University of San Francisco

What you'll study

This programme combines core management disciplines with sector-specific study of healthcare systems, regulation and clinical operations. Students typically complete a mix of required core modules, sector electives and a practicum or capstone project that applies learning to a real-world organisational challenge.

• Healthcare Organisations and Strategy — governance, strategic planning, organisational behaviour and leadership in clinical settings.
• Healthcare Finance and Economics — budgeting, financial reporting, reimbursement systems, cost analysis and resource allocation in health services.
• Quality Improvement and Patient Safety — methodologies for process improvement, risk management, accreditation standards and measurement of clinical outcomes.
• Health Information and Informatics — fundamentals of electronic health records, data governance, analytics for decision-making and privacy/security considerations.
• Healthcare Law, Ethics and Policy — regulatory frameworks, compliance, professional ethics and the impacts of health policy at institutional level.
• Operations and Revenue Cycle Management — patient flow, scheduling, coding and billing, supply chain and operational efficiency in hospitals and clinics.
• Human Resource Management in Healthcare — workforce planning, team development, labour relations and leadership for clinical teams.
• Electives and Special topics — options may include population health management, global health systems, digital health innovation or entrepreneurship in healthcare.
• Capstone/Practicum — an applied project or supervised placement with a healthcare provider or system, integrating project management, analysis and stakeholder engagement.

Course delivery often blends classroom instruction, case studies, guest speakers from the Bay Area health sector and experiential projects. Programme length and credit requirements align with graduate-level standards and can vary depending on whether study is full-time or part-time.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally required to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Admissions typically assess academic record, professional experience and potential for leadership in healthcare.

• Academic record — an undergraduate degree with satisfactory grades; programmes may specify a minimum GPA range but applicants with relevant professional experience can be considered.
• Professional experience — prior work in healthcare, health services administration, clinical roles or related sectors is advantageous and in some cases expected for competitive applicants.
• Supporting documents — a current CV or résumé, personal statement outlining career goals and motivation for the programme, and academic transcripts.
• References — one or more professional or academic references that can speak to the applicant's suitability for graduate study and leadership potential.
• English language proficiency — for applicants whose first language is not English, evidence of proficiency is required; acceptable tests and minimum scores are specified by the university.
• Interview — some candidates may be invited to an interview as part of the selection process.

Applicants should consult the university's graduate admissions pages for precise documentation and application procedures.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a wide range of operational and leadership roles across the health sector. The programme equips students with skills to lead teams, manage finances and improve care delivery.

• Hospital or health system administrator
• Practice manager for physician groups or ambulatory clinics
• Clinical department manager or operations director
• Revenue cycle manager or coding and billing lead
• Quality improvement coordinator or patient safety officer
• Healthcare consultant or advisor to payer and provider organisations
• Policy analyst or manager in public health agencies and non-profit organisations

Alumni often find roles in the Bay Area's diverse healthcare ecosystem, as well as in community health centres, long-term care organisations and health-focused start-ups. The programme’s practicum and industry connections help build practical experience and employer contacts.

Why study at University of San Francisco

The University of San Francisco brings a Jesuit emphasis on social justice and ethics to health administration education, emphasising equitable care and community engagement. Its location in the San Francisco Bay Area provides proximity to major hospitals, academic medical centres, innovative digital health companies and public health agencies, offering rich opportunities for internships, practicum placements and industry networking.

Faculty typically combine academic expertise with practitioner experience, and the university supports interprofessional collaboration with other health-related departments. Small cohort sizes enable personalised mentorship, and the university’s career services offer support with employer outreach, résumé development and interview preparation geared to healthcare leadership roles.