Beginning in fall 2008, the University of Hawai'i West O'ahu will offer the only undergraduate program in Health Care Administration in the state of Hawai'i. Graduates will earn a Bachelor of Arts in public administration with a concentration in healthcare administration, the university said in a news release.

The concentration is designed to address the increasing need for healthcare managers as stated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and to provide future administrators with the skills needed in a constantly evolving field.

"Current and future healthcare managers will be expected to focus on improving access, containing rising healthcare costs, enhancing efficiency in healthcare facilities, and increasing quality of care," said UH West O'ahu Health Care Administration associate professor Kristina Guo. "Our program is designed to meet and fulfill the healthcare workforce and career development needs for the state of Hawai'i by preparing graduates with the skills needed to pursue and advance their careers in managerial positions in the healthcare field."

Students pursuing a BAPA degree with a concentration in healthcare administration will complete a curriculum designed to further their understanding of central concepts of healthcare systems as well as analyze and provide solutions to healthcare challenges, according to the news release. The new concentration will assist those who are already employed in the health are field to fully develop management, legal and behavioral skills for more effective job performance.

Public Administration degree candidates may also select a concentration in Justice Administration or General Public Administration. UHWO offers certificate programs in disaster preparedness and emergency management and healthcare administration.

"We are very excited to offer this program, the only undergraduate program in healthcare administration in the state of Hawai'i," said UH-West O'ahu Interim Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Joanne Itano. "As we prepare for the new campus in the City of Kapolei, we are expanding our current programs and developing new ones to meet the workforce needs of the State of Hawai'i."

UH-West O'ahu is currently accepting applications for the fall 2008 semester. For more information about the healthcare administration concentration, contact Kristina Guo at 454-4732 or kguo@hawaii.edu. UH-West O'ahu public administration professor and division chairman Ross Prizzia is also available for inquiries at 454-4712 or rprizzia@hawaii.edu.