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MHA Master of Health Administration Academics & Curriculum

Set yourself apart by working as an Administrative Intern every semester!

Administrative Practicum Positions (APP): Apply what you learn in the classroom to real-world situations in your first month!

With the UK MHA APP Program, students do not have to wait until the summer internship to apply what they learn in the classroom. All full-time (Admitted) students are matched with healthcare executive preceptors and work alongside them in project-based work. Preceptors provide coaching and mentoring as well as feedback to help the student advance healthcare leadership competencies and grow as learners and leaders. Problem-solving, decision-making, competency development, and personal growth are among the benefits of this unique program. The Program meets with preceptors each semester to get real-time feedback on how we improve our curriculum, individual leader development, and competency model.

a photograph of students around a single desk with their laptops
a photograph of faculty in a conference room with one member gesturing towards a television screen with a graph on it
a photograph of faculty sitting at a conference table staring at a television with a presentation slide on it
a photograph of students working at individual desks with computers on each
a photograph of students at a conference table with their laptop and watching a television that has a presentation on it

Benefits

According to our students...

  • "I understand how to problem-solve and develop solutions"
  • "I have presented to the entire leadership group twice and now feel so much more comfortable in my presentation skills"
  • "Being there has made healthcare come alive"
  • "After working for just 2 months I know what they are saying and can join in the conversation"
  • "My skill development is off the charts - every day I learn something new"
  • "I feel so ready for an internship"
  • "My preceptor and the team have taught me so much this semester"
  • “I am doing real work, making a difference"

How Does It Work?

All full-time MHA students will be matched with healthcare leaders at a Lexington-based healthcare organization (the University of Kentucky Healthcare and CHI CommonSpirit) prior to onboarding through a match interview.

  • Minimum of 18 hours, an average of 20 hours a week.
  • Paid, competitive - current (2023) rate is $16.50/hour.
  • Preceptors:
    • Preceptors sit on the Executive Committees for the organization and lead value-added projects across the health enterprise.
    • Seasoned healthcare leaders from all levels who can relate to the learning needs of students.
    • Receive competency model education and have direct access to MHA Program Leadership.
    • Provide informal and formal (end of the semester) feedback to students and the program - integrated into the student competency development dashboard.
  • On-Going Access the Healthcare Experts
    • Specialized professional development opportunities offered by the sponsor throughout the year.
    • Access to events happening in the organization.

Who Qualifies?

  • All full-time students are required to work in an AP.
  • This paid position provides students with the experience they will use in interviews and on their resumes.
  • It builds business acumen by helping students translate course work through a healthcare lens.
  • We do not offer graduate/teaching/research assistantships in the MHA Program as this position is 20 hours a week and directly supports your learning.
  • The experience gained during the Administrative internship targets healthcare administration directly.

Student Feedback and Ongoing Process Improvement

  • Students Learn Effective Communication
    • Students will seek performance feedback on a regular basis from their preceptors.
    • Opportunities to report out and present to leaders on projects and outcomes.
    • 1:1 and small group communication techniques.
  • Onboarding for All Positions
    • Students are responsible for completing organization onboarding and hiring requirements (including vaccinations), monitoring performance requirements, and being engaged, self-directed learners.
    • Tours, position orientation, and hospital orientation for all students.
  • Preceptor Education and On-going Process Improvement
    • Preceptors complete a competency-based student feedback survey each semester.
    • Student Dashboards - preceptor feedback is included each semester.
    • Students also provide feedback on the experience.
    • The Program Director meets with the leadership team every semester to gain input on curriculum and competency relevance and student competency development. This input is then, funneled back to the program and faculty for consideration.

When?

  • Year 1 = Fall and Spring semesters
  • Year 2 = Fall and Spring semesters
  • Specific schedule shared once admitted and accepted
  • Performance, attendance, and academic performance must all be in good standing to continue into year 2

Where?

Here are some of the areas students were placed this year at UK HealthCare.

  • Ambulatory Services
  • Performance Improvement | Quality
  • Finance 
  • External Affairs (outreach, communications, marketing, corporate strategy)
  • Kentucky Children’s Hospital Leadership Team
  • Chandler Medical Center Leadership Team
  • Good Samaritan Hospital Leadership Team
  • Eastern State Hospital Leadership Team | Enterprise Behavioral Health Strategy
  • General Hospital Operations

Student Developmental Assessment and Program Evaluation

  • Students will seek performance feedback on a regular basis
  • Students are responsible for completing organization onboarding and hiring requirements (including vaccinations), monitoring performance requirements, and being engaged, self-directed learners
  • Preceptors complete a competency-based student feedback survey each semester
    • Student Dashboards - preceptor feedback is included each semester
  • Students also provide feedback on the experience
  • The Program Director meets with the leadership team every semester to gain input on curriculum and competency relevance and student competency development. This input is then, funneled back to the program and faculty for consideration

College of Public Health

111 Washington Avenue

Lexington, KY 40536

ukcph@uky.edu


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