(Code 660-055)

The Health Care Administration Leadership program at UW-Eau Claire offers students with a “head for business” and a “heart for caring” a pathway to health care leadership and an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. The program’s multidisciplinary coursework in health care, business, management, aging, policy, and emphasis on leadership development ensures students develop the knowledge and skills needed to lead interdisciplinary care teams, optimize operations, improve patient experiences, and ensure high-quality care. HCAD graduates are well-prepared (and in demand) to assume leadership roles across post-acute and long-term care settings. For students considering entering the acute care sector (hospitals), the program offers excellent preparation for the graduate education required.

Signature Student Experiences:

• A paid, 12-month administrative residency provides practical leadership training in approved healthcare settings. Sites are largely concentrated in the upper Midwest, but there may also be a few in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and beyond.
• An annual professional networking event and career interview fair connects soon-to-be graduates with partners of the program, giving organizations who support the HCAD program first dibs at hiring our talented graduates to lead their healthcare organizations, immediately after graduation!
• Numerous immersive learning experiences to help HCAD students gain a firsthand understanding of the profession and the dynamic environment of health care. When students engage in research with faculty, network with professionals at conferences, or participate in domestic or foreign immersion experiences, they build self-confidence, passion, and can envision themselves making a difference as health care leaders.
• The HCAD program is accredited as a Health Services Executive^TM program by the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB). Graduates are eligible for the Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) licensure exam in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and most other states and are also eligible to pursue the Health Services Executive (HSE) credential, increasing licensure mobility, career opportunities, and leadership potential across a majority of states.

Immediately upon graduation, HCAD graduates are prepared to take on leadership roles that positively impact care recipients, healthcare teams, and organizations—and build rewarding careers in an essential and expanding profession. 

Scholarships. Multiple scholarships are available to students in the Health Care Administration major through our Center for Health Administration and Aging Services Excellence (CHAASE). Additional scholarships are also available through the College of Business, Department of Management and Leadership Programs, and the broader University. Information may be obtained by visiting the Scholarship section of the Admissions website.

University Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREE
Credit Requirements
Minimum total for graduation 1		120
Upper division credits (courses numbered 300 and higher)		39
Core General Education		10 courses, 36 credits
Academic Concentrations
Grade Point Requirements 2
Total		2.00 average
Resident		2.00 average
Major		2.00 average
Minor		2.00 average
Certificate		2.00 average
University Residency Requirements
Minimum total		30
Senior year		23
Major, Standard, upper division in residence		12
Major, Comprehensive, upper division in residence		21
Certificate		25 percent of credits
Procedures Required for Graduation
Obtain admission to the degree program and/or the College offering it.
Apply for graduation on CampS.

¹

Certain programs exceed this minimum.

²

See special requirements in each College.

Applicability of Credits Toward Graduation

Junior College or Two-Year College Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in a junior college or two-year college will be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire.

Extension Credits. Credits earned in credit outreach courses offered by UW-Eau Claire are treated as resident credits. Credits earned in extension courses offered by other units of the Universities of Wisconsin System are treated as transfer credits. All other (non-UW) extension and correspondence credits are normally limited to one-fourth of the total required for graduation from any curriculum.

WTCS Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in college parallel programs at Madison Area Technical College, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Nicolet Area Technical College, or Chippewa Valley Technical College may be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire. A set number of general education courses will be accepted from other technical schools. Occupational and technical courses may also be considered for transfer if the quality and content of the course work from the technical college is judged to be comparable to course work at UW-Eau Claire. Refer to the Transfer Credit Wizard or contact the UW-Eau Claire Admissions Office for information about the current transfer policy.

USAFI Credit. UW-Eau Claire will accept up to 32 semester credits for work done through the United States Armed Forces Institute, under the provision for non-UW correspondence credit (see Extension Credits above).

Activity Credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184 courses) Students may count toward graduation no more than one credit of KINS 110-184 courses. Students may count toward graduation no more than four credits earned in any single activity course and no more than 12 credits resulting from any combination of activity courses (excluding KINS 110-184 courses). 

