Healthcare Leadership & Administration Certificate
Program Highlights
Move into Healthcare Leadership & Administration
Increase Training & Development as a Current Leader or Admin
- Integrating leadership theory into day-to-day administrative practices
- Mediating and managing communication at every level within an organization
- Collecting and critically analyzing research and data
- Integrating current literature and evidence-based practices into leading and supervising healthcare delivery to patients
Designed for Working Healthcare Professionals
Our HLA Certificate is designed especially for working healthcare professionals, administrators, and leaders. With a completely-online program designed to fit with busy schedules, and that has three start dates a year, the HLA Certificate can fit your schedule.
Our HLA Certificate is designed to benefit individuals who fall into the following areas:
- Looking into a career as a healthcare administrator and may earn an MBA, MPA, or MHA degree in the future
- Currently working as a healthcare practitioner and are interested in gaining more administrative skills
- Presently working as a healthcare administrator and seeking additional confidence and leadership and administrative skills
Interprofessional Program Experience
Transfer into our PhD or DMSc Programs
Curriculum
Delivering High-Quality Healthcare
Learn how to deliver healthcare in a way that lowers costs while improving patient outcomes and satisfaction. Understand how to impact and improve the care offered by clinicians and employees you supervise. Delve into leadership theories, concepts, and challenges as they relate to healthcare.
Healthcare Systems
Learn how economics and healthcare systems interact. Deliver healthcare to the best of your clinic’s ability within that system.
Research & Data
Integrate critically-reviewed current literature and evidence-based practices into the daily administration of healthcare delivery.
Communication Systems
Mediate and manage communication at every organizational level to optimize the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery.
Courses
Core Courses
Code
Course
Credits
HLA 670Organizational Behavior & Management in Healthcare3
This course provides future healthcare leaders with the essential knowledge and competencies to analyze, manage, and optimize organizational performance within complex systems. The curriculum translates foundational theories of organizational dynamics and design into practical strategies for achieving operational excellence, focusing on the structures and systems that drive behavior and results. Specific topics include governance, strategic management and marketing, human resources management, recruiting, training, process improvement, management theory, and employee wellbeing. The course provides students with knowledge about how the best healthcare provider organizations respond to their environment, foster innovation, deliver high quality, cost-effective healthcare, and how they make and implement decisions about future activities.
Offered Winter, Summer
HLA 700Healthcare Legal & Ethical Issues3
This course explores the legal and ethical issues and dilemmas in the delivery of healthcare. The principles and practical application of laws and regulations affecting operational decisions of healthcare providers, health plans, and third-party payers are discussed. Also Content and dates are subject to change addressed are social, moral, and ethical issues encountered in the balance of patient interests, needs and rights.
Offered Winter, Summer
HLA 620Emotional Intelligence and Strategic Leadership in Healthcare3
Using a validated emotional intelligence (EI) assessment, learners will examine and strengthen core leadership competencies, including self-awareness, empathy, communication, collaboration, conflict management, decision-making and problem-solving, and change management. The course also explores the strategic role of organizational mission, vision, values, and foundational organizational functions such as human resources, delegation, and collaborative team dynamics. Through individual and organizational SWOT analyses, learners will evaluate internal and external factors influencing leadership effectiveness and develop evidence-informed strategies for organizational and professional development. Emphasizing real-world application, the course prepares learners to translate leadership theory into actionable, context-specific practice.
Offered Fall
HLA 746Leadership in Health Sciences3
This course focuses on developing essential leadership skills in health sciences, emphasizing mentorship, change management, and quality improvement. Students will create a personal leadership statement to define their approach and values while exploring strategies to support and inspire team members. Key topics include mentorship techniques for guiding future professionals, methods for implementing sustainable change management, and strategies for fostering continuous quality improvement in healthcare. Through case studies, practical exercises, and peer discussions, students will gain tools to cultivate a culture of excellence, adaptability, and mentorship within diverse health science settings.
Offered Summer
Electives
Code
Course
Credits
HLA 680Strategic Change Management for Healthcare Organizations3
This course provides a comprehensive and practical exploration of how healthcare leaders can effectively navigate and guide organizational change. Students examine the forces shaping today’s healthcare environment and learn evidence-based approaches for identifying, planning, and implementing meaningful change initiatives. Emphasis is placed on building readiness for change, forming effective teams, communicating vision, addressing resistance, empowering employees, and sustaining momentum throughout the change process. Additional focus is given to creating a culture that supports continual improvement, integrating change considerations into hiring and onboarding, and recognizing the influence of change on leadership well-being. Through applied assignments and real-world analysis, students develop the skills needed to lead strategic change and strengthen organizational adaptability.
