Master of Science in Healthcare Administration

To be eligible for the Master of Science in Healthcare Administration students must meet the following requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree, in any discipline, from an accredited university (min. 3.0 GPA).
• Prerequisite coursework:
  • elementary statistics,
  • medical terminology, and
  • oral communication/public speaking.

Students with a GPA of less than 3.0 may be considered for provisional admission and should contact an enrollment adviser for more information. Program academic directors have the option to waive one or more of the above prerequisites based on relevant work experience.

Aptitude tests, such as the GMAT or GRE, are not required for admission.

You will also need to submit the following application materials:

• official college transcripts,
• your resume,
• two letters of recommendation (professional or academic), and
• a personal statement of up to 1,000 words describing the reasons behind your decision to pursue this degree.

This program has been developed for working adults and it is strongly encouraged that students have a minimum of 2 years professional experience before applying to the program.

If you need to complete a prerequisite course before applying, online courses are available through UW Independent Learning.

If you are not sure whether you meet these requirements, or which courses you need to take to satisfy prerequisites, contact an enrollment adviser by phone, 608-262-2011, or email learn@uwex.wisconsin.edu.

International Guidelines

This program welcomes online students from around the world. Online students do not qualify for an F-1 Student Visa to travel to the U.S., but instead can participate in our online courses remotely. If your native language is not English and/or you attended school outside of the U.S., you will likely need to provide proof of English language proficiency and an official translation or evaluation of academic transcripts. Requirements will vary based on a student’s academic history and home campus policies. For guidance about these requirements and how they apply to your specific situation, contact your preferred home campus admissions office.

If you would like to apply as an International Student for an on-campus program in the UW System please refer to these resources through UW-HELP.

Application Deadline

Your online application and all required materials must be submitted to your preferred home campus generally 2-4 weeks prior to the date classes start (this varies by campus) to be considered for admission.

Are there specific enrollment/start times?

You may start the Master of Science in Healthcare Administration at the beginning of any semester. Fall semester begins in early September, spring semester in late January, and summer semester in early June.

How to Apply

While you are free to apply on your own, many prospective students find it helpful to speak with an enrollment adviser first.

Step 1. Select a home campus from our list of program partners: UW-La Crosse, UW-Parkside, UW-Platteville, UW-Stevens Point, or UW-Stout. Learn more about our campus partners and choosing a home campus.

Step 2. Apply to your preferred home campus using the University of Wisconsin System Online Admission Application. Choose the “Healthcare Administration-Collaborative” program. A nonrefundable $56 application fee is required for most graduate degree-seeking students applying to a UW institution.

*For a limited time, we are offering an application fee waiver for the Spring, Summer, and Fall 2025 semesters. To redeem, use coupon code APPLY25 on the UW Online Application payment page.

Step 3. Send your resume, personal statement, and letters of recommendation; and arrange to have your official college transcripts (from each institution you attended) sent to the graduate student admissions office of the home campus to which you applied. Please request electronic transcripts, if this service is offered by your previous school(s), to be sent directly to the admissions email of your chosen home campus. Electronic transcripts are usually delivered more quickly than physical copies sent by mail.

13 Courses. 37 Credits. 100% Online.

Coursework in the Master of Science in Healthcare Administration program focuses on developing the strategic management skills and healthcare insight necessary to make sound decisions for your healthcare organization. You’ll acquire competencies in healthcare administration through 13 required courses, including a capstone course typically taken during the final semester. There are no electives.

• 11 healthcare administration courses (3 credits per course)
• Capstone prep course (1 credit)
• Capstone project course (3 credits)

In the capstone course, students gain valuable, practical experience through a fieldwork project. Students may be able to complete the project with their current employer, or arrange for project work with an external organization. View examples of past capstone projects.

Dr. Roberson brought this class (HCA 750 Healthcare Quality and Performance Improvement) to a new level by dedicating his time and energy to weekly discussions and module overviews. This class felt less online and more engaging because of the way he structured discussions and made the final project a group project. The material covered by the class was relevant and presented in a way that was accessible and easy to apply to our writing. I truly enjoyed this class and know that I will be able to apply the tools I’ve learned to my career and beyond. —Katy, Master of Science in Healthcare Administration student

How long will it take to earn my degree?

Students in the program enroll in 1-2 courses per semester and complete the degree in 2-3 years, on average. Completion time depends on how many courses you take during a semester and whether you attend all three semesters (courses are offered all three semesters, however, course availability varies each semester). The program offers flexibility to formulate a completion plan with your academic advisor that accounts for time constraints such as work and personal obligations.

As a student in the healthcare administration program you will be required to complete Institutional Review Board (IRB) training and follow the IRB process for research projects involving human subjects. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a federally-mandated review board which exists to protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects.

Course availability for the Master of Science in Healthcare Administration varies each semester, and is subject to change due to fluctuating enrollment. If you are a current student, please consult with your campus adviser prior to registration.

The Master of Science in Healthcare Administration was developed with advice from experts across various healthcare disciplines to prepare patient-care professionals, hospital administrators, or management professionals for successful leadership roles in a variety of healthcare settings.

Program outcomes are based on current standards and best practices. Upon completion of your master’s degree, you will be able to:

Demonstrate communication and interpersonal skills appropriate for a healthcare setting.

• Display emotional intelligence skills and techniques necessary for conducting crucial conversations and conflict resolution with staff, patients, residents, and family members.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills including listening, oral, written, and non-verbal.
• Demonstrate presentation skills that emphasize audience awareness.
• Display professional behavioral skills that reflect an awareness of ethics, diversity, and generational dynamics.
• Recognize and acknowledge the differences that exist between rural and urban healthcare settings.

Demonstrate strategic leadership and decision-making skills necessary in healthcare.

• Address political, legal, regulatory, governmental, and ethical issues associated with diverse healthcare settings.
• Analyze and respond to trends in population health management and healthcare delivery that might influence a healthcare environment in both rural and urban settings.
• Implement change management and innovation strategies that will impact the access, quality, and cost of healthcare in your organization.

Evaluate operational performance across diverse healthcare organizations.

• Assess technologies, data analytics, and data governance needs in various healthcare delivery settings.
• Demonstrate the critical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving skills necessary in a healthcare environment.
• Apply continuous quality improvement and risk management techniques for operations, supply chain, and project management in a healthcare setting.

Develop strategies to recruit, train, and retain an effective healthcare workforce.

• Develop a people-centered, culturally competent approach to employee recruitment, training, retention, and satisfaction that considers the wide variety of roles and responsibilities in a healthcare workforce.
• Assess and apply recruitment and development strategies that show awareness of the unique challenges faced across diverse healthcare settings.
• Apply effective human resource practices and policies in compliance with healthcare’s legal and regulatory requirements.

Evaluate financial strategies and techniques to meet organizational needs in a healthcare environment.

• Develop, track, manage, and explain healthcare capital and operating budgets.
• Assess and apply appropriate payment and reimbursement models for unique healthcare settings.
• Effectively apply financial management and reporting skills in making operational and strategic decisions in a healthcare environment.

Tuition is a flat fee of $725 per credit. There are no additional course or program fees, with the exception of textbooks which are purchased separately.

• You’ll pay the same tuition whether you live in Wisconsin or out of state.
• You will not pay technology fees. If software or special technology is required in a course, it will be provided to you and is included in tuition.
• You will not pay segregated fees (fees for student services, activities, programs, and facilities).
• Textbooks are purchased separately and are not included in tuition.

• $26,825 total tuition for 37-credit master’s degree.

Financial Aid

Financial aid may be available for degree-seeking students who qualify and is awarded by your home campus. Learn more about our campus partners and choosing a home campus.

Contact your home campus financial aid office for details:

• UW-La Crosse Financial Aid
• UW-Parkside Financial Aid
• UW-Platteville Financial Aid
• UW-Stevens Point Financial Aid
• UW-Stout Financial Aid

Please check with your home campus regarding minimum credits required to qualify for financial aid as a full- or part-time student.

Ways to Pay for Your Degree

As a returning adult student, you may consider the following sources of financial assistance to help with the cost of your education:

• Grants—award is usually based on financial need. Grants, unlike loans, generally do not have to be repaid.
• Scholarships—usually based on academic merit, financial need, or other criteria, awarded by a wide range of organizations. Scholarships do not need to be repaid.
• Loans—a loan is money you borrow and must pay back with interest. Student loans are available from the federal government, private sources such as a bank or financial institution, or other sources. Federal student loans usually have lower interest rates than private loans, and offer flexible repayment plans.
• Military benefits—aid available to eligible veterans and current members of the military.
• Tuition reimbursement—a benefit offered by companies to their employees to help pay for education. Ask your human resources department if your company offers this benefit.
• Education tax benefits—research possible tax benefits with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Your first step when applying for federal and state financial aid is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Federal financial aid is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who apply early have a better chance of receiving aid, including grant aid that does not have to be repaid.

UW Online Collaborative Programs Grants and Scholarships

You may be eligible for a grant or scholarship as a student in a semester-based collaborative program. More information can be found here.