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Online MHA – Public Health

Specialize your Master of Health Administration education with a focus in public health so you can work to positively impact the health of entire communities.

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10 Weeks

10-week terms allow for start dates throughout the year

39 Months

Earn your BSN in as few as 39 months at the Accelerated program pace

5 Locations

Miami, Texas, LA, Orange County, & Ontario

MHA - Public Health Track Highlights

<p>Education in the core principles of health administration paired with specialized courses in public health</p>

Education in the core principles of health administration paired with specialized courses in public health

<p>Online coursework with mobile-friendly content, including complimentary access to LinkedIn Learning</p>

Online coursework with mobile-friendly content, including complimentary access to LinkedIn Learning

<p>Experienced and engaged faculty members who are easily accessible to students through the Remind App</p>

Experienced and engaged faculty members who are easily accessible to students through the Remind App

<p>Three MHA program pace options to match your goals and the demands of your schedule</p>

Three MHA program pace options to match your goals and the demands of your schedule

Why Choose the MHA - Public Health Track?

Why Choose the MHA - Public Health Track?

From disease outbreaks to the need for clean drinking water, many of the issues making the news today have a public health component. Public health professionals play a critical role in keeping communities safe through health education, disease prevention, research, and more.

The MHA - Public Health track allows you to complete an advanced health administration degree while also gaining valuable knowledge and skills in the field of public health. Students in this track take courses covering the foundations of public health, environmental and occupational health, and disparities that exist in in today’s public health systems.

These valuable skills help prepare you to make a difference in your community as a health administrator or public health worker. You can earn your MHA – Public Health degree in as few as 8 months at the Accelerated Plus pace, 12 months at the Accelerated pace, or 20 months at the Working Professional pace.

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Start Your Journey

  • Flexible online and campus programs
  • 58,000 alumni across the globe
  • Experienced faculty and staff

Overview: Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program

Program Details

At WCU, you can choose a program pace that works for your schedule. Whether you want to go full-speed in your studies or complete your program at a slower pace to balance school with your other responsibilities, we have an option for you.

Here are the available paces for the BSN program:

Accelerated Pace

  • On-Campus
  • 120 Credits
  • 39 Months
  • 8 Semesters

Evening & Weekend Pace*

  • On-Campus
  • 120 Credits
  • 44 Months
  • 9 Semesters

Working Professional Pace*

  • On-Campus
  • 120 Credits
  • 54 Months
  • 11 Semesters

*Only available at the Miami campus

Overview: Online MHA - Public Health Track

The MHA - Public Health Track Experience

Throughout this specialized track, you will:

  • Learn the fundamentals of healthcare management and leadership with preparation on how to face modern-day challenges of the healthcare industry
  • Fine-tune the focus of your MHA education with specialized courses in public health
  • Learn from highly experienced faculty members who are attentive, easily accessible, and invested in your success
  • Get all-around support with a Student Success advisor, a faculty mentor, no-cost tutors, a Career Services team, and more
  • Enjoy the flexibility of a 100% online curriculum with mobile-friendly content that can be easily accessed on the go
  • Access LinkedIn Learning at no cost, allowing you to learn new professional skills and earn certificates for your LinkedIn profile

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Academic Calendar

New academic terms begin, on average, every eight weeks. Please speak with your advisor for any questions concerning the expected length of your program. You can review our Academic Calendar to see when each term begins and ends.

How Much Does The MHA - Public Health Track Cost?

We know school is a substantial commitment. At WCU, we want to equip you with all the information you need to make the right decision for your future.

Our goal is to give you a clear understanding of MHA - Public Health track tuition costs so you can be well-informed as you navigate the application and enrollment process. To assist you in your decision, we provide a breakdown below of the MHA - Public Health track costs at West Coast University.

We offer several MHA - Public Health track financial aid options – including scholarships, grants, and loan access – to help support you through your studies. We also offer reduced tuition rates for military personnel and their spouses.

For more information about your financial support options, visit our financial aid page.

