Health Care Administration, Certificate

Program Description

Graduate courses in health care administration are offered in support of the graduate degrees in nursing, public administration, and business administration. For details concerning the degree programs, consult the appropriate sections of the catalog. A Certificate in Health Care Administration is available for those students who hold a master’s degree in another field and wish to complete a short course of study focused on health care administration.

The Health Care Administration (HCAD) certificate program meets the U.S Department of Education definition of a Gainful Employment program. The program prepares individuals to enter the U.S Department of Labor’s Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code Medical and Health Services Management (SOC code 11-9111.00). An explanation of the Gainful Employment status is available on the College web site: http://conhs.tamucc.edu.licencencert.html

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of the health care delivery system from a historical, comparative, economic, cultural, and ethical perspective.
  • Employ a variety of business and management skills and techniques including marketing, financial management, law, and information management to effectively and efficiently advance the goals of the organization.
  • Demonstrate creativity in defining, negotiating and solving problems.
  • Communicate and educate, using the most current information and communication technology.

For Additional Information

Website:
http://conhs.tamucc.edu/

Campus Address:
Island Hall Third Floor
Phone: (361) 825-5893 - CONHS Graduate Academic Advisor

Mailing Address:
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas 78412-5805

Contact:
Heather DeGrande, PhD, CCRN-K
Program Coordinator, Health Care Administration Post-Master’s Certificates
361-825-3696
CONHS – TAMU-CC - IH 333
6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5805
Corpus Christi, TX  78412-5805

Admission Requirements

Candidates who have earned a Master’s degree, but would like to acquire a new specialty area of practice may apply to the CONHS post-master’s certification program in Health Care Administration. 

Admission requirements for the certificate program are as follows:

  1. Complete an application to the University for admission to College of Graduate Studies as certificate seeking student. Applications should be made through College of Graduate Studies using the application in Apply Texas.
  2. Admission to the University does not constitute admission to the certificate program.
  3. Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  4. Write an original essay describing professional goals associated with the certificate program.
  5. Submit three letters of recommendation from individuals who can address their potential for graduate study. At least one of these references should be from an individual who can address an applicant’s level of professional competence.
  6. Provide a current resume that delineates an applicant’s professional contributions and work experiences and contains sufficient information to represent the applicant’s accomplishments. The resume should include information about an applicant’s professional activities outside the workplace.
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Program Requirements

Post-master’s certificate students are expected to work with the CONHS academic advising on registration selections, since courses are offered in a specific sequence often once a year.

Students pursuing the Health Care Administration (HCAD) specialization for the Master’s in Public Administration or the Master’s in Business Administration programs are expected to work with their respective program coordinators and advising on progression and registration selections, since courses are offered in a specific sequence often once a year.

Required Courses
Select five of the following:15
The Health Care System *
Health Economics and Policy *
Health Law and Ethics *
Health Care Selected Topics *
Directed Independent Study
Health Care Financial Management *
Total Hours15
*

Online offering

Courses

HCAD 5312  The Health Care System  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

Focus on the major components of the American health care system and related issues in the administration of care delivery. Policy information and political issues are discussed.

HCAD 5320  Health Economics and Policy  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

Analysis and evaluation of classical and modern economic theory, principles and procedures applicable to the health care delivery system and their implications for public policy.

HCAD 5325  Health Care Financial Management  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

Overview of concepts, principles and uses of basic accounting and budgeting information for the health care manager. Focuses on providing the nurse administrator with a basis for understanding the fiscal status of a health care organization; Includes 45 hours of laboratory time to strengthen financial skills including ROI, budget development, FTEs and financial statement analysis. This course is cross-listed with NURS 5360. This course is delivered through online technology.

HCAD 5330  Health Law and Ethics  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

A study of the legal and related ethical aspects of the health care delivery system including governing boards, liabilities, consent and malpractice as well as other related topics. Current governmental, state and other regulating bodies are presented.

HCAD 5390  Health Care Selected Topics  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

In-depth study and discussion of various topics relevant to health care administration. May be repeated when topics vary.

HCAD 5396  Directed Independent Study  
1-3 Semester Credit Hours  

See College Description.