Samford University’s Department of Healthcare Administration and Informatics is dedicated to creating leaders who embrace service-minded leadership and demonstrate a commitment to Christian values and principles through serving the community. The department is comprised of two undergraduate majors, three graduate degrees and two fast-track options, along with joint degree programs offered with Samford's Brock School of Business, McWhorter School of Pharmacy, and within the School of Public Health.
The M.H.A. program has helped me grow into a well-round, responsible and driven student. It has helped me explore my interests and strengthen my weaknesses.Alan Troxell, B.S. in Healthcare Administration, '18, Master of Healthcare Administration '20, School of Public Health
Undergraduate Majors and Minors
Healthcare Administration Major
This undergraduate degree prepares students for entry-level management position in healthcare organizations or admission into a graduate program. The degree allows graduates to join the workforce in a variety of areas including fellowships, hospitals, clinics, public health department, consulting firms, insurance agencies and government entities.
Health Informatics and Analytics Major
This undergraduate degree prepares students to be a critical link between health care providers and their patients by being an expert in managing patient health information and possessing comprehensive knowledge of medical administrative, ethical and legal requirements/standards relating to health care delivery.
Healthcare Administration Minor
The Healthcare Administration minor is designed to provide fundamental health care executive knowledge and competency from the sophomore year culminating in the senior year. Healthcare administration allows individuals the flexibility to explore their true passion and area of excellence while being gainfully employed.
Health Informatics and Analytics Minor
Students minoring in health informatics and analytics will gain knowledge of legal, administrative, regulatory requirements, and use of health data. Health informatics, clinical and health information technologies, data management, and health care quality will also be explored. The minor is open to all Samford students and is a compliment to any undergraduate major.
Fast-track Options
Fast-track Master of Healthcare Administration
With our fast-track option, undergraduate students have the opportunity to earn their B.S. in healthcare administration and Master of Healthcare Administration in just five years of study. The first three years of the fast-track program are dedicated to completing all required undergraduate healthcare administration courses. Students enroll in the Master of Healthcare Administration during their senior year.
Fast-track Master of Science in Health Informatics and Analytics
With this fast-track option, undergraduate students can earn a B.S. in health informatics and analytics and a M.S. in health informatics and analytics in just five years. The first three years of the fast-track program are dedicated to completing all required undergraduate courses. Students enroll in the master's program during their senior year.
Graduate Degrees
Online Master of Healthcare Administration (M.H.A.)
This online graduate degree is designed to provide mastery in communication, leadership, professionalism, business knowledge and healthcare systems competencies as well as a competitive edge in project management and quality improvement. Students have the flexibility to work full-time while pursuing a graduate education.
Online Master of Science in Health Informatics and Analytics (M.S.H.I.A.)
Samford's online Master of Science in health informatics & analytics provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to plan, build, analyze and run the digital foundations of modern health care. The degree combines a rigorous set of health informatics courses with the patient-centered values.
Online Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.)
Samford's Doctor of Public Health is designed for individuals who are called to serve as the next generation of leaders in our public health workforce. Through this doctoral program, students develop a broad understanding of public health through the integration of multiple disciplines and the ability to apply scientific findings to address complex problems of public health policy and practice.
Joint Degrees
Dietetic Internship/Master of Healthcare Administration
Offered by the School of Public Health, Samford's dietetic internship is a full-time program associated with a master's degree. Interns can apply 25 credit hours toward earning their Master of Healthcare Administration.
Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Science in Health Informatics and Analytics
In coordination with Samford's McWhorter School of Pharmacy, students enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy program can pursue this joint degree. Data gathering and analysis are essential components of the health care process, necessary to make evidence-based decisions and provide optimal patient care. Pharmacists can significantly contribute to this process by being an expert in health information and data.
Master of Healthcare Administration/Master of Business Administration
In coordination with Samford's Brock School of Business, graduate students can pursue a joint Master of Healthcare Administration (M.H.A.) and Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.). With its full-time plan of study, students are able to complete both degrees fully online in just three years.
Advisory Board
The advisory board for the School of Public Health’s Department of Healthcare Administration and Informatics is comprised of students, alumni and professionals within the field.
Aaron R. Beckner
Fellow, Health Informatics, VA Medical Center
Alumnus, M.S. in Health Informatics and Analytics ’18 and Doctor of Pharmacy ’18 (McWhorter School of Pharmacy)
Jason L. Biddy
CEO, Urology Centers of Alabama, PC
Kay Buchwald
Clinical System Manager, Ascension Information Services, St. Vincent's Health System
Suzanne C. Campbell
President/COO St. Vincent’s East, Blount & St. Clair, Ascension Alabama
Chris Davis
Chief Information Officer, North Mississippi Health Services
Kayce Glover
President and CEO, HIM Connections, LLC
Deborah F. Grimes
V.P. Chief Diversity Officer, Oschner Health
Nan M. Priest
Retired, Chief Strategy Officer, St. Vincent's Health System
Elizabeth Bowers Richardson
Market President, Progress Bank
Paul P. Storey
Chief Operating Officer, Tenet-Brookwood Medical Center
Suzanne Thorn
Director, HR Services, The Children's Hospital of Alabama
Alan J. Troxell
Accounting Assistant, Brookdale Senior Living - Brookdale University Park
Alumnus, B.S. in healthcare administration ’18 and Master of Healthcare Administration ‘20
J. Scott Turner
Pharmacy Informaticist, The Children's Hospital of Alabama
Bethany Tyre
Student, healthcare administration major
Eugena White
Compliance Officer, UAB Medical West
Barbara Winters-Todd
Manager, Clinical Documentation, Encompass Health
Joni Wyatt
Senior Healthcare Consultant, Kassouf & Co