Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration Completion

How and When to Apply     Background Preparation     Practicum Experience    Faculty     Job Outlook

Get an advanced degree in health care. As a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration (BSHCA) graduate, you will be part of the dynamic field of health care, providing leadership and making policy in many diverse health care settings.

Our Program

Your 122-credit hour program prepares you to plan, direct, coordinate and supervise the delivery of health care. As a graduate, you will be prepared to either be a specialist in charge of a specific clinical department or a generalist who manages an entire facility or system. We offer a joint venture that allows you to obtain your BSHCA degree and earn up to 15 graduate level credits towards a Master of Health Care Administration degree from Des Moines University.

You may spread your coursework over six years, and be able to complete 10 credits a year by taking one 3- or 4-credit hour course each academic semester (fall, spring and summer).

We offer most courses in the late afternoon and evening, with classes meeting once each week. You’ll be able to take liberal arts and science courses at various times throughout the weekdays and evenings. Online courses are part of the curriculum.

How and When to Apply

Applications to the bachelor programs must be received by the Office of Admissions for fall admission by July 1; for spring admission by November 1; for summer admission by April 1. Your admission into this program is on a competitive basis, so early application is encouraged. Following general College admission, students may enroll in Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) courses in the Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences prior to admission into the BSHCA program. 

Background Preparation

As an incoming student, you should demonstrate progress toward certification/licensure or an associate’s degree from an accredited institution in a health care profession. If you do not have a health care-related licensure or certification, you may apply for admission with 30 hours of undergraduate coursework if you have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale plus a minimum of five years of progressive experience in a health care setting. Demonstrated success in the position(s) is required. Students are encouraged to take LAS courses at Mercy College to meet the GPA program requirement (9 credits are required).

Practicum Experience

You will have the opportunity to job shadow in the area of your interest (called practicums) at Mercy Medical Center or another health care provider in central Iowa.

Faculty

Our exceptional faculty team serves in conjunction with faculty from Des Moines University.

Job Outlook

As a graduate of the BSHCA program, you will be employable nation wide throughout many health care settings. Employment of medical and health services managers is expected to grow faster than average and job opportunities should be good, especially for applicants with work experience in the health care field and strong business management skills. For more details and statistics about specific roles and job opportunities go to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics website.