BS in Health Management Handbook

Alumni Career Outcomes 

BSHM alumni have secured positions across a wide range of healthcare, public health, health technology, insurance, senior living, nonprofit, and healthcare consulting organizations. Graduates work in hospitals, health systems, public health agencies, physician practices, insurance companies, long-term care organizations, and community-based health organizations throughout Kansas and across the United States.

Common career paths include:

• Healthcare Administration and Operations: Practice Manager, Clinic Manager, Operations Coordinator, Regional Director of Operations, Healthcare Administrator, Executive Director, Facility Administrator, and Chief Operating Officer.
• Quality Improvement, Compliance, and Risk Management: Quality Assurance Specialist, Quality Manager, Risk and Quality Coordinator, Clinical Informatics Associate, Privacy Officer, and Compliance Director.
• Public Health and Community Health: Public Health Planner, Health Educator, Disease Intervention Specialist, Community Outreach Coordinator, Program Manager, Population Health Director, and Emergency Preparedness Planner.          
• Business, Finance, and Analytics: Business Development Analyst, Financial Analyst, Medical Economics Analyst, Revenue Cycle Director, Contract Analyst, Supply Chain Manager, and Business Intelligence Director.  
• Human Resources and Talent Management: Human Resources Manager, Talent Advisor, Professional Recruiter, Corporate Recruiter, Talent Acquisition Coordinator, and Employee Benefits Consultant.
• Healthcare Technology and Informatics: Clinical Informatics Specialist, Integration Architect, Solution Analyst, Senior Integration Specialist, and Health Data Coordinator.
• Patient Services and Care Coordination: Patient Access Manager, Patient Care Coordinator, Care Navigator, Case Manager, Outreach Executive, and Community Liaison.
• Marketing, Communications, and Development: Marketing Analyst, Communications Specialist, Marketing Director, Community Relations Director, Development Officer, and Events Manager.
• Research and Education: Research Associate, Clinical Trial Specialist, Research Coordinator, Program Specialist, and Medical Education Specialist.

Many alumni have advanced into senior leadership positions, including Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Executive Director, Vice President of Strategic Development, Director of Operations, Director of Population Health, and President.

In addition to employment opportunities, graduates have continued their education through programs such as the Master of Public Health (MPH),  Master of Health Administration (MHA), Master of Social Work (MSW), and Master of Business Administration (MBA), demonstrating the program’s preparation for both professional careers and graduate study.

The breadth of alumni career outcomes illustrates the versatility of the BSHM degree and the strong preparation graduates receive for leadership, management, public health, analytics, and administrative roles within the healthcare industry.

The BSHM is a four-year program requiring a minimum of 120 credit hours. Successful degree planning requires careful attention to three key areas: University general education and graduation requirements, BSHM major requirements and academic standards, and any minor or certificate requirements a student chooses to pursue.

Students are encouraged to develop a long-term academic plan and meet regularly with their advisors to ensure timely progress toward graduation. Careful planning is especially important when selecting minors, certificates, study abroad opportunities, applied learning experiences, and practicum placements.

The BSHM program is offered in both hybrid and 100% online formats. Students should review course availability and delivery formats when planning future semesters.

Taking an active role in planning your degree pathway can help you stay on track for graduation while exploring opportunities that support your academic and professional goals.

All undergraduate students must complete Wichita State University's General Education Program. Students should work closely with their advisor to ensure timely completion of general education requirements and degree milestones.

The BSHM at Wichita State University is offered in both hybrid and 100% online formats. Students should review the Course Rotation and Delivery Format page for information about when courses are offered and whether they are delivered online or hybrid. This resource can help students develop a long-term plan for completing degree requirements in a timely manner.

The curriculum emphasizes the core skills essential for healthcare management, including leadership, communication, financial and operational fundamentals, quality improvement, and an understanding of healthcare delivery systems. Students also select from a range of interdisciplinary electives, allowing flexibility to explore related fields and supporting a smooth transfer process for incoming students.

All students complete:

• An applied learning professional portfolio, and
• A 160-hour practicum in a healthcare organization.

The online accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program in health administration is designed to prepare qualified students for graduate work in health administration at WSU through a coordinated accelerated program leading to both a Bachelor of Science in health management and a Master of Health Administration (MHA). 