Other Restricted Credits. For other University restrictions, see the following: Cooperative Education; Credit by Examination; Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Registration; Transfer of Credits. College or departmental restrictions may also be placed on Independent Study (399-499 courses), Directed Study (395-495), and other types of credits.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
APPLICABILITY OF CREDITS TOWARD GRADUATION		Credit Restrictions
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Total degree credit		maximum 12
Major, Standard		maximum 1 course
Major, Comprehensive		maximum 2 courses
Minor		maximum 1 course
Credit by Examination
Total degree credit		maximum ¼ of total
Major or minor		maximum ½ of total
Two-Year College Credits
Total degree credit		maximum 72 credits
Activity credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184)
Total KINS 100-184		maximum 1 credit
Total Band, chorus, drama		maximum 12 credits
Single course band, chorus, drama		maximum 4 credits
Extension credits
UW-System		no maximum
Other extension/correspondence		maximum ¼ of total
USAFI
USAFI		maximum 32 credits

Core General Education Requirements (CGER)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
CGER Categories
Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning (MQR)		4 credit hours, 1 course min
Includes University Math Requirement 1
Communication & Literacy (CL)		8 credit hours, 2 course min (including CL-W)
Includes University Writing Requirement (CL-W) 2
Natural Sciences & Wellness (NSW/NSWL)		6 credit hours, 1 course min (NSW-Lab required)
Social & Behavioral Sciences (SBS)		6 credit hours, 2 course min
Humanities & Arts (HA)		6 credit hours, 2 course min
Civics & Perspectives (CP)		6 credit hours, 2 course min
CGER Totals 3
Credits		minimum 36 credits
Courses		minimum 10 courses

¹

University Mathematics Requirement:

Students satisfy the University Mathematics Requirement in one of four ways:

• completing an approved university-level mathematics course (MQR) with a grade of C (not C-) or above
• achieving a suitable score on the UW Math Placement Test
• achieving a suitable score on an exam such as the Advanced Placement Calculus or Advanced Placement Statistics exams
• achieving a suitable score on a Credit by Examination administered by the Department of Mathematics.   

²

University Writing Requirement:

Students satisfy the University Writing Requirement in one of four ways:

• completing a Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing course (WRIT 102, WRIT 114, WRIT 116, WRIT 118, or WRIT 120) with a grade of C (not C-) or above
• achieving a suitable score on the English Placement Test (WPT ENGL)
• achieving a suitable score on an exam such as the Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition or Advanced Placement English Language and Composition exams
• achieving a suitable score on the University Writing Program Portfolio.

³

Completion via Placement Tests

• Writing: If the CL-W subcategory is satisfied through a placement test, the CGER Communication and Literacy requirement will be reduced from 8 credits (2 courses) to 3 credits (1 course).
• Mathematics: If the University Math Requirement is satisfied through a placement test, the CGER Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning requirement will be considered fully met, replacing the 4-credit (1 course) requirement.
• Students must still complete 36 credits across 10 courses, with any remaining credits or courses eligible to be taken from any CGER category.

College Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Business Administration Degree Requirements

Credits for Graduation

All candidates for the BBA degree need a minimum of 120 credits to graduate.

Student Professional Development Program

All students pursuing a major in the College of Business must complete the Student Professional Development Workshops. All students pursuing a minor in the Department of Management and Leadership Programs must complete the Student Professional Development Workshops. The program is designed to equip students with the skills needed to present themselves professionally during their job search and upon entering their chosen careers. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the workshops prior to the end of their third semester on campus. The program consists of four workshops: The Business Professional, Professional Image, Professional Etiquette, Professional Networking Event. For more information, visit the College of Business website.

Grade Point Requirements

Candidates for the BBA degree must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in their major and in courses taken in residence. (See the special requirements for the Comprehensive Major in Health Care Administration.) If a minor is required, or is to be listed as an official minor, the candidate must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the minor.

