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Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration
Program Description
The academic area of study in Health Services Administration in the Department of Public Health is part of the College of Health and Human Services. Students pursue a Health Services Administration degree to gain specialization and job skills applicable to the management and administration, research, human resources, and policies in the context of healthcare services.
Students can expect to be involved both in class and field experiences, to prepare students for management and administrative roles in public, not-for-profit, and private health care settings. Graduates from this program will gain skills in marketing, finance, Human Resources, working knowledge of healthcare and health services operations, information systems, statistical analysis, quality improvement, and ethics. Furthermore, this program will prepare students to enter the workforce with the ability to engage with diverse populations in the role of managers and administrators of health services.
Note: Students graduating with a BS in Health Services Administration will not be subject to the University's Foreign Language Graduation Requirement. Students who change major may be subject to the University's Foreign Language Graduation Requirement.

Program Requirements
Students must be a Health Services Administration Major or Public Health Major to enroll. All other courses do not have a major prerequisite/restriction.
- Total Units required for BS degree: 120
- Total Units required for Major: 54-55
The advising sheet is to be used in partnership with your advisors - seek assisstance each semester to stay on track and graduate!
Notes:
- All courses applied to the major must be completed with a minimum of "C" grade.
- Writing Placement of Junior (WPJ) is a prerequisite to enroll in a Writing Intensive Course.
Required Lower Division Courses (12 units) | Units | Course Prerequisites? |
---|---|---|
ACCY 1 Accounting Fundamentals | 3 | See Catalog |
ECON 1A Intro. to Macroeconomic Analysis OR ECON 1B Intro. to Microeconomic Analysis | 3/3 | No |
PUBH 50 Healthy Lifestyles | 3 | No |
STAT 1 Introduction to Statistics | 3 | Math Placement Exam |
Required Upper Division Courses (30 units) | Units | Course Prerequisites? |
PUBH 118 Introduction to Public Health | 3 | No |
PUBH 124 Ethical Consideration in Public Health | 3 | Junior Standing; a WPJ Portfolio score or ENGL 109M or ENGL 109W |
PUBH 147 Health Data Analysis | 3 | STAT 1 |
PUBH 148 Epidemiology | 3 | STAT 1 |
PUBH 151 Intro. to Healthcare System | 3 | No |
PUBH 152 Healthcare System and Operations | 3 | No |
PUBH 153 Admin. of Healthcare Organizations | 3 | No |
PUBH 154 Healthcare Org. Behavior | 3 | No |
PUBH 155 Intro. to Healthcare Process Improve. | 3 | No |
MGMT 102 Business Communications | 3 | See Catalog |
Interpersonal Skill Building Electives - Take four of the following | Units | Course Prerequisites? |
COMS 116 Intercultural Communications | 3 | No |
HROB 101 The Mgmt of Contemporary Organizations | 3 | No |
HROB 151 Management of Human Resources | 3 | No |
HROB 159 Special Topics in Org. Behavior | 3 | No |
PHIL 104 Bioethics | 3 | No |
PUBH 190 Public Health Study Abroad | 3 | No |
PUBH 195 Fieldwork - Health or Safety | 3-4 | Permission of Internship Coordinator |
Academic Advising
Faculty Advisor
Students who are declared in the Health Services Administration (HSA) major are assigned a specific faculty advisor. Students can find their faculty advisor on their Student Center and are encouraged to see their advisor for academic advising, career exploratation, specific mentoring, and professional resources. Students should see their advisor during their office hours. The current list of faculty office hours is available on the department's main page under Student Resources.
Note: Faculty are unavailable during summer and winter session. For additional advising support, please visit the HHS Student Success Center.
HHS Student Success Center
The Health & Human Services Student Success Center serves an array of students from first-time freshman to graduationg seniors. Please visit the center for in-person or virtual drop-in hours. If you have any questions, please contact the Center at chhs_success_center@csus.edu or (916) 278-7643.
Prospective Students
When you email the Student Success Center be sure to provide the following information (if applicable):
- Full Name
- Sac State Student ID
- Major
- Request/Inquiry/Question(s)
Please Note: Emails are reviewed in the order received; please allow 1-3 business days for a response.
Undeclared/Expressed Interest Advising
The Academic Advising Center offers one-on-one advising to help current Sacramento State students explore major/minor opportunities. The Center engages students in a developmental process that helps clarify and implement individual educational plans consistent with their skills, interests, and values.
