ADVANCED ADMINISTRATION DEGREES

Online MHA – Organizational Leadership

Earn your Master of Health Administration online while gaining specialized knowledge and skills to help you become an organizational leader.

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MHA - Organizational Leadership Highlights

Advanced degree in health administration with coursework dedicated to organizational leadership

Flexibility through 100% online coursework and three program pace options to match your schedule and needs

Easy access to your instructors and dean through the Remind app, which allows you to call and text faculty members directly

No-cost access to LinkedIn Learning with the opportunity to earn LinkedIn certificates alongside your MHA coursework

Why Choose the MHA - Organizational Leadership Track?

As the healthcare industry continues to grow, organizations will need qualified administrators with strong leadership skills to coordinate teams across multiple disciplines. A specialized MHA – Organizational Leadership degree helps equip students and graduates with the skills needed to lead with confidence and effectiveness.

The Organizational Leadership track of WCU’s Master of Health Administration (MHA) program gives you the opportunity to learn about core functional areas of healthcare businesses while taking specialized track classes on management, operations management, and organizational behavior and leadership. Position yourself as both a leader and a health administrator with expertise in the latest organizational tools and technology.

You can complete your MHA – Organizational Leadership degree 100% online in as little as 8 months at the Accelerated Plus pace, 12 months at the Accelerated Pace, or 20 months at the Working Professional pace.

Apply Now

Overview: MHA – Organizational Leadership Track

The MHA – Organizational Leadership Track Experience

Throughout this specialized track, you will:

  • Combine a comprehensive education in health administration with focused study on organizational leadership best practices within the healthcare industry.
  • Learn from highly qualified faculty with extensive health administration experience and who are involved in scholarship and research, professional development, and service.
  • Receive support from Day 1 with a Student Success advisor, a faculty mentor, 24/7 technical support, complimentary tutoring, and more.
  • Gain no-cost access to LinkedIn Learning, which allows you to learn new topics and skills relevant to your WCU coursework.
  • Get help landing the right job from our Career Services team, which offers one-on-one coaching, professional development workshops, and more.

Health Administration Curriculum

To achieve the graduation requirement of 30 credits, all students must complete 30 credits of core and track courses. Core courses provide students with the specific discipline experience required for the degree. All students will complete at least 21 core course credits as detailed below. The remaining 9 credits are based on the program track the student is enrolled in. The currently available programs are:

Master of Health Administration (MHA)

  • MHA – Informatics Track**
  • MHA – Organizational Leadership Track
  • MHA – Public Health Track
  • MHA – Project Management Track

**Informatics Track will be available Spring 2, 2023.  

Core Courses: 

Core Courses to be completed by all students (21 credits)

Course NumberCourse NameTotal Credit Hours
NumberNameHours
500Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care Management3
505Information Systems for Health Care Programs3
520Financial Management for Health Care Managers3
545Hospital Administration and Management3
550Leadership Models for Health Care Managers3
555Project Management3
565Capstone Course: Cases in Health Care Management3
Total Credit Hours:21

Core courses to be completed if no track chosen (9 credits)

Course NumberCourse NameTotal Credit Hours
NumberNameHours
525Marketing Management for Health Care Professionals3
540Strategic Planning in Health Care Organizations3
560Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Health Care Industry3
Total Credit Hours:9

Track Courses:

Informatics Track

Track courses to be completed in the Informatics Track (9 credits)

Course NumberCourse NameTotal Credit Hours
NumberNameHours
510Database Systems, Design and Informatics3
512Project Management in Healthcare Informatics3
515Implementation, Management, and Evaluation of Healthcare Systems3
Total Credit Hours:9

Organizational Leadership Track

Track courses to be completed in the Organizational Leadership Track (9 credits)

Course NumberCourse NameTotal Credit Hours
NumberNameHours
525Principles of Management3
535Organizational Behavior and Leadership3
545Fundamentals of Operations Management3
Total Credit Hours:9

Public Health Track

Track courses to be completed in the Public Health Track (9 credits)

Course NumberCourse NameTotal Credit Hours
NumberNameHours
500Foundations of Public Health3
515Cultural Diversity & Health Disparities in Public Health3
536Environmental and Occupational Health3
Total Credit Hours:9

Project Management Track

Track courses to be completed in the Project Management Track (9 credits)

Course NumberCourse NameTotal Credit Hours
NumberNameHours
535Organizational Behavior and Leadership3
545Fundamentals of Operations Management3
557Project Management II3
Total Credit Hours:9

Academic Calendar

New academic terms begin, on average, every eight weeks. You can review our Academic Calendar to see when each term begins and ends.

How Much Does The MHA – Organizational Leadership 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 MHA – Organizational Leadership track 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 MHA – Organizational Leadership track costs at West Coast University.

We offer several MHA – Organizational Leadership track financial aid options – including scholarships, grants, and loan access – to help support you through your studies. We also offer reduced tuition rates for military personnel and their spouses.

For more information about your financial support options, visit our financial aid page.

Master of Health Administration - Organizational Leadership Track

Accelerated Plus*

Degree TypeMaster of Science
Total Program Credits30
Program Length(full time)2 trimesters
Non-Military RateMilitary Rate1
Tuition Cost(per credit)$750$637.50
Total Tuition Cost$22,500$19,125
STRF2$60$50
Technology Fee3$1,000$1,000
Estimate for Program Supply Fees4$50$50
Estimated Total Program Costs (Texas)$23,550$20,175
Estimated Total Program Costs (California)$23,610$20,225

Accelerated*

Degree TypeMaster of Science
Total Program Credits30
Program Length (full time)3 trimesters
Non-Military Rate Military Rate1
Tuition Cost (per credit) $750 $637.50
Total Tuition Cost $22,500 $19,125
STRF2 $60 $52.50
Technology Fee3 $1,500 $1,500
Estimate for Program Supply Fees4 $50 $50
Estimated Total Program Costs (Texas) $24,050 $20,675
Estimated Total Program Costs (California)$24,110$20,727.50


Working Professional*

Degree TypeMaster of Science
Total Program Credits30
Program Length (full time)5 trimesters
Non-Military Rate Military Rate1
Tuition Cost (per credit) $750 $637.50
Total Tuition Cost $22,500 $19,125
STRF2 $62.50 $55
Technology Fee3 $2,500 $2,500
Estimate for Program Supply Fees4 $50 $50
Estimated Total Program Costs (Texas) $25,050 $21,675
Estimated Total Program Costs (California)$25,112.50$21,730

* Upon enrollment, students select Accelerated Plus, 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 Active Duty, Active Duty Spouse, Reserve, Reserve Spouse, Veterans, Veteran Spouse, Department of Defense employees, dependents utilizing parent's veteran's education benefits, and Veterans Affairs employees.

2 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:

  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.

3 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.

4 Program supplies include WCU identification card and background check.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the Master of Health Administration must:

  1. Complete an online application for admissions.
  2. Participate in an interview with a University Admissions Advisor.
  3. Complete an enrollment agreement, consisting of program policies, costs, completion requirements, and other student obligations.
  4. Have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a 2.7 cumulative GPA or higher.
    1. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA 2.00-2.69 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 the Program Dean/Director.
      3. The applicant must satisfy program prerequisites and achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all coursework attempted over the first trimester (two terms). Students failing to meet these requirements following the first trimester (two terms) will be withdrawn from the university.
  5. Provide official undergraduate transcripts of a baccalaureate degree prior to the end of the add/drop period of the first term.
    1. Applicants submitting non-U.S. or non-English transcripts will be required to have their coursework evaluated by a transcript evaluation service to determine the equivalency to a U.S. degree/course. If the transcript evaluation is unclear as to the equivalency to a U.S. degree/course, the Program Dean will evaluate transcripts to determine if a minimum of 3 academic years of undergraduate coursework has been completed for admission.
    2. Applicants submitting advanced degrees will be reviewed by the Program Dean to determine if a minimum of 3 academic years of undergraduate coursework has been completed for admission.
    3. Master of Health Administration Transfer Credit Evaluation: Only graduate level courses in which a grade of B- or better was received, taken in a program similar to the Master of Health Administration will be evaluated for transfer credit. A maximum of nine (9) 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.

Supporting Students Beyond Graduation Day

At WCU, we’re here to support you throughout your educational journey and beyond. Once you become a WCU student, you become eligible to receive support from our Career Services team, which you can access throughout your entire career. WCU Career Services offers services such as:

  • Professional development workshops
  • Individual career coaching
  • Help finding job leads
  • Assistance connecting with industry recruiters1

Don’t miss out on these valuable resources!

