Organizational Leadership Careers in Healthcare and Business
Learn More
Business
Career
Healthcare
BSHA – Finance
Complete your Bachelor of Science in Health Administration 100% online with a focus on finance and learn how to make a positive impact in a healthcare setting.
Apply Now8 Weeks
8-week terms allow for start dates throughout the year
40 Months
Complete this BSHA track in as little as 40 months at the Accelerated program pace
Up to 90 Transfer Credits1
WCU evaluates transfer credits for acceptance
BSHA – Finance Track Highlights
Classes to provide foundational knowledge in the core areas of health administration
Courses on microeconomics, corporate finance, accounting, and statement analysis
100% online study with mobile-friendly content and 24/7 access to our online library
Two program paces so you can earn your degree on a schedule that works for you
Why Pursue a BSHA – Finance Degree?
WCU’s BSHA – Finance track helps prepare graduates for careers in financial planning and management within healthcare organizations and operations. Learn how to allocate funds, make decisions that can affect operations, and find ways to meet the needs of those on the front lines of care, while keeping risk management in mind.
Learn from finance industry veterans who will make themselves readily available to you for guidance and mentorship!
Overview: Online BSHA – Finance Track
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) | CAPS 402(3): General Education Capstone | Non-transferable |
| In addition to the courses above, all students must complete FYS 002(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 FYS 002(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
| ACC 125 | Fundamentals of Accounting |
| ACC 150 | Principles of Finance |
| BUS 135 | Survey of Economics |
| BUS 220 | Introduction to Marketing |
| BUS 250 | Project Management |
| COMM 200 | Interpersonal Communication |
| ENGL 250 | Technical Writing |
| HA 100 | Medical Terminology |
| PHIL 435 | 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:
| HA 110 | Introduction to Healthcare Management | 3 |
| PHIL 350 | Organizational Law and Ethics | 3 |
| BUS 225 | Information Systems Operations and Analysis | 3 |
| PH 100 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| HA 400 | Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
| HA 410 | Research Methods in Healthcare | 3 |
| HA 320 | Healthcare Policy and Economics | 3 |
| HA 330 | Healthcare Regulatory Compliance and Accreditation | 3 |
| HA 340 | Healthcare Payment Systems | 3 |
| HA 420 | Quality Performance Management in Healthcare | 3 |
| HA 430 | Risk Management in Healthcare | 3 |
| HA 440 | Introduction to Strategic Planning and Organizational Management in Healthcare Organizations | 3 |
| HA 450 | Leadership in Healthcare | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 39 | |
Core courses to be completed if no track chosen (12 credits)
| BUS 200 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| HA 220 | Global Perspectives in Healthcare | 3 |
| PSYC 200 | Emotional Intelligence | 3 |
| SCI 210 | 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)
| ACC 225 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| BUS 290 | Microeconomics | 3 |
| BUS 350 | Corporate Finance | 3 |
| BUS 400 | 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)
| BUS 200 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| BUS 370 | Business Analytics for Decision Making | 3 |
| BUS 385 | Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| BUS 390 | Social Media and Marketing | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 | |
Tuition & Financial Aid
How Much Does the BSBA – Finance Track 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 BSBA – Finance online 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 BSBA – Finance track costs at West Coast University.
