Bachelor of Health Administration

This program is closed to new students as of October 17, 2022, and will be closed to in-progress students on June 30, 2028.

Canada’s health care system is faced with challenges from all directions; rising costs, shortage of human resources, and an aging population. Athabasca University’s Bachelor of Health Administration program is designed to help health care administrators and managers meet these challenges. By developing organizational, analytical, and managerial skills, the program enables graduate students to seek innovative ways of meeting the increasing demands on Canada’s health care system. To receive more information about this program, please contact Athabasca University’s Faculty of Health Disciplines.

Planning your program

Our online program plans can assist you in selecting the courses needed to fulfill your program requirements.

Athabasca University has also developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.

Program requirements

Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their enrolment.

Students must meet the following English writing skills requirement:

  • hold credit in ADMN 233 or ENGL 255 (Students are strongly encouraged to register in either course early in their program.);
    or
  • have a grade of B- (70 per cent) or better in an Athabasca University English course above the preparatory (100) level;
    or
  • receive transfer credit for an English course in which a grade of B- or better was achieved.

Students who hold a recognized first degree and who wish to obtain an AU undergraduate degree in a different subject area, must apply under the second undergraduate degree regulations. These students may transfer in up to 50 per cent (45 credits) into the three-year degree program, based on course work in the first degree that is applicable. Preparatory (100 level) credits cannot be used to fulfill the requirements of a second undergraduate degree.

Program structure

program structure
Total credits in the program 90
Required credits 57
Elective credits 15
Options 18
Minimum credits at the senior (300 and 400) level 54
Maximum credits at the junior level 36
(maximum allowed at the preparatory [100] level) 6
Residency requirement. A minimum of 24 credits must be obtained through Athabasca University. 24
Graduation with Distinction or Great Distinction. At least 24 credits must be obtained through Athabasca University in order to be considered. 24
Maximum Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) credits 21

Required core courses

(57 credits)

required core courses
ACCT 250 – Accounting for Managers (3)
ADMN 232 – Introduction to Management (3)
ADMN 233 – Writing in Organizations* (3)
or
ENGL 255 – Introductory Composition*
* See English Writing Skills Requirement
COMM 243 – Interpersonal Communication (3)
ECON/HADM 321 – Health Care Economics (3)
HADM 235 – Introduction to Health Administration (3)
HADM 336 – Community Health Planning (3)
HADM 339 – Organization of the Canadian Health Care System (3)
HADM 369 – Health Policy in Canada (3)
HADM 379 – Introduction to Epidemiology (3)
HADM 400 – Health Care Law (3)
HADM 435 – Practicum – Senior Field Placement in Health Administration (6)
HADM 488 – Risk Management and Safety in Health Services (3)
HLST 200 – Introduction to Human Health I (3)
or
HLST 201 – Introduction to Human Health II
HADM 326 – Health Issues: Health and Healing (3)
PHIL 252 – Critical Thinking (PHIL 252 will be waived if students have completed a university-level course in indigenous philosophy.) (3)
PHIL 333 – Professional Ethics (3)
HADM 399 – Evaluating Health Research Evidence (3)

Electives

(Select 15 credits from the following)

electives
CMIS 245 – Microcomputer Applications in Business (Windows) (3)
COMM 277 – Group Communication (3)
HADM 315 – Health and Community Development
(Students are strongly recommended to take HADM 315)		 (3)
HLST 320 – Teaching and Learning for Health Professionals (3)
HRMT 386 – Introduction to Human Resource Management (3)
LGST 331 – Administrative Law (3)
ORGB 364 – Organizational Behaviour (3)
WGST 303 – Gender, Women, and Health (3)

Options

(18 credits)

options
In any discipline (18)
Information effective Sep. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026.

Updated July 26, 2024 by Office of the Registrar