Master of Health Administration - Public Health Track

Tuition and Fees

Accelerated Plus*

Degree Type Master of Science (Effective prior to Summer 2 2025) Master of Science (Effective Summer 2 2025) 
Total Program Credits 30  30
Program Length(full time) 2 trimesters  2 trimesters 
Tuition Cost(per credit) $750  $772 
Total Tuition Cost $22,500  $23,160 
STRF1 $0 $0 
Technology Fee2 $1,000  $1,000 
Estimate for Program Supply Fees3 $50  $50 
Estimated Total Program Costs (Texas) $23,550  $24,210 
Estimated Total Program Costs (California) $23,550  $24,210 

 

Accelerated*

Degree Type Master of Science (Effective prior to Summer 2 2025) Master of Science (Effective Summer 2 2025) 
Total Program Credits 30  30
Program Length(full time) 3 trimesters  3 trimesters 
Tuition Cost(per credit) $750  $772 
Total Tuition Cost $22,500  $23,160 
STRF1 $0  $0 
Technology Fee2 $1,500  $1,500 
Estimate for Program Supply Fees3 $50  $50 
Estimated Total Program Costs (Texas) $24,050  $24,710 
Estimated Total Program Costs (California) $24,050  $24,710 

 

Working Professional*

Degree Type Master of Science (Effective prior to Summer 2 2025) Master of Science (Effective Summer 2 2025) 
Total Program Credits 30  30 
Program Length(full time) 5 trimesters  5 trimesters 
Tuition Cost(per credit) $750  $772 
Total Tuition Cost $22,500  $23,160  
STRF1 $0  $0 
Technology Fee2 $2,500  $2,500 
Estimate for Program Supply Fees3 $50  $50
Estimated Total Program Costs (Texas) $25,050  $25,710 
Estimated Total Program Costs (California) $25,050  $25,710 

 

Indirect Costs

8 Month Academic Year4    
  Prior to Fall I 2024 Starting Fall I 2024
with parents off campus with campus off campus
Federal Student Loan Fee  $220  $220  $220 $220 
Living Expenses (Food & Housing) $2,384 $7,936 $2,496  $8,328 
Transportation $1,648 $1,648 $1,728  $1,728 
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses $5,392 $5,392 $5,656  '$5,656 
Total $9,644 $15,196 $10,100  $15,932 

* Upon enrollment, students select Accelerated Plus, Accelerated or Working Professional, which will determine the pace at which students complete their degree. In most cases, students that select Accelerated will attempt two courses per term, and students that select Working Professional will attempt one course a term.

1 Effective April 1, 2024, the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) assessment rate will be zero dollars and zero cents ($0.00) per one thousand dollars ($1,000) of institutional charges.

The State of California established the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) to relieve or mitigate economic loss suffered by a student in an educational program at a qualifying institution, who is or was a California resident while enrolled, or was enrolled in a residency program, if the student enrolled in the institution, prepaid tuition, and suffered an economic loss. Unless relieved of the obligation to do so, you must pay the state-imposed assessment for the STRF, or it must be paid on your behalf, if you are a student in an educational program, who is a California resident, or are enrolled in a residency program, and prepay all or part of your tuition.

You are not eligible for protection from the STRF and you are not required to pay the STRF assessment, if you are not a California resident, or are not enrolled in a residency program.

It is important that you keep copies of your enrollment agreement, financial aid documents, receipts, or any other information that documents the amount paid to the school. Questions regarding the STRF may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, 1747 N. Market Blvd. Ste 225 Sacramento, CA 95834, (916) 431-6959 or (888) 370-7589.