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 - Finance Track
Tuition and Fees
Prior to Spring I 2024
Accelerated*
| Degree Type | Bachelor of Science | ||
| Total Program Credits | 120 | ||
| Program Length (full time) | 10 trimesters | ||
| Non-Military Rate | Veteran Rate1 | Active Duty Rate2 | |
| General Education Courses (per credit x 78 credits) | $460 | $391 | $250 |
| Core Courses (per credit x 42 credits) | $460 | $391 | $250 |
| Total Tuition Cost | $55,200 | $46,920 | $30,000 |
| STRF3 | $150 | $130 | $87.50 |
| Technology Fee4 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Estimate for Program Supply Fees5 | $50 | $50 | $50 |
| Estimated Total Program Costs (Texas) | $60,250 | $51,970 | $35,050 |
| Estimated Total Program Costs (California) | $60,400 | $52,100 | $35,137.50 |
Working Professional*
| Degree Type | Bachelor of Science | ||
| Total Program Credits | 120 | ||
| Program Length (full time) | 20 trimesters | ||
| Non-Military Rate | Veteran Rate1 | Active Duty Rate2 | |
| General Education Courses (per credit x 78 credits) | $460 | $391 | $250 |
| Core Courses (per credit x 42 credits) | $460 | $391 | $250 |
| Total Tuition Cost | $55,200 | $46,920 | $30,000 |
| STRF3 | $162.50 | $142.50 | $100 |
| Technology Fee4 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Estimate for Program Supply Fees5 | $50 | $50 | $50 |
| Estimated Total Program Costs (Texas) | $65,250 | $56,970 | $40,050 |
| Estimated Total Program Costs (California) | $65,412.50 | $57,112.50 | $40,150 |
Effective Spring I 2024
Accelerated*
| Degree Type | Bachelor of Science |
| Total Program Credits | 120 |
| Program Length(full time) | 10 trimesters |
| General Education Courses(per credit x 78 credits) | $460 |
| Core Courses(per credit x 42 credits) | $460 |
| Total Tuition Cost | $55,200 |
| STRF3 | $150 |
| Technology Fee4 | $5,000 |
| Estimate for Program Supply Fees5 | $50 |
| Estimated Total Program Costs (Texas) | $60,250 |
| Estimated Total Program Costs (California) | $60,400 |
Working Professional*
| Degree Type | Bachelor of Science |
| Total Program Credits | 120 |
| Program Length(full time) | 20 trimesters |
| General Education Courses(per credit x 78 credits) | $460 |
| Core Courses(per credit x 42 credits) | $460 |
| Total Tuition Cost | $55,200 |
| STRF3 | $162.50 |
| Technology Fee4 | $10,000 |
| Estimate for Program Supply Fees5 | $50 |
| Estimated Total Program Costs (Texas) | $65,250 |
| Estimated Total Program Costs (California) | $65,412.50 |
Indirect Costs
| 8 Month Academic Year6 | ||
| with parents | off campus | |
| Federal Student Loan Fees | $100 | $100 |
| Living Expenses (Food & Housing) | $2,384 | $7,936 |
| Transportation | $1,648 | $1,648 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expenses | $5,392 | $5,392 |
| Total | $9,524 | $15,076 |
* 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.
1 Rate provided to Veterans, Veteran Spouse, dependents utilizing parent's veteran's education benefits, and Veterans Affairs employees. The military rate will no longer be offered after Fall II 2023.
2 Rate provided to Active Duty, Active Duty Spouse, Reserve, Reserve Spouse, Department of Defense employees. The military rate will no longer be offered after Fall II 2023.
3 Effective April 1 2022, the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) assessment rate will be two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) 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.
4 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.
5 Program supplies include WCU identification card and background check.
6 The purpose of the Cost of Attendance (COA) is to provide students and families with an estimated cost to attend West Coast University. The COA includes both direct and indirect cost estimates. Direct costs are paid directly to West Coast University and are shown separately for each program. Indirect costs are not paid to West Coast University and are estimates students may use to budget expenses they may incur while attending school. While actual indirect costs may vary, West Coast University 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 West Coast University
- 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 online catalog.
Academic Calendar
New academic terms usually start every eight weeks. Review our Academic Calendar for term start and completion dates.
Career Services
Career Services Helping with Your Job Search
Finding a job after you graduate can feel daunting. At WCU, we make sure you don’t have to do it alone! Our Career Services department provides a wealth of professional development resources and hands-on guidance, which are available to you before and after you graduate.2
Take advantage of our workshops on topics like resume writing and interview techniques, work with our team to track down quality job leads and arrange to meet directly with industry recruiters. We’re here to support you!