• Unless otherwise indicated, no College of Business course may be taken on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis as part of a major, minor, or certificate described by one of the departments in the College of Business. This excludes courses that are only offered on an S/U basis. Specific programs (major, minor, certificate) may have additional requirements. Please check program requirements.  
• Business courses may be taken on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis only concurrent with or following completion of the student’s major or business minor.

Application to the Administrative Residency

Application to the Administrative Residency

Any student may declare Health Care Administration as a major, but 15 months prior to when a student plans to begin their Administrative Residency, they apply to join their Administrative Residency Cohort. Because students spend their final academic year in their Administrative Residency, this application is typically due by early March of a student’s sophomore year. However, this application timeline may vary for some students (e.g., transfer students or those who change majors), and students will work with their ARCC advisor to determine the appropriate time to apply.

This application will be submitted electronically, and eligibility criteria include:

1. declared Health Care Administration major
2. resident and total GPA of at least 2.5
3. HCAD 101 is in progress or completed
4. an advisor-approved plan, demonstrating the student can fulfill all non-administrative residency requirements of the University, College of Business, and Health Care Administration major prior to the start of residency

For transfer students lacking a resident GPA or the HCAD 101 requirement, these criteria may be waived. For students not meeting minimum GPA requirements (or who apply after the cohort admission deadline), conditional admission may be possible, potentially with adjustments made to the process of site application.

Administrative Residency

Following satisfactory completion of all required campus-based courses, including Liberal Education, each June, a new cohort begins their Administrative Residency, consisting of 50 weeks of applied learning in an affiliated health care organization. This learning experience is akin to a structured internship, and the student is also enrolled in several applied, online courses where they obtain additional instruction, as well as attend several in-person learning modules back on campus. Students are enrolled as full-time students at UW-Eau Claire throughout the Administrative Residency. Although they are paying tuition and fees to the University, students in the Administrative Residency also receive a generous provider-sponsored stipend.

Although the University cannot guarantee placement at an administrative residency site, the HCAD program aids the student in every way possible. Since academic achievement plays a part in site selection of students for the administrative residency, resident and total GPAs above the 2.5 minimum are recommended, as is engagement in applied health care, leadership, and/or professional experiences, of which the Health Care Administration program offers many.

The Administrative Residency runs annually, approximately June-May. Because the process of applying to residency sites begins more than a year in advance of the start of the residency experience, students apply to their Administrative Residency Cohort approximately 15 months prior to their desired residency start date. For most students this means they apply to their Residency Cohort by early March of their sophomore year. However, this application timeline may vary for some students (e.g., transfer students or those who change majors), and students will work with their ARCC advisor to determine the appropriate time to apply.

More information about this process may be found on the Health Care Administration program website. Even once placed at an administrative residency site, students must meet and complete all academic standing requirements and non-administrative residency course work before beginning Residency. If a student’s degree plan changes such that more time is required to complete non-administrative residency course requirements, students may be reassigned to a future cohort.

Health Care Administration is a professional discipline, and students enrolled in the program must anticipate some additional costs that are directly related to the Administrative Residency. These include special course fees on some residency courses, health requirements, technology costs (e.g., laptop and internet access), and transportation and lodging associated with the administrative residency experience and in-person learning modules.

Student Background Check and Health Requirements

State law requires background checks on all students placed at clinical sites, including administrative residency sites. All Residency students must complete the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services Background Information Disclosure, as well as a release for a Wisconsin Department of Justice Criminal Background Check. Non-resident students must also have background checks completed in their state of residence. Additional information regarding the Wisconsin Caregiver Program can be obtained from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website.

Within 90 days prior to beginning the Administrative Residency, the student must have a physical exam to provide evidence that the student is free from infectious disease and evidence of a negative TB skin test. A chest X-ray is required if the TB skin test is positive. Students are not permitted to participate in Residency unless all legal or organizational requirements for immunizations, TB tests, and background checks are current. It is also recommended that students be vaccinated annually against infectious diseases.

