Bemidji State University and Winona State University are partnering to deliver a bachelor of applied science degree in health care leadership and administration that can be completed entirely online.

The program is designed to build on existing technical education and professional experience and provide education needed to develop management and leadership skills necessary in modern interdisciplinary healthcare settings. The program is specifically targeted to working allied health professionals who have completed associate’s degrees and are looking for opportunities to earn a bachelor’s degree. The program is not designed for students without an associate’s degree or without professional health care experience.

Students will learn communication and relationship management; leadership and critical thinking; professionalism; knowledge of the health care environment; and business skill and knowledge.

Employers seeking medical and health services managers include hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, insurance and pharmaceutical companies, sleep centers; dental, optical, and veterinary clinics and government organizations focused on public health and policy.

Winona State and Bemidji State developed the program in collaboration with leading health care providers, Minnesota’s two-year colleges and HealthForce Minnesota. The program enables students to develop a comprehensive set of competencies that build on the technical skills gained through an associate degree program and relevant work experience. The program has a variety of course completion programs which allow students to pursue the degree in two-, three- or four-year plans.

“This online degree creates an opportunity for today’s health care worker to earn an interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree while remaining in the workforce,” said Jim White, BSU associate professor of human performance, sport and health. “Adult students who complete this degree will gain knowledge and skills relevant to today’s ever-changing work environment. They also will gain a competitive advantage when applying for leadership positions and gain the ability to pursue new career opportunities or seek advanced degrees.”

The degree requires the successful completion of a 48-credit curriculum, with a 36-credit interdisciplinary core completed through Winona State and 12 credits of required electives completed through Bemidji State.

Bemidji State is offering elective coursework as part of the HLA degree. Students can choose courses that match their interest, including marketing, grant writing, social and ethical issues in medicine, gerontology, and community health.

Prospective students interested in the program must be admitted to Winona State and will first declare a pre-health care leadership and administration major. Before admission to the program, students must demonstrate that they have earned an associate’s degree, hold a minimum of junior standing (60+ credits), have completed the communication requirement (Goal 1) of Winona State’s General Education Program and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above. Students who possess professional experience in a healthcare setting will receive priority in the admission process. For more information, visit the program’s admissions information site: http://www.winona.edu/hla/programadmission.asp

Major coursework for the program is offered completely online, although some courses are offered to students outside the major in traditional classroom settings or in hybrid classroom/online models. Students in this program are allowed to take these courses but may need instructor permission. Students participating in the program are encouraged to take courses specifically tailored to healthcare professionals.

Bemidji State and Winona State are members of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, which includes 31 institutions on 54 campuses in 47 communities throughout the state. It is the fifth-largest system of two- and four-year colleges in the country and serves nearly 430,000 students each year in credit and non-credit courses.

Contact
Bemidji State University – Jim White, associate professor of human performance, sport and health; (218) 755-2766

Links
• Winona State University announces new health care leadership degree
• Health care leadership and administration program [email]