Business
Career
Healthcare
Bachelor of Science in Health Administration
Learn what it takes to become a professional in health administration with a flexible BSHA program that allows you to earn your degree 100% online.
8 Weeks
8-week terms allow for start dates throughout the year
40 Months
Earn your BSHA degree in as few as 40 months at the Accelerated program pace
2 Specializations
Choose a track that aligns with your goals: Finance or Strategic Management
Online BSHA Program Highlights
Courses in health administration operations, financial analysis, policy development, and more
Specialization tracks that allow you to focus your education on your interests
100% online study with mobile-friendly content and access to LinkedIn Learning
BSHA to MHA bridge program that lets you take graduate courses early and earn credit
Why Choose an Online BSHA Program?
When you earn your Bachelor of Science in Health Administration online, you’re working to gain the skills and knowledge needed to make a positive impact in today’s ever-evolving healthcare environment. Learn what it takes to help run hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities effectively and efficiently.
Build a foundation in a variety of business and administrative skills in the healthcare landscape, including finance, information systems, policy, leadership, and more.
Explore the BSHA program at WCU!
Interested in a BSHA Specialization?
Find out how you can fine-tune the focus of your health administration education with our BSHA specialized tracks.
Overview: Bachelor of Science in Health Administration Program
Program Details
Accelerated Pace
Distance Education/Online
120 Credits
40 Months
10 Trimesters
Working Professional Pace
Distance Education/Online
120 Credits
80 Months
20 Trimesters
Curriculum
To achieve the graduation requirement of 120 credits, all students must complete 39 credits of general education courses. Students may request to satisfy general education credit requirements through transfer credit per university policy.
General Education Requirements
Prior to Spring I 2024
| Category and Requirements | WCU Course Requirements | Transferable / Options |
| A1- Written Communication (5 Semester Credits and 2 Courses Minimum) |
Written communication courses cover the use of writing as a means of conveying information. In these courses, students will utilize discussions, papers, essays, research, etc. to examine, analyze, and transmit information in an appropriate academic or professional manner. (Transferable courses will generally have ENG, JRN, or COM prefix) | Any course that meets the General Education category and requirements. |
| A2. Oral Communication (2.5 Semester Credits Minimum) |
Oral communication courses cover the use of language and speech as a means of conveying information. In these courses, students will utilize language and speech to disseminate information to audiences as appropriate. (Transferable courses will generally have SPE, COM, JRN, ENG, or BUS prefix) |
Any course that meets the General Education category and requirements. |
| A3. Critical Thinking (5.0 Semester Credits 2 Minimum) |
Critical thinking courses provide the skills necessary to make complex decisions. In these courses, students will utilize complex thinking, logic, and other skills to analyze decision making processes. (Transferable courses will generally have PHI, LOG, or COM prefixes) | Any course that meets the General Education category and requirements. |
| A4. Quantitative Reasoning (5 Semester Credits and 2 Courses Minimum) |
Quantitative reasoning courses provide the skills to process, analyze, and interpret data. In these courses students will utilize math to solve problems. (Transferable courses generally have MAT or STAT prefixes) | Any course that meets the General Education category and requirements. |
| B1– Social and Behavioral Sciences / Cultural Diversity, Tradition (8 Semester Credits and 3 Courses Minimum) |
Social and behavioral science, cultural diversity, and tradition courses cover a broad range of humanities disciplines. Courses in this competency may cover social interactions, human behavior, cultural diversity, aesthetic awareness, art appreciation and creation, history, civic duty, and other areas in the field. (Transferable courses generally have SOC, SSC, PSY, ART, HIS, LIB, ENG, ANT, REL, POL, LNG, CRJ, or related prefixes) | Any course that meets the General Education category and requirements. |
