Welcome to the Online Healthcare Administration Bachelors Program at Loma Linda University
The Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration (BSHA) prepares students to advance their careers in healthcare management and administration. Designed for students with at least 90 quarter units or 60 semester units of previous college coursework, this flexible degree completion program helps you build leadership, business and management skills through practical learning and personalized faculty mentorship.
The program begins each fall quarter in September, with applications accepted from September 1 through August 31. Students can choose full time or part time enrollment, with small classes and a strong faculty to student ratio that supports individual guidance throughout the program.
About the Profession
Healthcare administration supports the daily operations of healthcare organizations. Professionals work in areas such as human resources, marketing, project management and health information systems. A bachelor's degree can prepare students for roles such as medical office manager or healthcare project manager. With experience and further education, they may advance into leadership positions.
Your BSHA can be a stepping stone to graduate education and advancement in your career. Upon completion of the BSHA program, students may qualify for tuition discounts, scholarships or GRE waivers in participating LLU master's programs in Healthcare Administration, Health Informatics and Radiation Sciences, based on GPA requirements.
Why Choose the Healthcare Administration, BS Online Program at LLU?
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Flexible Online Learning: Continue your education without putting your career or personal responsibilities on hold. Complete your coursework online while building the skills you need to advance in healthcare administration.
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Transfer Credits From Previous Coursework: Apply eligible credits from previous college coursework toward your BSHA degree. Coursework from other healthcare programs may also apply toward your degree requirements, helping you make the most of credits you have already earned.
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Specialized Healthcare Curriculum: Develop expertise in healthcare leadership, financial management, human resources, strategic planning and organizational operations. AI literacy is also integrated throughout the core curriculum.
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Learn From Hands-On Professional Experiences: Apply your knowledge through virtual case studies and industry discussions before completing a second practicum that includes 120 hours of supervised work experience in a healthcare administration setting.
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Personalized Faculty Support: BSHA students learn from experienced faculty currently working in leadership roles in the field that provide personal guidance, mentorship, and leadership coaching. With a 1:15 faculty to student ratio, our students consistently note the meaningful and professional connections they made through our program.
Quick Facts
>50%
of our graduates pursue graduate education
100%
percentage of classes that are online
29%
increase in projected jobs as healthcare managers
Program Overview
Program Details
Application Dates: Applications are accepted September 1st through August 31st each year. The program begins in September during Fall Quarter.
Program Length: Choose a full-time or part-time course load based on your schedule.
Program Costs: View BSHA program tuition rates and cost estimates here.
Financial Aid: Explore available financial aid options, scholarships and payment resources to help plan for your education here.
Resource Links
Use the links below to explore the program and prepare for your next steps.
Admissions
- Minimum of 90-quarter units (or 60-semester units) academic credit - students transferring from a community college may transfer a maximum of 105-quarter units (or 70-semester units); all other credits must come from a senior college.
- Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA for all freshman and sophomore coursework from accredited educational institutions; students with a 2.0 – 2.49 GPA may be considered for provisional acceptance
- High school diploma or its equivalent (the GED is required)
- Statement of purpose
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate work sent by each previous institution to LLU
- Complete prerequisites listed below
- In order to achieve career entry competency, students in the Bachelors of Science Healthcare Administration program should have the ability to perform essential functions. Learn more about our Technical Standards
here.
Transfer Credits
Students with qualifying healthcare coursework may be able to use applicable professional units toward degree completion rather than completing additional, unrelated electives.
*Transfer credit is evaluated based on individual transcripts and the requirements of the BSHA curriculum. Some restrictions apply. Please contact us directly to discuss your credits.
Prerequisites
Domain 1: Religion (8 quarter units)
(Completed during enrollment at LLU)
Domain 2: Arts and humanities (minimum 16 quarter units)
Units must be selected from at least three of the following content areas: civilization/history, art, literature, language, philosophy, religion, or general humanities electives. A minimum of 3 quarter units in an area are required to meet a "content area."
Domain 3: Scientific inquiry and quantitative reasoning (minimum 12 quarter units)
- College algebra or statistics.
- Additional units must be selected from any of the following content areas: biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, or physics, and one course must include a lab.
Domain 4: Social sciences (minimum 12 quarter units)
- One course (or components integrated into several courses) dealing specifically with issues of human diversity is required.
- Select additional units, as needed, from: anthropology, economics, geography, political science, psychology, and sociology
Domain 5: Written and oral communication (minimum 9 quarter units)
- English composition, complete sequence that meets the baccalaureate degree requirements of a four-year college or university.
- Introduction to computers.
- Oral communication, public speaking, or interpersonal communication.
Domain 6: Health and wellness (minimum 2 quarter units)
- A didactic course in health or nutrition (e.g., personal health, personal nutrition, population health, global health, and community nutrition) minimum of 2 units
- Physical education. Must include at least two separate physical activity courses totaling a minimum of one quarter units.
Other
Medical terminology
Electives
Some students may need to complete additional elective coursework to bring their overall course unit total to a minimum of 180 quarter units while enrolled at Loma Linda University in order to meet graduation requirements.