All expenses associated with background checks and health requirements are borne by the student unless the Student Health Service specifically indicates otherwise. Students are not covered by health or accident insurance by UW-Eau Claire, the administrative residency facility, or the administrative residency institution. In addition, workers’ compensation insurance does not cover students engaged in Residency. For example, if a student suffers a needle stick or is hurt at their Administrative Residency site, they will need personal health insurance to cover medical bills.

Readmission to the Health Care Administration Program

If a student withdraws from the program after being admitted to a Residency Cohort, but wishes to return, they must reapply to a future cohort with an updated plan demonstrating that they meet current eligibility requirements. Depending on the timing of such application, with an understanding that all Administrative Residency Cohorts begin in June, an alternate process of residency site application may need to be followed.

Termination from Program

A student may be terminated from their Administrative Residency or Cohort for any of the following reasons:

1. Failure to maintain good academic standing.
2. Failure to demonstrate the potential for consistently safe, responsible, and ethical professional practice.
3. Likelihood that a student’s condition, presentation, or prior experience will adversely affect the student, other persons, the University, an agency or site used for administrative residency, or the patients or residents served.
4. Non-placement with an administrative residency site after protocols for matching students to sites have been exhausted.

If a student demonstrates deficiencies during the Administrative Residency or other professional networking experiences that the faculty or administrative residency supervisor determine to be clearly unsafe or unprofessional behavior, the student may be immediately removed from their administrative residency site and/or cohort.

A student who has been notified of termination from the program may appeal for reinstatement. This policy applies only to termination from the Health Care Administration Administrative Residency and/or Cohort. A student’s status within the University remains subject to university academic standing policies.

Major Requirements

(Code 660-055)

Health Care Administration Leadership Major Proficiency Requirements

Program Learning Outcomes

Students in this program are assessed on their ability to meet the following COB learning goals:

• Written and Oral Communication: Students will be effective communicators.
• Problem Solving: Students will be effective problem solvers.
• BBA Common Body of Knowledge: Students will demonstrate discipline-specific knowledge (represented by the BUSCORE).

Additionally, students completing this program will be expected to meet the following learning outcomes:

1. Students possess the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure that resident quality of care and quality of life are maximized by assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating resident services, including ancillary care, as appropriate.
2. Students possess the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively and efficiently lead core business operations of a long-term care organization in areas of financial management, risk management, and human resources.
3. Students possess the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure they are providing an environment and atmosphere that promotes, protects, and provides resident centered care and quality of life in compliance with relevant rules and regulations.
4. Students possess the knowledge and skills necessary to become a leader who develops and maintains a strong organizational culture that supports staff, while ensuring strategic business planning and development in alignment with an organization’s mission, vision, and values.

Health Care Administration Leadership, B.B.A. (Comprehensive Major)

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the current catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year.