Offered Fall
HLA 740Healthcare Delivery3
This course will train healthcare leaders to implement or teach principles of delivering better healthcare at lower costs through improving clinical and non-clinical processes. This course will introduce methods and tools for conducting quality improvement projects. Also discussed will be methods of health services research, teams and teamwork, outcome measurement, and medical informatics. A key learning experience of this course will be developing and implementing a quality improvement project.
Offered Winter, Fall
Semester Dates
Summer 2026
Type
Date
Fall 2026
Type
Date
Winter 2027
Type
Date
Application Deadlines: Apply Early and Position Yourself for Success
Priority Deadline
Applying by the priority deadline is the best way to set yourself up for success. It gives you the most time to complete the admissions process, explore financial aid, complete RMU’s online orientation course, and feel fully prepared for your program.
Since we review applications on a rolling basis, submitting early means you’ll hear back sooner—often while spots are still open for your preferred start term. It’s a great way to secure your place and start planning your next steps with confidence.
Final Deadline
We continue to accept applications through the final deadline—and even up to the first day of classes—as space allows. If you need a little more time, you’re still welcome to apply. Just keep in mind that some programs may fill early, and things like course availability or financial aid processing may be more limited closer to the start of the semester.
Applying early helps you get a smooth start as you begin your journey at Rocky Mountain University.
Admissions
Admissions Requirements
- Minimum of bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Application Materials
- Completed online application
- Official transcripts* from bachelor’s (or higher) degree
- Resume or CV detailing education, employment, volunteer service, and scholarly activity
- Statement of professional goals
*You must request official transcripts from your previous institution’s Registrar’s Office. Official transcripts can be sent electronically to admissions@rm.edu. Any transcripts emailed from the applicant will be considered unofficial.
Other Requirements
Vaccinations
Vaccinations
No vaccinations required
Tech Requirements
Technology Requirements
Background and Purpose
The healthcare industry is heavily reliant on technology and on providers who are proficient in utilizing technology. As a result, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions requires extensive utilization of electronic devices for its programs. The purpose of this document is to define minimum technology requirements for students to ensure they are equipped with the hardware and software necessary to facilitate their participation and success in all facets of their education.
Laptop Computer*
Students are required to secure a personal computer for use during the course of their studies that adheres to the below minimum requirements (*this does not apply to students in the Optometry OD program.)
Operating System (OS)
- For PC: Windows 10
- For Mac: macOS 13 (Ventura) or higher
Specifications
- Processor: Apple – M1 Chip or better. Windows – Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 or better
- Memory: 8 GB or more
- Storage: 128 GB Flash Solid-State Drive (256GB or more recommended)
- Display: 13 inches or larger (retina display 12-inch is acceptable)
- WiFi Connectivity: 802.11ac or higher
- Camera: Built-in high resolution (720p or better), internal or external
Buying Recommendations
Required Software
Your computer must have these systems installed:
- Adobe PDF Reader
- An anti-virus program* If you don’t already have one installed, we recommend Sophos
*Note: You should have only ONE anti-virus program installed; multiple installations can be troublesome.
High Speed Internet
- The connection should be a Cable/DSL broadband connection or better. We recommend having a minimum of 10 mbps download and 2 mbps upload. You can check your download and upload speeds at Speedtest.
- Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) must be reliable. Please note that wireless connections can be unstable; wired Ethernet connections should be used whenever possible. If the speed of your connection is inadequate, contact your ISP to upgrade to a higher-level service.
Internet Browser
- Due to its integration with G Suite, we recommend Google Chrome.
- We recommend you also have the Mozilla Firefox browser available, as a backup.
Programs Not Using These Requirements
Applicable to all new students except the PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT (PA) program. Check PA program technology policy for reference.
LAST UPDATED: July 2024.
Application Process
Step 1:
Complete online application through our applicant portal.
Step 2:
Submit supplemental materials i.e. official transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.
Step 3:
Once your application is complete, it will be sent to the program specific Admissions Selection Committee for review. The review process can take 1-2 weeks on average.
Step 4:
Step 5:
Faculty
Jennifer Austin McCrae
PhD, LAT, ATC, GTS
Program Director, Healthcare Leadership & Administration Certificate Program
Tuition & Fees
2026
Cost per Credit
Total Credits
Total Tuition Cost
*Other Program Fees
*^University Resource Fee
*Fees may be subject to change.
^Max. 15 credits per semester
Program Fees Details
This program is not eligible for Federal Student Loans. Private Loan options are available.
More Information
Locked-in Tuition
Rocky Mountain University offers guaranteed tuition rates while completing your graduate degree. Our programs have a cost per credit rate lock once you are enrolled. Locked-in tuition helps you see your total cost from start to finish. If you defer to a later cohort start, you may be subject to an increased rate.
Cost of Attendance
The cost of attendance (COA) is the cornerstone of establishing a student’s financial need, as it sets a limit on the total aid that a student may receive.
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