Master of Health Administration (MHA)

Program Location
Orange County Campus
Program Credits
36 Credits
Program Length
3 Semesters, 60 Instructional Weeks 
Time to Complete
12 Months

A total of 36 semester credits are required to earn the Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree. Full time enrollment in the Master’s program is 9 credits per semester.

Program Mission: The mission of the Health Administration 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 Health Administration 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 students will be able to:

  1. Evaluate the culturally diverse 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.

Admission Requirements

Please be advised that these requirements have been revised.  Please see the Addenda.  

Applicants for the Master of Health Administration Program must:

1. Have a baccalaureate degree from an institution that is nationally or regionally accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education  with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher,

2. Submit a $75 non-refundable application fee,  

3. Provide official transcripts verifying baccalaureate degree prior to the first day of the first term.  These transcripts must also demonstrate completion of the following program prerequisites:

  •  MATH 108 (College Mathematics) and
  •  MATH 211 (Statistics) or approved equivalent courses with a grade of “C” or higher (note: except for WCU graduates, an official transcript must be provided to evaluate course content and credit hour equivalency) OR
  •  Complete MATH 108 and MATH 211 at West Coast University within the first two terms of enrollment with a grade of “C” or higher.

4. Complete supplemental application forms, inclusive of:

  •  Written Essays (on-site)
  •  Two letters of recommendation
  •  Interview with Program Chair

5. Proficiency in English is mandatory.  All applicants whose first language is not English will be required to either complete the  Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) http://www.toefl.org), or meet one of the criteria shown below.

Note:  A minimum TOEFL score of 66 (internet based) to be reviewed for the Master of Health Administration Program.

West Coast University will also consider proof of English Proficiency established if official documentation of one of the following is provided:

a) Graduation from an accredited high school program where English is the language of instruction and examination, achieving a minimum GPA of 3.0 in a minimum of three English courses.

b) Within the last five years, successfully completed at least three years of instruction from an accredited  high school where English is the language of instruction and examination, including three years of English (not ESL) courses with a grade of “B” or higher.

c) Within the last three years, successfully completed at least two years of full-time coursework at the post-secondary level (accredited college or University) where English is the language of instruction and examination, including two English courses (one course must be a 200 level course or higher) with a grade of “B” or higher.

d) International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination (academic modules) taken within the last twelve months, results must be sent by paper to the University campus Registrar office, with a score of 6.5 of better

6. Conditional Admission:

  •  Applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 2.7 to 2.99 may be considered for conditional admission. Conditionally admitted students must satisfy program prerequisites and achieve a grade of “B” (3.0) or higher on all first semester (two terms) course work attempted. If the student does not achieve the required course grades, the student will be dismissed from the program.
  •  Admission into the MHA Program with a GPA less than a 2.7, but not lower than 2.5 is at the discretion of the Program Chair.

Health Administration 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 in Health Administration 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 Administration Curriculum

Health Administration Core Courses

A minimum grade of a “C” will be required to receive course credit in the MHA Program.  Should a student receive a “C-“grade or lower, it will not be considered a passing grade for the MHA 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.
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

Please be advised that beginning the Summer II 2016 term, the following curriculum requirements will become effective for all students starting the program’s core courses.

MHA Program Curriculum:

MHA 500

Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care Management

(Equivalent to HCM 525 Course Requirement)

3

MHA 505

Information Systems for health Care Programs

(Equivalent to HCM 530 Course Requirement)

3

MHA 520

Financial Management for Health Care Professionals

(Equivalent to HCM 515 Course Requirement)

3

MHA 525

Marketing Management for Health Care Professionals

(Equivalent to HCM 520 Course Requirement)

3

MHA 530

Managerial Epidemiology

(Equivalent to HCM 505 Course Requirement)

3

MHA 535

Research Methods in Health Care Management

(Equivalent to HCM 535 Course Requirement)

3

MHA 540

Strategic Planning in Health Care Organizations

(Equivalent to HCM 510 Course Requirement)

3

MHA 545

Hospital Administration and Management

(Equivalent to HCM 540 Course Requirement)

3

MHA 550

Leadership Models for Health Care Managers

(Equivalent to HCM 550 Course Requirement)

3

MHA 555

Project Management

(Equivalent to HCM 560 Course Requirement)

3

MHA 560

Entrepreneurial Opportunities in the Health Care Industry

(Equivalent to HCM 570 Course Requirement)

3

MHA 565

Capstone Course:  Cases in Health Care Management

(Equivalent to HCM 580 Course Requirement)

3

 

Total Credit Hours:

36


MHA Program Costs

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