University of Kansas

What you'll study

The programme combines foundational liberal‑arts study with specialised disciplinary coursework to develop practical and leadership skills for healthcare settings. You will take core modules in medical terminology, healthcare systems and policy, health information systems, and healthcare finance and budgeting. Other typical subjects include medical billing and coding, healthcare law and ethics, quality improvement and patient safety, healthcare operations and human resources management.

Students also study data literacy for health services — for example, introductory epidemiology, healthcare analytics and use of electronic health record systems — and explore strategic topics such as organisational behaviour and leadership in health organisations. The curriculum normally includes a practicum or internship component in a clinical or administrative setting and a capstone project that integrates technical skills with real‑world problem solving.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a high school diploma or equivalent. Admissions decisions are based on academic preparation, including a competitive grade point average and successful completion of college preparatory subjects; applicants with background in biology, health sciences, mathematics and English are well placed to succeed. The programme accepts transfer students and may give credit for prior college coursework relevant to healthcare administration.

Because the degree includes experiential placements, successful applicants must be able to meet the practical placement requirements set by partner organisations, which commonly include a background check, appropriate immunisations and compliance with facility policies. International applicants should consult University of Kansas admissions for any additional documentation required.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a wide range of administrative and support roles across hospitals, clinics, community health organisations, long‑term care facilities and health insurance companies. Common entry positions include medical office manager, patient services coordinator, health information technician, billing and coding specialist, and operations or administrative assistant in healthcare settings.

With experience, graduates commonly progress to roles in department or practice management, healthcare quality improvement, revenue cycle management and health information management. Many graduates pursue professional certifications (for example in medical coding, practice management or health information) or postgraduate study in health administration, public health, nursing leadership or business to access senior management and executive roles.

Why study at University of Kansas

The University of Kansas offers this programme with close links to the University of Kansas Health System and the KU Medical Center, providing strong opportunities for applied learning, placements and engagement with practising healthcare professionals. Students benefit from campus resources such as health informatics labs, career services and faculty with experience in both healthcare practice and administration.

The university’s regional partnerships across public and private healthcare providers in Kansas support placements and local employment pathways. The programme emphasises applied skills, ethical practice and data literacy so graduates are prepared to meet operational challenges in contemporary healthcare organisations.