Abilene Christian University

What you'll study

Coursework introduces administration fundamentals, community and population health, leadership development, ethical reflection, and innovation in healthcare. Example course titles listed by the program include:

• Foundations in Health Services Administration & Leadership
• Community & Population Health: Transforming the Healthcare System
• Self-Reflection in Healthcare Leadership
• Innovation and Trends in Healthcare

Students choose a concentration track or a general pathway. Concentration options described by the program are:

• Healthcare Operations – systems and practices for administering services, managing interdisciplinary teams, population health tools, and use of information systems for clinical and administrative support.
• Leadership – leadership models and techniques, strategies for organizational change, and developing personal leadership and communication styles.
• General – customizable selection from Leadership and Healthcare Operations courses to match individual interests and career goals.

Entry requirements

The program is presented as appropriate for working professionals and explicitly cites audiences it is geared toward: pharmacists, physicians and nurses seeking leadership skills; healthcare administrative and support staff aiming for advancement; insurance and medical services professionals expanding patient-centric knowledge; and business or technology professionals considering a move into healthcare. The course page does not list specific GPA, testing, or documentation requirements.

Career prospects

The program lists several common job titles graduates may pursue, reflecting operational, quality, compliance and strategy roles in healthcare organizations. Examples include:

• Director of Patient Access
• Clinic Operations Director
• Healthcare Strategy Director
• Director, Compliance or Business Operations
• Vice President of Quality
• Healthcare Research and Development Analyst
• Population Health Manager

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

ACU advertises a Locked-In Tuition program guaranteeing a stable per-credit price for the entire graduate degree. Additionally, the master’s program includes a graduate-level Certificate in Healthcare Administration at no additional cost. The published per-credit cost on the program page is $650 per hour with a $210 resource fee per term.