Health Administration

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

COURSE SEQUENCE

*Course*	*Credits*	*Duration/Weeks*
MHA 530 Health Care Systems and Organizations	3	5
BUS 500 Organizational Leadership	3	5
MHA 520 Health Care Research Methods	3	7
MHA 570 Health Care Marketing	3	5
BUS 580 Accounting for Managerial Decision-making	3	7
MHA 540 Health Care Finance	3	5
MHA 600 Health Policy, Ethics & Law	3	5
MHA 575 Leadership Coaching for Health Care Professionals	3	5
MHA 550 Health Outcomes, Performance	3	5
MHA 620 Health Insurance	3	5
MHA 650 Health Info Systems or Elective	3	5
MHA 690 Strategic Planning for Health Care	3	6
MHA 695 Health Organization Transformation	3	6

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

MHA 530 - Health Care Systems and Organizations (3 credits)
This course introduces the history and evolution of our health care system. The structure and function of health care organizations, internally and with one another, is examined in depth. A systems approach to administration and management is covered within the health care context. The organization of health services is reviewed with an overview of the interaction among, and the integration of, the major health care subsystems: primary; secondary; tertiary; long-term; palliative; special populations/disorders. Delivering health care in a systematic and integrated framework is stressed throughout the course.

BUS 500 - Organizational Leadership (3 credits)
This course examines organizational leadership; the role that visionary leaders play in empowering employees, providing the environment for effective work units; and harnessing diversity (organizational, cognitive, and physio-cultural) for competitive advantage.

MHA 520 - Health Care Research Methods (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to quantitative research methods in general, and health care research methods in particular. First, an overview of research is given with attention to various purposes and approaches. Next, the components of the quantitative research process are studied, including the research problem, review of the literature, methodology, human subjects concerns, collection of data, analysis, results of the data, and conclusions. Statistical software is introduced as a tool to analyze, interpret and present data. Emphasis is on understanding the concepts of statistical analysis, choosing appropriate tools, and procedures to use in a given context, using the computer to carry out the procedures, and then interpreting the computer results within the given context. Prerequisite: Introduction to statistics or equivalent.

MHA 570 - Health Care Marketing (3 credits)
Health Care Marketing introduces the application of marketing concepts to health care delivery systems and emphasizes a strategic market management approach for developing or evaluating strategies as well as programs for a health care organization. The primary objective of Health Care Marketing is to provide cohort members with a basic understanding of the role of public relations and marketing activities in the realm of health care today, with a particular focus on principles of activities performed by staff that are directed and evaluated by health care administrators. Public relations discussions include dealing with the media, referral and contact agencies, and consumers and their families. Marketing discussions will include principles of marketing activity that contribute to positive promotion for census and reputation of health care services.

BUS 580 HA - Accounting for Managerial Decision-Making (3 credits)
This course focuses on cost centers and profit centers, and examines cost accounting, cost-volume-profit analysis, budgeting and variance analysis, and relevant costs for decision-making.

MHA 540 - Health Care Finance (3 credits)
This course builds on the foundation established in the prerequisite accounting course. The structure and function of the health care finance system in the United States is reviewed and students study the various sources of funding, both private and public, as they flow through third-party payers to the care providers/facilities. The course approaches finance within individual health care organizations from a managerial framework by focusing on decision-making that is driven by management functions. The unique aspects of health care and non-profit financing are also major themes of the course. Prerequisite: BUS 580 Accounting for Managerial Decision-Making.

MHA 600 - Health Policy, Ethics, and Law (3 credits)
This course presents a review of the formation of governmental policy at all levels and how it impacts and regulates health care delivery in
the United States. Administrative compliance to health care regulation
is a key focal point of the course. Laws governing the relationship
between patients and health care providers/organizations are reviewed. Health care law is examined through study of case law that directly impacts the administration of health care services and facilities.

MHA 575 - Leadership Coaching for Health Care Professionals (3 credits)
Because health care administration is increasingly complex, many leaders are turning to a tool that has long been used successfully by business leaders and sports figures – professional coaches. Leadership coaching is about becoming the most effective leader you can be. It’s not about fixing your weaknesses; it’s about embracing who you really are. It’s about tapping into your strengths, your gifts, and your unique abilities – why you have been so successful so far. Effective coaching builds employee skills, addresses shortcomings, develops leadership capability, and enhances executive performance. Surveys show that employees at multiple organizational levels find coaching very useful and are calling for more coaching and better quality coaching. Effective coaching requires developing a distinct set of competencies. This course builds on the Organizational Leadership module and will help you build the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to coach effectively and enhance leadership and performance.

MHA 550 - Health Outcomes & Performance (3 credits)
This course addresses Quality Assurance, Quality Improvement, and Risk Management in health care from a systems thinker’s point of view. The conceptual framework for the course is twofold in nature: 1) Continuous Quality Improvement/Total Quality Management (CQI/TQM) and Outcomes Assessment, currently the most comprehensive and well-established framework for Healthcare Quality Management, and 2) Risk Management, which is the most effective way of preventing adverse quality of care issues. Topics included in the course are 1) the history of Quality Management in healthcare from 1900 to the present, including the roles of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA); 2) a brief introduction to the principles of systems thinking and their application in the health care setting; 3) the Principles, Processes, and Tools of Quality Management; 4) an overview of other approaches to Quality Management (e.g., Six Sigma in Health Care, Re-engineering, ISO 9000) and how they fit into the CQI/TQM framework; 5) the history of Risk Management in health care; 6) Risk Management techniques such as risk reduction, informed consent, the medical record as evidence of quality care, reporting adverse occurrences, and communicating with distressed
or angry patients/families; and 7) the introduction and use of these concepts and tools in real health care settings today.

MHA 620 - Health Insurance (3 credits)
This course covers the current state of the health insurance industry and reimbursement for services in the United States. The status of managed care and its continuing evolution is examined in depth. Private and public reimbursement structures and functions are studied in detail as well as application of reimbursement management principles.

MHA 650 - Health Information Systems (3 credits)
This course is an overview of information systems and their utilization in health care organizations. The impact of information systems on health care delivery, financing, and recordkeeping is reviewed initially. Next, the integration of clinical and business functions is explored. The use of information systems as a strategic tool is examined throughout the course. Emphasis is on understanding the relationship of information systems to organizational accountability, strategic planning, and organizational outcomes. Management of information systems will be covered with specific study of IT assets, e-Health, consumer informatics, IT investments, information security, and IT infrastructure.

MHA 690 - Strategic Planning in Health Care (3 credits)
This is the capstone research course in the health administration program. All other required courses must be completed before registering for this course. This course reviews strategic thinking and planning from a systems perspective. Students will integrate the knowledge and information from their previous course work and employ strategic planning tools, techniques, and data for the development of an integrative research experience. The course culminates in the development of a comprehensive business plan in a health care industry sector selected by the students. Students may work independently or petition the instructor to produce a team-developed business plan.

MHA 695 - Health Organization Transformation (3 credits)
This course prepares health care professionals to lead change and drive the transformation of health care organizations in the 21st century. The elements studied are an achievement orientation, managing ethically, values-based leadership, community service, innovation, relationship building, accountability, process, and project management.

Division of Adult Professional Studies

Information Meetings