MHA, Health Care Informatics, FlexPath Option
School of Business, Technology, and Health Care Administration
The MHA Health Care Informatics specialization focuses on the impact
of information technology within the ever-changing health care
industry. The specialization immerses learners into the world of
health informatics and explores the depth and breadth of health
information systems and how they influence strategic planning,
decision making, and daily operations. The specialization curriculum
emphasizes best practices in health informatics essentials, including
electronic medical records, workflow, meaningful use, change
management, and information technology alignment with regard to
clinical operations. Upon successful completion of this
specialization, learners are prepared to pursue director-level and
leadership positions in a wide range of health care settings and
organizations that utilize various health information technologies.
Learners who pursue this specialization through the FlexPath option
earn an MHA through self-paced demonstrations of competencies.
Twelve Required Courses
At least 24 program points
Core courses:
NHS-FPX5004 |
Communication, Collaboration, and Case Analysis for Master’s Learners
This course prepares learners for master’s-level coursework in the
School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Throughout the course, learners
analyze how the role of the practitioner-scholar guides leadership in
the health care field and determine the ways in which they can
effectively use communication strategies expected of health care
professionals. In particular, learners examine the attributes that
contribute to effective and ethical health care leadership, including
professional collaboration, communication, inclusion, and decision
making.
Must be taken by learners in their first quarter. Cannot be
fulfilled by transfer.
| 2 program points |
---|---|---|
MHA-FPX5006 |
Health Care Finance and Reimbursement
Learners in this course gain knowledge of and apply financial management concepts, principles, and processes used in health care organizations. Learners examine accounting, financial statements and ratios, budgeting, capitalization, cost allocation, reimbursement methodologies and processes, and the impact of varying reimbursement structures on health care practice and service delivery. Learners also design, prepare, and manage health care budgets; analyze short- and long-term health care investment decisions; and articulate the ways effective health care finance and accounting processes are used to present operational and strategic financial information to organizational stakeholders. | 2 program points |
MHA-FPX5010 |
Strategic Health Care Planning
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. | 2 program points |
MHA-FPX5012 * |
Organizational Leadership and Governance
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 MHA-FPX5010.
| 2 program points |
MHA-FPX5017 |
Data Analysis for Health Care Decisions
Learners in this course gain and apply an understanding of how data drives decision making at every level of health care administration, including in value-based reimbursement as well as operations and outcomes. Learners identify ways to use data analysis tools and techniques in the pursuit of value, quality, and safety. Throughout the course, learners use readings, media presentations, and real-world examples to analyze a particular foundational statistical concept and related practical application. | 2 program points |
NHS-FPX6004 |
Health Care Law and Policy
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. | 2 program points |
NHS-FPX6008 |
Economics and Decision Making in Health Care
This course helps learners develop and demonstrate concepts,
principles, issues, and trends in health care economics and the
economic decision-making practices employed in the health care
environment. Learners analyze the political, legal, regulatory,
organizational, demographical, and multicultural implications of
business decisions on health care economics; explore the ways economic
and stakeholder influences affect operational planning and decision
making; and practice applying performance monitoring and process
management measures as part of the decision-making process. Learners
also examine cost-effective problem solving; community- and
population-based orientation; and effective use of health care market
research, analysis, and assessment. | 2 program points |
MHA-FPX5020 * |
Health Administration Capstone
In this course, learners demonstrate proficiency in their
specialization area by selecting a health care problem in their
specific area of interest, conducting a data analysis, and finally,
proposing evidence-based recommendations for resolution. Throughout
the course, learners practice three key industry-identified competency
groups—transformation, execution, and people.
For MHA learners only. Prerequisite(s): Completion of all
required and elective coursework. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
| 2 program points |
Specialization courses:
MHA-FPX5062 |
Health Care Delivery: New Environments in Health Informatics
Learners in this course investigate the changing technological
environment facing today’s hospital leaders. Throughout the course,
learners explore the many health information systems and applications
now used by health care organizations, as well as examine the myriad
rules, regulations, and government influences paramount to health
informatics. | 2 program points |
---|---|---|
MHA-FPX5064 |
Health Care Information Systems Analysis and Design for Administrators
In this course, learners examine the many aspects of health care
information systems, including project management, data, and database
concepts as components of systems analysis and design. Learners
evaluate, analyze, and classify various systems in order to gain a
better understanding of their inner workings. Learners also research
and apply current trends in health care informatics.
Prerequisite(s): MHA-FPX5062.
| 2 program points |
MHA-FPX5066 |
Cornerstones of Health Informatics for Organizational Operations
In this course, learners examine cornerstones of health informatics,
including security, confidentiality, and the maximization of
organizational operational efficiency, for health care administrators.
Learners investigate topics such as workflow, implementation, go-live
support, and information management.
Prerequisite(s): MHA-FPX5062.
| 2 program points |
MHA-FPX5068 |
Leadership, Management, and Meaningful Use of Health Care Technology
In this course, learners analyze leadership and management principles
used in health informatics. Learners examine the alignment of
information technology with clinical operations, as well as the
meaningful use of health care technology in effective organizational
communications. In addition, learners identify and articulate ethical
and legal policies and procedures for end users.
Prerequisite(s): MHA-FPX5062.
| 2 program points |
Total
At least 24 program points
* Denotes courses that have prerequisite(s). Refer to the descriptions for further details.
Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.
GuidedPath courses and FlexPath
courses fulfill the program requirements and prerequisites for each
delivery model.