Dr. Shannon Leinen offers four essential questions to help you evaluate your career direction, growth, and impact.
Throughout my time in higher education, I’ve worked with professionals from all walks of life — each with unique goals and experiences. Some come to our programs seeking a new direction. Others are looking to grow in a path they already love. And some simply feel ready for something more — but they’re still figuring out what that means.
Wherever you find yourself, I want to offer this: the Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) could be a meaningful next step.
This graduate program is about more than coursework or credentials. It’s about preparing to lead — not just with skill, but with clarity, compassion, and character. If you’re drawn to systems that serve people, and you want to strengthen your ability to lead well within those systems, the MHA is worth considering.
At this point in your exploration, the most valuable thing you can do is reflect — not on what the degree is, but what it could mean for you.
Here are a few questions I often encourage prospective students to consider:
- Am I ready to grow into a leadership role that makes a difference?
- Would I benefit from a deeper understanding of how healthcare systems work?
- Do I need a graduate program that aligns with my professional goals?
- Am I looking for the next step in both my career and my personal growth?
If you’ve found yourself answering “yes” (or even “maybe”) to any of these, that's reason enough to dig deeper. You don’t have to be certain to take the next step. You just need to be willing to keep learning about what’s possible.
One of the most unique aspects of our program at York University Online is the people. Our students are diverse in background and life experience — but they share a common thread: the desire to lead with integrity in a field that deeply impacts others. Whether they’re managing clinical teams, working in health policy, supporting nonprofit missions, or growing into executive leadership, they carry with them the values and vision that make this work matter.
If you’re still deciding whether the MHA is right for you, I’d encourage you to take your time — but not to dismiss the pull you’re feeling. It’s okay to be unsure. In fact, it’s expected. The important part is being open enough to consider where your strengths might grow—and how they might serve others in the process.
If and when you’re ready to learn more, we’re here to help.
— Dr. Shannon Leinen ‘07, York University Provost & Director of the Masters of Healthcare Administration