Overview

The graduate certificate in health leadership is designed for aspiring and current healthcare leaders, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the rapidly evolving healthcare sector. As the healthcare economy grows, so do opportunities in diverse areas like service delivery, technology and advocacy. The program's coursework is modern and directly applicable, preparing students to address the challenges of an aging population and thrive in one of the most in-demand fields in the United States.

Program Structure

This program is offered synchronously online — no campus visits are required. Students typically complete one to two courses per semester to fit school into their busy schedules. Courses are offered year-round for greater flexibility.

This certificate can also be applied to the Master of Public Administration and Master of Business Administration programs.

Courses

Courses for this program are 100% online — no campus visits are required.

Successful completion of the program requires 12 credit hours of course work. Most courses are currently offered synchronously; however, we are expanding and adding more asynchronous courses to meet the needs of today's students. Additionally, our coursework provides extensive opportunities to complete projects and assignments that partner with public service organizations. Students will gain access to an extensive network of public partners during the program.

Course planner

Required (6 credit hours)
HLTH ADM 5571 Financial Management Issues in Health and Human Service Organizations or HLTH ADM 5580 The Economics of Health and Medicine
HLTH ADM 5581 Health Policy in the United States

Electives (Choose 6 credit hours)
HLTH ADM 5571 Financial Management Issues of Health and Human Services Organizations
HLTH ADM 5572 Quality and Safety in Health Care
HLTH ADM 5573 Health and Social Equity
HLTH ADM 5577 Leadership and Management in Health Care Organizations
HLTH ADM 5578 Data Analysis for Health Care Managers
HLTH ADM 5580 The Economics of Health and Medicine
HLTH ADM 5586 Supervised Research in Health Services Administration
HLTH ADM 5587 Special Topics

State Authorization

States require that the University of Missouri-Kansas City be authorized to deliver university-level distance/online education to their residents. Each state handles this process differently.

Please see our state authorization page for more information.

How to Apply

Fulfill the admission requirements

Admissions decisions are made using a holistic approach, and the Bloch School is happy to work with prospective students to support their goals.

• Students must have earned a bachelor's degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher from a regionally accredited institution.
  • Students not meeting the minimum GPA requirement may be admitted provisionally. Earning a 3.0 or higher GPA in the first semester removes the provisional status.
• For students whose native language is not English, proof of English proficiency may be required. For more information, visit the International Student Affairs Office website.
• GRE, LSAT and GMAT scores are optional.

Submit required documentation

• All official transcripts sent from the school where you earned any degrees; undergraduate, graduate or credit. We prefer transcripts to be sent electronically to the Office of Admissions. 
  • By secure email to umkc-admtranscript@umkc.edu
  • By electronic transfer through your school
• If mailed, they must be sent in a sealed envelope to the following address:

• Résumé
• Goal statement — a one-page essay describing your career plans and how your desired degree or certificate can help you reach your goals.
• TOEFL, IELTS or PTE score reports for applicants whose native language is not English. For information on sending test scores, visit the Bloch School graduate admissions web page.

Complete the online application

• Domestic application fee: $45.00. This fee can be waived by participating in an information session with the Bloch School.
• International application fee: $75.00

Note: If you were ever enrolled at UMKC as a degree-seeking student, you do not need to resubmit the general UMKC application fee.

Application fee waiver questions: Contact the Bloch School with questions at Blochgrad@umkc.edu.

Apply to UMKC

Program Contacts

Gene Pegler Executive Director of Student Affairs Phone: 816-235-5254 Email: peglere@umkc.edu

Susan Opp Victor E. and Caroline E. Schutte Professor Chair, Department of Public Affairs Phone: 816-235-5177 Email: susan.opp@umkc.edu

Arif Ahmed Associate Dean
Associate Professor of Health Administration Phone: 816-235-2319 Email: ahmedar@umkc.edu

Tuition and Fees

These estimates are for illustrative purposes only and are based on academic year 2024-2025 information.

These estimates are for illustrative purposes only and are based on academic year 2024-2025 information. They include:

• Graduate resident tuition rate of per credit hour for 12 hours
• Online course fee of per credit hour for 12 hours
• Graduate Public Administration Course Fee of per credit hour for 12 hours