| B2. Life and Physical Sciences (2.5 Semester Credits and 1 Courses Minimum) |
Life and Physical Science courses cover vary disciplines within the scientific field. Courses in this field may cover any scientific discipline within life and physical sciences. (Transferable courses generally have BIO, CHEM, PHYS, ENV, NRM, or SCI prefixes) | Any course that meets the General Education category and requirements. |
| B3. General Education Capstone (3 Semester Credits) |
(3): General Education Capstone | Non-transferable |
| In addition to the courses above, all students must complete (3): Foundations of Success (Non-transferable). A minimum of 39 credits is required for graduation | ||
Effective Spring I 2024
| Category and Requirements | WCU Course Requirements | Transferable / Options |
| A. Written Communications (5 semester credits and 2 courses minimum) | Any competency area A WCU course | Any college level course meeting competency area A outcomes |
| B. Oral and Interpersonal Communications (2.5 semester credits minimum and 1 course minimum) | Any competency area B WCU course | Any college level course meeting competency area B outcomes |
| C. Critical Thinking and Ethical Reasoning (5 semester credits and 2 courses minimum) | Any competency area C WCU course | Any college level course meeting competency area C outcomes |
| D. Quantitative Literacy (5 semester credits and 2 courses minimum) | Any competency area D course | Any college level course meeting competency area D outcomes |
| E. Social and Behavioral Sciences Awareness (5 semester credits and 2 courses minimum) | Any competency area E WCU course | Any college level course meeting competency area E outcomes |
| F. Historical, Cultural, and Aesthetic Recognition (5 semester credits and 2 courses minimum) | Any competency area F WCU course | Any college level course meeting competency area F outcomes |
| G. Scientific Reasoning (2.5 semester credits minimum and 1 course minimum) | Any competency area G WCU course | Any college level course meeting competency area G outcomes |
| None | Foundations of Success | Non-Transferable, requirement met by taking (3 credits) |
Elective Requirements:
To achieve the graduation requirement of 120 credits, all students must complete 30 credits of electives. Students may request to satisfy all or a portion of the elective credit requirements through transfer credit for previous education. Additionally, students may complete available online course offered by the university to satisfy elective credit (some restrictions apply). Unless otherwise requested, students will take the following university courses to meet the elective requirements
| Fundamentals of Accounting | |
| Principles of Finance | |
| Survey of Economics | |
| Introduction to Marketing | |
| Project Management | |
| Interpersonal Communication | |
| Technical Writing | |
| Medical Terminology | |
| Methods of Conflict Resolution | |
Bridge Courses:
Students who have completed at least thirty-nine (39) credits of coursework with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 may also satisfy up to nine (9) credits of elective coursework through the completion of three (3) credit graduate level courses in-residence. All in-residence three (3) credit graduate level courses completed as part of an undergraduate program may be used to satisfy graduate requirements.
Health Administration Core Courses
To achieve the graduation requirement of 120 credits, all students must complete 51 credits of core and track courses. Core courses provide students with the specific discipline experience required for the degree. Tracks allow students to create interdisciplinary degrees based on personal career goals. All students will complete at least 39 core course credits as detailed below. The remaining 12 credits are based on the program track the student is enrolled in. The currently available programs are:
-Bachelor of Science in Health Administration (BSHA)
-BSHA – Finance Track
-BSHA – Strategic Management Track
A minimum grade of a “C-” (70%) will be required to receive course credit in the BSHA program. Should a student receive a “D+” (<70%) grade or lower, it will not be considered a passing grade for the BSHA program and the student will be required to retake the course. The earned grade will be counted into the student’s CGPA and will be replaced once the course is repeated with a passing grade. The student will be placed on an academic action plan to repeat the course and meet with the program Chair.
