Master's of Science Health Care Administration Program

Health Care delivery is undergoing rapid growth and change in the U.S. -- change that will accelerate in the 21st century. As a result, the responsibilities of health care jobs are continuously being redefined. In this dynamic environment, organizations must manage for continuous improvement and maintain flexibility to respond to the latest challenges. This underscores the constant need for health care professionals to learn new knowledge and gain new skills.

The MS-HCA program seeks to develop professionals who understand how to manage non-profit, for-profit, and voluntary health care organizations in effective and innovative ways. The program focuses on the need for health care administrators to be continuous learners, critical thinkers, and ethical practitioners by recognizing the multi-constructed nature of human, social, and organizational realities and the complex relationships between the system of health providers and the needs of the community.

Students will take a comprehensive look at the role of health care in society, including a critical look at the managed care model, the need for client-centered models, alternative medical models, and the development of healthy organizations and communities. Courses integrate theory with practical application to help students acquire the analytical skills needed to explore new models of health care delivery and organizational design, and the leadership skills needed to discover and implement creative solutions to problems in the current healthcare system.

The program is designed for people who:

• have achieved a management position but now wish to develop background in the study of management
• are working in health care and seeking to advance their career to a position in health care management
• lack prior health care experience but want to prepare for a management position in this challenging industry

This program is offered in the evening.

• The MS in Health Care Administration program consists of 8 required courses (34 units).

The MS in Health Care Administration program is open to the person planning or advancing a career in a health care field, who has a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. We are no longer requiring the GRE or MAT tests for applicants. Admission will be granted based upon the Admission Committee’s overall assessment of the student’s qualifications and academic/career potential, using the following criteria:

• Undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.
  Students with GPA below 2.5 will not be considered for admission.
• Statement of Purpose in pursuing the MS in HCA degree. In a 1-2 page essay double-spaced, please explain who you are, your career goals and how the MS in HCA degree will help you achieve those goals.
• Two letters of academic and/or professional recommendation on professional letterhead (company or educational institution stationery). The letter writer should include how they know you, if they think you would be successful in the program and why. Letters must be current, dated and signed- Must be wet signature, electronic signatures will not be accepted.
• Professional resume/vita
• All undergraduate/graduate transcripts (These must be sent directly to University Admissions - NOT the Department.) Below are instructions on how to submit transcripts:

The Office of Admissions does not accept composite transcripts. Courses that appear on one transcript but taken at another institution will need to have transcript sent from that original institution.  

To expedite processing, please inquire with your sending institution for information in regards to electronic transcript submission.

Electronic transcripts can be sent to electronictranscripts@csueastbay.edu

Hard copy official transcripts, test scores, and admission documents in their original sealed envelope, may be mailed to:

Office of Admission
Cal State East Bay
25800 Carlos Bee Blvd.
Hayward, CA 94542

The application process requires two steps.

1. All applicants must submit an online Graduate Admission application declaring MS in Health Care Administration as a degree objective with the appropriate non-refundable fee at CSU APPLY. Instructions for sending transcripts are included there. (For the online Statement of Purpose and the letters of reference, you may write "submitted directly to department.")|  

2. In addition to submitting the CSU APPLY application and transcripts to the University, we require you to submit your resume, a statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation directly to the Department, not the University. The resume, statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation must be sent electronically to Publicadmin@csueastbay.edu

The statement of purpose should discuss your reasons for pursuing the MS-HCA degree. In a 1-2 page essay double-spaced, please explain who you are, your career goals and how the MS-HCA degree will help you achieve those goals.

The two letters of academic and/or professional recommendation must be on professional letterhead (company or educational institution stationery). The letter writers should include how they know you, if they think you would be successful in the program and why. Both letters must be current, dated and signed.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO PUT YOUR NAME ON EACH AND EVERY PAGE OF ALL DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT!

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT BOTH YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION TO THE UNIVERSITY AND THE ABOVE MATERIALS TO BE SUBMITTED DIRECTLY TO THE DEPARTMENT MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE APPLICATION DEADLINES.

Applicants will be notified of the Department's decision via email. Applicants will be required to confirm acceptance of admission by the deadline stated in the email or the offer may be withdrawn.

The Health Care Leadership Alliance (HLA), a consortium of the major health care professional associations, has identified five competency domains in which all health care administrators and managers should have proficiency for workplace effectiveness: communication and relationship management, leadership, professionalism, knowledge of the health care environment, and business skills and knowledge. These competency domains serve as the basis of the MS-HCA program’s six program learning outcomes.

 Students graduating with a MS in Health Care Administration from California State University will be able to:

1. Analyze and think critically about current and emerging issues in the health care system and the policy environment in which the system operates. (PLO 1)
2. Communicate effectively with internal and external organizational stakeholders, both in written and oral form.  (PLO 2)
3. Form collaborative relationships and interact appropriately with diverse client groups, workplace supervisors and colleagues, and other organizational stakeholders. (PLO 3)
4. Create effective and creative approaches for fostering teamwork and encouraging others to align their priorities with organizational excellence. (PLO 4)
5. Align personal and organizational conduct with ethical, legal, and professional standards. (PLO 5)
6. Apply business principles to the health care environment, including financial management, human resource management, organizational dynamics and governance, strategic planning, information management, risk management, and quality improvement. (PLO 6)