Health Administration, B.H.A.
The Bachelor of Health Administration program is a dynamic educational experience that enables healthcare professionals and any person interested in the healthcare field to obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to make a significant impact in his/her organizations and other people’s lives. The program is offered in a flexible, hybrid format that allows students to combine their undergraduate studies with family and professional responsibilities.
The top accredited Health Administration Program at Governors State University is here to support your career goals and provide you with the educational foundation to make you a leader in a dynamic healthcare environment.
With the flexibility of a hybrid program with online options created for the working student and the experience gained through fieldwork, you’ll be ready for the career opportunities that are already available.
Choosing Governors State University for Your Health Administration Education
When you choose Governors State University for your education, you are choosing to be educated by excellent professors who put the needs of their students first. Some other reasons to choose us for your education include:
- A flexible schedule - Governors State was founded on the principle of being accessible to students, which is why we have worked to offer students classes during the evening hours and some online courses. We know everyone studying health administration isn't a typical college student, and the variety of class schedules offered are designed to coordinate with your busy work.
- A convenient location - Governors State University is in the center of Chicago's Southland, we're close to the Metra station and have a shuttle bus. PACE buses also stop at our campus.
- A safe place - GovState is rated the safest among all public university campuses in Illinois and northwest Indiana. We are committed to helping our students feel welcome, with programs in place that encourage acceptance and safety.
What can you expect from being a student of the Health Administration program?
- You will acquire skills necessary for non-clinical careers in healthcare
- You will gain a strong foundation in health care management and current policies
- You will be taught by highly qualified faculty with years of industry experience. Governors State University has nationally recognized faculty for their teaching and research experiences.
- You will study along with peers who could share decades of professional experience and enrich your classroom learning with practical healthcare examples.
- You will participate in a strong Practicum program. The undergraduate Practicum offers Health Administration students an opportunity to work side by side with healthcare administrators, to gain valuable experiences in different healthcare settings, and to identify career prospects.
- You can be seamlessly admitted into Governors State University Master of Health Administration program.
Hear what GovState students have to say!
The best place for advice is often your peers! GovState Health Administration alum Janine Rojos and Brendan Coughlin recorded a podcast about what brought them to Governors State University, their experiences in the program, the benefits of the practicum courses and the faculty’s dedication, as well as what they see in their futures. Take a listen!
Reach Your Career Goals
As you decide on a course for your educational and professional future, you should consider what types of jobs you can get with a Bachelor of Health Administration. Some of your options might be focused on one specific area of management, while others could be focused on the entire realm of healthcare management. For example, one specific health administration focus could include hospital, integrated healthcare system, physician offices, health insurance, consulting, nursing homes, human resources, home healthcare, or health finance.
A healthcare consultant is someone who analyzes information in direct regard to the business of medicine. Consultants work in outpatient surgical centers, private practices, and hospitals. Some of the issues healthcare consultants are tasked with are increasing profits, creating more efficient operations, and improving patients’ satisfaction. These professionals make $97,000 on average.
Hospital management have perhaps the most responsibility for careers you can get with a health administration degree. It takes ownership of program development, the facility’s financial health, patient outcomes, and compliance with regulations. CEOs of hospitals are the face of the hospital. On average, hospital CEOs can make around $154,000.
A clinical practice manager could manage one facility or multiple facilities. Some of the responsibilities of a clinical practice manager include handling operations, accounting, and human resources. Some clinical practices where these professionals are hired are veterinary practices, long-term care facilities, and typical medical practices. These professionals are paid based on the breadth of their job, but many earn $114,500 on average.
Informatics is the practice of overseeing clinical information systems at different healthcare facilities. Because electronic medical records have been adopted quite mainly in the healthcare industry, informatics managers are required to train staff, create and track budgets, monitor systems to ensure compliance, keep track of patient privacy, and ensure all records are easily accessible. Informatics managers make $105,000 on average.
Most nursing care management started with nurses deciding to pursue a healthcare management position with a healthcare administration degree. A nurse who has a history of excellent patient care and excellent at managing healthcare systems and settings is a good candidate for this type of position. Nursing directors typically make around $95,000.
A chief nursing officer typically rises through the ranks, beginning as a registered nurse and making their way into administrative roles. A master's degree is often required to obtain this job, and the average salary is $233,000.
