Columbia Southern University Online MS Health Care Administration
Columbia Southern University (CSU) offers a fully online MS in health care administration program that prepares graduates to ethically manage health care organizations by implementing best practices in the industry. CSU offers 11 start dates throughout the year and utilizes a flexible learning system called LifePace Learning.
Core values at CSU include promoting organizational health through a family culture; humility in leadership; exceptional service to students through student-centered support services; flexibility through continuous improvement; excellence in quality and deed; and building long-term relationships with students, alumni, community members, local businesses, and government entities.
Program completion time depends on the number of courses taken during each nine-week session. Master’s students may take one to two courses each session, and may take three courses at a time upon advisor approval. CSU accepts up to 24 transfer credits toward this program.
Coursework focuses on legal issues in health care, financial management, strategic planning and marketing, professionalism, quality management, and human resource management. A health care capstone is included in the program which requires students to complete a special project on organizational culture that improves patient safety, promotes diversity, and helps develop effective leadership skills for administrators.
Program outcomes focus on organizational effectiveness through strategic objectives, evidence-based decision-making through analysis of financial data, effective leadership through professionalism and interpersonal communication skills, and effective management through practical knowledge of the functions of health care organizations. Professionals with a bachelor’s degree in any field may apply.
Health administration career settings may include long-term care organizations, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, mental health facilities, clinical groups, and home health care organizations. Job titles may include nursing home administrator, director of patient care services, chief operating officer (CEO), hospital director, medical director, health care data analyst, chief nursing officer, or health services coordinator.
Columbia Southern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
For the latest academic year, we have 170 schools in our MHAOnline.com database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
What to Expect from the Columbia Southern University Online MS in Health Care Administration
Admission Requirements: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Any undergraduate prerequisites that may be required will be added to the master’s degree plan. No minimum GPA is required; however, students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 throughout their program to graduate. Additionally, no GMAT or GRE test scores are required for admission.
Application materials include an online application and official transcripts. There is no application fee. Proof of English language proficiency is required for English as a second language applicants.
Study Plan: CSU offers 11 start dates throughout the year; two in summer, and three each in the fall, winter, and spring. Courses last nine weeks each. The university’s LifePace Learning system makes earning a graduate degree more flexible for working adults who need to balance family, work, and higher education. Some of the benefits of LifePace Learning include:
- No required login times
- Finish courses early or extend as needed
- Live meetings with faculty and classmates
- No extra cost for course resources and e-Textbooks
- Flexibility to add a course
- One-on-one meetings with faculty, advisors, and other staff
- Quality-assured courses through Quality Matters
- Round-the-clock access to the online library and library chat services
By taking one course at a time, the program can be completed in 12 nine-week sessions or a little over two years. Taking two courses at a time, the program can be completed in a little over one year.
Curriculum: The online MS in health care administration comprises 36 credits. Courses include legal foundations of health care; health care financial management; advanced health care management; health resources and policy analysis; health care professionalism; health care strategic planning and marketing; advanced quality management for health care administrators; health field human resource management; diversity and inclusion in organizational culture; business ethics; research methods; and health care administration capstone.
Online Experience: Columbia Southern University uses Blackboard as its online learning management system (LMS). Students meet live with faculty and peers through Blackboard Collaborate. Multiple learning modalities, including written, audio, video, virtual reality, and live or recorded sessions are utilized for student success. In addition, courses are Blackboard-certified, ADA-compliant, and follow universal design standards.
Students may utilize math and writing centers, the student support center, the academic advising center, career services, the office of disability services, and the office of student resolution.
On-Site Requirements: The online MS in health care administration program does not require any on-site visits.
Paying for the Columbia Southern University Online MS in Health Care Administration
Columbia Southern University MS in health care administration tuition numbers are listed in the tables below. E-textbooks and course materials are included in tuition costs. Applicants should verify current tuition and fees with the CSU student financial assistance department.
Prospective students should fill out and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial aid is available to those who qualify and CSU offers learning partner discounts, scholarships, and military and veteran benefits. Other funding options may include private loans, tuition reimbursement through employers, and community or other grants and scholarships. Prospective students should contact Columbia Southern University for more information.
Columbia Southern University Master of Science in Health Care Administration
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | 11 start dates throughout the year - 2 Summer, 3 Fall, 3 Winter, 3 Spring |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 36 |
| Time to Complete? | |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | SACSCOC |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT or GRE Required |
| Work Experience Required? | No work experience required |
| Credit Hours | 36 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $359.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $12,924.00 |