Professional core
Health-care professional units may apply. Details will be discussed on a case-by-case basis with the program director.
*For total unit requirements for graduation, see LLU General Education Requirements.
7-QUARTER CURRICULUM
| Fall - 10 units | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| HCAD 461 | Portfolio for Healthcare Admin I | 2 |
| HCAD 409 | Principles of Healthcare Admin | 3 |
| HCAD 380 | Writing for Health Care Administrators | 3 |
| HCAD 385 | US HC Delivery & Reim. Systems | 2 |
| WINTER - 9 UNITS | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| HCAD 305 | Healthcare Communication | 3 |
| HCBL 346 | Legal and Ethical Environment in Health Care | 3 |
| RELT 406 | Adventist Beliefs and Life | 3 |
| SPRING - 9 Units | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| HCBL 434 | Financial Management for Health Care | 3 |
| HCAD 498 | Healthcare Policy & Strategy | 3 |
| AHCJ 434 | Human Resource Mgmt. | 3 |
| SUMMER - 9 Units | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| HCAD 414 | Sustainability for Health-Care Management | 3 |
| RELR 445 | Wholeness and Health (*Service Learning Course) | 3 |
| HCAD 485 | EI & Leadership Skills for HC Admin. | 3 |
| Fall - 12 units | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| HLIN 430 | QM & Perf. Improvement in HC | 3 |
| HCAD 491 | Healthcare Admin Practicum I | 2 |
| HCBL 474 | Information Systems Management in HC | 3 |
| AHRM 475 | Healthcare Research & Statistics | 4 |
| WINTER - 9 UNITS | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| HCBL 345 | Project Management in Health Care | 3 |
| HCAD 359 | Healthcare Marketing | 3 |
| HCAD 328 | Healthcare Organization Behavior | 3 |
| SPRING - 6 Units | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| HCAD 462 | Portfolio for Healthcare Admin II | 2 |
| RELE 457 | Christian Ethics and Health Care | 2 |
| HCAD 492 | Healthcare Admin Practicum II | 2 |
Practicum/Applied Learning Experience
The practicum experience for the BSHA Program is provided through the Healthcare Administration Practicum I & II (HCAD 491 & 492) courses. Students practice hands-on exercises developed by subject-matter experts in a two-part practicum and via a 120-hour internship, giving students more opportunities to identify the area of the healthcare sector they are most interested in along with job placement opportunities.
Please refer to the LLU Course Catalog-BSHA Program for more detailed information about the courses.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLO's)
Upon completion of the BSHA Program, the graduate should be able to demonstrate the following competencies:
-PLO 1: Communication & Relationship Management
Communicate clearly and concisely with internal and external customers and establish and maintain relationships.
-PLO 2: Leadership & Teamwork
Develop leadership and teamwork skills applicable to healthcare management.
-PLO 3: Professionalism
Utilize professional, ethical, and faith-based frameworks to examine and resolve administrative challenges within the healthcare environment.
-PLO 4: Knowledge of the HC Environment
Leverage knowledge of the healthcare system and the environment in which healthcare managers and providers function.
-PLO 5: Business Skills and Knowledge
Employ business principles, including critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and systems thinking, within the healthcare environment.
Mission
The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration program at Loma Linda University is to prepare students to excel in entry-level and mid-level healthcare administration positions, depending on professional experience. The program will support students from diverse backgrounds through a competency-based, whole person-centered, and mission -focused learning environment that empowers them through mentorship, coaching, and service learning.
Vision
Our vision is to inspire students to reach their highest potential and develop a profound sense of mission. Our graduates will make advancements in the healthcare industry while demonstrating compassion for people they work with and serve.
Values
Our program values mirror Loma Linda University values, which center its academic and co-curricular activities around the following seven values: Justice - The commitment to equality and to treat others fairly, renouncing all forms of unfair discrimination. The God of the Bible is One who calls people continually to justice. According to the prophets, religious faith could be genuine only when it led the believers to "seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphans, [and] plead for the widow."
- Compassion - The sympathetic willingness to be engaged with the needs and sufferings of others. Among the most memorable depictions of compassion in Scripture is the story of the Good Samaritan, which Loma Linda University has taken as a central symbol of our work.
- Humility - The willingness to serve others in a sacrificial manner, and the self-respect that renounces haughtiness or arrogance.
- Integrity - The quality of living a unified life in which one's convictions are well-considered and match one's actions. Integrity encompasses honesty, authenticity, and trustworthiness.
- Excellence - The commitment to exceed minimum standards and expectations.
- Freedom - The competency and privilege to make informed and accountable choices and to respect the freedom of others. God has called us not to slavery but to freedom.
- Purity/Self-control - The commitment to be morally upright and moderate in all things, with complete control over one's emotions, desires, and actions.
Loma Linda University and this program are regionally accredited by WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges,) Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities.
Program Director
Karla Lavin Williams, DrPH
Program Director, Associate Professor