Healthcare Administration & Leadership, MBA
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Program Description
Program Introduction
A Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration and Leadership (MBA- HAL) is a graduate degree program aimed at providing graduates with the competencies necessary to excel in a variety of health care-focused businesses, such as hospitals, medical practices, pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, medical device companies, digital health, and entrepreneurship.
Admission to the Program
Regular Admission: Students apply for admission to the MBA-HAL Program through the Office of Graduate Studies. In order to enroll in the MBA-HAL program, students must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Expected application materials include: an application essay, undergraduate transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a resumé detailing work experience. Students with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 are required to submit a standardized test score, either the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE); for students with a graduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, neither a GMAT nor GRE score is required; for others the GMAT or GRE score is recommended. Standardized test scores should be sent to the Graduate Admissions Office. International students are expected to show evidence of English proficiency. Admissions decisions are based on a holistic review of applicant materials. Students have the option to enroll for a maximum of two electives on a non- matriculated basis prior to formal admission into the program. Successful performance as a non- matriculated student does not guarantee admission to the program.
The MBA-HAL program is designed for incoming students who have completed the following undergraduate pre-requisite courses (information in parentheses give the Stockton equivalents):
Statistics (BSNS/CSIS/CIST 1206) or Statistics for Health Professionals (HLTH 2305) or Statistical Methods (PSCY 2241).
Intro to Management (MGMT 2110).
Macroeconomics (ECON 1200) or Microeconomics (ECON 1400) or Health Care Economics (ECON 2104); and
Financial Accounting (ACCT 2110) or Managerial Accounting (ACCT 2120).
Work experience may fulfill some prerequisite requirements based on the discretion of the program coordinator.
Direct Entry
Within a year of their undergraduate graduation, Stockton graduates in Business Administration, Business Analytics, Accounting, Finance or Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management Studies may obtain Direct Entry into the MBA-HAL program provided they meet all of the MBA-HAL foundation requirements through their undergraduate coursework and have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. As part of the Direct Entry process, students will not need to complete a traditional graduate application for admission to the MBA-HAL program and the Office of Graduate Admissions will also waive the graduate application fee. Direct Entry applicants must complete the electronic Direct Entry Request form and must submit an application essay and a detailed resume. For more information on Direct Entry refer to https://stockton.edu/graduate/direct-entry.html. Students whose undergraduate degree was awarded more than a year prior to applying to the MBA-HAL program, should apply to the MBA-HAL program through the general MBA-HAL admissions process above.
Transfer Credits
Students who have received credit for graduate-level study in business, health, or related fields at another college or university may receive transfer credit for a maximum of 6 graduate-level credit hours (two courses) if those courses correspond to courses at Stockton University provided the student earned a grade of B or better. The 6 graduate-level credit hours may be used in place of up to two elective courses in the MBA-HAL program, but not the core classes. Students must formally apply to the Graduate Program Director in writing to request transfer credit, preferably at the time of the admission application, but no later than the first semester of matriculated study. At a minimum, the student requesting transfer credit must complete the Graduate Transfer Equivalency Form, provide a catalog description of the course, and provide a course syllabus. If the syllabus does not contain a sufficient description of course content, additional materials may be requested.
Good Academic Standing, Probation, and Dismissal Procedure
A student with a semester GPA below 3.0 or a cumulative GPA below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation and notified accordingly.
A student on Academic Probation is expected to meet with his/her advisor/preceptor to discuss a performance improvement plan upon receiving notification of probation status.
Students on Academic Probation in the MBA-HAL program must raise their cumulative GPA to a 3.00 by the time they have taken no more than nine (9) additional graduate credit hours in order to regain good academic standing. A student on probation who does not accomplish this is subject to dismissal from the graduate program and from the University. Written notice of such dismissal will be provided to the student.
After completing the nine (9) additional graduate credit hours noted in the preceding paragraph, if a student is subject to dismissal from the program but has the potential to raise their cumulative GPA above a 3.0 after completing a single three credit hour course, the student is permitted to send a letter of appeal to the MBA-HAL Program Chair. This appeal must be submitted within one week of the posting of final grades, and before the student is formally dismissed from the program. If the appeal is successful, the course and the conditions under which the course can be completed will be decided at the discretion of the MBA-HAL Program Chair in consultation with the MBA-HAL Program Faculty. The “single course to raise the GPA to 3.0” option can only be granted once throughout matriculation in the MBA-HAL program.
If there is a procedural error in terminating a student from the MBA-HAL program for academic reasons, the student may appeal in writing to the Dean of the School of Business with a copy to the Provost. The appeal must be accompanied by evidence in support of the appeal and must be submitted no later than two weeks following notice of academic termination from the Program.
Definition of a Passing Grade
A letter grade C or above is a passing grade. Students must, however, maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or above. Students must have a 3.0 or above to graduate from the MBA-HAL program.
Program Organization and Graduation Requirements
The program offers students an opportunity to earn an MBA degree in Healthcare Administration and Leadership which includes a set of required core courses to develop a solid common grounding in operational, tactical, and strategic management concepts and skills as well as a set of electives to allow students to follow their own interests. The MBA-HAL degree is discussed below with full curriculum details on the curriculum worksheets found on subsequent pages.
The MBA-HAL program requires 14 program courses (42 credits), as follows:
12 MBA-HAL core and capstone courses
2 MBA-HAL electives.
To allow motivated students to pursue their own interests, with the approval of a student’s preceptor and the MBA-HAL Director, MBA-HAL students may choose to:
Take up to one course from other Stockton graduate programs and count it as an MBA- HAL elective or up to two courses from other graduate programs if at least one of those courses is on the list of courses designated as qualifying on the curriculum worksheet.
Pursue an independent study, or
Pursue an internship.
Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their MBA-HAL classes and may have no more than one “C” or lower on the transcript. Students may retake courses to improve their grades. (Note: Each attempt is counted in calculating the student’s GPA.)
Program Distinction
Graduates with a GPA of 3.9 or better are eligible for Program Distinction, which is awarded in the spring. Application materials are due to the MBA-HAL Director by March 15th (thus post-graduation for December graduates and pre-graduation for May graduates). These application materials should include:
A portfolio of at least two, but no more than three, written projects completed by the applicant for any of the MBA-HAL courses taken at Stockton University. The portfolio entries can include, but are not limited to, essay examinations or course term papers.
An application essay. The application essay should be between 200-400 words setting forth the applicant’s justifications for receipt of the MBA degree with Program Distinction and providing a context for the portfolio of writings. Applicants may also include in the essay a discussion of any other relevant activities undertaken pursuant to the completion of course work for the MBA-HAL.
Successful applicants, as determined by the faculty of the program, will be awarded an MBA with Program Distinction. The GPA must be 3.9 or above at graduation to be awarded program distinction.
Time Limits
The time limit for transfer of graduate credits from other institutions, or graduate courses taken at Stockton, is 6 years from the time the final grade was awarded (excluding the time of leave of absence). If students wish to extend this time limit, they must submit a written request for an extension to the Graduate Studies Office and to the MBA-HAL Program Director.
The curriculum worksheets for the MBA, including dual-degree options, updates and additional details about the MBA-HAL program can be accessed on the MBA-HAL website.
