Health Care Management (MSHCM), Master of Science Degree

Program Location: Los Angeles Campus Only

Program Semester Credits: 36

Program Length: 4 Semesters – 80 weeks

A total of 36 semester credits are required to earn the Master of Science (MS) degree in Health Care Management (HCM). Full time enrollment in the Master’s program is 9 credits per semester.

Program Mission: The mission of the Health Care Management program is to provide students from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds with the managerial tools required to make informed and socially responsible decisions for the benefit of the society, organization and its stakeholders.

Program Objective: The Master of Science (MS) in Health Care Management degree provides students with a strong foundation in the core functional areas of Management with a focus on the Health Care industry. The program prepares students with the multidisciplinary skills required for the supervisory and managerial positions to meet the challenges facing the health care industry and the significant social impact it has on the economy.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation, MSHCM students will be able to:

  1. Evaluate the health care environment.
  2. Develop plans within the health care environment.
  3. Analyze ethical and legal practices within a health care setting.
  4. Analyze the inter-professional relationships within a health care setting.
  5. Demonstrate core business knowledge to develop viable health management solutions.
  6. Assess leadership models and apply selected applications to health care management practices.
  7. Promote innovation and entrepreneurship within a health care setting.

Please see the Program Name Change Addendum.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the Master of Science Degree in Health Care Management program must:

  1. Have a baccalaureate degree in Business, Health Care Management or related field from an accredited institution with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher
    1. Students with an undergraduate GPA of 2.7 to 2.99 may be considered for admission. The applicant must satisfy program prerequisites and achieve a grade of B (3.0) or better on all first semester (two terms) of course work attempted. The probation status will be removed after earning a B or higher in the courses. If the student does not achieve the required grades, the student will be dismissed from the program, OR
  2. Have a baccalaureate degree in a program other than Business, Health Care Management, or related field from an accredited institution with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher, and meet the following additional requirements:
    1. Basic Business requirement:

    i. have achieved eligible totals on the GRE,

     

    Old Scores

    Updated Scores

    Verbal Reasoning

    500

    153

    Quantitative Reasoning

    500

    144

    Eligible Totals

    1000

    297

    ii. Total GMAT score of 400 OR

    iii. Enroll in WCU’s BUSI 100 course (Introduction to Business) and earn a "C" or higher during first term of enrollment. 

b. Course Requirements

i. Provide an official transcript prior to the first day of the first term indicating completion with a grade of "C" or better of Math 108 (College Mathematics) and Math 210 (Statistics) or approved equivalent courses, (note: The official transcript provided to meet the course requirements must reflect equivalent content and course credit hours),OR

ii. Take the following additional courses at West Coast University:

        • MATH 108 prior to taking HCM 515 (normally taken in the third term of enrollment), AND
        • MATH 210 prior to taking HCM 535 (normally taken in the fourth term of enrollment)

Health Care Management Transfer Credit Evaluation
Only graduate level courses in which a grade of B (3.0) or better was received, taken in a program similar to the Master’s of Science in Health Care Management will be evaluated for transfer credit. A maximum of 6 credit hours will be considered for transfer, and must reflect the same content and course credit as the course for which transfer credit is requested.

Health Care Management Curriculum

Core Health Care Management Courses

HCM 505Epidemiology Management

3.0

HCM 510Strategic Planning in Health Care Organizations

3.0

HCM 515Financial Management for Health Care Managers

3.0

HCM 520Marketing Management for Health Care Professionals

3.0

HCM 525Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care Management

3.0

HCM 530Information Systems for Health Care Programs

3.0

HCM 535Research Methods in Health Care Management

3.0

HCM 540Hospital Administration and Management

3.0

HCM 550Leadership Models for Health Care Managers

3.0

HCM 560Project Management

3.0

HCM 570Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Health Care Industry

3.0

HCM 580Capstone Course: Cases in Health Care Management

3.0

Total Credit Hours:36.0

MSHCM Program Costs

For program costs, please see the Graduate Tuition and Fees section.