Healthcare Leadership
Valparaiso University’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Leadership will prepare leaders with the skills required to meet the evolving demands of a dynamic healthcare landscape.
About Our Healthcare Leadership Degree
If these skills are calling the leader inside of you:
- The ability to lead, motivate, and inspire others
- A willingness to make decisions and take responsibility for the outcome
- A desire to coach, coordinate, and evaluate
Healthcare Leadership is the degree for you!
Major Requirements
The curriculum for the major in Healthcare Leadership is comprised of general education requirements and hands-on training that will provide the solid foundation necessary for academic and employment success. Students who complete the requirements for the Healthcare Leadership degree will also receive a minor in Public Health.
These degree requirements are Effective Fall of 2025
Degree Requirements *Effective Fall of 2025
Fall Semester
| Courses | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science 101 | Wellness and Stress | 1 |
| Interprofessional Education 103 | Exploring the Health Professions | 3 |
| Biology 151 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| Chemistry 111, or 121, or 131 | General Chemistry | 4 |
| VUE 101 | Valparaiso University Experience | 4 |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Spring Semester
| Courses | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Leadership 105 | Fundamentals of Healthcare Leadership | 3 |
| Public Health 101 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| Biology 152 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| Psychology 110 | General Psychology | 3 |
| VUE 102 | Valparaiso University Experience | 4 |
| Total Credits | 17 | |
Fall Semester
| Courses | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Leadership 121 | Environment and Health | 3 | |
| Healthcare Leadership 212 | Leadership in Healthcare Organizations | 4 | |
| Exercise Science 250 | Medical Terminology | 3 | |
| Interprofessional Education 253 | Introduction to Interprofessional Education for Healthcare Professionals | 3 | |
| English 205 | Writing in the Health Sciences | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 16 | ||
Spring Semester
| Courses | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Leadership 255 | Communication Strategies for Public Health and Healthcare Leadership | 3 |
| Interprofessional Education 213 | Social Determinants of Health | 3 |
| Interprofessional Education 233 | Principles of Health Education and Promotion | 3 |
| Marketing 304 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| Religious Studies 200 | The Christian Tradition | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Fall Semester
| Courses | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Leadership 301 | Healthcare Strategic Planning | 3 |
| Healthcare Leadership 302 | Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues | 3 |
| Healthcare Leadership 305 | Finance and Accounting for Healthcare Leaders | 3 |
| Healthcare Leadership 306 | Quality Improvement in Healthcare | 3 |
| Upper Level Religious Studies | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Spring Semester
| Courses | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Leadership 303 | Healthcare Management Information Systems | 3 |
| Healthcare Leadership 370 | Program Planning and Evaluation | 3 |
| Interprofessional Education 304 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 3 |
| Psychology 201 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| Psychology 215 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Fall Semester
| Courses | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Leadership 417 | Human Resource Management for Healthcare Leaders | 3 |
| Interprofessional Education 315 | Introduction to Evidence Based Practice in Health Professions | 3 |
| Interprofessional Education 318 | Global Health Issue | 3 |
| Humanities | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Spring Semester
| Courses | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Leadership 470 | Healthcare Leadership Strategies | 3 |
| Healthcare Leadership 480 | Healthcare Leadership Practicum | 5 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 14 | |
Minor Requirements
The Healthcare Leadership (HL) minor allows students to explore leadership roles in the rapidly expanding fields of healthcare. A HL minor will complement many majors across Valparaiso University. A student interested in this minor should consult with their academic advisor as soon as possible to plan a course of study.
| Required Courses | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Interprofessional Education 103 | Exploring the Health Professions | 3 |
| Healthcare Leadership 105 | Fundamentals of Healthcare Leadership | 3 |
| Complete nine additional credits from the remaining courses with an HCL or IPE prefix | 9 | |
*PHS 101, HCL 470, and HCL 480 cannot be included for the minor.
BSHL to MHCA (4+1)
Valparaiso University’s Master of Healthcare Administration (MHCA) provides students with the skills and experience to become leaders in a variety of healthcare settings. Graduates go on to positions such as hospital administrators, health information management directors, nursing home administrators, healthcare managers, and more.
During the junior year, students who have a 3.0 cumulative GPA, who have a 3.0 GPA in the required healthcare leadership courses, who have not earned grades of less than C in science courses and courses required for the healthcare Leadership (HL) major, and who have completed the program of study through the junior year, will be invited to enroll in the 4+1 program.
Students who are admitted into the HL/MHCA 4+1 during their senior year will be admitted directly into the MCHA program upon graduation from their HL program assuming they continue to meet the progression requirements. Applications should be submitted no later than the close of spring semester of the Junior year.
Requirements for progression include maintenance of a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 average in all graduate level classes, and no grades of less than B- in any required graduate courses.
| Courses | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Administration 501 | Understanding Healthcare Organizations | 3 |
| Interprofessional Education 315 | Introduction to Evidence Based Practice in Health Professions | 3 |
| Interprofessional Education 518 | Global Health Issue | 3 |
| Humanities | 3 | |
| Guided Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
| Courses | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Leadership 470 | Healthcare Leadership Strategies | 3 |
| Healthcare Leadership 480 | Healthcare Leadership Practicum | 3 |
| Healthcare Administration 650 | Managing People & Human Resources | 3 |
| Healthcare Administration 672 | Legal & Ethical Issues in Healthcare | 3 |
| Total Credits | 14 | |
College of Nursing AND Health Professions
Program Rankings and Highlights
healthcare leadership
Meet Our Faculty
Professors. Mentors. Friends. At Valparaiso University, you will work on real-life problems alongside faculty leaders with decades of experience and a true desire to do what’s best for you.
College of Nursing AND Health Professions
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