MHA - Master of Health Services Administration

This gateway course in the Master of Health Services Administration program introduces students to the university, their program, and the principles of leadership in health care. Students examine leadership approaches that optimize quality outcomes. They further study management and leadership functions of planning, organizing, resource allocation (financial, physical, human, and informational), supervision, controlling, and evaluation. Students explore how health care organizations are similar and yet different from other businesses and discuss strategies for managing change, empowering employees to make decisions and solve problems, and managing through teams. Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the MHA program. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

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. This course also 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. Pre-requisite(s): MHA 500. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course will introduce the student to ethical and legal theories associated with the administration of health care organizations. The rights and duties of the organization to its stakeholders, both internal and external, as well as to health care recipients, will be examined. The rights and duties examined will focus on four perspectives: political, social, ethical, and legal perspective. Major issues to be analyzed will be: leadership; employer and employee-rights; occupational safety; patient safety; environmental issues; and social responsibility. A variety of administrative case study decision-making techniques will be used in the analysis and solving of administrative issues related to the administration and delivery of health care services. Pre-requisite(s): MHA 500, and MHA 505. Co-requisite(s): None. 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. Pre-requisite(s): MHA 500. Co-requisite(s): None. 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. Evaluation metrics/processes/methods such as customer service, quality of clinical service outcomes and financial outcomes as they impact patient operations 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. Pre-requisite(s): MHA 500. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course explores the operations management and financial health of health care as a business. Common health care business operations include patient registration and certification, billing, insurance, collection, and materials management are covered in the course. Additionally the course examines health care business process engineering and optimization. This course also explores the logistics and supply chain management that health care businesses need to maintain in order to be efficient, effective, and profitable. Students will have opportunities to apply what they have learned through case studies and the development of a business operations plan for a health care service and/or product. Pre-requisite(s): MHA 500. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course provides an overview of micro- and macro-economic principles and provides an opportunity for analysis of the economic aspects of health care policy. This course also will look at issues related to the efficiency, effectiveness, and value of health care services. Additionally the course will review the consumption of health care services in the United States and other countries. Health related behaviors as it relates to the economics of health care will also be explored. Pre-requisite(s): MHA500, MHA505, MHA508, MHA512, MHA520, and MHA522. Co-requisite(s): None. 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 administrative accounting tools. Administrative accounting and financial analysis techniques including, planning and budgeting, variance analysis, standard costs, time value analysis and risk/return models are also developed. Students evaluate capitation contracts (and/or other alternative payment systems) to predict financial and service level consequences. Pre-requisite(s): MHA500, MHA505, MHA508, MHA512, MHA520, MHA522, and MHA525. Co-requisite(s): None. 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. The course will address current health care information technology trends and issues. Additionally, ethical and legal considerations of handling patient data will be examined. Pre-requisite(s): MHA 500. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course will focus on necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies essential for effective management of a health care organization’s human resources activities. The overarching goal of the course will include the student’s understanding of the strategic human resources (HR) management role that the HR practitioner plays in the health care organization. This course will also focus on the role of the HR practitioner as a HR business partner aligning HR practices with the health care organization’s mission, vision and strategic plan. The course emphasis will be on the application of theory to practice situations and experimental learning using problem solving, critical thinking and group dynamics through class discussions, group projects and group presentations. Pre-requisite(s): MHA 500. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course explores the dramatic transformation of the health care industry and the demands for effective marketing. It presents the fundamentals of marketing as practiced within health care organizations and explores the Web’s impact and how it alters today’s marketing approaches. A primary focus is building customer satisfaction through quality, service, and value. Market oriented strategies are developed through analysis of consumer and 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 are examined. Pre-requisite(s): MHA 500, MHA 505, MHA 508, MHA 512, MHA 520, MHA 522, MHA 525, MHA 527, MHA 531, and MHA 532; or approval by Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course presents the methodology for strategic examination of health care organizations. Organizational mission, 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. Pre-requisite(s): MHA 500, MHA 505, MHA 508, MHA 512, MHA 520, MHA 522, MHA 525, MHA 527, MHA 531, MHA 532, AND MHA 540; or approval by Program Chair or designate. 3 semester hours

This course offers an intensive experience to reinforce student understanding and application of core information, concepts and procedures presented throughout the program. It is the culminating activity for the program. The students develop and present the outcomes of an applied case study on a topic related to health care service, and/or product delivery, and administration. Pre-requisite(s): MHA 500, MHA 505, MHA 508, MHA 512, MHA 520, MHA 522, MHA 525, MHA 527, MHA 531, MHA 532, MHA 540, AND MHA 541; or approval by Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours