What is healthcare administration?

Healthcare administration is the study of management theory, practice, skills, and attitudes applied to healthcare organizations. Unique characteristics of healthcare organizations include medical staffs, third party payers, and trusting customers. Healthcare organizations are in the business of caring.

Why pursue a degree in healthcare administration?

• Because you are a compassionate person and want to make a difference in the lives of others by pursuing a career in a growing service industry.
• Because you want career opportunities in the largest industry in the U.S.
• Because you want excellent earning potential -- according to U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, median salaries for healthcare managers were $76,980 in 2007 with senior executives earning significantly more.
• Because you want career flexibility including not only careers in healthcare management, but also careers in pharmaceuticals, health insurance, patient billing, and state and federal agencies.
• Because you want to pursue graduate education in healthcare administration, public health, business administration, law, and other disciplines.

Why pursue a degree in healthcare administration at Texas State?

• Because the BHA program has been fully certified by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) since 1990.
• Because the BHA program has a large, award-winning, and nationally-known faculty accessible to students.
• Because Texas State is one of the most affordable universities in Texas.
• Because Texas State has a graduate program in healthcare administration accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Health Management Education (CAHME).

What organizations are available to students majoring in healthcare administration?

The School of Health Administration encourages student participation in a wide range of professional organizations including the American College of Healthcare Executives, the Healthcare Financial Management Association, the Medical Group Management Association, as well as the student organization Healthcare Leadership Coalition and the healthcare management national honor society Upsilon Phi Delta.

What subjects will I be taking if I major in healthcare administration?

• Healthcare Organizations.
• Healthcare Ethics.
• Healthcare Administration History, Culture, and Language.
• Healthcare Supervision.
• Health Information Systems.
• Healthcare Training and Development.
• Healthcare Human Resources.
• Healthcare Employment Law.
• Healthcare Accounting and Financial Management.
• Healthcare Law.
• Healthcare Quality Improvement and Patient Care.
• Healthcare Marketing.
• Healthcare Strategic Management.
• Healthcare Field Placement.

Undergraduate Admission Requirements - Effective Fall 2009

All students seeking admission to the BHA Program spring 2010 and later must:

• complete all prerequisites (general education classes and other required courses);
• have a minimum Texas State GPA of 2.75;
• have a “C” in MATH 1315;
• have a passing score (70% or higher) on the GSP (grammar, spelling, punctuation) exam – contact the testing center at: http://www.txstate.edu/trec/; and
• submit the BHA application and statement of purpose.

NOTE: All students are required to complete internship or residency for the BHA. Many facilities require a background check so if there is any reason you will not be able to be placed for internship or a residency, you need to see the Director of BHA to discuss other degree options.