Health Administration Course Description

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HHCM 507 – Healthcare Informatics (3 QH)

This course will provide an overview of the management of data and information resources critical to effective and efficient healthcare delivery. Course concepts will include: insuring accurate and complete data; coding for reimbursement; ensuring quality of data; analyzing data for decision support, research, and public policy; and the protection of patient privacy and security. Interactions with healthcare entities such as patient care organizations, payers, research and policy agencies, etc. will also be discussed.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in program or Department Approval.

HHCM 508 – Marketing Healthcare (4 QH)

This course will examine critical aspects of marketing management including price, product, promotion, and distribution of healthcare services as well as internal and external forces that impact marketing. The student will be introduced to strategies that provide competitive opportunities to create value for the healthcare organization and improve customer satisfaction.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in program or Department Approval.

HHCM 510 – Global Health (3 QH)

The course is designed to introduce students to progress made in improving human health world-wide and understanding the challenges that remain. Students will focus on learning the principles and measures of health improvement, global health themes and diseases, the impact of disease on populations such as women and children, and how they can work as interprofessional team members to address these issues.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in program or Department Approval.

HHCM 511 – Healthcare Management in Non–Hospital Settings (3 QH)

While the hospital is the centerpiece of the health care system, so much health care is delivered outside this setting. Students will be introduced to many healthcare services outside the traditional setting of the hospital and gain knowledge of the operations of such healthcare settings. The course will be divided into four parts: Traditional Care, Diagnosing, Acute-Care Treatment, and Chronic Care and within each area students will explore the basic operations of various health care settings such as outpatient clinics and surgical centers, pharmacies, outpatient laboratories, chiropractic centers, adult daycare, and hospice care.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in program or Department Approval.

HHCM 515 – Healthcare Law (3 QH)

This course reviews the American legal system as the context within which to consider contemporary medico-legal issues. The course’s intent is to provide a legal framework where healthcare administration and management issues can be explored in collaboration with legal counsel. The curriculum addresses such topics as: professional liability, corporate entity risk considerations, and relevant legislative activities reshaping the healthcare industry and tort reform initiatives. Representative case law and studies will augment the legal theories presented in the course.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in program or Department Approval.

HHCM 516 – Risk and Quality Management in Healthcare (3 QH)

This course will explore the risk and quality management processes in depth. The student will be introduced to risk management strategies that reduce the likelihood of harm to people and financial loss in addition to quality management activities to assure that standards are met and to optimize the quality of healthcare. As these functions are interwoven throughout the organization (e.g., information management, medical staff issues, insurance, claims administration, etc.), the concept of risk and quality management as “everyone’s responsibility” will be emphasized.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in program or Department Approval.

HHCM 517 – Management Ethics (3 QH)

The course will provide an overview of bioethics including a broad range of potential concerns in which the healthcare manager may become involved. This encompasses a familiarization with bioethics nomenclature, understanding the ethical decision-making process, and developing an appreciation for the ethical challenges of administrators and clinical practitioners. Legal and risk management issues surrounding ethical dilemmas in healthcare organizations will be examined in addition to the roles of institutional ethics committees and consultants.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in program or Department Approval.

HHCM 518 – Insurance Dimensions (3 QH)

This course is intended to provide the student with an understanding of the principles of insurance related to healthcare organizations. The curriculum focuses on insurance in the healthcare setting, risk financing considerations, and insurance policy analysis. The impact of recent national and world events, changing economic, and policies as they relate to the healthcare insurance industry will also be explored.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in program or Department Approval.

HHCM 519 – Practice Management (3 QH)

Practice Management offers the essential elements and support for a successful healthcare practice concentrating on facility management and organizational skills. Topics will include the organizational management landscape and management functions such as planning and decision-making, organizing, staffing, and budgeting. This course will also address practical concerns such as committees and teams and human resource management considerations such as training and development, retention and recruitment, and communication. This elective course establishes a foundation for growth and professional opportunity for the health management professional.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in program or Department Approval.

HHCM 520 - Cultural Diversity and the Management of Healthcare (3 QH)

This course introduces the student to the importance of providing culturally appropriate health care for the diverse ethnic populations encountered in the U.S. healthcare system. The significance of family traditions, cultural heritage, and health and healing traditions on the patient’s interaction with the healthcare delivery system and providers will be explored. Students will develop interventions that providers and managers of health care can use to diminish the conflict that patients may experience between their traditions related to cultural heritage and the American healthcare system. 

Prerequisite: Enrollment in program or Department Approval.

