BSHA – Strategic Management

Complete your BSHA degree 100% online and learn about decision-making and strategic management within the healthcare industry.

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BSHA – Strategic Management Track BSHA – Strategic Management Track

8 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 – Strategic Management Track Highlights

Classwork to help you prepare for entry-level strategic management roles in healthcare

Flame

Expansive curriculum that covers topics like healthcare policy, public health, and more

Continued Growth

Flexible online study that lets you take your classroom wherever there’s Wi-Fi

Flexible Schedule

Access to LinkedIn Learning so you can start building your professional profile

Why Pursue a BSHA – Strategic Management Degree?

If you’re interested in taking on a management role within the field of health administration, WCU’s BSHA – Strategic Management track may be the right fit for you.

Learn about various facets of health administration, including public health, epidemiology, healthcare policy, risk management, and more. Additionally, the Strategic Management track includes specialized courses on entrepreneurship, business analytics and decision-making, organizational behavior, and marketing.

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Overview: Online BSHA – Strategic Management 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 BSHA – Strategic Management 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 BSHA – Strategic Management 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 BSHA – Strategic Management 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 - Strategic Management Track

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 Expenses (Food & Housing) $2,384 $7,936 $2,496  $8,328 
Transportation $1,648 $1,648 $1,728  $1,728 
Miscellaneous 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.

1 Effective April 1, 2024, 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. The institution has been ordered to pay a refund by the Bureau but has failed to do so.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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 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:

  1. Complete an online application for admission.
  2. Participate in an interview with a University Advisor.
  3. 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.
  4. Submit documentation of high school graduation or equivalent.
  5. Individuals with 15 or more college-level credits are required to have a 2.25 GPA in post-secondary education.
    1. 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:
      1. The applicant must provide a letter of intent.
      2. The applicant must be approved for admission following an interview with Program Dean/Director.
      3. The applicant must satisfy program prerequisites.
      4. 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.
      5. 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.
  6. 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:
    1. A maximum of thirty (60) credits may be accepted from alternative credit options, such as CLEP/AP/IB/ACE, etc.
    2. A maximum of thirty (30) credits may be accepted from military training or work experience
    3. All undergraduate students must complete at least thirty (30) credits in-residence at West Coast University
    4. 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.

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Academic Calendar

New academic terms usually start every eight weeks. Review our Academic Calendar for term start and completion dates.

Career Services

BSHA Strategic Management

Career Services: Support Before & After Graduation

At WCU, we don’t want to just see you graduate — we want to see you build a rewarding career! That’s why our Career Services department offers extensive resources and guidance to help you in your job search.2

Starting when you’re still a student, a Career Services advisor will meet with you individually to help you get a plan in place. From there, you have access to resources such as:

  • Professional development workshops (resume writing, interview etiquette, etc.)
  • Mock interviews
  • Help sourcing job leads
  • Assistance scheduling meetings with recruiters

Placement Opportunities

We are committed to helping prepare our Bachelor of Science in Health Administration (BSHA) students for entry-level administrative roles in healthcare.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers may be charged with administrative tasks for an entire healthcare facility or an individual unit within that facility. They can work in environments such as:

  • 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.

Faculty

Dr. Ron Macias MHA

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtC0C17WZ4U&t=68s

FAQs

How does the BSHA – Strategic Management track prepare me for today’s healthcare administration and strategic management needs?

Our BSHA – Strategic Management track is designed to provide you with foundational knowledge of the basic concepts and practices in healthcare administration complemented with a more specialized education on topics related to strategic management within the healthcare. Our coursework (covering topics like healthcare policy, risk management, business analytics, organizational behavior, and more) helps prepare you for entry-level administrative positions in an ever-evolving healthcare environment.

How long does it take to complete the BSHA – Strategic Management degree at WCU?

You can choose to complete the program in as little as 40 months at the Accelerated program pace or in 80 months at the Working Professional pace. You also have the flexibility to switch from one pace to the other if the need ever arises.

Will I be able to transfer previous coursework into the program?

We can evaluate your previous coursework for transfer credit. For our BSHA program, we accept up to 33 general education transfer credits, up to 30 elective credits, and up to 27 core and track course credits on a case-by-case basis. Your admissions advisor can help you determine how many credits you may be able to transfer.

How involved are the faculty at WCU?

All WCU faculty have extensive in-the-field experience and are committed to imparting their knowledge to students through hands-on, interactive teaching practices. Our students can message or call their instructors directly through the Remind app, and they can also get assigned a faculty mentor to provide them with career insight and advice.

Can I get financial aid for my program?

Financial aid is available for students who qualify. Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for aid options such as loans (federal or private), scholarships, grants, a reduced tuition rate for military service, employer tuition reimbursement, etc. Visit our Tuition and Financial Aid page to learn more or speak with a WCU financial aid advisor about which options you’re 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/

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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 may 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

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