By Vanessa Orr
Going back to school while working full-time can be a challenge, but for those who pursue the Executive Master of Health Administration (EMHA) at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), it is well worth the effort. The 15-month program, which can be completed in-person or online, is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking of future healthcare leaders.
Heather Woolf, MHA, BSN, RN, CLSSGB, decided to pursue an Executive MHA because she wanted to earn a degree in business to get closer to her lifelong dream of teaching when she is ready to retire from executive life. She was able to continue working full-time and raising a family while attending classes in person on pre-scheduled weekends at the FAU Boca Raton campus.
“While it was demanding to work my regular job while attending classes, you just have to be thoughtful about schedules,” she said, noting that the length of the program was appealing to her in terms of balancing professional goals with family obligations. “But it is absolutely possible to achieve this degree while working full-time.”
Woolf chose to take in-person classes, which are held every three weeks on Saturday and Sunday, but students also have the option of attending a 100 percent fully remote program.
“I’m happy I did it in person because I made lifelong connections with other students. We still get together all the time,” she said. “I’ve made friends for life, as well as business associates I can connect with; it was a very valuable networking opportunity.”
The EMHA curriculum covers a broad cross-section of business disciplines, ranging from Health Law and Organizational Behavior in Healthcare to Healthcare Finance and Research Methodology. Students also earn the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification by completing the Healthcare Operations elective.
Woolf said that she uses the knowledge she gained while earning her degree every day in her current position as vice-president of the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in Palm Beach.
“The Healthcare Finance class was incredibly well thought out and well presented, and it’s important for what I do every day at my job,” she said, noting that all of the classes are taught by highly esteemed leaders actively working in healthcare. “I also really enjoyed the Strategic Planning class; it provided a great overview of how senior leaders in healthcare think and how to plan for business success.
“I’m incredibly proud to be a graduate of the program, and I tell everyone I can about it,” she added. “I think that it can be a real benefit to those who want to grow personally and professionally, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
To learn more about the Executive Master of Health Administration, visit https://business.fau.edu/masters-phd/mha/. An upcoming information session will also be held on Nov. 13, 2024, at 6:45 p.m. EST. To join in-person at the FAU Boca Raton Campus or virtually via Zoom, register at https://faucboep.radiusbycampusmgmt.com/ssc/eform/M00N7GkB700nx6700lCL.ssc.
The on-campus Executive MHA program begins each fall and spring semester, whereas the Online MHA has three intakes per academic year (spring, summer, and fall). The upcoming spring cohorts begin on Jan. 4 for online students and Jan. 11 for those attending on-campus at FAU’s Boca Raton Campus.