A student admitted to the accelerated program will be allowed to enroll in courses for graduate credit (up to 9 credit hours) while also earning undergraduate credit for dual courses. This dual credit allows students an advanced start on the MHA curriculum, while still completing their undergraduate degree in health management. Students can streamline their graduate education with the accelerated bachelor's in health management to Master of Health Administration.

Master of Physician Associate (PA) Secured Interview Pathway

The Master of Physician Associate (PA) pathway provides eight guaranteed interviews annually for qualified students from the Exercise Science, Health Science, and Health Management undergraduate programs. To be considered, students must meet all pathway requirements, including:

• Be on track to earn, or have earned within the previous academic year, a Bachelor of Science in Health Management, Health Science, or Exercise Science from Wichita State University.
• Maintain a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.70 or higher.
• Complete all required Physician Associate Program prerequisite courses with a grade of B or higher.
• Submit a complete CASPA application and meet all eligibility requirements established by the Wichita State University Physician Associate Program.
• Be an active member of the Wichita State University Pre-PA Club while enrolled at Wichita State University.
• Complete a minimum of 50 hours of healthcare provider shadowing with a Physician Associate, Physician, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
• Health Science and Health Management Students: Complete the Department of Public Health Sciences Applied Learning Portfolio by August 1st.

Students should consult the MPA pathway website for detailed admission requirements, application procedures, and deadlines.

Important Note:

Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee pathway acceptance. Students are responsible for reviewing all pathway criteria and maintaining eligibility throughout their undergraduate studies. Refer to the associated program websites for the most current information and complete pathway requirements.

PHS offers minors in the following subject areas; Aging Studies, Health Science and Public Health. Students can obtain any of the minors in addition to their bachelor degree. Minors require students to take at least one unduplicated course. 

An undergraduate certificate allows undergraduate students and working professionals to expand their skill and knowledge of public health practice. The certificates may also be pursued concurrently with degree programs such as anthropology, biology, health management, general business, pre-med, social work and clinical disciplines in the College of Health Professions.

Students are encouraged to use their open electives (fall-through) courses to pursue a minor or certificate program that compliments the BSHM program. Adding a minor can help students develop specialized knowledge and valuable skills that enhance their career opportunities, broaden their understanding of related fields, and strengthen their preparation for graduate study and professional advancement.

Course descriptions for the BSHM program can be viewed in the WSU Undergraduate Catalog:

The BSHM program uses a team advising model to support students throughout their academic journey. During the first year, students work with a First-Year Advisor who specializes in supporting new students as they transition to Wichita State University. Beginning in the sophomore year, students transition to a College of Health Professions (CHP) advisor who assists with academic planning, degree requirements, and registration. During the junior and senior years, students are assigned a BSHM faculty advisor who provides guidance on major coursework, career planning, professional development, applied learning experiences, and graduation preparation.

Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor at least once per academic term to discuss progress, plan degree requirements, and review course selections for the next term. Students should prepare for these meetings by understanding academic policies, identifying professional goals, and observing registration deadlines. Useful documents, such as the Student Code of Conduct Handbook and Undergraduate Catalog, are available on the Wichita State University Registrar's website.

Recommended advising schedule:

Freshman: Meet with your First-Year Advisor once per semester
Sophomore: Meet with your CHP Advisor once per semester
Junior: Meet with your Faculty Advisor once per semester
Senior: Meet with your Faculty Advisor once per semester and before submitting your graduation application

Please Note: Students who have completed fewer than 60 credit hours must meet with an advisor to be released for class registration.

Students in the Bachelor of Science in Health Management (BSHM) program are required to complete an applied learning experience in order to graduate. This requirement is fulfilled through successful completion of PHS 495 Practicum and the PHS Applied Learning Portfolio.

Professional development experiences beyond required coursework provide opportunities to apply classroom knowledge, deepen understanding of key concepts, and develop skills essential for career success. Employers consistently emphasize the value of graduates who have gained practical experience outside the classroom, as these experiences better prepare students for the workforce.

Your applied learning experience will help you develop professional goals, strengthen relevant competencies, and cultivate the skills and attributes necessary for a successful career in health management and related fields.

Shocker Career Accelerator staff helps students find jobs and internships while earning college credit. The also offer a variety of career-readiness services like career exploration, resume building assistance and interviewing technique training.

As part of PHS 494 Practicum Preparation, Health Management students are required to meet with the Shocker Career Accelerator to review their resume, complete a mock job interview, and optimize their LinkedIn profile. This professional development experience helps students strengthen their job-search skills, prepare for the hiring process, and position themselves for success in securing employment after graduation.