To be eligible for STRF, you must be a California resident or enrolled in a residency program, prepaid tuition, paid or deemed to have paid the STRF assessment, and suffered an economic loss as a result of any of the following:

  1. The institution, a location of the institution, or an educational program offered by the institution was closed or discontinued, and you did not choose to participate in a teach-out plan approved by the Bureau or did not complete a chosen teach-out plan approved by the Bureau.
  2. You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution within the 120-day period before the closure of the institution or location of the institution or were enrolled in an educational program within the 120-day period before the program was discontinued.
  3. You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution more than 120 days before the closure of the institution or location of the institution, in an educational program offered by the institution as to which the Bureau determined there was a significant decline in the quality or value of the program more than 120 days before closure.
  4. The institution has been ordered to pay a refund by the Bureau but has failed to do so.
  5. The institution has failed to pay or reimburse loan proceeds under a federal student loan program as required by law or has failed to pay or reimburse proceeds received by the institution in excess of tuition and other costs.
  6. You have been awarded restitution, a refund, or other monetary award by an arbitrator or court, based on a violation of this chapter by an institution or representative of an institution, but have been unable to collect the award from the institution.
  7. You sought legal counsel that resulted in the cancellation of one or more of your student loans and have an invoice for services rendered and evidence of the cancellation of the student loan or loans.

To qualify for STRF reimbursement, the application must be received within four (4) years from the date of the action or event that made the student eligible for recovery from STRF.

A student whose loan is revived by a loan holder or debt collector after a period of noncollection may, at any time, file a written application for recovery from STRF for the debt that would have otherwise been eligible for recovery. If it has been more than four (4) years since the action or event that made the student eligible, the student must have filed a written application for recovery within the original four (4) year period, unless the period has been extended by another act of law.

However, no claim can be paid to any student without a social security number or a taxpayer identification number.

2 Technology Fee includes student technical support, Office 365, blended and online course delivery/learning management system, mobile app, student portal technology and access, and required electronic course materials/software.

3 Program supplies include WCU identification card and background check.   

4 The purpose of the Cost of Attendance (COA) is to provide students and families with an estimated cost to attend West Coast University. The COA includes both direct and indirect cost estimates. Direct costs are paid directly to West Coast University and are shown separately for each program. Indirect costs are not paid to West Coast University and are estimates students may use to budget expenses they may incur while attending school. While actual indirect costs may vary, West Coast University estimates these amounts based on the number of months in an academic year and whether students will live with parents or off campus.

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Hands-on Support from Our Career Services Team

As a WCU student or graduate, you will receive ongoing assistance with your career planning and job search efforts from our Career Services department.1

Our career advisors will sit down with you to help plan your next steps for looking for and obtaining the right job, and they’ll provide valuable resources such as professional development workshops, access to career fairs, help lining up meetings with industry recruiters, and more. They’ll even send you job listings you are likely to be interested in.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to WCU Career Services if you need assistance.

Public Health Job Placement Opportunities

There are various types of roles that may be available to MHA – Public Health graduates, including roles such as health education specialist, community health worker, and health service managers.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, work environments for these types of jobs may include:

  • Government facilities
  • Individual and family services
  • Hospitals (state, local, and private)
  • Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations
  • Outpatient care centers
  • Offices of physicians
  • Nursing and residential care facilities2, 3

No-Cost LinkedIn Learning Account for MHA Students

At WCU, we leverage LinkedIn Learning to help better equip our MHA students for the job market. In addition to the high-quality education, you will receive through your Master of Health Administration curriculum, you will also gain access to LinkedIn Learning’s extensive library of educational video content, which is created by industry professionals across various disciplines.

For every MHA core course you take, you will also sign up for a LinkedIn Learning module, which you will complete by the end of the term. The module will align with what you are learning in the MHA program, and you will earn a certificate of completion once you’re done.

You can upload that certificate to your LinkedIn profile, which can help you better appeal to prospective employers when you’re searching for a job.

Featured Faculty


Alexandra Auslander, PhD, MPH, MS

Assistant Professor, Master of Public Health Program

Dr. Alex Auslander

Dr. Alexandra Auslander is an Associate Professor for West Coast University’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program. Prior to joining WCU, Dr. Auslander was a lecturer for the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, as well as an adjunct professor for the Department of Physical Education at Fullerton College and Cypress College.

