The Master of Science in Health Services Administration is appropriate for students preparing to become health service administrators or managers in hospitals, health maintenance organizations, medical group clinics, nursing homes, public health departments, state and federal health agencies, military health services, or other health service organizations.

Specific entrance requirements have been established by the University and the Department of Health Science and Human Ecology. Information about entrance requirements is available at the department website.

Students who wish to design a specific, individualized master's degree related to health science should also consider the M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies. Students can successfully combine courses from several relevant fields to build interdisciplinary programs serving their career goals in such areas as Community Health Education, Health Promotion, Environmental Health, Occupational Health/ Industrial Hygiene, Public Health, and Gerontology.

Students may also earn a certificate in Finance, Accounting, and Information Systems along with the Master of Science in Health Services Administration.

Admission to the Program

In addition to the general requirements of the university, specific requirements for admission to classified graduate status are:

1. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 ("B") for the major or for the last 60 semester units of undergraduate coursework and in all post-graduate coursework;
2. A copy of most recent resume or curriculum vitae;
3. A statement of purpose, double-spaced and 2-3 pages maximum, describing those experiences which have shaped the applicant's interest in the MSHSA program. Comment on your current knowledge, skills, experience, and preferred areas of work in the field of health services administration, one academic experience which has meant the most to your professional career, immediate and long-term professional goals, reasons for being interested in the MSHSA program, strengths the applicant brings to the program, skills which the applicant would like to improve, and how the MSHSA degree will help you grow professionally.;
4. Writing sample based on a health services management topic of interest to the applicant, typed, approximately 1,000 words, double spaced;
5. Recommendation for advancement to candidacy from the Graduate Director of the Master of Science in Health Service Administration Program.

Students who meet the above criteria may be admitted as conditionally classified graduate students. To attain fully classified status, students must complete at least 16 semester units of MSHSA core coursework with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 ("B") and must remove any deficiencies stated as conditions for acceptance in the program or otherwise set by the department's graduate committee.

Advancement to Candidacy

To be advanced to candidacy, the student must have:

1. Completed 20 semester units toward the MSHSA with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 ("B");
2. Submit a formal program of study of graduate coursework prepared in consultation with the MSHSA graduate director;
3. Be recommended for advancement to candidacy by the MSHSA Graduate Director;
4. Completed an undergraduate-level writing course.

Requirements for Graduation

In addition to the general requirements of the university and the department, graduation requirements include:

1. Advancement to candidacy for the degree and approval of the specific program of study;
2. A minimum of 82% (36 units) of 44 units must be completed at this university;
3. The Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement is met through successful completion of an upper-division Writing Intensive course;
4. A grade point average of 3.0 ("B"), or better, in all graduate course work and research fulfilling the requirements of the Master of Science in Health Services Administration and grades of "B-" (2.7) or better in all coursework.

Classified and conditionally classified graduate students in the Master of Science program must complete their degree requirements within seven years.

Degree Requirements (43-44 units)

(Program Code: HSAD)

HSCI 6170	Health Services Administration Leadership, Team and Quality Development	4
HSCI 6010	Administration of Health Care Programs	4
HSCI 6020	Management, Organization and Planning	4
HSCI 6030	Health Economics and Financial Systems	4
HSCI 6140	Information and Technology Systems Management in Health Services	4
HSCI 6150	Health Law and Medical Ethics	4
HSCI 6160	Strategic Planning and Evaluation	4
HSCI 6100	Communication and Human Relations in Health Services	4
HSCI 6180	Health Services Administration Capstone Seminar	4
HSCI 6190	Graduate Research Methodology in Health Science	4
Culminating Experience (3-4)		3-4
Total Units		43-44

Culminating Experience (3-4 units)

HSCI 6754	Administrative Residency	3-4
or HSCI 6960	Project