Core Courses (39) Credits:
| Introduction to Healthcare Management | 3 | |
| Organizational Law and Ethics | 3 | |
| Information Systems Operations and Analysis | 3 | |
| Introduction to Public Health | 3 | |
| Principles of Epidemiology | 3 | |
| Research Methods in Healthcare | 3 | |
| Healthcare Policy and Economics | 3 | |
| Healthcare Regulatory Compliance and Accreditation | 3 | |
| Healthcare Payment Systems | 3 | |
| Quality Performance Management in Healthcare | 3 | |
| Risk Management in Healthcare | 3 | |
| Introduction to Strategic Planning and Organizational Management in Healthcare Organizations | 3 | |
| Leadership in Healthcare | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 39 | |
Core courses to be completed if no track chosen (12 credits)
| Organizational Behavior | 3 | |
| Global Perspectives in Healthcare | 3 | |
| Emotional Intelligence | 3 | |
| Survey of Science and Technology | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 | |
Track Courses
Finance Track:
Track courses to be completed in the Finance Track (12 credits)
| Financial Accounting | 3 | |
| Microeconomics | 3 | |
| Corporate Finance | 3 | |
| Financial Statement Analysis and Management | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 | |
Strategic Management Track:
Track courses to be completed in the Strategic Management Track (12 credits)
| Organizational Behavior | 3 | |
| Business Analytics for Decision Making | 3 | |
| Entrepreneurship | 3 | |
| Social Media and Marketing | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 | |
Tuition & Financial Aid
How Much Does the Online Bachelor of Science in Health Administration Program Cost?
We know school is a substantial commitment. At WCU, we want to equip you with all the information you need to make the right decision for your future.
Our goal is to give you a clear understanding of Bachelor of Science in Health Administration tuition costs so you can be well-informed as you navigate the application and enrollment process. To assist you in your decision, we provide a breakdown below of the BSHA online program costs at ¹ú²úÖ÷²¥.
We offer several financial aid options — including scholarships, grants, and loan access — to help support you through your studies. For more information about your financial support options, visit our financial aid page.
Bachelor of Science in Health Administration
Tuition and Fees
Accelerated*
| Degree Type | Bachelor of Science (Enrolling prior to April 1, 2024) | Bachelor of Science (Enrolling after April 1, 2024) |
| Total Program Credits | 120 | 120 |
| Program Length(full time) | 10 trimesters | 10 trimesters |
| General Education Courses(per credit x 78 credits) | $460 | $460 |
| Core Courses (per credit x 42 credits) | $460 | $460 |
| Total Tuition Cost | $55,200 | $55,200 |
| STRF1 | $150 | $0 |
| Technology Fee2 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Estimate for Program Supply Fees3 | $50 | $50 |
| Estimated Total Program Costs (Texas) | $60,250 | $60,250 |
| Estimated Total Program Costs (California) | $60,400 | $60,250 |
Working Professional*
| Degree Type | Bachelor of Science (Enrolling prior to April 1, 2024) | Bachelor of Science (Enrolling after April 1, 2024) |
| Total Program Credits | 120 | 120 |
| Program Length(full time) | 20 trimesters | 20 trimesters |
| General Education Courses(per credit x 78 credits) | $460 | $460 |
| Core Courses (per credit x 42 credits) | $460 | $460 |
| Total Tuition Cost | $55,200 | $55,200 |
| STRF1 | $162.50 | $0 |
| Technology Fee2 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Estimate for Program Supply Fees3 | $50 | $50 |
| Estimated Total Program Costs (Texas) | $65,250 | $65,250 |
| Estimated Total Program Costs (California) | $65,412.50 | $65,250 |
Indirect Costs
| 8 Month Academic Year4 | ||||
| Prior to Fall I 2024 | Starting Fall I 2024 | |||
| with parents | off campus | with parents | off campus | |
| Federal Student Loan Fees | $100 | $100 | $100 | $100 |
| Living Expense (Food & Housing) | $2,384 | $7,936 | $2,496 | $8,328 |
| Transportation | $1,648 | $1,648 | $1,728 | $1,728 |
| Personal Expenses | $5,392 | $5,392 | $5,656 | $5,656 |
| Total | $9,524 | $15,076 |
$9,980 | $15,812 |
* Upon enrollment, students select Accelerated or Working Professional, which will determine the pace at which students complete their degree. In most cases, students that select Accelerated will attempt two courses per term, and students that select Working Professional will attempt one course a term.
1Effective April 1, 20244, the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) assessment rate will be zero dollars and zero cents ($0.00) per one thousand dollars ($1,000) of institutional charges.
