MHA - Master of Health Services Administration

This course provides an opportunity for students entering the Master of Health Services Administration (M.H.A.) program to examine program expectations, personal goals and readiness for intensive graduate study. Students complete a detailed personal plan for optimizing success in the program. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the M.H.A. program 1 semester hour

This course provides a survey of the historical, economic, social, technological and philosophical forces that have shaped our current health care delivery models and systems. The impact of governmental and non-governmental regulation will be introduced. Students use the current literature to explore and analyze recent changes. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the M.H.A. program 3 semester hours

This course explores trends and public policy considerations that impact the delivery of health care. A primary focus is the critical examination of alternatives for balancing access, quality and cost. The course further examines planning and policy cycles, the role of government as regulator and market maker, the status of major governmental initiatives and the projection of emerging trends. Prerequisite(s): MHA510 3 semester hours

This course examines leadership approaches that optimize quality outcomes. The management functions of planning, organizing, resource allocation (financial, physical, human and informational), supervision, controlling and evaluating are examined. The course explores how health care organizations are similar and yet different from other businesses. Managing change, employee empowerment for decision making/problem solving, and managing through teams are emphasized. Prerequisite(s):MHA500 3 semester hours

This course examines alternatives for the delivery and evaluation of clinical services. Topics include analysis of operations, scheduling, staffing, coordination of services, specialized facilities and equipment, regulatory requirements and the impact of managed care. Customer service, quality of clinical service outcomes and financial outcomes are also studied. Students develop detailed plans for the implementation or modification of clinical operating systems including the design of appropriate process and outcome measures. Prerequisite(s): MHA Term 1 courses 3 semester hours

This course introduces the concepts, conventions and terminology of accounting and finance as applied in health care organizations. Students will identify the role of finance in health care applications, compare balance sheets, income statements, and statements of cash flow in financial statement analysis, and apply financial ratios and benchmarking as analysis tools for decision making. Cost determination and behavior, profit analysis, plus cost allocation are examined as management accounting tools. Advanced managerial accounting and financial analysis techniques including multiple pricing strategies, planning and budgeting, variance analysis, standard costs, time value analysis and risk return models are also developed. The importance of outcome evaluation as a parallel consideration in decision making is emphasized throughout the course. Prerequisite(s): MHA Term 1 courses 3 semester hours

This course surveys common health care business operations including patient registration & certification, billing, insurance, collection, materials management, medical records, legal affairs, utilization review and discharge planning. Capitation contracts and other alternative payment systems are introduced. The business implications of alternative medical staffing models are also examined. Prerequisite(s): MHA Term 1 courses 3 semester hours

This course provides an overview of micro- and macro-economic principles and an opportunity for analysis of the economic and financial aspects of health care policy. The financial consequences of major governmental initiatives are examined in detail. Students apply economic and financial principles to evaluate capitation contracts and/or other alternative payment systems to predict financial and service level consequences. The impact of governmental and non-governmental regulatory and accreditation agencies is also considered. Prerequisite(s): MHA Terms 1 and 2 courses 3 semester hours

This course presents the fundamentals of acquiring, processing disseminating and applying health care information to support routine operations, problem solving, decision making, and strategic analysis to achieve a competitive advantage. The management of information technology, special characteristics of patient information and the importance of integrating clinical, operational and financial systems will be considered. Ethical and legal considerations of handling patient data will be reviewed. Prerequisite(s): MHA Terms 1 and 2 courses 3 semester hours

This course examines the fundamental components of the employment process and the essentials of labor law as applied in health care organizations. A primary focus is the development of positive employee relations through appropriate salary administration, improving organizational performance, employee orientation training and education and competency assessment. Labor-management relations, the organizing process, collective bargaining, negotiating skills and labor contract administration will be analyzed and practiced. Special considerations of dealing with a large number of professional employees will be addressed. Prerequisite(s): MHA Terms 1 and 2 courses 3 semester hours

This course presents the fundamentals of marketing as practiced within health care organizations. A primary focus is building customer satisfaction through quality, service and value. Market oriented strategies will be developed through analysis of consumer & business markets, buying behaviors, competitors, market segmentation and targeting, and measuring/forecasting market demands. Marketing to physicians, various health care groups and third party payers will be examined. Models which emphasize client or social outcomes rather than organizational gains will also be considered. Prerequisite(s): MHA Terms 1, 2, and 3 courses 3 semester hours

This course presents the methodology for strategic examination of health care organizations. Organizational mission, vision, values and objectives are examined in relation to the current operation of each functional department and changing external conditions. Students will develop a strategic plan based on the analysis of internal and external environments and the selection of organizational change strategies to accommodate environmental changes. Prerequisite(s): MHA Terms 1,2 and 3 courses 3 semester hours

Intensive experience that reinforces student understanding and application of core information, concepts and procedures presented throughout the program. It is the culminating activity for an accelerated cohort program. Prerequisite(s): MHA Terms 1, 2 and 3 courses 3 semester hours