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Healthcare management is a dynamic and evolving field that brings together key responsibilities in patient care, facility advancement and staff management.1 As a future public health professional, you will be taught how to lead a department or facility with a clear vision of benefiting both patients and staff. Examine crucial competencies within administration in healthcare with the Master of Public Administration (MPA) with an Emphasis in Health Care Management degree program at Grand Canyon University. GCU’s healthcare management emphasis is offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
As a private Christian university, GCU integrates the Christian worldview into the coursework throughout this MPA program. We guide our students to work toward glorifying God by serving his people with integrity and ethical leadership.
This study in healthcare management administration prioritizes identification, analysis and resolution of ethical dilemmas. It also explores the principles of legal compliance, workplace safety and quality patient care. You will have the opportunity to develop your ability to balance the financial and operational requirements of healthcare facilities with the responsibility to provide quality services to the public.
As you progress through the program, you will be expected to refine your outlook on what it takes to become an effective and ethical administrator in public health management environments. You will examine contemporary healthcare models through lenses of economy, quality, access and disparity.
Take Online Healthcare Management Courses
GCU’s online MPA with a healthcare management emphasis is structured to maximize work-life balance while providing a relevant and in-depth learning experience. You can explore this field and prepare for your future by using GCU’s intuitive e-learning platform. Access your course materials from virtually anywhere and discuss the principles of healthcare administration and public health with your peers and instructors.
You will begin the healthcare management emphasis within the MPA program by examining the general skills you need as a liberal arts graduate student. You will then work through a progression of courses designed to build foundational knowledge and core competencies in healthcare administration and public health. The competencies you will be taught in these courses are immediately applicable to healthcare management in the workplace.
Throughout the curriculum, you will explore a range of topics, including:
Business and operational models suited to modern healthcare organizations
How to analyze and responsibly address ethical dilemmas that affect patients and staff members
The development, management, implementation and assessment of public healthcare programs
The factors that influence market performance and outcome
The public sector’s revenue and expenditure structure, including budget and revenue policies
Best practices in talent management, workforce diversity, employee development and performance
Developing graduate-level skills in healthcare management and administration can help you prepare for a potential leadership career in the nonprofit, government or private sectors.2,3 Earning an MPA with a healthcare management emphasis can demonstrate your commitment to ethical practices and effective leadership.
Some of the careers that may be related to this degree include:
Healthcare quality improvement manager
Ambulatory care manager
Assisted living administrator
Healthcare clinic manager
Healthcare risk manager
Public health program manager
GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. This is a reflection of our commitment to upholding high academic standards for our learning community. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences shares the university’s commitment of supporting the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Before enrolling in online healthcare management courses, you may have some questions about the field and your planned career outcome. GCU has developed these FAQs and answers to guide your decision-making process.
Earning your MPA with a healthcare management emphasis can be worth it if you want to pursue an influential career that can allow you the opportunity to make positive strides in the healthcare industry. Graduate-level courses are designed to prepare you in the areas of leadership, finance and public policy so you can seek positions you may find to be both challenging and rewarding.
A Master of Public Administration (MPA) with an emphasis in healthcare management provides a broad understanding of management, finance and public policy, specifically as they relate to the healthcare field and to public organizations. A Master of Health Administration (MHA) offers specialized classes taught by healthcare faculty that allow you to dive into the unique challenges of the healthcare industry, including financial management and legal issues. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) places a greater emphasis on business-related courses, including accounting, economics, finance, human resources and marketing.4
Admission requirements vary from one school to the next. To apply for the MPA with a healthcare management emphasis at GCU, you must have an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited, approved institution and meet the minimum GPA requirement. For more information about our admission requirements, please fill out the form on this page to request a consult with a university counselor.
Patients face significant medical issues every day, and they rely on access to quality healthcare that allows them to manage their conditions and live life well. Healthcare management is critically important for ensuring patients can receive the quality care they need when they need it. Managers are also integral to the seamless, day-to-day operations of a healthcare facility.5
Earning a public health management degree is much like earning other types of degrees in that you’re likely to find some of the coursework challenging, while other areas are less challenging. Keep in mind that tackling challenging topics in the curriculum presents opportunities for academic achievement and personal growth. You’re likely to find it satisfying to overcome these challenges, as it means you’re working toward positioning yourself as a leader in healthcare who looks out for the best interests of your facility’s patients.
The requirements to become a healthcare manager will vary from one employer to the next. In general, aspiring health services managers need at least a bachelor’s degree, although some employers prefer to hire those with a master’s degree, like an MPA. Some employers may expect manager candidates to have prior, relevant experience in either an administrative or a clinical role within a facility.6 For example, you might start out in an entry-level medical coding job while you’re working your way up to the management level.
Prepare to meet modern challenges in healthcare while earning a degree in healthcare administration and public health. Fill out the form on this page and take the next step toward your future.
1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept. 6). What Medical and Health Services Managers Do. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Jan. 22, 2024.
2 Healthcare Management Degree Guide. (n.d.). Top 20 Jobs for Health Care Managers. Healthcare Management Degree Guide. Retrieved Jan. 22, 2024.
3 Healthcare Management Degree Guide. (n.d.). What Kind of Jobs Can I Get with a Master’s of Health Care in Non-profit Organizations? Healthcare Management Degree Guide. Retrieved Jan. 22, 2024.
4 Steele, H. (n.d.). MBA vs. MPA vs. MHA Degrees: Which is Best? Business Student. Retrieved Jan. 22, 2024.
5 Castonguay, C. (2021, Jan. 26). Why Study Healthcare Management Now? Keystone Healthcare Studies. Retrieved Jan. 22, 2024.
6 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept. 6). How to Become a Medical or Health Services Manager. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Jan. 22, 2024.
Online: $600 per credit [More Info]
Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
