Master of Science in Healthcare Administration

Healthcare and strategic management skills in one degree.

In the Master of Science in Healthcare Administration you’ll learn strategic management skills through coursework that focuses on the specialized needs of healthcare. Nearly every medical organization needs compassionate leaders who have in-depth knowledge of healthcare systems and the ability to manage in today’s dynamic and complex healthcare environments. As a graduate, you’ll be qualified for leadership roles in a variety of healthcare settings, urban to rural.

• Healthcare financial management
• Technology, data analytics, and information governance
• Strategic leadership
• Healthcare law and policy
• Quality and performance improvement
• Communications and marketing
• Human resources

Universities of Wisconsin partners in the Master of Science in Healthcare Administration include: UW-La Crosse, UW-Parkside, UW-Platteville, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Stout.

Courses in the Master of Science in Healthcare Administration focus on developing the strategic management skills and healthcare insight necessary to make sound decisions for your healthcare organization. You’ll acquire competencies in healthcare administration through 13 required courses, including a capstone course typically taken during the final semester. There are no electives.

• 11 healthcare administration courses (3 credits per course)
• Capstone prep course (1 credit)
• Capstone project course (3 credits)

The final capstone course requires students to complete a fieldwork project with the goal of gaining valuable, hands-on experience. Students may be able to complete the project at their current place of employment, or arrange for online project work with an external organization.

U.S. News & World Report ranked medical and health services manager #3 on their 2023 list of 100 Best Jobs, reflecting continuing demand for healthcare administrators and growth in healthcare, above average salaries, and opportunities for promotion. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 28 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. Key drivers of growth include high demand for healthcare services and an aging population.

You’ll find a range of rewarding job opportunities in every area of the country and in nearly any healthcare setting—hospitals, physician’s offices, surgical centers, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, insurance companies, veterans affairs systems, pharmaceutical companies, and medical supply vendors. As a healthcare administrator, you can have a significant impact on your organization, its employees, and the patients receiving care.

To be eligible for the Master of Science in Healthcare Administration students must meet the following requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree, in any discipline, from an accredited university (min. 3.0 GPA).
• Prerequisite coursework:
  • elementary statistics,
  • medical terminology, and
  • oral communication/public speaking.

Students with a GPA of less than 3.0 may be considered for provisional admission and should contact an enrollment adviser for more information. Program academic directors have the option to waive one or more of the above prerequisites based on relevant work experience.

Aptitude tests, such as the GMAT or GRE, are not required for admission.

You will also need to submit the following application materials:

• official college transcripts,
• your resume,
• two letters of recommendation (can be professional or academic), and
• a personal statement of up to 1,000 words describing the reasons behind your decision to pursue this degree.

This program has been developed for working adults and it is strongly encouraged that students have a minimum of 2 years professional experience before applying to the program.