In addition to teaching public health courses at WCU, Dr. Auslander is working for a research team in community public health as a physical activity subject matter expert. Her team’s focus is on reducing the risk of chronic disease in underserved and vulnerable populations in Southern California. The project, which focuses on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress, is being funded by a grant from the Surgeon General of California.

Dr. Auslander earned her PhD in health promotion with a concentration in public health from Claremont Graduate University, which is where she also earned her Master of Public Health (MPH) in with a focus on biostatistics and epidemiology. She additionally has a master’s degree in kinesiology from California Polytechnic University, Pomona and a bachelor’s degree in biology from San Francisco State University.

From 2015 to 2019, Dr. Auslander completed a Community and Global Health Fellowship at Claremont Graduate University. Her academic and professional honors include the 2015-2016 Cal Poly Pomona Intercollegiate Athletics Recognition of Appreciation, the 2016 Travel Award from Claremont Graduate University, and acceptance into the 2016 Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program from the California University Chancellor’s Office. Dr. Auslander has also been awarded grants, fellowships, contracts, and research opportunities from the 2016 Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health.

With a passion for public health research, Dr. Auslander has had her work published in various health journals, and she has presented her research papers at the conventions of regional and national industry associations.

Dr. Auslander is married with two young children and a lab dog. She loves to cook, exercise, travel, and eat great food. One of her favorite sayings is “Cook with Love and Eat with Passion.”

Pursue your BSN at one of the following campuses
Technologically Advanced Sim Labs

At WCU, our goal is to build both the skills and confidence required in the nursing field. Practice using high-fidelity manikins that cry, sweat, and react like real patients. Coupled with hands-on clinical experiences, our simulations give students the opportunity to master foundational skills and graduate with confidence.

Our BSN students experience a range of patient care situations from routine to emergency. During simulation sessions, each student independently practices the functions of a registered nurse. The simulation labs at West Coast University use a full range of scenarios at all levels of the core nursing program:

Experience WCU for Yourself!

Attend an info session to learn what all the buzz is about.

Get Started

We’re here to help you, from the moment you apply to beyond graduation. It all starts here.

Clinical Placements

WCU is dedicated to building long-term clinical relationships and hospital affiliations that offer students a world of options and meaningful clinical experiences.

We have coordinators of clinical relations who support students by facilitating clinical site and preceptor selection, helping streamline approvals, and assisting with compliance tracking. Our Clinical Placements team also provides coaching calls for students who need guidance on how to make their clinicals a success.

NCLEX Support

NCLEX Support

Helping BSN Students Prepare for Licensure

Passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a critical milestone for all nurses. That’s why WCU helps prepare you every step of the way.

As a BSN student, you have access to:

  • One-on-one support from NCLEX advisors
  • NCLEX bootcamps
  • No-cost tutoring
  • A virtual library of educational books and videos

“WCU helped prepare us for the NCLEX by providing an adequate test environment, providing us with opportunities to take proctored tests that simulate the NCLEX and to test our nursing knowledge in those tests.”

– Stephanie P., BSN ’21*

“West Coast prepares you unlike any other school I have seen for the NCLEX.”

– Leslie G., BSN ’18*

Career Services

Providing Hands-On Career Support

WCU graduates get to enjoy support from our Career Services team.2 Starting when you’re a student, through graduation, and beyond, you’ll have access to individualized career advice, professional development workshops on topics like resume writing and interview preparation, help finding job leads, assistance connecting with industry recruiters, and more.

Potential Job Opportunities

Once you receive your licensure as a registered nurse, you will have various options to choose from for your career path. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a registered nurse usually works with physicians and other healthcare specialists. Additionally, they may be charged with overseeing licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants, and home health aides.

The largest employers of registered nurses (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics) are:

The Career Services team can help you find job opportunities that meet your goals!