The State of California established the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) to relieve or mitigate economic loss suffered by a student in an educational program at a qualifying institution, who is or was a California resident while enrolled, or was enrolled in a residency program, if the student enrolled in the institution, prepaid tuition, and suffered an economic loss. Unless relieved of the obligation to do so, you must pay the state-imposed assessment for the STRF, or it must be paid on your behalf, if you are a student in an educational program, who is a California resident, or are enrolled in a residency program, and prepay all or part of your tuition.
You are not eligible for protection from the STRF and you are not required to pay the STRF assessment, if you are not a California resident, or are not enrolled in a residency program.
It is important that you keep copies of your enrollment agreement, financial aid documents, receipts, or any other information that documents the amount paid to the school. Questions regarding the STRF may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, 1747 N. Market Blvd. Ste 225 Sacramento, CA 95834, (916) 431-6959 or (888) 370-7589.
To be eligible for STRF, you must be a California resident or enrolled in a residency program, prepaid tuition, paid or deemed to have paid the STRF assessment, and suffered an economic loss as a result of any of the following:
- The institution, a location of the institution, or an educational program offered by the institution was closed or discontinued, and you did not choose to participate in a teach-out plan approved by the Bureau or did not complete a chosen teach-out plan approved by the Bureau.
- You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution within the 120-day period before the closure of the institution or location of the institution or were enrolled in an educational program within the 120-day period before the program was discontinued.
- You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution more than 120 days before the closure of the institution or location of the institution, in an educational program offered by the institution as to which the Bureau determined there was a significant decline in the quality or value of the program more than 120 days before closure.
- The institution has been ordered to pay a refund by the Bureau but has failed to do so.
- The institution has failed to pay or reimburse loan proceeds under a federal student loan program as required by law or has failed to pay or reimburse proceeds received by the institution in excess of tuition and other costs.
- You have been awarded restitution, a refund, or other monetary award by an arbitrator or court, based on a violation of this chapter by an institution or representative of an institution, but have been unable to collect the award from the institution.
- You sought legal counsel that resulted in the cancellation of one or more of your student loans and have an invoice for services rendered and evidence of the cancellation of the student loan or loans.
To qualify for STRF reimbursement, the application must be received within four (4) years from the date of the action or event that made the student eligible for recovery from STRF.
A student whose loan is revived by a loan holder or debt collector after a period of noncollection may, at any time, file a written application for recovery from STRF for the debt that would have otherwise been eligible for recovery. If it has been more than four (4) years since the action or event that made the student eligible, the student must have filed a written application for recovery within the original four (4) year period, unless the period has been extended by another act of law.
However, no claim can be paid to any student without a social security number or a taxpayer identification number.
2 Technology Fee includes student technical support, Office 365, blended and online course delivery/learning management system, mobile app, student portal technology and access, and required electronic course materials/software.
3 Program supplies include WCU identification card and background check.
4 The purpose of the Cost of Attendance (COA) is to provide students and families with an estimated cost to attend ¹ú²úÖ÷²¥. The COA includes both direct and indirect cost estimates. Direct costs are paid directly to ¹ú²úÖ÷²¥ and are shown separately for each program. Indirect costs are not paid to ¹ú²úÖ÷²¥ and are estimates students may use to budget expenses they may incur while attending school. While actual indirect costs may vary, ¹ú²úÖ÷²¥ estimates these amounts based on the number of months in an academic year and whether students will live with parents or off campus.
Admission Requirements
Applicants for the Bachelor of Science in Health Administration must meet the following admissions requirements:
- Complete an online application for admission.
- Participate in an interview with a University Advisor.
- Complete an enrollment agreement, consisting of program policies, costs, completion requirements, and other student obligations. If the applicant is under the age of 18, enrollment documents must be signed by a parent or guardian.
- Submit documentation of high school graduation or equivalent.
- Individuals with 15 or more college-level credits are required to have a 2.25 GPA in post-secondary education.
- Applicants with 15 or more college-level credits and a GPA of 2.0-2.24 may be considered for probationary admission after meeting the following admissions requirements:
- The applicant must provide a letter of intent.