HEALTH Student Association

The purpose of HEALTH (Health Education Advocates for Leadership, Teamwork, and Humanity) is to serve as a community-based association for students working together to improve health education and promote delivery of high-quality care. Participation in HEALTH provides opportunities for leadership development, professional networking, community service, and engagement with students and professionals across the health professions.

College of Health Professions Student Organizations

The College of Health Professions offers a variety of student groups that help students build connections, develop leadership skills, and engage with the healthcare community. Students can join HOSA – Health Occupations Students of America to connect with peers across all health professions disciplines or participate in a group related to your specific academic program. These organizations provide valuable opportunities for professional networking, career development, and community service.

Professional Organizations

Students are encouraged to participate in professional organizations to expand their professional network, develop leadership skills, explore career opportunities, and gain exposure to current issues and trends in healthcare. Involvement in these organizations can enhance both academic and career success.

Each year, the Department of Public Health Sciences at Wichita State University awards the Foster G. McGaw Scholarship to one outstanding Bachelor of Science in Health Management (BSHM) student. Sponsored by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA), this prestigious award honors academic excellence and commitment to a career in healthcare administration.

The College of Health Professions’ (CHP) scholarships and/or fellowships are for students that are admitted and enrolled in a professional CHP degree program at Wichita State University. Students must have a scholarship application on file and possess a cumulative 3.0 GPA for consideration of award.

ScholarshipUniverse is our scholarship-matching tool for admitted and current Wichita State students. ScholarshipUniverse connects Shockers to millions of dollars in external scholarships. We search; Shockers apply!

Students will be enrolled into the Department of Public Health Sciences Blackboard site when they declare health science as their major. Emails used for Blackboard courses are the students’ WSU email. Even if students have their own email account, they will also need to utilize their WSU email account, which will make it easier for the program to communicate.

This policy sets forth the expectations for the responsible acquisition, discovery, and application of knowledge by Students at the University, including the ethical use of information resources, and to ensure the integrity of academic credit and degrees conferred by the University.

The University is committed to the ethical pursuit of knowledge. To ensure the integrity of faculty evaluation of Students, all members of the University community share responsibility for ensuring that Students have demonstrated successful mastery of the learning objectives for each Academic Activity. By conferring a degree, the University is assuring the general public that the Student has successfully met all requirements for graduation, including meeting the learning objectives for each Academic Activity. Indifference to academic misconduct is not a neutral act-failure to confront and or deter such behaviors will reinforce, perpetuate, and increase the prevalence of academic misconduct in the University community.

 

University policy allows students to retake a course up to three times without restrictions. For a fourth attempt, regardless of the previous grade earned, students must receive permission. The Public Health Sciences Undergraduate Faculty Committee will hear petitions for permission to retake BSHM core courses. For access to the form and any questions, please contact sarah.taylor@wichita.edu.

Students in the Health Management program must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00, with no individual course grade in the major lower than a “C-” (1.7 GPA). Students whose program GPA falls below 2.00 will be put on a program watch list. Those whose cumulative GPA or WSU GPA falls below 2.00 will be placed on academic probation by the university. Information on academic probation and dismissal can be found in the WSU Undergraduate Catalog.

Coursework for undergraduate credit will be graded A, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, or F. Faculty have the option of assigning an “I” (incomplete) if they feel that sufficient justification exists for the student’s failure to complete the course. All Health Management courses are graded with letter grades. Grades below C- (1.7 GPA) may not be used to satisfy degree requirements, but such courses may be repeated. Students must maintain a program GPA of 2.00 or higher to be eligible for the B.S. in Health Management.

Gain the necessary real-world experience needed to enter the workforce through a Practicum.  

Health Management Students must complete the Practicum (PHS 495) course as part of their program requirements. This course requires students to develop individual learning objectives in collaboration with the practicum coordinator and chosen preceptor(s) at the onset of the course.  

The practicum enables Health Management students to obtain practical skills, broaden exposure to specialty areas, explore arenas with which they are unfamiliar, and apply theory learned throughout the curriculum. The practicum consists of 160-hours and is taken in the student's final semester in the Health Management program. 

Wichita State University's Shocker Success Center brings together dozens of student support functions in a single, welcoming space conveniently located in the heart of campus.

List of resources available for Wichita State University students.

Health Management students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with university policies and academic regulations.