To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Core General Education Requirements (CGER).  CGER course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as CGER CL, CGER HA, and CGER NSWL to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of the course.  Please click here for a description of the outcomes and requirements. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST YEAR
SOMETIME IN THE FIRST YEAR
ECON 103	Principles of Microeconomics (CGER SBS)	3
ECON 104	Principles of Macroeconomics (CGER SBS)	3
PSYC 100	Introduction to Psychology (CGER SBS)	3
HCAD 101	Introduction to Health Care Administration	1
WRIT 114	Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (CGER CL)	5
or WRIT 116	Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing
or WRIT 118	Accelerated Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing
SOMETIME IN THE FIRST OR SECOND YEAR
CGER Option: Humanities & Arts (HA)		3
CGER Option: Humanities & Arts (HA)		3
CGER Option: Civics & Perspectives (CP)		3
CGER Option: Civics & Perspectives (CP)		3
SPDP: Student Professional Development Program (SPDP) workshop completion recommended by the end of the 1st year, 2nd semester—but no later than the end of the 3rd semester or 45 credits earned. 1
Study Away: Students have options: Study Abroad or NSE. Many courses taken at approved study-abroad institutions will satisfy GE or program requirements. Students choosing to pay UW-Eau Claire tuition to study in the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S Virgin Islands should explore the many participating NSE schools listed on the National Student Exchange (NSE) website. Consult the Transfer Credit Wizard and consult with your academic advisor to plan which courses to take while studying away. See third-year note below regarding upper-division business courses.
SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
HCAD 222	Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Aging (CGER CP)	3
SECOND SEMESTER
Apply for Admission to Administrative Residency Cohort 2
BIOL 151	Biology of Humans (CGER NSWL) 3	4
SOMETIME IN THE SECOND YEAR
ACCT 201	Introduction to Accounting	3
BCOM 206	Business Communication: Writing, Speaking, and Collaborating (CGER CL)	3
or BCOM 207	Business Communication: Persuasive Messaging, Conversations, and Professional Development
BIOL 196	Human Nutrition (CGER NSW ) 3	3
HCAD 201	Overview of the U.S. Health Care System (CGER CP)	3
IS 240	Information Systems in Business	3
MATH 246	Elementary Statistics (CGER MQR)	4
or MATH 247	Elementary Statistics with Algebra Review II
NRSG 220	The Language of Health Care	1
THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
HCAD Elective Credits		3
HCAD 301	Foundations of Quality Management in Health Service	3
SECOND SEMESTER
HCAD 302	Leadership and Management Practices in Health Services	3
HCAD 375	Health Care Reimbursement and Financial Management	3
SOMETIME IN THE THIRD YEAR
BLAW 305	Legal and Regulatory Environment	3
BSAD 300	Cultural Competence for Today’s Workplace	1
MGMT 340	Organizational Behavior: Leading and Developing People, Teams, and Culture	3
MGMT 349	Human Resource Management	3
MKTG 330	Principles of Marketing	3
Elective Credits: Additional credits needed to reach 120 credits. 4
FOURTH YEAR
Students Complete the HCAD Administrative Residency in the Fourth Year 5
SUMMER
HCAD 400	Administrative Residency I 6	3
HCAD 420	Health Care Management Competencies	3
FIRST SEMESTER
HCAD 401	Administrative Residency II	6
HCAD 403	Resident Service and Supports in Health Care	1
HCAD 404	Quality Management Applications in Health Care	1
HCAD 405	Human Resources Management in Health Services	1
HCAD 421	Leadership and Prof Development in Health Services	3
WINTERIM
HCAD 413	Health Care Rules and Regulations	1
SECOND SEMESTER
HCAD 402	Administrative Residency III 6	6
HCAD 407	Financial Management in Health Care	1
HCAD 406	Data Driven Health Care Decision Making	1
HCAD 408	Marketing and Public Relations in Health Services	1
HCAD 422	Organizational Leadership Practices in Health Care	3
Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits

¹

Please see this webpage for more information regarding the SPDP program.

²

15 months prior to beginning Administrative Residency, students must apply for admission to the Administrative Residency to ensure they meet eligibility requirements. Please visit the Health Care Administration website for more information and application forms.

³

Classes to take early, if possible: BIOL 196 (offered over Summer/Winterim), BIOL 151

⁴

Ideal electives, if there’s room in the schedule: PSYC 230 (K2/R1), MKTG 338, KINS 294, PHIL 306 (K3/R3), SW 360, SOC 101 (K2/R1), MKTG 425, ENPH 225 (R1/I1), NRSG 389 (R1 Design for Diversity), ENPH 115 (R2/K2).

⁵

All students in this major are required to participate in a year-long, paid administrative residency their final year in the program. 

⁶

Fulfills the Community-Engaged Learning requirement.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs)

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices.  The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs. There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study Abroad, Intercultural Immersion, Internships, and/or Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire.

HCAD students are strongly encouraged to participate in the American College of Health Care Administration (ACHCA) student organization.

Core General Education Requirements (CGER)