Job Placement Opportunities

WCU’s MHA – Organizational Leadership track helps prepare graduates for a wide range of entry-level managerial roles across many different types of healthcare settings. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers tend to work in settings such as the following:

  • Hospitals (state, local, and private)
  • Offices of physicians
  • Nursing and residential care facilities
  • Government facilities
  • Outpatient care centers2

No-Cost Access to LinkedIn Learning for MHA Students

As a Master of Health Administration student, you get complimentary access to LinkedIn Learning. This is an extensive library of educational video content that allows you to learn new topics pertaining to your field of interest straight from industry professionals.

In each MHA core course, you choose a LinkedIn Learning module relevant to your WCU coursework and complete it by the end of the term. Once you’re done, you are given a certificate of completion from LinkedIn, which you can then post to your profile. After finishing all your MHA core courses, you’ll have an impressive ePortfolio on LinkedIn that can serve as a valuable addition to your resume.

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

Advantages

The MHA – Organizational Leadership Track Experience

Throughout this specialized track, you will:

  • Combine a comprehensive education in health administration with focused study on organizational leadership best practices within the healthcare industry.
  • Learn from highly qualified faculty with extensive health administration experience and who are involved in scholarship and research, professional development, and service.
  • Receive support from Day 1 with a Student Success advisor, a faculty mentor, 24/7 technical support, complimentary tutoring, and more.
  • Gain no-cost access to LinkedIn Learning, which allows you to learn new topics and skills relevant to your WCU coursework.
  • Get help landing the right job from our Career Services team, which offers one-on-one coaching, professional development workshops, and more.
Curriculum

Health Administration Curriculum

To achieve the graduation requirement of 30 credits, all students must complete 30 credits of core and track courses. Core courses provide students with the specific discipline experience required for the degree. All students will complete at least 21 core course credits as detailed below. The remaining 9 credits are based on the program track the student is enrolled in. The currently available programs are:

Master of Health Administration (MHA)

  • MHA – Informatics Track**
  • MHA – Organizational Leadership Track
  • MHA – Public Health Track
  • MHA – Project Management Track

**Informatics Track will be available Spring 2, 2023.  

Core Courses: 

Core Courses to be completed by all students (21 credits)

Course NumberCourse NameTotal Credit Hours
NumberNameHours
500Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care Management3
505Information Systems for Health Care Programs3
520Financial Management for Health Care Managers3
545Hospital Administration and Management3
550Leadership Models for Health Care Managers3
555Project Management3
565Capstone Course: Cases in Health Care Management3
Total Credit Hours:21

Core courses to be completed if no track chosen (9 credits)

Course NumberCourse NameTotal Credit Hours
NumberNameHours
525Marketing Management for Health Care Professionals3
540Strategic Planning in Health Care Organizations3
560Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Health Care Industry3
Total Credit Hours:9

Track Courses:

Informatics Track

Track courses to be completed in the Informatics Track (9 credits)

Course NumberCourse NameTotal Credit Hours
NumberNameHours
510Database Systems, Design and Informatics3
512Project Management in Healthcare Informatics3
515Implementation, Management, and Evaluation of Healthcare Systems3
Total Credit Hours:9

Organizational Leadership Track

Track courses to be completed in the Organizational Leadership Track (9 credits)

Course NumberCourse NameTotal Credit Hours
NumberNameHours
525Principles of Management3
535Organizational Behavior and Leadership3
545Fundamentals of Operations Management3
Total Credit Hours:9

Public Health Track

Track courses to be completed in the Public Health Track (9 credits)

Course NumberCourse NameTotal Credit Hours
NumberNameHours
500Foundations of Public Health3
515Cultural Diversity & Health Disparities in Public Health3
536Environmental and Occupational Health3
Total Credit Hours:9

Project Management Track

Track courses to be completed in the Project Management Track (9 credits)

Course NumberCourse NameTotal Credit Hours
NumberNameHours
535Organizational Behavior and Leadership3
545Fundamentals of Operations Management3
557Project Management II3
Total Credit Hours:9

Academic Calendar

New academic terms begin, on average, every eight weeks. You can review our Academic Calendar to see when each term begins and ends.

Tuition & Financial Aid

How Much Does The MHA – Organizational Leadership 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 MHA – Organizational Leadership track 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 MHA – Organizational Leadership track costs at West Coast University.

We offer several MHA – Organizational Leadership track financial aid options – including scholarships, grants, and loan access – to help support you through your studies. We also offer reduced tuition rates for military personnel and their spouses.