Career Outcomes
A BHA will open doors to career opportunities only available to leaders with Health Administration degrees—and these careers are in demand.
Top healthcare organizations are looking to hire leaders in health administration, and at Governors State we’re making sure you’re ready to compete in the field!
Accreditation
Our health administration degree, certified by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) is just one example of how we go above and beyond what you'd expect in higher education.
AUPHA Certified BHA programs are recognized for having withstood the rigors of peer review in which curricula, faculty, and educational outcomes are critically examined by peer review. External stakeholders look at certification as a way to distinguish a program from its peers. Prospective students and their families seek out AUPHA Certification when searching for a program where they will invest in their future. Campus life doesn't just include education in the classroom but enjoying real-world experiences that enrich your learning and understanding from every angle. Student life includes club sports, international student services, on-campus housing and off-campus housing, civic engagement, and multiple recreation opportunities.
Full Certification:
The Health Administration major is fully certified by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration. Read more about our BHA Accreditation.
Mission, Vision, and Values
Our core values at Governors State University include investing in success, serving as an economic catalyst, providing opportunities for higher education, preparing for the future, demonstrating diversity and inclusiveness, and promoting a higher quality of life--values mirrored and upheld by our faculty, staff, and administration. With a mission to offer an accessible and exceptional education to every student, it's always beneficial to get your Bachelor of Health Administration degree at Governors State University.
Consistent with the mission of the Governors State University (GovState), the mission of the Bachelor of Health Administration Program (BHA) of the Department of Health Administration and Informatics is to prepare a diverse student population with knowledge, skills, and values to work in entry-level management positions in various healthcare originations, to pursue the graduate education in health administration or any other field, and to positively impact the well-being of the communities BHA serves.
The vision of the Bachelor of Health Administration Program is to be recognized locally and nationally as a premier educational program for traditional, minorities, and underserved populations of students and to produce graduates who will contribute to the improvement of healthcare delivery and health of the individuals in the communities in which they live and work.
- Excellence: The Program is committed to educating individuals who will become engaged and cultivated citizens to make a significant and lasting contribution to the healthcare management profession.
- Integrity: The Program seeks to develop students with strong moral character, ethical behavior, and an unwavering commitment to honesty in all actions.
- Diversity: The Program embraces different backgrounds and values different perspectives and approaches to enhance education and learning.
- Innovation: The Program opens to new ideas and approaches in the creation, transmission, and preservation of knowledge.
- Lifelong Learning: The Program values lifelong learning for the continuous development of knowledge and skills required by the dynamic and ever-changing healthcare sector.
- Upon Completion of the Bachelor of Health Administration Program, students should be able to demonstrate the ability to meet the following six competencies:
- Knowledge of Health Care System and Delivery: discuss and apply the knowledge of the healthcare system and the environment in which healthcare managers and providers function;
- Business Skills and Knowledge: explain and implement business skills and theories obtained throughout the program;
- Communication and Teamwork: communicate (orally and in writing) clearly, logically, and grammatically correctly, and facilitate constructive interaction with groups and individuals;
- Culture and Diversity: recognize and apply knowledge of diverse epidemiological, ethical, and cultural healthcare needs and expectations;
- Professionalism: align personal conduct with ethical and professional standards that include a service orientation and a commitment to lifelong learning;
- Critical Thinking and Leadership: assess the complex environment, identify and set goals, guide teams toward achieving goals, develop creative solutions, and incorporate and apply management techniques and theories.
Interview with the BHA Program Director
Hear what GovState students have to say!
What You'll Study
Our academic catalog has detailed information about what you'll study, like courses, hours needed for completion, and other requirements.
How to Apply
You'll need certain documents and meet certain requirements in order to apply. Read about them on our admissions pages.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Governors State’s mission is to offer accessible and exceptional education, which is why GovState offers the most affordable tuition rates in the Chicagoland area—all while maintaining our top accreditations.
As a student at Governors State University, you have many available ways to cover the cost of your tuition.
Contact Us:
- Natalia Rekhter, PhD, MHSA
- Associate Professor and BHA Program Director
- 1 University Parkway, University Park,IL, 60484-0975
- 708.534.4033
- nrekhter@govst.edu
- Catina Thomas
- Undergraduate Academic Advisor – BHA
- 1 University Parkway, University Park,IL, 60484-0975
- 708.534.4569
- cthomas9@govst.edu