STEM Designation
The MSBA/MHA is a dual degree program with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) designation. Due to the demand of graduates with expertise in STEM fields, the Department of Homeland Security permits international students graduating from STEM programs to apply for a 24 month extension of their initial year of Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more detailed information, please visit the ISSO webpage.
Curriculum
21-22 Courses
61-64 Credits
Program Length:
Full-time in as few as 20 months
Part-time in as few as 33 months
Required Introductory Course (1 credit)
Must be taken in first semester of program.
| ISOM-700 | Preparing for Your Professional Future | 1 |
MHA Foundation Courses (6 credits)
| HLTH-705 | Health Systems I: Healthcare in the U.S. | 3 |
| HLTH-707 | Evidence-Based Healthcare Management | 3 |
MHA Core Level 1 Courses (12 credits)
| HLTH-710 | Healthcare Accounting and Financial Management | 3 |
| HLTH-720 | Health Systems II: Economics, Law, and Policy | 3 |
| HLTH-730 | Healthcare Operations Management and Performance Improvement | 3 |
| HLTH-740 | Healthcare Management and Human Resources | 3 |
MHA Core Level 2 Courses (12 credits)
| HLTH-805 | Big Data Strategies for Health and Healthcare | 3 |
| HLTH-810 | Quality, Patient Safety, and Patient Experience | 3 |
| HLTH-820 | Leadership, Ethics, and Organizational Change in Healthcare | 3 |
| HLTH-840 | Innovation and Strategic Management in Healthcare | 3 |
Business Analytics Core Courses (18 credits)
If waived, ISOM-801 must be substituted with an ISOM elective course.
| ISOM-631 | Data Analytics with SAS Base | 3 |
| ISOM-801 | Solving Business Problems Using Advanced Excel | 3 |
| ISOM-821 | Data Management and Modeling | 3 |
| ISOM-825 | Enterprise Data Management | 3 |
| ISOM-827 | Data Warehouse and Business Intelligence | 3 |
| ISOM-835 | Predictive Analytics | 3 |
MHA Internship (3 credits)
Typically taken after Core Level 1 and Core Level 2 HLTH courses are completed. Required for students without professional experience in the U.S. Healthcare System.
Capstone Courses (6 credits)
Should be taken as late in the program as possible.
Elective Courses (6 credits)
Choose two electives from the following list. At least one elective must be a HLTH course from the list below.
| HLTH-807 | Innovation: The Future of Healthcare | 3 |
| HLTH-842 | Global Health | 3 |
| HLTH-843 | Design Thinking for Healthcare Solutions | 3 |
| HLTH-855 | Advanced Quality, Patient Safety, and Performance Improvement | 3 |
| HLTH-880 | Directed Individual Study | 1-3 |
| HLTHIB-870 | Global Travel Seminar: Comparative Analysis of the Healthcare Systems in England and United States | 3 |
| ISOM-730 | Python for Business Analytics | 3 |
| ISOM-840 | Security and Privacy | 3 |
| ISOM-845 | Business Intelligence, Data Visualization, and Storytelling | 3 |
| ISOM-851 | Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| ISOM-861 | Project Management: Gaining Competitive Advantage | 3 |
| MBA-730 | Innovative Thinking | 3 |
| MBA-920 | MBA Student Business Clinic | 3 |
| MGOB-835 | Managing Difficult People at Work | 3 |
| MGOB-841 | Bldg Inclusive Organizations | 3 |
| MGOB-855 | Conflict & Negotiation | 3 |
| MGT-860 | Leading Teams | 3 |
| P.AD-717 | Organizational Change | 3 |
| P.AD-718 | Leadership Strategies for an Interconnected World | 3 |
| P.AD-815 | Nonprofit Management | 3 |
| P.AD-819 | Grant Writing and Management | 3 |
Approved ISOM Electives
If waived, ISOM-801 must be substituted with an approved ISOM elective.