- The applicant must be approved for admission following an interview with Program Dean/Director.
- The applicant must satisfy program prerequisites.
- A student admitted under the probationary admissions pathway must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on all coursework attempted over the first trimester (two terms). Students who meet this standard will be converted to a full admit status and will be subject to the standard Satisfactory Academic Progress requirement for the duration of their program.  Students failing to meet these requirements following the first trimester (two terms) will be withdrawn from the university.
- Students accepted under the probationary admissions pathway will be considered regular students and eligible for Title IV, if the student otherwise qualifies for funding, for the first trimester of their program of study while completing the requirements for full admission to their program.
- Applicants with 15 or more college-level credits and a GPA of 2.0-2.24 may be considered for probationary admission after meeting the following admissions requirements:
- Bachelor of Science in Health Administration Transfer Credit Evaluation: Only undergraduate level courses in which a grade of C- (70%) or better was received will be evaluated for transfer credit. A maximum of ninety (90) total credits may be considered for transfer, subject to the following criteria:
- A maximum of thirty (60) credits may be accepted from alternative credit options, such as CLEP/AP/IB/ACE, etc.
- A maximum of thirty (30) credits may be accepted from military training or work experience
- All undergraduate students must complete at least thirty (30) credits in-residence at ¹ú²úÖ÷²¥
- At least twenty-four (24) of the in-residence credits must come from core program courses
For all requirements, including more information on our transfer credit policy, please visit our .
Academic Calendar
New academic terms usually start every eight weeks. Review our Academic Calendar for term start and completion dates.
Career Services
Career Services & Placement
As a BSHA student and graduate, you will have access to a wealth of professional and career development resources, including workshops and one-on-one guidance.2 Our Career Services department can help you track down job leads, learn the art of resume writing, practice for interviews, and more.
We want to support you so you can land the right job after graduation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers work in a range of settings, including:
- Hospitals (state, local, and private)
- Offices of physicians
- Nursing and residential care facilities
- Government
- Outpatient care centers3
LinkedIn Learning
Free Access to LinkedIn Learning
As a business student, you get to supplement your WCU coursework with training on LinkedIn Learning on subject matter that relates to your field of study.
For each course you take, you will choose one training module from LinkedIn Learning’s comprehensive library, which you have free access to as a WCU student. Upon completion of the module, you will earn a certificate, which can be posted to your LinkedIn profile for prospective employers to see.
By the time you graduate, you will have had the opportunity to build an extensive ePortfolio on LinkedIn, which can help to better position you in the job market. LinkedIn Learning is an excellent resource for our students!
Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes:
- Apply financial management principles for decision making and strategic planning in healthcare organizations.
- Analyze the application of organizational business skills to operational management and administration of healthcare organizations.
- Evaluate quality improvement standards and practices to optimize business performance of healthcare organizations.
- Interpret healthcare ethical, legal, and compliance matters to support healthcare services, patient data and confidentiality, and information systems.
- Evaluate innovative information technology to support business management and organizational dynamics of healthcare organizations.
- Assess the impact of collaborative interprofessional relationships and team building principles within healthcare organizations.
- Demonstrate the application of leadership models and techniques to the strategic needs of healthcare organizations.
Featured Faculty
Justin Ako, DC, BSBA, CHEP
Dean, Health Administration (MHA/BSHA, MBA/BSBA Programs)
Dr. Justin Ako is the Dean of Health Administration at ¹ú²úÖ÷²¥. He was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai’i and received his bachelor’s degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska with a double major in marketing and strategic management. Dr. Ako then went on to receive his doctorate from the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic and most recently completed the Institute for Management and Leadership in Education program at Harvard University.
Dr. Ako has been in private practice for more than 25 years and has been a dean of multiple programs at higher education institutions. He has served as Dean of the Master of Health Administration (MHA) and Bachelor of Health Services Administration (BHSA) programs at ¹ú²úÖ÷²¥ for the past 10 years. He also serves as the interim dean for WCU’s MBA and BSBA programs.
