West Coast University offers a fully online Master of Health Administration with an Informatics track. The 30-credit program combines healthcare leadership with focused study in databases, information systems, data management, and technology implementation.
Quick Facts
| School | West Coast University |
|---|---|
| Location | Los Angeles, California; program delivered online |
| Degree | Master of Health Administration – Informatics Track |
| Credits | 30 credits |
| Format | 100% online |
| Typical Length | 8, 12, or 20 months, depending on pace |
| Estimated Tuition | $23,850 tuition starting Fall I 2026; estimated direct program cost of $24,900–$26,400 |
| Admissions | Bachelor’s degree and 2.7 cumulative GPA; applicants with a 2.00–2.69 GPA may receive probationary consideration |
Program Overview
The WCU MHA – Informatics track is a healthcare administration degree with a nine-credit informatics specialization. Students complete 21 credits of health administration core courses and nine credits devoted to healthcare informatics.
The program develops leadership and management skills for healthcare settings while adding practical knowledge of databases, healthcare systems, project management, and technology evaluation. This structure may appeal to professionals who want to lead technology projects or make data-informed decisions without completing a technical computer science degree.
West Coast University delivers the program fully online and offers three schedules. The Accelerated Plus pace takes two trimesters, or about eight months. The Accelerated pace takes three trimesters, or about 12 months. The Working Professional pace takes five trimesters, or about 20 months.
Curriculum and Informatics Track
All students complete seven three-credit core courses in health administration. These courses cover legal and ethical issues, healthcare information systems, financial management, hospital administration, leadership, project management, and a capstone based on cases in healthcare management.
The Informatics track adds three courses:
- Database Systems, Design and Informatics
- Project Management in Healthcare Informatics
- Implementation, Management, and Evaluation of Healthcare Systems
The concentration represents nine of the degree’s 30 credits. Students gain exposure to health information technology and data management, but the degree remains centered on healthcare administration. Applicants who want deeper study in programming, analytics, or informatics research should compare this curriculum with a dedicated MS in Health Informatics.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants must complete WCU’s online application, interview with an admissions advisor, and complete an enrollment agreement. Standard admission requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 2.7.
Applicants with a GPA from 2.00 through 2.69 may be considered for probationary admission. These applicants must submit a letter of intent, complete an interview with the program dean or director, and meet any program prerequisites. A student admitted through this route must earn a cumulative 3.0 GPA during the first trimester to continue in full admission status.
Prospective students should confirm current requirements and application steps with West Coast University before applying.
Tuition and Financial Aid
WCU lists tuition of $795 per credit starting Fall I 2026. The 30-credit degree therefore carries $23,850 in tuition before fees. The university estimates total direct program costs of $24,900 for the Accelerated Plus pace, $25,400 for the Accelerated pace, and $26,400 for the Working Professional pace. The difference comes mainly from technology fees charged across additional trimesters.
These figures exclude housing, food, transportation, personal expenses, and federal loan fees. Rates can change, so students should review the official distance education tuition schedule and confirm the cost for their start date and selected pace.
Eligible students may use federal financial aid, scholarships, grants, employer tuition support, military education benefits, or private funding. Each student’s final cost will depend on transfer credit, aid, and the schedule selected.
Online Format and Time to Completion
Students complete all coursework online. The three pacing options allow students to choose a faster full-time schedule or spread the work across more terms. WCU states that accelerated students generally take two courses per term, while working professionals generally take one course per term.
The eight-month option offers an unusually fast path, but it requires a concentrated workload. Students who plan to work full time should compare the weekly demands of each schedule before choosing a pace.
Career Preparation
The program can support administrative and technology-focused work in hospitals, health systems, insurers, consulting firms, public agencies, and health technology companies. Relevant roles may involve healthcare information systems, technology implementation, informatics project coordination, operations, data governance, or administrative leadership.
Career results will depend on prior experience, technical ability, location, and employer requirements. The degree does not provide clinical licensure or guarantee eligibility for a specific informatics credential.
Who Is This Program For?
West Coast University may fit healthcare professionals who want a short, fully online MHA and prefer a management-focused degree with an informatics concentration. The three completion schedules also give working adults more control over course load.
Students who want most of their coursework devoted to health data science, programming, clinical informatics, or research may find a dedicated informatics master’s more suitable. WCU’s track includes three informatics courses, while the rest of the program covers broader healthcare administration.
Related Health Informatics Programs
- National University - San Diego
- San José State University - San José
- University of California, Davis - Davis
- University of California, Los Angeles - Los Angeles
- University of San Diego - San Diego
- University of San Francisco - San Francisco