Hello,

As a core faculty member in the Department of Health Administration and Informatics at Governors State University since 2019, I wanted to provide you with some insight into the program and what achieving your Master of Health Administration (MHA) will be like at GovState.

The Master of Health Administration program at Governors State University is CAHME-accredited, which means it meets high standards and prepares students for leadership roles in healthcare. The curriculum covers everything from healthcare systems to finance, management, and policy, and offers flexible online and hybrid options to fit different schedules. GovState also has strong ties with local healthcare organizations, giving students opportunities for internships and field placements to gain real-world experience and build professional connections. Plus, the program is affordable compared to other similar, high-quality programs. With its location near Chicago, GovState offers students access to tons of career opportunities and networking in the healthcare field.

The MHA program at GovState offers a personalized learning experience with small class sizes, allowing for plenty of one-on-one time with faculty. This setup ensures that students receive individualized attention and guidance, both in and outside the classroom. The program also offers evening classes with options of hybrid or online, making it ideal for working professionals. In addition, students have access to a career supervisor who helps guide their professional development, along with field experience opportunities that provide hands-on learning and real-world exposure. These experiences, combined with personalized mentorship, significantly boost students' chances of landing meaningful jobs after graduation.

With an MHA degree, students can explore a wide range of career opportunities in healthcare management. Potential roles include Healthcare Administrator or Clinical Manager, overseeing the operations of hospitals or clinics; Long-Term Care Administrator, managing nursing homes; Healthcare Financial Manager, handling finances and mitigating risks; or Public Health Administrator, directing community health programs. For those with an interest in technology, a Health Information Manager is also a strong fit. The field offers diverse career paths, catering to a variety of interests, whether in leadership, community health, policy, finance, or technology.

You’ll see me in the courses I teach: Health Care Economics, Health Care Statistics, Program Evaluation, and the Economics of Health Administration. I also supervise students’ field experiences and advise students in the Master of Health Administration program. With my background in Economics, I’m really passionate about using economic principles to understand health behaviors and outcomes and how they impact decision-making in healthcare. My area of focus is Health Economics and Policy Analysis, and I research how different health policies—like smoking/vaping restrictions and marijuana legalization—affect health behaviors and outcomes. I’ve published several articles on these topics, looking at how they impact various groups like adults, adolescents, factory workers, and pregnant women.

We look forward to meeting you, one of the next leaders in healthcare.

Dr. Kai-Wen Cheng