Health Services Administration Accelerated 5-year Bachelor's to Master's Program

Program Description

This accelerated degree provides challenging academic coursework that prepares students for a successful career in health services administration: in such sectors as hospital and health systems management, medical groups, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, care management organizations, health information technology firms, supply chain companies, government/policy organizations, marketing firms, health insurers, health care management consulting firms. 

The program builds on current coursework offered in both programs and eliminates the need for students to take undergraduate versions of eight graduate courses (20 credits total). The accelerated format offers substantial financial and time saving benefits to the students, while obtaining a master’s degree.

Incoming freshmen can be admitted directly into a combined bachelor/master’s program.  Students who do not meet the criteria for freshmen admission may follow the plan and be reviewed by the end of their sophomore year/beginning of their junior year.  Transfer students can be reviewed up to the beginning of their year three to determine if completion within the other requirements is possible

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    Admission Criteria

    Admission to the Program

    Qualifications for the 5-year Accelerated BS-to-MHSA degree: 

    Entry requirements for freshmen:

    • a high school minimum grade point average of 3.0 overall on a 4.0 point scale

    Entry requirements for transfer students:

    • Entry of transfer students is possible up to the Fall semester of year three as long as a customized plan of study can be designed to incorporate the following two requirements:
      1. all core curriculum courses must be completed before graduate courses can start; (ii) BS in HSA must be completed within one year of starting graduate courses. Please contact the HSA Dept. at 313-993-1146 to have an HSA advisor create your customized plan of study.
      2. minimum grade point average of 3.0 from their undergraduate program
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    Program Requirements

    This accelerated degree program is for full-time undergraduate students that become full-time graduate students to combine to be a five-year program. Students must maintain full-time status through all parts of the program (excluding some summers if the student is normally on a regular academic year cycle).

    All core curriculum courses must be completed before graduate courses can start; BS in HSA must be completed within one year of starting graduate courses. Please contact the HSA administrative assistant to have an HSA advisor create your customized plan of study.

    All students must complete at least 142 credit hours, the University Core Curriculum, and all other requirements of the bachelor’s and master’s programs. Breakdown of credit allocation:

    1. 100 undergraduate credit hours (additional credit hours may be required to complete the program if not immediately placed into appropriate level freshmen math (MTH 1010) and writing courses (ENL 1310))
    2. 20 graduate credits will be allowed to count towards the undergraduate degree in order to achieve 120 total for graduation
    3. minimum 42 graduate credits total for graduation

    In order to remain in good standing and/or to progress through this accelerated-degree program,

    • undergraduate students must:
      1. fulfill all prerequisite requirements
      2. maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, and
      3. earn grades of ‘C’ or better in all HSA courses
    • graduate students must:
      1. fulfill all prerequisite requirements
      2. maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and
      3. earn grades of B- or better in all courses
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    How it Works: Save Time and Money

    Number of Credits

    This combined bachelor/master’s degree is for full-time undergraduate students that become full-time graduate students to combine to be a five-year accelerated program. All students must complete at least 142 credit hours, the University Core Curriculum, and all other requirements of the bachelor’s and master’s programs. Students must maintain full-time status through all parts of the program (excluding some summers if the student is normally on a regular academic year cycle).

    Breakdown of credit allocation:

    1. 100 undergraduate credit hours (additional credit hours may be required to complete the program if not immediately placed into appropriate level freshmen math (MTH 1010) and writing courses (ENL 1310))
    2. 20 graduate credits will be allowed to count towards the undergraduate degree in order to achieve 120 total for graduation
    3. minimum 42 graduate credits total for graduation

    Students will take three graduate classes (six graduate credits) in their junior year and eight graduate courses (19 graduate credits) during their senior year, completing their BS in HSA by the end of the fourth year. The fifth year will require seven mandatory graduate courses (17 credits), with an option to take an additional elective graduate course (three credits) during the student's last semester. 

    Workload and Timelines

    In order for the student to graduate in five years, the student’s workload during his/her undergraduate portion of the accelerated curriculum assumes moderate workload of 12-13 credits per semester, including summer semesters. Ninety-seven undergraduate credits, including all core curriculum requirements, must be completed by end of the winter semester of the third year in the program. Graduate courses start during the summer semester of the third year, with BS in HSA degree completion by the end of fourth year in the program. 

    The curriculum allows certain flexibility in terms of semester-to-semester workload during the undergraduate portion of the curriculum: for instance, the student may increase his/her credits in any one semester in order to eliminate summer semesters without loss of progress. Faster completion of the accelerated curriculum is possible as well: in four years/11 semesters with maximum workload of 18 credits in most semesters of the undergraduate study, including summers. A customized plan of study will be created for such students by HSA advisors. Finally, another attractive feature of the program is that students, either freshmen or transfer, can enter this program in any semester. A customized plan of study will be created for them by HSA advisors to ensure proper progression.
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    Degree Requirements

    For specific information on each degree, please refer to the catalog entry:

    Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration

    Master of Health Services Administration 

    Sample Five-Year Program

    Credit Hours by Semester
    First Year 36 Undergraduate Credits
    Second Year 36 Undergraduate Credits
    Third Year
         First Semester 12 Undergraduate Credits
         Second Semester 13 Undergraduates
        Third Semester   3 Undergraduate Credits
      6 Graduate Credits
    Fourth Year 19 Graduate Credits
    Fifth Year 17 Graduate Credits
    Total

    120 Undergraduate Credits

      42 Graduate Credits
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    Program Policy Manual

    The Student Handbook contains additional policies that apply to HSA students.
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    Program Contact Information

    Mary Mitsch, PhD, MSN, RN
    Program Director
    College of Health Professions
    McNichols Campus
    Telephone: 313-993-0411

    Administrative Assistant
    College of Health Professions
    McNichols Campus
    Telephone: 313-993-1146

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