Program Overview

HCA Vision

The vision of the Health Care Administration program is to be known for excellence in preparting students for careers in healthcare management or health informatics and information management. 

HCA Mission

The mission of Health Care Adminsitration Program is to provide exceptional learning and professional practice experiences to:

• Develop well rounded students who are able to function in a wide variety of healthcare management roles;
• Develop leadership, ethical, and critical thinking qualities to prepare students for future managment roles; 
• Produce highly sought after students in the healthcare management field. 

The term “health care administrator or manager” encompasses all individuals who plan, direct, coordinate, and supervise the delivery of healthcare services.  Generally, they fall into one of three categories:  1) health care executives or administrators – who manage an entire facility, 2) specialty managers – who have training or experience in a specific healthcare discipline, and 3) health information administrators – who are responsible for the maintenance, security, and analysis of all patient-related information.  EKU’s Health Care Administration degree lays the educational foundation for each of these categories.

B.S. in HCA Curriculum Options

Health Informatics and Information Management

Health Informatics and Information Management (HIIM) is a diverse curriculum that provides individuals with a strong background in health care management, health data analytics, health data management, and computer applications in healthcare.  Health informatics and information management professionals are experts in collecting, interpreting, and analyzing patient data for clinical, financial, and administrative decision-making.  With the advancement of health communication and information technology, the need for these professionals will grow significantly in the future.

This concentration is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).  Graduates of this concentration are eligible to take the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) certification exam. 

The Health Information Management accreditor of Eastern Kentucky University’s College of Health Sciences is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for a baccalaureate degree in Health Care Administration: Concentration in Health Informatics and Information Management has been reaffirmed through May 2024. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org

Health Care Management

Health Care Management (HCM) provides individuals with a unique blend of both business and healthcare-related course work.  This concentration prepares students for entry-level staff and management positions in health care settings.

Graduate Outcomes

Graduates of the HCA program leave Eastern Kentucky University to develop their own unique careers. They find employment in a wide variety places, performing many different types of jobs. Some of the graduates become certified as a RHIA. While others seek graduate degrees. Take a look at our graduate outcomes to see what you could be doing with a degree in Health Care Administration.