Dr. Ako has sat on community boards such as the board for Northridge Hospital/Dignity Health, and he works collaboratively with NGOs such as the International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent while serving his local community.
No-Cost Access to LinkedIn Learning for WCU BSHA Students
FAQs
What can you do with a BSHA degree?
The purpose of the Bachelor of Science in Health Administration (BSHA) program is to prepare graduates for a variety of entry-level administrative roles in healthcare organizations. One common type of job that is available is the role of the medical or health service manager.
Typical duties of a medical and health service managers may include but are not limited to the following:
- Improvement of efficiency and quality in the delivery of healthcare services
- Development of departmental goals and objectives
- Communication with medical staff and department leaders
- Creation and management of work schedules
- Recruitment, training, and supervision of staff members
- Management of finances, such as those related to billing
- Preparation and monitoring of budgets and spending
- Efforts to ensure their healthcare facility is compliant with laws and regulations3
Can I get a BSHA degree online?
At WCU, you can earn your Bachelor of Science in Health Administration degree fully online through our flexible online BSHA program.
Will I be able to earn my BSHA degree if I’m working?
As an online BSHA student with mobile-accessible coursework, you can choose when and where to watch lectures and complete assignments. Whether it’s morning, night, weekends, at home, or on the go, it’s your call.
As a working student, this means you can plan your study time around your work schedule. You can also choose to complete fewer classes per term through the Working Professional pace if you need a better balance between work and school.
Will my previous coursework transfer into the BSHA program?
We can evaluate your previous coursework for transfer credit. WCU accepts up to 90 transferable credits for the BHSA program on a case-by-case basis, which includes up to 33 general education transfer credits, up to 30 elective credits, and up to 27 core and track course credits. Speak to your admissions advisor to learn more.
Can I get credit for my professional certifications and work experience?
We’ll evaluate your past work experience and/or industry certifications to determine if you can be awarded credits that will be used toward your degree. Such credits can help you cut down your program time to completion, which saves time and money.
How long does it take to get a BSHA?
We offer two paces for the BSHA program: Accelerated and Working Professional. At the Accelerated pace, you can earn your degree in as little as 40 months. At the Working Professional pace, you take fewer classes per term, which puts you on track to complete your program in as little as 80 months.
What’s the BSHA bridge program?
You can take advantage of our BSHA bridge program if you plan to continue to a graduate program after obtaining your bachelor’s in health administration. The bridge program allows you to complete three graduate-level courses that will count toward both your BSHA and your MHA (Master of Health Administration) or MBA (Master of Business Administration). With this head start, you lower the number of credits you need to take for your mater’s program, which saves both money and time.
Do I have to finish my general education classes before I can take business classes?
No. We disperse our general education, track, and core business courses throughout the program, which allows you to start taking classes in your main area of interest immediately.
What’s the difference between a BSHA and a BSBA?
A Bachelor of Science in Health Administration (BSHA) helps prepare you for jobs involving administration specifically in healthcare settings, such as hospitals, physician’s offices, and outpatient care centers. A Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) can include coursework or specialization focused on healthcare, but it provides a broader education on administration in business environments across the board.
If you know you want to pursue a career specifically in the healthcare sector, a BSHA may be the best fit for you.
Is financial aid available for the BSHA program?
Yes, WCU has financial aid, scholarships, and grants available for those who are eligible. A few of these scholarships and grants include the Alumni Pathway Grant (covering up to 20% of tuition), the WCU Health Services Grant (covering up to 10% of tuition), and the WCU Performance Scholarship (covering up to 15% of tuition). Visit our to learn more.
¹ú²úÖ÷²¥ is accredited by WASC Senior College of University Commission (WSCUC), an institutional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). 1001 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 402 Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 748- 9001/
Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.
WCU Distance education programs are delivered out of the California and Texas campuses and may not be available to residents in all states.
1 WCU evaluates transfer credits for acceptance. For the BSHA program, we can accept a total of up to 90 transfer credits (up to 33 general education course credits, up to 30 elective course credits, and up to 51 core and track course credits).
2 WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment.
3 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook,
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