Placement Opportunities
WCU’s mission for its Bachelor of Science in Health Administration (BSHA) program is to help prepare students from all kinds of backgrounds for entry-level administrative roles within the healthcare service sector. Graduates may use competencies in the areas of financial analysis, operations, business management, policy development, and risk management to carry out effective healthcare administration.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, financial management is key responsibility of medical and health services managers,3 and these managers can work in variety of healthcare settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Physician’s offices
- Outpatient care centers
- Nursing and residential care facilities
- Government3
LinkedIn Learning
Start Building Your Professional Portfolio with LinkedIn Learning
As a BSHA student, you get no-cost access to LinkedIn Learning.
As part of your curriculum, you will choose training modules from LinkedIn Learning’s comprehensive library. Upon completion, you’ll earn a certificate to share on your LinkedIn profile, helping you build a professional presence that can help wow recruiters and potential employers.
Featured Faculty
Ron J. Macias, EdD, MHA, BS/HCM, CHEP
Assistant Professor, Health Administration & Business Administration
Dr. Ron J. Macias is an Assistant Professor and lead faculty member for West Coast University’s Health Administration and Business Administration programs. He has been teaching at WCU since 2011 and has over 25 years of experience working in senior management positions in Fortune 100 health service organizations, as well as 23 years of experience in corporate information services.
A seasoned veteran in health and business administration, Dr. Macias has served as a senior manager at Kaiser Permanente, UnitedHealth Group, PacifiCare Health Systems, Prescription Solutions (now OptumRx), First American Corporation, and Ingram Micro. He has also managed corporate departments in healthcare research, IT security, IT service management, service quality metrics, project management, instructional technology methodology, corporate communication, and personnel development and training.
Dr. Macias is a Certified Higher Education Professional (CHEP) under Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), and he is also ITIL Foundations Certified. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), Project Management Institute (PMI), and Project Management Institute – Orange County Chapter.
No-Cost Access to LinkedIn Learning for WCU BSHA Students
FAQs
How does the program prepare me for today’s healthcare administration and finance needs?
Our programs deliver a student-centric, evidence-based education that includes topics relevant to an evolving healthcare environment. As a BSHA – Finance student, you’ll complete core health administration courses, such as introduction to public health, risk management, and leadership in healthcare. You’ll also be able to take specialized finance courses to give you more in-depth knowledge in your chosen career path. These include courses on microeconomics, corporate finance, financial accounting, and financial statement analysis and management.
How long will it take to complete my BSHA – Finance degree?
Because we know each student has different needs, we offer multiple pace options. You can complete the BSHA – Finance track in as few as 40 months at the Accelerated pace or in 80 months at the Working Professional pace. You can also switch between paces at any time if needed.
Will my previous coursework transfer into the program?
We can evaluate your previous coursework for transfer credit. WCU accepts up to 33 credits for general education courses, up to 30 credits for elective courses, and up to 27 credits for core and track courses, which are determined on a case-by-case basis. Speak to your admissions advisor to find out how many credits you’re eligible to transfer.
Will I learn from experienced faculty?
Yes, all BSHA program faculty members are seasoned professionals with extensive industry experience in the areas in which they teach. As a WCU student, you will have an open line of communication with your instructors. You will be able to message them directly on the Remind app, which means they’re only a call or text away! You’ll also have the opportunity to choose a BSHA faculty advisor for one-on-one mentorship.
What type of financial aid can I get?
WCU has variety of financial aid and support options available, including FAFSA loans, grants, scholarships, employer tuition reimbursement, military tuition reductions, and more (for those who qualify). Learn more about our financial aid programs, and make sure to talk to a WCU financial aid advisor about what you may be eligible for.
West Coast University 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/ https://www.wscuc.org/
Request Info
Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.
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 27 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, Medical and Health Services Managers, Updated September 8, 2022
Call