School of Health Services Administration
Welcome to the LECOM School of Health Services Administration (SHSA)
Teaching the Business of Health Care.
Watch Video: School of Health Services Administration 4-minute Video Overview
LECOM School of Health Services Administration Directors January 2025
School of Health Services Administration Faculty
Feel free to contact us at admissions1@lecom.edu with any questions. In the subject line please include the full name of your program of interest.
Healthcare is big business. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 15 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 2.4 million new jobs. This projected growth is mainly due to an aging population, leading to greater demand for healthcare services. Healthcare occupations are projected to add more jobs than any of the other occupational groups. Talented, motivated, and skilled leaders are needed in the health care sector to manage these ever-growing requirements for medical services that align with rapid technological advancements, patient-centered ethical compliance requirements, and regulatory actions. Expertly trained health services administrators are essential to meet these demands effectively.
Preparing Your Future
The LECOM SHSA programs provide students with indispensable knowledge, leadership, and communication skills required to plan, direct, and coordinate medical and health service organizations such as hospitals, health care facilities, public health care organizations, pharmacies, private practice groups, and senior living centers. The knowledge gained from these programs is vital to the understanding, planning, and implementation of sound fiscal policy, strategic planning, industry compliance, ethics, and responsible governance.
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
Doctor of Healthcare Administration (D.H.A.)
The D.H.A. program prepares health industry professionals to become innovative leaders and complex problem solvers. The degree program qualifies professionals to serve as college faculty members, preparing them to teach and perform interprofessional research focused on “the business of healthcare”. They are also prepared as advanced healthcare administrative practitioners. The theoretical and the practical are blended in this rigorous doctorate degree program.
MORE ABOUT THE DOCTOR OF HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION
Master of Science in Medical Cannabinoid Therapeutics
Master of Science in Medical Cannabinoid Therapeutics (MS MCT): The M.S. MCT program is designed to prepare health professionals to contribute to population-based, culturally appropriate, and innovative approaches concerning the rapidly expanding medical cannabinoid therapeutic industry. The program builds upon foundational osteopathic principles and competencies focused on whole person care, mind, body, and spirit.
MORE ABOUT THE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MEDICAL CANNABINOID THERAPEUTICS
Masters in Health Services Administration (MHSA)
Utilizing the principles of good business, healthcare leaders will obtain the essential tools and skills needed in strategic and ethical decision-making. Key areas include: human resource management, accounting, finance, quality, and operations management to create an integrative approach to complex problem-solving in the current fast-changing healthcare industry.
MORE ABOUT THE MASTERS IN HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
Master of Science in Biomedical Ethics (MSBE)
The healthcare industry is beset with ethical issues on a daily basis including beginning and end of life issues, proper handling of medical marijuana, Medicare solvency, and advances in medical technology able to sustain life under extraordinary circumstances and access to healthcare. This program’s applied ethics education strives to move learners beyond knowledge acquisition and skills development to develop behavioral changes that result in a higher level of professionalism and the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care.
MORE ABOUT THE MASTERS OF SCIENCE IN BIOMEDICAL ETHICS
Masters in Public Health (MPH)
The LECOM Masters in Public Health program ensures that all graduates are grounded in foundational public health knowledge. This includes administrative skills critical to improving and enhancing the health, health care, and well-being of individuals, families, and communities in North America by applying the philosophy of osteopathic medicine that seeks to treat the whole person’s mind, body, and spirit.
MORE ABOUT THE MASTERS IN PUBLIC HEALTHTailored Curriculum
Our SHSA degree programs are designed to meet the demands of busy working professionals and full-time students. Our graduate degree program’s didactic curriculum is delivered through a dynamic, web-based, distance education platform offered by an expert team of faculty who possess health care industry experience. Adult learning methods and pedagogy are applied to maximize learning opportunities. The four master’s degree programs (MHSA, MPH, MSBE & MS MCT) are completed in 24 months, enrolling students in cohorts that begin in June each year. The GMAT is not required. The DHA program is a 36-month, dissertation research program enrolling students in cohorts that begin in July each year. All students will come to either the Erie, PA or Bradenton, FL campus for commencement in late May or Early June of their final academic year.
Accreditation
LECOM is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Licensure
Distance Education Complaint Process for Out-of-State Students
National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) for Distance Education.
SHSA Programs Completion Rates
Click here to see Completion Rates.
SHSA Grading Policy
Education opportunities are designed as courses. Grading components for each course are specifically defined in the syllabus. Bonus/extra credit points will not exceed 5% of the total points of a course. At the end of each course, a final letter grade for each student will be submitted to the registrar with percentages translated into letter grades based on a four-point value as follows:
A Excellent 90-100 percent 4.0
B Good 80-89 percent 3.0
C Satisfactory 70-79 percent 2.0
F Failure 69 percent or below 0.0
I Incomplete I
W Withdrawal before 50W% completion of a course 0.0
WP Withdrawal after 50% completion, passing 0.0
All course assignments and activities are mandatory and failure to participate will be factored into the final grade as designed by the course director and defined in individual course syllabi. Cumulative grade point averages (GPA) are calculated and posted on transcripts.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
Minimum Competency: a student is considered to be making satisfactory academic performance progress if they demonstrate required course competencies and learning objectivities; however, students can have no more than 12 credits of “C” grades on their final transcripts to progress to graduation. Any grades reflected below a 70% competency level (C), or courses with a “C” beyond the 12-credit maximum, must be successfully remediated prior to the student advancing to the next academic semester. Exceptions to this policy may be made on an individual basis.
Incompletes: any course incompletes must be resolved and removed from the record prior to progression to the next semester. Exceptions to this policy may be made on an individual basis. This policy applies to all students regardless of whether or not they receive Title IV funding (Federal Direct Loans). Students will be evaluated for satisfactory academic progress at the end of each semester.
Coursework Submissions: coursework submitted more than two weeks after the deadlines required will receive 0% for the assignment unless an extension for submission has been approved by the course director.
Program Length Maximum: MHSA, MSBE, MS MCT students must complete the program requirements within four (4) years of original matriculation. DHA students must complete the program requirements within six (6) years of original matriculation. If a student is unable to meet the maximum time frame allotted, he./she will be dismissed.
Grade Reports: Grades are sent out to students by U.S. Mail within 30 days of the end of the semester. Enrolled students will receive a grade report after grades have been posted at the conclusion of each semester. Grade report for cannot be faxed or emailed.