University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Online MS Healthcare Administration
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) offers a fully online MS in healthcare administration (MSHA) program with no campus visits and a capstone fieldwork project. Most students complete the program in two to three years, depending on the number of courses taken per semester and participation in fall, spring, and summer sessions.
Program outcomes include the ability to communicate effectively with emotional intelligence, leading difficult conversations and demonstrating conflict resolution skills; strategic leadership and decision-making skills in areas of ethical, governmental, and regulatory issues in healthcare; innovation and implementation of change for healthcare quality and cost management; and the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills required for healthcare administration. Other outcomes relate to employee management, human resources, and effective healthcare practices and policies.
Courses are fully asynchronous and include video lectures, assignments with set deadlines, and required online discussion boards for communication between students and faculty. This allows for maximum flexibility for busy adults who may be working and or taking care of family while earning their master’s degree. Tuition remains the same for in-state and out-of-state students, and start dates land in the fall, spring, and summer.
The UW-Stevens Point MS in healthcare administration comprises 37 credits over 13 courses designed to teach core concepts in healthcare administration and to prepare students to meet the demands of better healthcare access, improving the quality of care, and reducing healthcare costs.
Graduates can expect to work in non-clinical roles, meaning they work with doctors, nurses, other healthcare staff, and government entities, rather than patients. Healthcare administrators seek to better healthcare organizations through effective management, healthy interpersonal communication, quality improvement, and healthcare compliance. Those with previous experience in patient care, administration, or management in healthcare organizations or other fields are welcome to apply.
Healthcare administration positions may occur in urban or rural settings in healthcare organizations, hospital systems, nursing facilities, home health organizations, nursing homes, elderly care situations, private practice options, counseling facilities, and insurance settings. Graduates may obtain positions as health information managers, medical and health services managers, health services director, medical director, health information manager, or director of nursing.
Applicants to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point online MS in healthcare administration are encouraged to have at least two years of professional work experience and must have completed elementary statistics, medical terminology, and a public speaking course.
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The MS in healthcare administration program is a member of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA). This program is offered in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin Online Collaboratives, which also include UW-Stevens Point, UW-Parkside, UW-Platteville, and UW-Stout.
What to Expect from the UWSP Online MS in Healthcare Administration
Admission Requirements: Prospective students must have completed a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited institution with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Those who do not meet the GPA requirements may be admitted on probation and may continue as long as their GPA is a 3.0 or higher. Two years of professional work experience is highly recommended, whether within a healthcare setting or another field. No GMAT or GRE scores are required for admission.
Application materials include an application through the University of Wisconsin, an application fee, and official transcripts with proof of prerequisite course completion. Prerequisites include medical terminology, oral communication or public speaking, and statistics, and should be completed before applying to the program at UWSP. These courses are offered through UW Independent Learning, which offers self-paced, online courses, open enrollment, and engaged faculty. Proof of English language proficiency is required for international applicants.
Study Plan: The online MS in healthcare administration begins three times yearly in the fall, spring, and summer. Courses run on semesters, and the program can be completed in two to three years, depending on the student’s pace.
The program requires completion of 37 credits, including 11 core healthcare administration courses, one credit of capstone preparation, and a capstone project course with 150 hours of fieldwork required.
Curriculum: The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point online MS in healthcare administration courses include healthcare operations and project management; population health and epidemiology; communications and marketing in healthcare; healthcare technology, data analytics, and information governance; US healthcare systems; healthcare financial management; human capital management; healthcare quality and performance improvement; health law and policy; organizational development and strategic leadership in healthcare; current and emerging topics in healthcare; capstone preparation; and healthcare administration capstone.
Online Experience: UWSP utilizes Canvas as its online learning management system (LMS). Courses include video lectures, online discussion boards, and other assignments, all in an asynchronous format with set deadlines. Faculty communicate with students through the online chat rooms and maintain office hours and email for individual communication.
Online graduate student services may include academic and career advising, a disability resources center, IT support, an online library, a tutoring center, student health services, and mental health resources.
On-Site Requirements: The UWSP MSHA program does not include on-site requirements and is delivered in a completely asynchronous online format. Students must complete their final capstone project fieldwork in a healthcare setting for at least 150 hours.
Paying for the UW-Stevens Point Online MSHA
UWSP MS in healthcare administration tuition numbers are listed in the tables below. There are no other course fees or student activity fees besides the tuition cost; however, textbooks are a separate purchase. Applicants should verify current tuition and fees with the UWSP School of Health Sciences and Wellness through the College of Professional Studies.
UW-Stevens Point may offer financial aid to graduate students through the UW-Stevens Point Financial Aid Office. Sources of financial assistance may include grants, outside scholarships, and government or private loans. Students may also receive financial aid and scholarships by filling out and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Other benefits may include military aid, tuition reimbursement through an employer, and education tax benefits. The UW Online Collaborative may also offer program grants and scholarships.
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Master of Science in Healthcare Administration
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | 3 - Fall, Spring, Summer |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 37 |
| Time to Complete? | Complete in 2-3 years |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | HLC |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT or GRE Required |
| Work Experience Required? | Yes, 2 years work experience is strongly encouraged |
| Credit Hours | 37 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $725.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $26,825.00 |
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees, unless otherwise specified. Please check here for any tuition updates.