Career Possibilities
Health Services Administration professionals work in a large variety of government, quasi-governmental, non-profit, and for-profit settings. Examples include state and local health departments, schools and universities, hospitals and clinics, research laboratories, health-related associations, social service agencies, and more. Below is a sample of the common Areas of Expertise and related job titles that program graduates could pursue:
- Health Administration: Health Commissioner, Medical Director, Hospital Administrator
- Health Communication: Journalist, Communications Director, Social Marketer, Medical Writer
- Health Disparities: Minority Health Director, Health Education Coordinator, Worksite Wellness Director
- Maternal & Child Health: Health Administrator, Home Visit Nurse, Community Health Worker, Nutritionist
- Nonprofit Management: Grant Writer, Development Director, Program Officer, Volunteer Coordinator
- Public Health Policy & Law: Policy Analyst, Health Economist, Public Health Attorney, Consumer Advocate
Note: some options listed may require training additional training, coupled with a degree in Public Health.

Submitting Official Transcripts to Sac State
Official transcripts must be in their sealed envelopes from the source. Opened transcripts or transcripts in personal envelopes will be considered unofficial.
- Current Sacramento State students: You are required to submit official transcripts from ALL colleges you have attended AFTER enrolling at Sacramento State. Transcripts must show ALL college coursework completed and courses currently in progress. Sacramento State Transcripts are not required.
- New Transfers: Visit the Admissions & Outreach website for transcript deadlines & other important dates.
- Returning Sac State students: Only send transcripts from colleges attended since leaving Sac State.
Electronic
Transcripts may be sent electronically directly from the college/university you attended. Inquire at the college/university to check if the service is available. Official electronic transcripts can be sent from college/university to incomingtranscripts@csus.edu
Sacramento State
Admissions & Outreach
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819-6048
Drop Off
Admissions & Outreach
Welcome Center
(located by parking structure 5)
Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Contact
Phone
(916) 278-6441
Office Hours
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Except Holidays (Campus Closed)
Department Location
Solano Hall 3002
California State University, Sacramento
6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819
Mailing Address
Department of Public Health
California State University, Sacramento
6000 J Street MS 6073
Sacramento, CA 95819
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I declare/change my major to Public Health or Health Services Administration?
If you would like to declare or change your major, please visit the HHS Student Success Center and meet with an advisor to request the Declaration/Change of Major or Minor form.
How do I declare a Minor in Occupational Health and Safety?
If you would like to declare a minor, please visit the HHS Student Success Center and meet with an advisor to request the Declaration/Change of Major or Minor form.
How do I make an appointment with a Public Health faculty advisor?
Students who have been assigned a faculty or program advisor are encouraged to meet with their advisor during designated office hours. For current faculty office hours, please visit our department webpage and refer to the Faculty Office Hours (PDF).
Prospective or undeclared students should consult with an advisor at the HHS Student Success Center for further guidance and support. For further details, including office hours, please refer to the Center’s official webpage.
How can I change my Faculty Advisor?
Please see Joanna Sampanis, College Advisor & Retention Specialist, at the HHS Student Success Center for further assistance.
What should I do if the course I want to register for is full?
We strongly recommend that you submit a Course Add/Drop/Withdraw Petition form for the specific course and section you wish to enroll in once the new semester begins. Please note that any add permits submitted prior to the first week of the semester will be processed by the department initially. Submission of a petition does not guarantee enrollment in the course.
What are the requirements for enrolling in PUBH 195 Fieldwork - Health or Safety (Internship)?
Students are required to meet with their faculty advisor to obtain prior approval, complete their graduation application, and submit the PUBH 195 enrollment application (Excel), which is available on the DPH Undergraduate Canvas Portal. Public Health and Health Services Administration students are strongly encouraged to begin searching for internship placements at least three months prior to the start of their PUBH 195 course. For further assistance, please contact the Internship Coordinator, Dr. Charl Mattheus, at mattheus@csus.edu.
Which courses completed at a community college are eligible for transfer or articulation to Sacramento State?
For additional information and assistance regarding transfer credits, please visit the Transfer Credit webpage. If additional assistance is needed, you may also contact the HHS Student Success Center.
Can I pursue a Second Bachelor's Degree?
Students can pursue a Second Bachelor's Degree in Public Health or Health Services Administration at Sacramento State. Sac State students would need to complete only at least 24 new Upper Division units. Students from other schools would need to complete 30 units at Sac State.
To apply, please visit Apply to Sacramento State. Be sure to select the Undergraduate Application and indicate that you are applying for a Second Bachelor's Degree by checking the appropriate box.
I’m an incoming freshman student and would like to change my major—what steps should I take?
Please visit the Hornet Launch Program webpage and submit the "Freshman Change of Major Form" and follow the steps. For further assistance, please contact the HL team at hornetlaunch@csus.edu.
I am an incoming transfer student and am interested in changing my major. What steps should I follow to initiate this process?
Please contact the New Student Orientation office at orient.reservations@csus.edu or (916) 278-7841 to reschedule your orientation session. Transfer students interested in changing their major should consult with an academic advisor to complete the Change of Major e-form. Additional support will be available during Orientation to assist with your transition to the new major.