For more information about your financial support options, visit our financial aid page.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the Master of Health Administration must:

  1. Complete an online application for admissions.
  2. Participate in an interview with a University Admissions Advisor.
  3. Complete an enrollment agreement, consisting of program policies, costs, completion requirements, and other student obligations.
  4. Have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a 2.7 cumulative GPA or higher.
    1. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA 2.00-2.69 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 the Program Dean/Director.
      3. The applicant must satisfy program prerequisites and achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all coursework attempted over the first trimester (two terms). Students failing to meet these requirements following the first trimester (two terms) will be withdrawn from the university.
  5. Provide official undergraduate transcripts of a baccalaureate degree prior to the end of the add/drop period of the first term.
    1. Applicants submitting non-U.S. or non-English transcripts will be required to have their coursework evaluated by a transcript evaluation service to determine the equivalency to a U.S. degree/course. If the transcript evaluation is unclear as to the equivalency to a U.S. degree/course, the Program Dean will evaluate transcripts to determine if a minimum of 3 academic years of undergraduate coursework has been completed for admission.
    2. Applicants submitting advanced degrees will be reviewed by the Program Dean to determine if a minimum of 3 academic years of undergraduate coursework has been completed for admission.
    3. Master of Health Administration Transfer Credit Evaluation: Only graduate level courses in which a grade of B- or better was received, taken in a program similar to the Master of Health Administration will be evaluated for transfer credit. A maximum of nine (9) 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.
Career Services

Supporting Students Beyond Graduation Day

At WCU, we’re here to support you throughout your educational journey and beyond. Once you become a WCU student, you become eligible to receive support from our Career Services team, which you can access throughout your entire career. WCU Career Services offers services such as:

  • Professional development workshops
  • Individual career coaching
  • Help finding job leads
  • Assistance connecting with industry recruiters1

Don’t miss out on these valuable resources!

Placement Opportunities

Job Placement Opportunities

WCU’s MHA – Organizational Leadership track helps prepare graduates for a wide range of entry-level managerial roles across many different types of healthcare settings. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers tend to work in settings such as the following:

  • Hospitals (state, local, and private)
  • Offices of physicians
  • Nursing and residential care facilities
  • Government facilities
  • Outpatient care centers2
LinkedIn Learning

No-Cost Access to LinkedIn Learning for MHA Students

As a Master of Health Administration student, you get complimentary access to LinkedIn Learning. This is an extensive library of educational video content that allows you to learn new topics pertaining to your field of interest straight from industry professionals.

In each MHA core course, you choose a LinkedIn Learning module relevant to your WCU coursework and complete it by the end of the term. Once you’re done, you are given a certificate of completion from LinkedIn, which you can then post to your profile. After finishing all your MHA core courses, you’ll have an impressive ePortfolio on LinkedIn that can serve as a valuable addition to your resume.

Faculty

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

FAQs

Can I get credit for previous coursework?

We can evaluate your previous coursework for transfer credit. We may also be able to give you credit for skills earned through work experience, as well as professional licenses, certifications, and trainings. See our catalog for more information about prior learning assessment (PLA) credits and experiential credits.

Your advisor is available to help you figure out which credits can be applied toward your MHA – Organizational Leadership degree, if any.

Can I complete my degree if I’m working full-time?

Yes, you can. This is because our online MHA program gives you the flexibility you need to study largely on your own schedule. While you will have weekly deadlines, you can choose what day of the week and what time of day to complete your assignments. You also have the option of choosing the Working Professional program pace, which helps you take fewer courses each term so you can properly balance school and work.

How long does it take to complete the MHA-Organizational Leadership track?

You can finish this track in as little as 8 months at the Accelerated Plus program pace, 12 months at the Accelerated pace, or 20 months at the Working Professional pace. Additionally, if you completed the Bachelor of Science in Health Administration (BSHA) bridge program at WCU, you have a head start on your graduate courses, which means you may be able to complete your program sooner.

Is financial aid available?

Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify. There are plenty of grant and scholarship options available for online students. A few examples at WCU include the Alumni Pathway Grant (covering up to 20% of tuition), the WCU Health Services Grant (covering up to 10% of tuition), and the WCU Performance Scholarship (covering up to 15% of tuition).

You may also be eligible for other forms of financial aid such as student loans, employer tuition reimbursement, and tuition reductions for members of the military. Learn more on our Tuition & Financial aid page.

West Coast University is accredited by WASC Senior College of University Commission (WSCUC), a regional accreditation 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.

Have Questions?

Pursuing your degree is a big choice. Fill out our form and one of our admissions advisors will contact you to answer any question you may have!

1 WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment.

2 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical and Health Services Managers, “Work Environment,” Updated Sept. 8, 2022

Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.