Featured Faculty

Chiarina P. Piazza, PhD, MEd, RN Dean, College of Nursing | California Program Director

Dr. Piazza has been working in the university since 2009. Her past roles included Faculty; Campus Associate Dean of Nursing, Academics; Campus Dean of Nursing; and Associate Dean, College of Nursing. Most recently, she has been appointed to the position of Dean, College of Nursing.

She has a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from the University of San Diego, a Master of Education from Cambridge College, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of California, Los Angeles.

With a commitment to community service, Dr. Piazza is a Commissioner for the Sister Cities Commission of Anaheim. And has previously served as Commissioner, Orange County Human Relations, and Board Member for the School Nurses of California Foundation.

FAQs

What can I expect to learn in the Master of Health Administration – Public Health track?

In the MHA - Public Health track, you will have the opportunity to complete all the core Master of Health Administration courses while also taking complementary courses designed to give you a strong foundation in public health. This track is ideal for students who have an interest in public health or who would like to work in this field.

Can I transfer past coursework and work experience into the MHA program?

WCU considers credit transfers for the MHA program, both for previous coursework and for things like professional certifications, licenses, trainings, and skills acquired through past work experience. View more information about prior learning assessment (PLA) credits and experiential credits in our WCU catalog.

You can work directly with your advisor to see which credits may be applied to your new degree, and to get more information on the transfer credit process.

Will I be able to complete my degree if I’m working?

Our online MHA program is perfect for working students as it gives them the flexibility to study when and where they want. While you will have weekly deadlines, you can watch lectures and complete their assignments on the days and times that work for you, which is ideal if you have a busy work schedule. As an online student, you can access everything you need remotely (your coursework, WCU library, no-cost tutoring, Student Success advisor, etc.).

How long does it take to complete the MHA-Public Health degree?

We offer three program paces for MHA students. You can complete your MHA degree in as little as 8 months at the Accelerated Plus pace,12 months at the Accelerated pace, or 20 months at the Working Professional pace. You may also be eligible to cut down the length of time in your program if you completed the Bachelor of Science in Health Administration (BSHA) bridge program at WCU, which means you have already completed some of your required graduate-level courses.

What’s the difference between WCU’s MHA – Public Health, MBA – Public Health, and MPH (Master of Public Health) programs?

Each of these graduate programs prepares students for careers in public health, but they differ in their curriculum.

The Master of Health Administration primarily teaches students how to become administrators in healthcare settings whereas the Master of Business Administration teaches students how to become leaders and administrators across various types of business settings. Both the MHA and MBA programs have a Public Health track that allows students to take courses focused on this this specialized field. Meanwhile, the curriculum for the Master of Public Health program is fully focused on public health education.

The MHA – Public Health track and MBA - Public Health track are ideal for students who want to broaden the scope of their knowledge to include business and administration practices.

Is financial aid available?

Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify. A financial aid advisor from WCU can help you review the various types of aid that may be available to you, such as student loans, scholarships, grants, employer tuition reimbursement, and/or military tuition reductions.

A few of our online division scholarships and grants include the Alumni Pathway Grant (covering up to 20% of tuition), the WCU Health Services Grant (covering up to 10% of tuition), and the WCU Performance Scholarship (covering up to 15% of tuition). For more information about your options, visit our Tuition & Financial Aid page.

Follow the BSN Student Experience at #WestCoastUniversity

Experience WCU for Yourself!

Attend an info session to learn what all the buzz is about.

Get Started

We’re here to help you, from the moment you apply to beyond graduation. It all starts here.

1 American Association of Colleges of Nursing, “Employment of New Nurse Graduates and Employer Preferences for Baccalaureate-Prepared Nurses,” October 2022

2 WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment.

3 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, “What Registered Nurses Do,” Updated Sept. 8, 2022

4 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, “Work Environment,” Updated Sept. 8, 2022

*The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.

Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.

Additional Resources:

1 Challenge Credit

2 Transfer Credit Policy

2a Military Training or Experience

2b Credit for Previous Education or Training for Veterans

3 Military Educational Benefits