The UAB Master of Science in Health Administration program is now the highest-ranked program in the nation according to the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings. Since 2015, the MSHA has been the highest-ranking program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
The MSHA program, housed in the School of Health Professions’ Department of Health Services Administration, achieved an overall score of 4.5, two-tenths of a point ahead of the second ranked program in the category of Best Grad Schools in Health Care Management.
“Attaining the most prominent position from the most-respected ranking publication did not happen overnight and did not happen alone – it is a result of 50+ years of dedication from our faculty, staff and partners and 50+ years of success from our students and alumni,” said Harold P. Jones, Ph.D., dean, UAB School of Health Professions. “All of us in the school are extremely proud of the MSHA program’s #1 ranking, however, their crowning achievement is the impact they have made in providing quality health care for all in this country.”
The latest rankings are from U.S. News & World Report, the authoritative leader in ranking Best Colleges, Best Graduate Schools, and Best Hospitals. They appear in the publisher’s 2020 edition of “America’s Best Graduate Schools.”
The MSHA program has steadily moved up in the national rankings throughout the past decade, advancing from #7 in 2009 to #5 in 2011 to #2 in 2015, and #1 today.
“Achieving the number 1 ranking is a reflection of the work our faculty, staff, students, and alumni are doing to make our program great,” said Amy Landry, Ph.D., program director and alumna (Class 35) of the UAB MSHA program. “Our program is not only committed to achieving success for our students, but we aspire to elevate the field of healthcare management education. One example of this is the UAB Health Administration Case Competition that brings together graduate students from accredited programs across the country to compete in solving a complex healthcare problem. We are delighted to be recognized for these efforts.”
“We have achieved this success in large part because of our close partnerships with people in practice - unique engagement with our alumni, and terrific experiential learning programs with the UAB Health System and other top hospitals across the U.S.,” said Christy Harris Lemak, Ph.D., chair, Department of Health Services Administration. “It is rewarding to be recognized by our colleagues, but it is also inspiring for us to continue to work hard. Achieving the top ranking does not mean we are finished, it means we will continue to push ourselves to find better ways to develop leaders who will shape tomorrow’s health care.”
The U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on results of surveys sent to peers at accredited degree programs in each discipline.
Every program in the UAB School of Health Professions that is eligible to be ranked is ranked. Physical Therapy is 20th, Occupational Therapy is 25th, and Physician Assistant Studies is 37th.
Health care management programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); occupational therapy programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE ©); physician assistant programs are accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant; and physical therapy programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