| ISOM-730 | Python for Business Analytics | 3 |
| ISOM-829 | Advanced Data Management Leveraging ETL Tools | 3 |
| ISOM-839 | Prescriptive Analytics: Modeling & Optimization | 3 |
| ISOM-840 | Security and Privacy | 3 |
| ISOM-845 | Business Intelligence, Data Visualization, and Storytelling | 3 |
| ISOM-851 | Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| ISOM-861 | Project Management: Gaining Competitive Advantage | 3 |
Course Substitution and Waiver Policy
If waived, ISOM 801 needs to be substituted with an approved ISOM elective. To waive ISOM 801, a student must have successfully completed equivalent academic coursework at the undergraduate/graduate level in the seven (7) years prior to MSBA/MHA matriculation and earned a grade of "B" or better, and provide official transcripts (with English translations, if applicable). Students may also elect to take a proficiency exam, for a fee, to gain a waiver. Proficiency exams must be taken in the first semester and are administered on the Boston Campus.
To substitute an approved elective for another business analytics core course, a student must successfully complete equivalent academic coursework at the graduate level in the seven (7) years prior to MSBA/MHA matriculation, “B” or better, and provide official transcripts (with English translations, if applicable).
All substitutions are evaluated upon a student's acceptance into the MSBA/MHA Program.
The academic advisor of the Healthcare Administration Department evaluates each request for a course waiver and transfer credits. Such a request must be made in writing following an individual’s acceptance into, and decision to attend, the MHA Program and before the start of the student's first semester of courses. Waivers are limited to a total of 6 credits.
Any required course in the MHA Program is eligible to be waived, except for HLTH-705, HLTH-720, HLTH-840, HLTH-892, and HLTH-885 (for students who are required to do an internship).
To be eligible for a course waiver, a course must have been completed in a recognized undergraduate or graduate program in healthcare administration in an accredited U.S. college or university; been completed within the three years prior to the student being enrolled in Suffolk’s MHA Program; and be assessed as equivalent to the Suffolk course for which the waiver is sought, based on a review of the syllabus by the chairperson of the Healthcare Administration Department. The grade for a completed course must be a "B" or better.
All MSBA/MHA students must complete a minimum of 61 graduate credits (20 courses and ISOM 700) in the Sawyer Business School. The number of credits approved for waiver are limited to a maximum of 6 credits.
Transfer Policy
To be eligible for transfer credits, a course must have been completed at the graduate level in a recognized graduate program at an accredited U.S. college or university; been completed within the three years prior to the student being enrolled in Suffolk’s MSBA/MHA Program; and be assessed as equivalent to the Suffolk course for which the transfer credits are sought, based on a review of the syllabus by the chairperson of the Healthcare Administration Department. The grade for a completed course must be a "B" or better. In addition, the credits for a course for which a transfer is sought must not have been applied toward a previously completed degree.
All MSBA/MHA students must complete 61 graduate credits (or 64 credits if an internship is required) in the Sawyer Business School. The number of credits approved for transfer are limited to a maximum of 6 credits.
Students Who Leave Boston Before Their Degree is Complete
Occasionally, a Suffolk MSBA/MHA student must leave the Boston area before completing their degree. The Sawyer Business School has several options available to enable completion of the Suffolk MSBA/MHA Program. A student may be able to transfer in six credits of elective courses from a recognized AACSB-accredited MSBA/MHA Program close to the new place of residence. Courses must be pre-approved by Suffolk’s Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs and have a grade of “B” or better.
A student who leaves the area may also be able to complete a portion of their MSBA/MHA degree on a part-time basis online.
Transfer Credits from the Moakley Center for Public Management's Certificate Program
Students who have completed a certificate program through the Suffolk University Moakley Center for Public Management may have an opportunity to reduce credit requirements to an SBS graduate degree program (MBA, MMOL, MSA, MHA, MSBA, or MSM). All course waivers and/or transfers for the MSBA/MHA Program must be reviewed by Healthcare Administration Department.
In order for a course to be considered, the following criteria must be met: must have an MSBA or MHA Program course equivalent; the student must have received a grade of "B" or better and successfully completed the certificate prior to enrolling in the MSBA/MHA Program.
Applicants must also meet the admission standards for the MSBA/MHA Program.