Make a positive impact in the health care field and on the lives of others with a bachelor's degree in health care administration from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Accredited as a Health Service Executive (HSE™) program by the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB), the health care administration program is an excellent path for those interested in long-term/post-acute care. Learn what it takes to plan, direct, coordinate and supervise the delivery of health care services at a variety of organizations through high-impact practices like immersion experiences, community service, research with faculty and study abroad opportunities. 

A 12-month paid administrative residency in a long-term care facility will provide further insight into your field and connect what you learned in the classroom to what's happening in the real world. In addition to gaining new skills and professional experience, you'll also learn how to balance the unique health care needs of those you serve with dynamic changes in the health care industry.

Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the Nursing Home Administrator licensure exam in Wisconsin, Minnesota and other states. The HSE™ qualification is also accepted for licensure in the majority of states.

Because health care professionals are needed in many different organizations and fields, you will find a wide range of career paths available to you. Graduates go on to pursue leadership and managerial positions at hospitals, assisted living facilities, group homes, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, hospices and more. 

Accreditation information

UW-Eau Claire's health care administration degree is accredited by the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Nursing Home Administrator licensure exam in Wisconsin, Minnesota and other states. The HSE™ qualification is also accepted for licensure in the majority of states.

As a UW-Eau Claire health care administration graduate, you will have the knowledge, tools and professional experience to best support the health care needs of aging populations. Health care administrators plan, direct, coordinate and supervise the delivery of health care services at organizations such as assisted living facilities, group homes, outpatient clinics and hospices. They must balance the unique health care needs of the people they serve with dynamic changes in their industry, such as evolving integrated health care delivery systems, technological innovations and complex legal and regulatory environments.

Graduates of the program are prepared for a variety of managerial positions in the health care field, such as nursing home administrator, executive director of assisted living, director of rehabilitation facility, human resources director, marketing manager, pharmaceutical salesperson, health insurance broker and health care consultant. Our program also provides excellent preparation for those who wish to pursue graduate school and positions in the acute care sector (hospitals).

Where are health care administration alumni now?

• Assistant campus administrator, Crest View Senior Communities, Minnesota
• Assistant administrator, ManorCare, Illinois
• Contract specialist, Gunderson Lutheran, Wisconsin
• Recruiting coordinator, DaVita Kidney Care, Colorado 
• Administrator, Villa Healthcare, Wisconsin
• Health care administrator, Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center, Minnesota 

Health care administration careers

• Executive director
• Admissions director
• Administrator
• Healthcare administrator
• Alzheimer's care unit director
• Operations executive
• Contract and proposals specialist
• Marketing assistant

The health care administration bachelor's degree prepares you for success through a strong liberal education partnered with major-specific coursework in administration, health care and business. Rooted in experiential learning, the renowned program will help you to build communication, teamwork, leadership, troubleshooting, relationship-building, good judgment and problem-solving skills — all of which are highly valued by employers.

What classes do health care administration majors take?

Your classes may cover topics like: 

• Biology of humans 
• Health economics 
• Marketing and public relations in health services 
• Human nutrition 
• Human resource management 
• Legal and regulatory environment 
• Multidisciplinary perspectives on aging 

Learn more about the comprehensive health care administration major in the UWEC course catalog.

All students interested in majoring in health care administration must apply for admission to the program. The health care administration program accepts applications for a limited period of time each semester. Transfer students may apply for admission to the HCAD program when they apply to UW-Eau Claire.

The HCAD program accepts applications for admission to the program twice each year. Watch your email and the College of Business website for application deadlines.

Priority Admissions (October) 

• Students must have at least 28 credits completed (typically fall semester of sophomore year)
• Minimum GPA of 3.25 (resident and overall)
• HCAD 101 has been taken or is in-progress this semester

Standard Admissions (March)

• Students must have at least 42 credits completed (typically spring semester of sophomore year)
• Minimum GPA of 2.50

*The spring admission process 15 months before the student hopes to begin administrative residency is the LAST HCAD ADMISSION process for the student to be accepted to the following year’s cohort.

**On occasion, Conditional Admission or a Deferred Decision may be considered for those below the minimum GPA, dependent on circumstances and available space.

Rolling Admissions

Between March and September, if space allows, we can consider, on an individual basis, any student, transfer student or second degree student who demonstrates they are a good candidate and can complete all required coursework in the upcoming year, prior to starting administrative residency the following June. 

• Students should submit a completed application here and send an email to Dr. Jennifer L. Johs-Artisensi at johsarjl@uwec.edu to let her know your submission is ready for review.
• HCAD faculty will review and make a decision on a rolling basis.
• Depending on timing, the process for administrative residency placement will vary.
• If you're unsure about when you should apply this semester, please see your ARCC advisor in Vicki Lord Larson Hall (Old Library) 2100.  

HCAD Application and Submission Information (.pdf)

Important Dates

Priority Applications for the HCAD program are due Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.

Standard Applications for the HCAD program are due Friday, March 1, 2024.

Please see your ARCC advisor for assistance in completing your application and to have it reviewed and approved by them prior to submitting. If you have general questions about the HCAD program or major, please speak with your HCAD faculty mentor.

The Health Care Administration administrative residency is an integral part of your education, allowing you to apply your skills and classroom knowledge as part of a leadership team. It consists of 50 weeks at an affiliated health care facility. Upon completion of the administrative residency, you will be ready to begin performing as a leader and manager in health care.

The administrative residency consists of three components:

1. Fundamental skills development. You will gain a basic understanding of the day-to-day activities occurring in a health and aging services organization by observing and/or assisting employees in each department or functional equivalent.

2. Broader knowledge development. You will complete core units in resident service management, quality management systems, human resources management, rules and regulations, financial management, information use and systems, and marketing and public relations.

3. Capstone leadership projects. You will gain management and leadership experience by taking a lead role on significant projects and/or tasks which you will develop and complete during your administrative residency. 

While in the administrative residency, you will receive UW-Eau Claire credit for the courses taken at the affiliated institution and pay full tuition and fees to the university. Administrative residency students receive a provider-sponsored annual stipend of approximately $30,000 to help defray living costs.

Administrative Residency Placement

You will apply for admission to an administrative residency cohort the year before beginning the experience. Cohorts begin each June.

Administrative Residency placements are made through a competitive application and matching process. Although the program ensures we have more available sites than we have students, placement at a residency site is not guaranteed. There must be a mutual fit between sites and students for a match to be made.  Students who do not place in the initial match will work individually with the Residency Coordinator to explore up to 2 additional available site options. Since academic achievement plays a part in the selection of students for an administrative residency, minimum resident, and total GPAs of 2.5 are required. Although the vast majority of students are matched, students unable to secure placement with a site should meet with their academic advisor as soon as possible to discuss alternative options to maintain an on-time graduation.

See where current students are placed

UWEC Administrative Residency Sites

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