In this course, learners examine strategic orientation, planning, and decision making in health care organizations and environments. Learners analyze the political, legal, regulatory, organizational, demographical, and multicultural implications of strategic planning decisions and how those decisions impact communities and populations, define best practices for health care organization staff development, and balance the prioritization of organizational and regulatory needs with feasible cost-effective solutions. Learners also develop a long-term strategic health care plan that includes information on human resource requirements, technology needs, and financial implications

Learners in this course examine and articulate the fundamental concepts and principles of health care organization management and leadership, including governance, cost-effective decision making, and managing and leading stakeholders and staff. Learners identify best practices for mobilizing, managing, and improving employee, organization, stakeholder, and community commitment and for creating employee-centered organizations that foster professional and organizational accountability. Learners also analyze an organizational leadership structure and governance plan and examine how to apply team leadership skills to initiate change. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent registration in MHA5010.

In this course, learners examine the political, legal, and regulatory issues impacting health care organizations and environments. Learners analyze the effects of health care policy on health care practice and service delivery, with particular emphasis on the strategies used to monitor and maintain legal and regulatory compliance. Learners also identify and apply health care policy and law concepts that promote organizational improvement.

In this course, learners build and strengthen the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to succeed in their program and in the workplace. Learners engage in interactive activities that help them develop and demonstrate a health care perspective and expand their academic success strategies including organizational, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Learners also develop an understanding of ethics, information literacy, and effective writing. For School of Nursing and Health Sciences learners only. Must be taken during the learner’s first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning.

Learners gain a historical view of the U.S. health care system and analyze the challenges and successes of an ever-changing and evolving industry from both a private and public health perspective. Learners also investigate health care innovations, regulatory bodies and technology to assess the evolutionary processes in medical education, changing practice, hospital industry growth and the continuum of care.

In this course, learners review developments in health policy and management to better understand the present and future state of the U.S. health care system. Learners also analyze trends and effects on health care services to determine their impact on the health care industry and to predict potential future reforms. Learners also gain knowledge of health policy; health reform; access, cost, and regulatory issues; and stakeholder influence.

In this course, learners examine quality improvement and risk management in health care. Learners apply various models to increase the quality of patient care and outcomes, decrease the risk of litigation, and effect positive change. Throughout the course, learners gain an understanding of how to prepare a quality dashboard utilizing common quality improvement tools, including statistical analysis; Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA); Six Sigma; and Rapid Cycle Improvement. 

In this course, learners analyze local, state, and federal health care laws and evaluate their applicability and effect on patient rights, care, and confidentiality; human resources; and organizational and professional licensure. Throughout the course, learners develop and demonstrate competence in applying standards to meet requirements of governing bodies and various agencies with regulatory oversight authority. Learners also investigate fraud and abuse, risk management, business ethics, and corporate compliance.

Learners in this course acquire an understanding of inventory control, budgeting, financial statements, and reporting. Learners also demonstrate competence in preparing budgets for their scope of responsibility as health care professionals.

Learners in this course examine current trends and traditional methods of payment in the health care industry. In particular, learners examine hospital, physician, third-party, state, and federal reimbursement systems and gain an understanding of the organizational revenue cycle process and payor contracting.

In this course, learners examine health care research methodologies to assess access, quality, and cost as well as related marketing research and planning. In particular, learners strengthen their knowledge of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research designs in order to better understand the needs, expectations, and social norms involved within the health care delivery system.

The focus of this course is on the ethical principles that guide health care management practices. Learners examine the role of personal moral integrity in ethical health care leadership, as well as the external and internal forces that influence health care management. Finally, learners also analyze a variety of ethical dilemmas that health care leaders face in today’s rapidly changing health care environment.

Learners in this course gain awareness of their personal leadership style and develop communication approaches appropriate for a diverse set of stakeholders. Learners also build their knowledge and skills in cultural competence, effective teamwork, coaching, cross-functionality, and collaboration through the use of authentic, real-world scenarios.

Learners in this course integrate essential informatics concepts into health care administration and manage the health care information lifecycle. Learners analyze information system applications to make evidence-based decisions that maximize the efficiency and quality of departmental workflow. Learners also analyze the application of methods to improve the management of patient data, clinical knowledge, population data, and other information relevant to patient care and community health. 

Learners in this course develop an understanding of medical terminology used within health care. Learners analyze prefixes, suffixes, word roots, and combining forms, and practice correctly pronouncing, spelling, and using medical terms in the appropriate contexts.

In this course, learners examine the operational and financial principles of managing health data from multiple source systems. Learners gain and demonstrate an understanding of various data integration tools and techniques used to support clinical information systems, including data warehousing, batch processing, and interface engines. Learners also examine and apply network and database design and architecture and their effects on source system development. Prerequisite(s): HIM4610.

In this course, learners develop a working knowledge of basic statistical strategies and tools used to analyze and interpret health care data, including pattern recognition; data classification; and data mining, modeling, and sampling. Learners also evaluate the resources that provide health care information and support health information integrity and data quality. Prerequisite(s): HIM4610.

Learners in this course build their knowledge of health data management history and the role of the electronic health record (EHR) in health care organizations. Throughout the course, learners identify the characteristics of the EHR and other clinical systems, develop their skills in using an EHR, and evaluate the standards being developed to encourage EHR interoperability and data sharing. Prerequisite(s): HIM4610.

In this course, learners examine decision-support practices and quality-management techniques used to improve the quality of health care. Learners apply decision-modeling techniques and evaluate the impact of clinical information systems on the quality, safety, and efficiency of health care data. Prerequisite(s): HIM4610.

Learners in this course gain a legal and ethical overview of the health information industry, including the role of the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Learners analyze security and privacy issues related to gathering and sharing health data and examine the legal constraints of transmitting data outside the parameters of treatment, payment, and health operations. Prerequisite(s): HIM4610.

Learners in this course examine health care systems and health information management in the United States. Learners examine organizational relationships, business associations, and market forces that affect the health care system. In particular, learners build knowledge of leadership and management theories for health care systems and health information management.

The capstone project is the culmination of the BS in Health Care Administration degree program. Learners demonstrate the technical and applied health care administration knowledge and the critical thinking and communication skills needed to effectively influence a diverse and dynamic health care environment, develop innovative solutions for managing U.S. health care systems, and apply continuous improvement and quality management processes to improve organizational and patient outcomes. For BS in Health Care Administration learners only. Must be taken during the learner’s final quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning.