Healthcare Administration Degree Programs in San Diego

Margaret Weinhold
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Updated on July 19, 2022
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If you’re looking for accredited healthcare degree programs in San Diego, there are two such programs to choose from. Standing proudly in Southern California near the Mexican border, San Diego is the country’s eighth largest city with over 1.3 million city residents. Known for its mild year-round climate and sandy beaches, San Diego has been nicknamed “America’s Finest City.” Generating a GDP of $206 billion, the Greater San Diego area has a thriving economy filled with opportunities for health administrators. Sharp Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente, and UC San Diego Health are among the city’s top 10 employers.
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Scripps Mercy Hospital, Grossmont Hospital, and Scripps La Jolla Hospital are also regionally ranked. Health administration graduates in San Diego bring home an above-average median yearly salary of $116,250. Take your healthcare career to the next level with one of these two master’s degrees in San Diego.

San Diego State University

Graduate School of Public Health

As part of the 23-member California State University system, San Diego State University is a premier public research institution with space-grant status serving over 33,100 students from its main 283-acre urban campus in San Diego. Named Washington Monthly’s 87th best master’s-level university for social mobility, SDSU is ranked the 149th best college and 79th top public school in America by the U.S. News. Also recognized for the nation’s 39th best public health program, the Graduate School of Public Health landed second in Modern Healthcare’s list for top schools for physician executives.

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Since 1980, the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at SDSU has provided high-quality graduate education to prepare students for professional careers in population-based health disciplines. Within the 51-credit curriculum, students can select a concentration in Biometry, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Health Management & Policy, or Health Promotion & Behavioral Science. All tracks share the same public health core, but will have different concentration courses and prescribed electives. MPH students are required to complete two semesters of field practice and a capstone project or master’s thesis. If desired, it’s possible to earn a Master of Social Work, M.A. in Latin American Studies, or Doctor of Medicine concurrently.
Accreditations
  • Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
  • Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
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University of California, San Diego

School of Medicine

Enrolling more than 31,500 students, the University of California, San Diego is a prestigious public sea-grant and space-grant state institution sprawling over a 1,152-acre suburban campus in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego along the Pacific Coast. Named the 14th best public value nationally in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, UCSD is ranked the 39th best university, 9th top public school, and 21st most innovative school in America by the U.S. News. The School of Medicine is also acclaimed for being the 17th best medical research school in the United States.

Master of Advanced Studies in Leadership of Health Care Organizations

Available either full-time or part-time, the Master of Advanced Studies in Leadership of Health Care Organizations program at UCSD was launched in 2001 to give health professionals the critical business knowledge to become effective leaders in a complex medical industry. Courses are delivered in a flexible, evening schedule to avoid disrupting students’ careers. The 42-unit program includes coursework on statistics, applied decision making, process improvement, strategic planning, organizational change, conflict resolution, quality management, healthcare leadership, and practical business communication. All MAS students must complete a capstone research project with a faculty mentor. The Independent Study Project Scholarship will even provide $1,000 to cover related expenses.
Accreditations
  • Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
Demand for health administrators will be strong for the foreseeable future as more patients receive insured medical treatment from the Affordable Care Act. The BLS predicts that employment of health administrators will grow by 17 percent through 2024, thus creating 56,300 new jobs nationally. Even though some jobs could be available with a bachelor’s, forging ahead for a master’s degree will be preferred. Leadership positions can be found in hospitals, nursing homes, residential facilities, physician practices, government agencies, home health agencies, clinics, and more. Follow your dreams of managing a health-related organization by pursuing one of these accredited healthcare degree programs in San Diego.

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