HHCM 521 - Evidence-Based Management (3 QH)

This course provides an introduction to the utilization of best evidence in managing healthcare issues. The curriculum is intended to prepare the student to identify management problems and develop a related path of focused inquiry, evaluate reliable databases and searching strategies to find evidence, and base management decisions on the best evidence available.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in program or department approval

HHCM 522 - Healthcare Policy and Delivery Systems (4 QH)

The historical evolution of health services provides a backdrop for the core focus of this course: the study of the healthcare system. The curriculum includes an analysis of the current changes in the healthcare environment and the problems affecting the delivery of healthcare in the United States that create a demand for government action. A study of the process of policy formation underscores the complexity and difficulty of government action. Economic and political approaches to health policy analysis will be introduced with a particular focus on contrasting competitive and regulatory approaches to the resolution of health policy problems.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in the program or department approval.

HHCM 524 - Organizational Behavior and Human Resources (3 QH)

This course in Organizational Behavior (OB) and Human Resources (HR) is designed to introduce students to organizational behavior theory, organizational communication, and human resource management principles to effectively lead and manage an organization. Organizational Behavior students will apply management and leadership techniques garnered from successful healthcare organizations to understand and practice management functions, including: understanding employee behavior and motivation, assessing performance, employing groups and teams, operationalizing communication, evaluating conflict, and making appropriate business decisions. The Human Resources functions of planning, recruiting, selecting, training, and appraising will be emphasized. Realistic case studies, collaborative discussions, practical research, and peer reviews will be used to develop students’ skills in organizational behavior and human resource management. Other topics will include rights and responsibilities of employers and employees, and future trends.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in program or department approval.

HHCM 525 – Strategic Planning and Leadership in Healthcare (3 QH)

This course is intended to introduce the student to leadership skills and strategic planning in healthcare organizations. Creative, collaborative problem solving within the context of current strategic issues in healthcare will be explored. The course content provides an overview of the strategic planning process including the elements required to successfully develop and implement short and long-term plans. The course focuses on leadership skills and qualities necessary to succeed and thrive in the healthcare industry as well as assist the students in applying theories of leadership, motivation, communication and conflict management. Students will learn the construction of a strategic plan and analyze the state of strategic planning in the healthcare industry. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to analyze their own leadership skills and create an action plan for leadership development by assessing their personal leadership strengths and weaknesses.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in program or Department Approval.

HHCM 530 – Introduction to Public Health (4 QH)

This course provides an overview of the history, scope, and processes of public health since its beginning in the United States. Readings and course projects introduce the connection between public health and population health outcomes. Using conceptual foundations and applied solutions students will use course readings and analyze case studies designed to improve their knowledge of the impact of the role of public health.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in program or Department Approval.

HHCX 540 (HPOP 540) – Essentials of Population Health (3 QH)

This course is designed as an overview of the essentials of population health practices to address the prioritized healthcare needs of populations with a goal of making recommendations to improve access to care, improve quality of care and reduce cost of care.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in program or Department Approval.

HHCX 541 (HPOP 541) – Community Health Assessment (3 QH)

This course addresses community health topics in order to provide the skills required to delineate health status and design appropriate interventions and ongoing evaluation strategies for improved health of a defined community. The student will use evidence to identify health-related needs, collect appropriate data to support those defined needs, determine health disparities and identify resources to meet a set of priorities.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in program or Department Approval.

HHCM 551 – Accounting and Financial Management in Healthcare (4 QH)

The course is intended to prepare the student to effectively interact with financial management staff and participate in various aspects of financial control and planning. The curriculum provides a historical perspective of financial management in healthcare, identifying trends in the industry and the forces that influence the financing of healthcare organizations. Financial statements, the interpretation and analysis of financial reports, and topics such as cost-benefit analysis, budgeting, and capital management will also be addressed. Consideration will be given to the cost effectiveness and financial future of healthcare organizations.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in program or Department Approval.

HHCM 552 – Independent Study (1 – 6 QH)

The independent study is an individualized learning experience designed to meet specific educational needs of the student.

Prerequisite: Approval from department chair

HHCM 560 – Health Literacy (3 QH)

Health Literacy has become a public health priority. Many factors impact communication with patients and their families. This course explores how age, culture, language proficiency, and socioeconomic conditions significantly impact patient-provider communication. Readings and course project introduce the connection between effective communication and health outcomes. Using conceptual foundations and applied solutions students will use course readings and team discussions to prepare to conduct field research and analyze case studies designed to improve the ability to communicate with patients and overcome barriers related to patient compliance with treatment plans and appropriate use of healthcare resources. Traditional, social, and electronic media will be addressed.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in program or Department Approval.

HHCX 530 (HIPS 561) – Statistics for Health Professionals (4 QH)

This course will provide basic principles of general statistical analysis, presentation, and application of data, as well as health information statistics specific to healthcare and the analysis, presentation, reporting and application of this data. This course is intended to provide the student with a review of basic statistics and an introduction to data which is collected and measured in healthcare facilities.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in program or Department Approval.

