Masters Health Care Administration

MS in Heath Care Administration Course Descriptions

Core Courses: Continuum of Care

HCA 521 Health Care Systems: A Continuum of Care (3 credits)
The course explores the continuum of care through organization development, applied research, systems theory and structured modeling analysis. A strong foundational “systems-thinking” approach provides the mental models required for organization improvement.

HCA 527 Ethical and Legal Issues (3 credits)
The challenges of patient-centered care require an understanding of the complex ethical and legal issues, mandates and best practices. Analysis of case studies and resolution implications are explored.

HCA 531 Leadership in Marketing and Strategic Planning (3 credits)
The course applies the use of design, development, and evaluation methodology to analyze strategic planning processes. Development and execution of marketing plans integral to branding and promotion are explored.

HCA 612 Advanced Seminar (3 credits)
The course offers an exploration of concepts connected to internal and external organizational entrepreneurship. Topics covered include; grant development, public relations, and community service.

HCA 614 Quality Management and Performance: Improvement in Evidence Based Health Care (3 credits)
Focused on “world class” performance systems and processes in Health Care, the class will explore the best practice methods of performance improvement.

HCA 615 Human Resources Management (3 credits)
Starting with the legal aspects, the course will further examine the critical issues facing employee recruitment, retention and development. Methods complimenting best of class processes will provide tools for the Health Care manager.

ACC 501 Introduction to Accounting (3 credits)
This course introduces students to financial statement development, information processing, and communication for managerial decision making. Topics include; budgeting, cash flow, financial accounting, and performance evaluation.

ECN 535 The Economics of Health and Health Care Policy (3 credits)
The course applies the basic tools of microeconomic analysis to health economics and health care policy. Students will gain an understanding of the market behaviors of the major players in health care markets, including consumers, providers, insurers, and government entities.

Context: Leadership

Hospital

HCA 613 Health Care Administrator Leader (3 credits)
Establishing the key criteria of health care administrative leadership are studied with concepts addressed including development, evaluation and accountability of leaders. Competencies of effective leaders are explored in the various types of health care organizations.

HCA 627 Health Informatics (3 credits)
The study of information technology development and application in health care organizations is critical to managing current operations and making decisions in process improvement. This course explores the assessment, planning, and implementation of information technology projects.

FIN 533 Health Care Financial Management and Reimbursement (3 credits)
The course contains the principles, concepts, and analytical tools of financial management. Topics addressed include: cash flow analysis of capital budgeting, hurdle rates, raising capital through investment banks, financial restructuring and acquisition management.

Service Organizations

HCA 525 Organization Leadership (3 credits)
The leadership course is designed to analyze health care organizational structures, culture and processes that impact organizational success.. Leadership roles are explored with an emphasis on leading organizational change.

HCA 616 Organization Development and Change (3 credits)
This course is designed to overview the field of Organization Development, providing consultant tools and methods to current/perspective managers, administrators and consultants. The emphasis is on practical applications of best-of-class practices for graduate students pursuing careers in government, health care, education, nonprofit and private sector organizations.

Nursing Home

HCA 621 Nursing Home Administration (3 credits)
Based on the management practices of planning, organizing, staffing, directing, controlling, quality improvement, and decision making, the course explores each facet as related to the administrator’s competencies. Through sequential study with case study examples, students will understand the importance of clear and articulated management practices in the nursing home environment.

Electives: Management

Fraud

ECM 535 Legal and Investigative Issues for Fraud Management (3 credits)
Structure and design of organizations with focus on systems theory and its impact with Economic Crime and applicability to today's environment.

ECM 603 Management of Fraud Prevention and Detection (3 credits)
Development of counter-fraud technology. Proactive programs and tools for fraud detection and prevention in face-to-face transactions, e-commerce, and e-business Business models for production of prevention and detection products.

Research/Global

HCA 645 Clinical Research (3 credits)
This course focuses on current research affecting the practice and provision of health care services and the developmental research skills in implementation. Incorporated in the learnings are research schemes of qualitative and quantitative methods and research designs in clinical situations.

HCA 631 International Health Care Systems (3 credits)
The course examines the effects of government and private health care services on the health status of populations in developing countries. Explored issues include: the politics of health services, their cost-effectiveness and how financed. An interdisciplinary approach using formal analysis techniques and modeling is followed.

Grant/Project Planning

GNT 613 Grant Writing, Program Planning and Evaluation (3 credits)
Skills needed to develop health care/social service program proposals, especially those which are funded by grants. Introductory qualitative and quantitative methods are used to evaluate effectiveness.

Gerontology

GNT 503 Perspectives in Gerontology (3 credits)
Literature relevant to the study of gerontology: an overview of current aging issues; current career opportunities; and aging in the future. Seminar format.

GNT 505 Culture, Gender, Aging (3 credits)
The course synthesizes literature of the beliefs, attitudes, and practices related to the aged within a comparative and cross-cultural framework. Students explore the diversity of cultural traditions and worldviews engendering insights into past-present-future issues with the aged.

GNT 603 Long Term Care Policy (3 credits)
The course explores current health policies and their inadequacy in reducing or preventing health associated diseases in the aging population.

HCA 799 Capstone (5 credits)
A project approved by the Department Chair is created as a capstone to the participant's Masters education. The 5 credit project is an "independent study" focused on integrating program learnings into research or practical application in program development, design, execution, and evaluation.

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