      3

      		   

      Legend: Tr = Traditional MHA and E = Executive

    •  

      Communication & Relationship Management

      Tr/E

      		 

      Knowledge of Healthcare Environment

      Tr/E

      1

      Relationship Management

      		 

      8

      Patient's Perspective

      4

      2

      Communication Skills: Verbal & Written

      4

      9

      Management of Personnel

      3

      3

      Graduate-Level Writing (Quality, Depth, Breadth, GCSP, & APA)

      		 

      10

      Community & the Environment

      3

       

      Leadership

      		  

      Business Skills & Knowledge

      		 

      4

      Leadership Skills & Behavior

      4

      11

      Financial Management

      3/4

      5

      Managing Change

      		 

      12

      Quantitative Analysis

      3

      6

      Operational Climate & Culture

      3

      13

      Critical Thinking

      3

       

      Professionalism

      		 

      14

      Strategic Planning & Management

      3

      7

      Personal & Professional Accountability

      4

      		   

      Legend: Tr = Traditional MHA and E = Executive

    •  

      Communication & Relationship Management

      Tr/E

      		 

      Knowledge of Healthcare Environment

      Tr/E

      1

      Relationship Management

      		 

      8

      Patient's Perspective

      4

      2

      Communication Skills: Verbal & Written

      4

      9

      Management of Personnel

      3

      3

      Graduate-Level Writing (Quality, Depth, Breadth, GCSP, & APA)

      		 

      10

      Community & the Environment

      3

       

      Leadership

      		  

      Business Skills & Knowledge

      		 

      4

      Leadership Skills & Behavior

      3/4

      11

      Financial Management

      3

      5

      Managing Change

      		 

      12

      Quantitative Analysis

      3

      6

      Operational Climate & Culture

      3

      13

      Critical Thinking

      3

       

      Professionalism

      		 

      14

      Strategic Planning & Management

      3

      7

      Personal & Professional Accountability

      4

      		   

      Legend: Tr = Traditional MHA and E = Executive