Health Services Administration (HSA)

This course provides an introduction to the study of aging from a multidisciplinary perspective including the biological, psychological and sociological aspects of aging. Emphasis will be placed on theoretical and practical application of course content to careers in health services administration.

This course provides an introduction to management functions, tasks and roles as they are carried out in health services organizations. Discussion of emerging issues affecting the management of health services organizations is provided. This course uses the case method of analysis to develop critical thinking skills.

This course introduces the role, functions and tasks of health care marketing. Attention is devoted to understanding basic marketing principles; using oral, written and visual electronic communications media; and developing marketing plans for health care organizations.

This course explains how economic forces affect the health service sector and how economic tools can be used to assess and improve health industry performance. Students examine issues related to efficiency, effectiveness, value and behavior in the production and consumption of health and healthcare.

This course provides an overview of health ethics and health law for students majoring in health services administration. Students will address the major principles facing a health service professional in the delivery of health services. Particular attention will be paid to development of methodologies for ethical decision-making.

This course introduces students to health policy at the local, state and national levels. Students will explore the policy-making process from agenda-setting through implementation. External determinants and stakeholders will be identified to examine their influence on policy. Emphasis will be given to how health policy impacts health service organizations and the delivery of healthcare.

This course concentrates on various approaches used to provide public and personal health services around the world. Strengths and weaknesses of different health care systems in terms of availability, accessibility, acceptability, cost effectiveness, continuity and quality of services will be considered.

This course is a career development seminar for health services administration students. An array of health administrators from varied health care organizations helps expand students' understanding of the health administration field. This course is designed for junior-level students with an expectation of a major concentration in health services administration.

A course for students to examine a selected topic or critical issue of current importance to the field of health services administration. Topics will vary. Courses offered under this title are designed to allow for exploration of current topics in health services administration not covered elsewhere in the curriculum. Students will work under the supervision of a faculty member. Course may be repeated for a maximum of six credits if the topic varies.

This course examines the organization and operation of community hospitals in the U.S. Specific attention is devoted to management's role in internal operations and in external relationships with the community and other stakeholders. Discussion of emerging issues affecting the management of hospitals and hospital systems is provided.

Full-time directed field experience in a health organization (320 hours). Opportunity provided to work in an appropriate setting. Student furnishes off-campus living and traveling expenses.

This senior-level course addresses health services administration students about the health care operations across the continuum of long-term care. Course emphasis will be placed on the delivery, financing, regulation and management of post-acute and long-term care services in the community and institutional settings. Other relevant topics will include the long-term care workforce, quality improvement and current trends in long-term care policy. This course will consist of subject lectures, guest speakers, site visits and case studies.

This course provides an in-depth investigation of the operational requirements in ambulatory care including medical group practices, community and hospital-based clinics; urgent care centers; and ambulatory surgery facilities. Areas of focus will include staffing, budgeting, facility management, facility design, information technology, regulatory requirements and innovation.

The growing influence of managed health care on the organization and delivery of health services in the United States is addressed in this course. Structural and operational characteristics of managed care organizations and plans, including HMOs, PPOs and other plans are explored, as are the implications of managed care plans for the management of hospitals and other health care organizations.

The purpose of this course is to investigate the evolution of healthcare quality improvements and current initiatives in the industry, and to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to plan and conduct healthcare quality improvement activities across various healthcare organizations. Emphasis will be made on current industry quality procedures and anticipated governmental regulatory initiatives that impact health care organizations' operations and reimbursement based on quality outcomes. Students will explore the value of healthcare analytics and its role in tracking, identifying, analyzing and shaping proactive, safe, effective, quality strategic initiatives.

This course provides a general understanding of the fundamental concepts and tools of healthcare organizational financial management, as applied to healthcare organizations. The course examines payment sources and reimbursement arrangements; the public and private financing of healthcare service organizations from both a theoretical and practical perspective; and discusses emerging trends in the healthcare industry that affect financial decision-making.

This capstone course integrates the student's knowledge and skills obtained throughout the health services administration curriculum. Students examine a variety of topics, culminating in the identification, critique and development of salient recommendations on current trends and issues affecting our health care system. The course utilizes a multidisciplinary, multi-system approach examining solutions from organizational behavior, human resources, strategic planning, business and organizational leadership.

An independent study for students to pursue independent research or experiential learning opportunity in health services administration under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Students will work under the supervision of a faculty member. Course may be repeated for a maximum of six credits if the topic varies.