University’s Master of Healthcare Administration Program Named One of the Best in the Country

The University’s Master of Healthcare Administration was cited as a "favorite program to recommend" by HealthGrad.com, a website that is endeavoring to create the largest global social community of students studying healthcare.

July 19, 2019

Soon after earning a master’s degree in healthcare administration, Kalie Siciliano ’19 M.S. joined the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences at Yale University as a clinical division manager. She credits her time at the University for enabling her to build the communication and leadership skills she needed to excel in the field.

"If it wasn't for the MHA program and my work experience, I don't think I would have even been considered for this role," said Siciliano. "The program truly prepared me for the high expectations that healthcare leaders have in the field."

The success of Siciliano and her fellow graduates is among the reasons HealthGrad.com ranked the University’s MHA on its list of the best Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)-accredited programs in the United States for 2019-2020. The website evaluated programs based on curriculum development, approach to teaching, student experience and experiential learning, value, and scheduling and flexibility.

Referring to the University of New Haven’s MHA as "one of our favorite programs to recommend," the website highlighted its 100 percent employment rate within six years of graduation, as well as hands-on learning opportunities in the field, internships, and flexible degree offerings.

"Being included among such an elite set of institutions is recognition of something we have known for a long time: Our MHA program is among the best in the nation," said Summer McGee, Ph.D., dean of the University’s School of Health Sciences and the MHA program coordinator. "Our efforts to become the highest quality healthcare administration graduate program in the region are paying dividends for our students, faculty, and alumni."

"The program truly prepared me for the high expectations that healthcare leaders have in the field."Kalie Siciliano ’19 M.S.

Faculty and staff members’ devotion to the program and to students also paid off for Andrea Polanco ’19 M.S., who credits Dr. McGee with making her internship with Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven possible.

"The faculty at the University of New Haven are one of a kind," said Polanco, now a network operation support coordinator at Smilow. "They are truly invested in the success of their students, and their dynamic backgrounds help students find where their passion lies. They helped me to navigate the healthcare field, and they have brought me to where I am today. I will be forever indebted to the MHA program and to the University for my career success."

The website also recognized the program for its capstone course, which ensures students gain real-world experience. Siciliano says working with St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport was invaluable.

"This project taught me how important teamwork and collaboration are within the healthcare industry," she said. "It was important to have healthcare executives relying on our groups to find solutions to real problems."