Health Administration

Candidates for admission to the Bachelor of Health Administration (BHA) degree-completion program must meet the minimum requirements outlined below.  The program is intended for two separate, distinct applicant streams. The university welcomes and encourages applications from both of these groups as outlined below.

Stream A:

1. Graduation from a two-year Diploma program (e.g. health information management, practical nursing, nutrition, food services management, dental hygiene and office administration - health services) or three-year Advanced Diploma program in applied health sciences (e.g. nursing, medical laboratory technology, chiropody, radiology) from a public Ontario College (or the equivalent), with a grade average of 'B' or higher.  The diploma must include at least two introductory, university-level humanities courses or equivalent. 
2. At least two years of cumulative, current professional experience in the health services field.
   

Applicants who cannot demonstrate at least two liberal studies courses (either lower or upper level) during their previous academic studies, will be required to take additional courses before graduation.

Stream B:

1. Completion of at least two years of study in a health-related undergraduate degree program with acceptable academic standing, or completion of a degree in another field, from an accredited university.
2. At least two years of cumulative, current professional experience in the health services field.

Applicants who have completed a university degree are eligible for transfer credit up to 50% of the BHA program.

Please note: Potential applicants with other post-secondary academic backgrounds and professional experience in the healthcare field will be considered on an individual basis. 

The BHA is certified by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) and is approved by the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA) as a degree completion program for HIM professionals who are already certified.

Admission Procedures

Applicants are required to submit the following to Undergraduate Admissions in addition to their online application. The submission of the TMU Supplementary Form is optional, but encouraged by the Admissions Committee.

Visit Submission of Documents for instructions:

1. Academic transcripts including promotion/graduation status of all post-secondary studies (including studies in an applied health science program). High school transcripts are not required.
   
2. A detailed and separate resume of previous work experience, academic experience (including continuing education), and professional activities.
3. Documentation of professional registration/certification, where applicable.
   

Each applicant will be reviewed by a department admissions committee to ensure academic and practice suitability for the program.

Students who wish to enrol in any Faculty of Arts course that has a prerequisite must first obtain permission from the appropriate teaching department.  Students are required to provide the teaching department with a course outline and proof of completion of the appropriate prerequisite.

Students are admitted three times a year, in the fall, winter, and spring/summer semesters.

The Health Administration part-time degree program is designed to allow health practitioners to upgrade their education to the level of an undergraduate degree in theory and management of health services.

A key goal of the program is to develop the management and leadership capabilities of health practitioners who currently hold or in the future may hold entry level, or middle management responsibilities in health facilities or in the community.

Management skills and knowledge are developed within the context of a broad understanding of the needs and rights of clients and their communities, and the social, economic, political, and ethical factors influencing rapid change in the health system.

The design of the curriculum incorporates four goals: educating health practitioners to assume entry-level or middle management responsibilities; contributing to the evolution of a multidisciplinary, holistic health community; building a broader understanding of the diverse non-medical factors which shape the health system; and providing a basis for advanced studies. The program objectives identify three distinct areas of skills and knowledge consistent with these goals which relate to the needs of clients, the health services organization, and the system as a whole.

Program requirements include courses in the required, open elective, and liberal studies categories. Required courses examine the health system and management roles in health service organizations as the basis for specialized courses in management, health law, finance, program planning and evaluation, research methods and human resources. Open elective courses include courses in accounting, communications, ethics, policy, psychology, economics, occupational health and marketing. Liberal studies courses are chosen from a wide range of humanities and social science subjects. A Practicum designed to facilitate the integration of management theory and practice in a work setting, constitutes the 'capstone' of the program.

Courses may be offered in one of three formats: evening, web-based or modular. Selected open elective and liberal studies courses also run in the evening. A limited number of spaces may also be available in the day sections of open electives and liberal studies courses. Part-time students may be accommodated in day sections if space is available. Selected Required, open elective, and liberal studies courses may also be offered each semester.

Once accepted into the program students receive assistance to develop a program plan.

Students may take up to a maximum of eight years to complete the program requirements.

Part-time courses are administered by either the program department or The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education. The mode of delivery is not reflected in this calendar. Continuing education courses are identified in your course selection registration package with a 'C' prefix. These identifiers are for internal use only and do not affect the equivalency.

Courses completed at an accredited university or a Public Ontario College that are not used as a basis of admission may also be eligible for transfer credit. These courses must be reviewed by the appropriate departmental chair before credit can be assigned. We strongly recommend that you commence the collection of officially certified transcripts, course descriptions, and teaching outlines as soon as possible.

Please note that students who receive transfer credits(s) must complete studies that normally include at least one-half of the curriculum. No more than 50 percent of a program's requirements may consist of advanced standing/credits (transfer credits, challenge credits, credits granted on a Letter of Permission).

Students must complete three upper-level liberal studies courses to graduate. If an upper level liberal studies course requires a prerequisite, students MUST apply for a transfer credit for that prerequisite. This will only serve as proof of prerequisite and will not apply toward the degree.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table B Restrictions

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Toronto Met (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

Revised curriculum begins 2024-2025 for students admitted Fall 2023 and after.

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

Kim Baker
Former Chief Executive Officer
Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN)

Catherine Chow Hutson
Senior Director, Corporate Development
Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care

Akeela Jamal
Senior Engagement Manager
3M Health Information Systems

Melanie Kohn
Director, Hospitals Branch, Health System Accountability and Performance Division
Ministry of Health and Long-term Care

Paul Williams
Professor, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation
University of Toronto

Please see department website (opens in new window)  for updated information.