Online Master of Health Administration: Curriculum

Students will explore historical and contemporary leadership and organizational theories in health care organizations. Related cases and hypothetical situations will be analyzed. The course will draw on selected management scenarios to understand organizational effectiveness and change processes that can be used to improve organizational performance. Teams will be utilized throughout the course for presentations of cases.

The student will examine the application of statistical analysis, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis in business decision- making. The course will focus on the utilization of statistical methods as applied to business problems and operations. Descriptive statistics, probability and random variables, sampling and statistical inference, regression analysis, chi-square analysis, and analysis of variance will be investigated. Students will use a statistical software program.

This course emphasizes the use of an organization’s accounting information for decision-making. With a focus on both financial and managerial accounting, the course reviews financial statement analysis and interpretation. The course shifts to managerial accounting, which is defined and contrasted with financial accounting. Managers use of managerial accounting to evaluate business performance and make strategic decisions in management is reviewed. Course topics include financial and managerial accounting concepts, interpreting financial statements, cost-volume-profit relationships, budgeting, and accounting for planning and control.

This course surveys the organization and theory of the American legal system and its relationship to business, including contracts, agency, torts, criminal law, and employment law. This course incorporates the study of ethical issues facing managers in today’s business environment, and provides a conceptual framework for analyzing and addressing these issues.

An introduction to health economics and financial management applications in health-related organizations. Specific information is presented concerning reimbursement systems, insurance, accounting, Medicare/Medicaid, investment decisions, capital financing, government regulations, liability issues, accessibility, budgeting, and human resources. National health insurance and state/local initiatives will be discussed.

Successful organizations match the objectives and resources of the firm with the needs and opportunities of the target markets. The focus of the course is how marketing contributes to the delivery of value to individual and business consumers at a profit in management. Emphasis is placed on the managerial activities of strategic planning, market and competitive analyses, customer behavior evaluation, value assessment, market segmentation, targeting, positioning, and marketing mix decisions.

This course examines the fundamental and contemporary issues in the strategic management of health care organizations.There will be particular emphasis on both the development of overarching organizational strategies as well as the implementation of that strategy at the operational level of the organization. Students successfully completing this course are required to apply specific concepts of health care strategy to real world scenarios through case studies.

This course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the strategies and techniques needed to effectively manage organizational change. Students will learn how to identify the drivers of change, assess their impacts on the organization, and develop and implement a change path that aligns with the organization’s goals and objectives. Topics covered will include change management theory, identifying and evaluating potential change strategies, stakeholder analysis, communication planning, and resistance management. Case studies and real-world examples will be used to illustrate best practices and to provide students with practical experience. As part of this integrative experience, students will explore the concept of change management from both theoretical and practical perspectives.

The student examines significant health care policy issues. Special emphasis is given to public policies with broad implications, such as Medicare, regulation, and financial assistance for the uninsured. The process of policy decision making is explored. Methods and approaches for the research of policy issues are reviewed.

This course provides an introduction to important global health issues, including determinants of health, key areas of disease burden, and the role that new health technologies can play in solving these problems. The goal of the course is to expand students’ understanding of the impact of infectious and chronic diseases on the world’s population with particular attention paid to the health status of women, children and the poor. Students will examine case studies of successful global health interventions to understand features of successful programs.

Part one of the capstone course provides an in-depth study of topics pertaining to the United States Health Delivery System. Emphasis is placed upon the health care administrator as a professional with an evidence-based mindset. Upon completion, students should create the framework for a scientific research project using fundamentals obtained throughout the curriculum.

Part two of the capstone course is designed to continue the study of a health care topic selected in part one. Emphasis is placed on peer critiques, research methodology, and the use of peer feedback in revisions. Upon completion, students should produce a fully formatted research project ready for scientific dissemination or publication.