Online Healthcare Administration Degrees in California: See Top Schools

Making the pivot to a thriving career in healthcare can open up opportunities for personal growth and positive change in the medical industry. When looking at the top healthcare administration degrees in California, there’s a lot to consider in terms of accreditation, online delivery formats, and more. This guide reveals the best bachelor’s degree programs and they key details you need to know before enrolling. Keep reading if you’re ready to learn more.

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For those that are squeamish or more 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.

In this guide, we’ll showcase 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.

Here, you’ll learn about other essential information about the curriculum, admissions, costs, job prospects after graduation, 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 the Allied Health field get ahead with a Bachelor of Science degree, meaning students should already have an associate degree in healthcare administration or a related field. The ideal student is someone who already works in healthcare and wants to move into a management role.

Because of this, the online courses are offered at times that accommodate a working professional’s schedule, such as during the evenings or on weekends. The program’s curriculum also dives deeper into the field since students already have experience in healthcare. 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.

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

California State University’s Long Beach campus hosts one of the most attractive healthcare administration bachelor’s degrees in California. The four-year, 120-credit curriculum consists of major core courses, such as medical billing and healthcare financial management, and the opportunity to take electives in years three and four. Students can select six electives in any area they are interested in, such as gerontology or the economics of health. By the end of the program, students are ready to become industry leaders and are prepared to enter a variety of entry- and mid-level management positions across healthcare settings. Another unique benefit of the Long Beach campus is that it offers a reduced tuition rate 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.

Everything You Need to Know: Student FAQs

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 Degree 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.

Can I Earn My Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration Online in California?

Yes, as many programs are fully online or offered 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:

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.

Ranking California’s Best Online Healthcare Administration Program

Narrowing down your prospects for an ideal program has been made easier with our ranking system. Here, we’ve determined the best school for potential students like you with by combining factors like online learning formats, student support services, and proper accreditation. To get a better understanding of our methodology, click on our “About the Rankings” button. Get started by finding out which school we’ve determined is the best online healthcare administration bachelor’s program below.

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Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, California

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Mikala Lugen, BA AUTHOR

Mikala Lugen is an experienced freelance writer and journalist with over 10 years of experience writing content within general higher education – specifically allied health, nursing, and healthcare – entertainment, music, food, and holistic health industries. Mikala stays up-to-date on industry trends to ensure content is relevant and accurate. She holds a BS in Public Relations from Kent State University, furthering strengthening her ability to communicate effectively with a broad audience.

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