HHCM 590 – Final Portfolio (3 QH)

The purpose of the final portfolio is for the Health Administration student who has successfully completed all required courses in the program to demonstrate achievement of the Program competencies. The intended outcome is to demonstrate the student's mastery of program and course goals and objectives and demonstrate proficiency of competencies learned. The student will make a formal PowerPoint presentation to faculty.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Health Administration courses or concurrent enrollment in course with final courses. All reflection papers must be completed prior to registration for the course.

HHCM 630 – Public Health Epidemiology (4 QH)

This course explores the epidemiology of infectious and acute disease. Using conceptual foundations and applied solutions students will use course readings and team discussions to prepare to examine the impact of infectious diseases involving various populations. This will also include taxonomy and the chain of infection required for successful transmission of disease.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in the Public Health Certificate

Courses, course descriptions, and quarter offered are subject to change without prior notice.

HHCX 537 (HPOP 508) – Health Program Planning and Evaluations (3 QH)

This course provides the theoretical foundations of public health program planning and evaluation for defined populations. Evaluation findings will be used to make recommendations for future programming or program revision.

HHCX 538 (HPOP 530) – Research Methodology 1 (3 QH)

This course exposes students to both quantitative and qualitative foundations of research methods. Students engage in projects where they apply theoretical principles in applied settings. Real-life limitations to traditional research when methods are utilized in applied settings are discussed. Students will be prepared to ask and answer basic research questions.

Program Completion Schedule

• Full-time schedule – Completion in 4 quarters
• Part-time schedule – Completion in two years enrolling in two classes each quarter

Part-Time	Full-Time
Fall Quarter
Year 1	Year 1
HHCM 515 Healthcare Law (3 QH) HHCM 525 Strategic Planning and Leadership in Healthcare (3 QH)	HHCM 515 Healthcare Law (3 QH) HHCM 525 Strategic Planning and Leadership in Healthcare (3 QH) HHCM 551 Accounting and Financial Management in Healthcare (4 QH) Elective (3 QH)**
Year 2
HHCM 551 Accounting and Financial Management in Healthcare (4 QH) Elective (3 QH)**
Winter Quarter
Year 1	Year 1
HHCX 530 (HIPS 561) Statistics for Health Professionals (4 QH) HHCM 522 Healthcare Policy and Delivery Systems (4 QH)	HHCM 508 Marketing Healthcare (4 QH) HHCX 530 (HIPS 561) Statistics for Health Professionals (4 QH) HHCM 517 Management Ethics (3 QH) HHCM 522 Healthcare Policy and Delivery Systems (4 QH)
Year 2
HHCM 508 Marketing Healthcare (4 QH) HHCM 517 Management Ethics (3 QH)
Spring Quarter
Year 1	Year 1
HHCM 507 Healthcare Informatics (3 QH) HHCM 524 Organizational Behavior and Human Resources (3 QH)	HHCM 507 Healthcare Informatics (3 QH) HHCM 516 Risk and Quality Management in Healthcare (3 QH) HHCM 524 Organizational Behavior and Human Resources (3 QH) Elective (3 QH)**
Year 2
HHCM 516 Risk and Quality Management in Healthcare (3 QH) Elective (3 QH)**
Summer Quarter
Year 1	Year 1
HHCM 521 Evidence Based Management (3 QH) Elective (3 QH)**	HHCM 521 Evidence Based Management (3 QH) HHCM 590 Final Portfolio (3 QH) Elective (3 QH)**
Year 2
HHCM 590 Final Portfolio (3 QH) Elective (3 QH)**

**Two electives are required for degree completion.

Core Competencies

Upon completion of the Master of Science in Health Administration program, students will be able to:

• Apply knowledge of Health Administration
• Apply leadership and communication skills in Health Administration
• Demonstrate critical inquiry and research skills in Health Administration
• Apply business knowledge to the healthcare environment to serve their professional affiliations
• Illustrate their knowledge of the healthcare environment

Assessment for Student Learning
Grading System
A 4.00 High Achievement
B 3.00 Above Average Achievement
C 2.00 Average Achievement
F 0.00 Failure

Grades without Associated Grade Points
P Pass
F Fail

Assessment Methods
Assessment of student learning occurs through course exams, discussion board postings, projects, reflection papers and the final e-portfolio for the course.

Graduation Requirements
Students must meet the following graduation requirements

• Successful completion of a minimum of 46 quarter hours
  • 37 quarter hours of core courses
  • 6 quarter hours of elective courses
  • 3 quarter hours for the final portfolio course
• A minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all courses in the program curriculum
• Successful completion of all course requirements within five years from the date of matriculation