Online BHA Degrees in California: Comparing Top CA Programs
A bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration could be your starting point in one of California’s fastest-growing industries. Earning your BHA online in CA means adding a level of flexibility to your higher education that many students don’t have. Let EduMed walk you through the ins and outs of online BHA degrees in California, including how programs work, how much they cost, and career prospects after graduation.
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Inside 3 Top Online BHA Programs in California
For those interested in the business side of medicine, becoming a healthcare administrator allows you to make a difference without taking on a patient-facing role. Those with healthcare administration degrees in California can hold lucrative, in-demand jobs.
This guide showcases the best in-person and online healthcare administration bachelor’s degree programs in California. Fully-online programs for this field exist, preparing students for entry- to mid-level administrative roles and making this career prospect more convenient and accessible. Find information on curriculum, admissions, cost, and more.
Pacific College
Pacific College’s online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration is a completion program designed to help those who have a background in allied health get ahead. The ideal student is someone who already works in healthcare and wants to move into a management role.
Online courses accommodate a working professional’s schedule, such as during the evenings or on weekends. Courses cover every aspect of administration, from healthcare law to trending technologies. Not only does the program offer high quality, flexible education, but it’s also quite affordable at $350 per credit for both in-state and out-of-state students.
Additionally, Pacific College may accept up to 60 transfer credits from an accredited allied health training program. Students can take their existing credits and transfer them into the B.S. in Healthcare Administration program to complete the program in as little as 18 months (full-time).
Duration: Two years
Mode: Online
Cost: $350/credit, totaling $26,250 (75 credits)
Students may apply for financial aid to help with the cost of the program.
Admissions Requirements:
- All entering students must take mathematics and English assessment as part of the admissions process or meet equivalency
- An associate degree or equivalent post-secondary education in a health care field
- Applicants transferring from an accredited college or university are admitted as degree students if their cumulative grade point average from all schools is 2.0 (C) or better
- Applicants with a cumulative grade point average below 2.0 may be admitted on a probationary status if the College determines there is sufficient evidence of potential to complete college studies
- Students who have documents from a foreign country must request a foreign credential pre-evaluation to determine eligibility
Curriculum: Students will identify the components of the healthcare system in the United States and the impact of social, cultural, political, economic and environmental factors on the organization. Students will also use technology to create, assess, analyze, and interpret healthcare data for effective decision-making. Through the online coursework, students will demonstrate critical thinking skills using principles of accounting, law, financial analysis, human resources, information technology, planning, and marketing to solve problems and increase performance in healthcare organizations. Lastly, they will demonstrate the ability to integrate business practices and health sciences to make good ethical decisions, improve performance and become a respected member of the healthcare community.
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Fresno Pacific University
Fresno Pacific University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a Healthcare Administration emphasis. The program, available online or on-campus, spans 24 months and includes courses in management, healthcare law, ethics, quality management, and healthcare information technology. Designed for working adults, it features flexible schedules and small cohort sizes that meet one night per week. The program prepares students for roles like operations manager, medical billing manager, and HR specialist.
Duration: 24 months
Mode: Online/in-person one night per week
Cost: $550
Admissions Requirements:
- Submit an application for admission (online)
- Request official transcripts from previously attended colleges, universities and high schools and send electronically to [email protected]
- Complete the FAFSA as early as October 1. (FAFSA Code: 001253)
- Enroll in the minimum number of units per semester to qualify for loans.
- Schedule an appointment with your Student Financial Services Advisor 559-453-2041 [email protected]
- Minimum 6 transferable baccalaureate-level units
- Minimum 2.4 GPA
- 2 years post-secondary experience
Curriculum: The 51-credit program builds on social principles of business through courses in organizational leadership, marketing, healthcare quality management, information technology in healthcare, and more through an ethical, Christian perspective.
California State University – Long Beach
The B.S. in healthcare administration at California State University – Long Beach is a four-year, 120-credit program that covers everything from healthcare system basics to advanced operations management.
By the end of the program, students are ready to become industry leaders and enter a variety of entry- and mid-level management positions across healthcare. CSU – Long Beach offers reduced tuition and various scholarship opportunities for California residents. With full-time tuition estimated at just $7,378 per year for residents, it’s one of the most affordable healthcare administration degrees in California.
Duration: Four years
Mode: In-person
Cost: $3,689/semester (CA residents)
Admissions Requirements:
- All students must complete a minimum of 13-14 semester units or the equivalent in prerequisite preparatory course for the major: ACCT 201, ECON 101 or ECON 300, HDEV 190 or SOC 170 or PSY 110 or STAT 108
- Computer proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software is expected
- An overall grade point average of 2.5 or higher is required for entrance into the program. A minimum grade of “C” is required for each prerequisite course
Curriculum: In the first year, students will take courses spanning The Health Care System, Health Personnel Management, Medical Billing & Coding, Financial Management, Analysis & Evaluation of HCS. In the second year, students will spend their fall and spring semesters taking Internship and Career Development in HCA, as well as Quality Assurance, Marketing for HS Organizations, Pop Health Management, and more. Within the program, students can choose three electives including Leadership in HCA, Medical Group Practice, Latinas/Latinos: Health Status & Health Care Access, Operations Management, Perspectives on Long-Term Care Across the Lifespan, Economics of Health, Technology, Ethics, & Society, Global Issues in Health Services, and Working Around the World.
Online California BHA Programs: Student FAQ
Choosing the right healthcare administration program can feel overwhelming, and most students have similar questions when starting their search. How long does the program take? What are the admissions requirements? Can I study online? Each of these questions is answered in detail below to guide your decision-making process.
What will I learn in a healthcare admin bachelor’s degree program in California?
A healthcare administration bachelor’s degree in California provides a well-rounded education combining healthcare and business courses. Students take classes in medical terminology, healthcare marketing, financial management, and personnel management. Many programs include internships, offering hands-on experience in healthcare settings. Some schools, like California State University Long Beach, allow students to specialize in areas like Leadership in HCA or Perspectives on Long-Term Care Across The Lifespan. Graduates gain essential medical and business knowledge, preparing them for healthcare leadership roles.
What are the admissions requirements for healthcare administration programs in California?
California admissions requirements for a healthcare administration bachelor’s degree typically include standardized test scores (ACT or SAT), high school transcripts and/or transferable credits from an associate degree in a related field. Some programs have additional requirements—CSU Long Beach, for example, requires students to take a mathematics and English assessment as part of the admissions process. Requirements vary by school, so applicants should check their chosen program’s website for specific details and ensure they meet all necessary criteria.
If I live in California, can I earn my bachelor’s in healthcare administration fully online?
Yes, as many programs are fully online, or at least in a hybrid format, blending online and in-person classes. Fully online programs, like those at Pacific College, often use synchronous learning, where students attend live virtual classes, or asynchronous formats, allowing flexible scheduling. Transitioning to online learning is especially popular for students with prior credits or busy schedules.
What type of accreditation should a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration in California have?
When choosing a program, you want to make sure it’s accredited. If not, employers and other academic institutions might not view your degree as valid. For a healthcare administration bachelor’s degree in California specifically, you have two accreditations to look for:
- The first is the institution accreditation, with most schools in the state being accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC).
- After you’ve found a program with institutional accreditation, consider any program-specific certifications. While bachelor’s degrees in healthcare administration don’t have a dedicated programmatic accrediting agency like master’s degrees in the field do, the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) offers a certification for bachelor’s degrees in healthcare administration. Many programs in California, such as the program at California State University Long Beach, are certified by AUPHA. While this isn’t a requirement for a healthcare administration program, it can indicate a high-quality curriculum.
Expert Insight
The right accreditation is especially important if you are looking into reimbursement programs with your current or future employer. Some employers will only reimburse if the school is regionally accredited.
How long do healthcare admin bachelor’s degree programs in California take to finish?
A healthcare administration bachelor’s degree in California typically takes four years (eight semesters) to complete; students can shorten this timeline, however, by transferring AP or dual-credit courses or enrolling in an accelerated healthcare administration program. Schools like Fresno Pacific University and Pacific College offer two-year completion programs for those with an associate degree or prior experience. Standard four-year programs, such as those at CSU Long Beach, provide a traditional path to graduation.
