Healthcare Administration, BS
Program Description
The Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration (BSHA) prepares graduates for a variety of career opportunities in the health care field by providing the management skills necessary for success. By designing a degree plan using electives in such areas as computer science, marketing, education, business administration, accounting, human resource management, and information systems, the student may pursue specific areas of interest. Students can also use electives to design a degree plan that will satisfy entrance requirements for admission to professional schools such as medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, public health, law, and business.
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.
Program Requirements for Healthcare Administration
Prior to designation as a BSHA major, students must meet with the advisor to create a degree completion and minor area of specialization plan
Articulation
Del Mar College– Articulation agreement details: See advising for assistance.
Grading
- A scholastic grade point average of 2.25 is a minimum requirement in the upper division courses designated for the Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration. A minimum grade of C is required in all courses in the BSHA major.
- If a student earns a grade of D, F, or W in a healthcare administration course, that course must be repeated. A course in which a grade of less than C (i.e., D, F, or W, Withdrawal) was earned may be repeated only once.
- A student who has earned a grade of less than C (i.e., D, F, or W, Withdrawal) in two courses or who has earned a grade of less than C (D, F, or W, Withdrawal) twice in the same course will be dismissed from the BSHA program.
- Students receiving a grade of D, F, or W (Withdrawal) or I (Incomplete) in a course may not progress to courses for which that course is a prerequisite.
General Requirements
| Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Core Curriculum Program1 | 42 |
| Healthcare Administration Major Requirements | 46 |
| Electives1 | 14 |
| Specialization1,2 | 18-22 |
| Total Credit Hours | 120-124 |
- 1
Students generally have all core curriculum and supporting courses completed before admittance into the program. This includes a completed Core Curriculum, 18-22 hours of a specialization area, and 6-14 hours of other electives.
- 2
Specialization hours may be taken concurrently with the Healthcare Administration Major courses. Advising approval is required prior to declaration of the Healthcare Administration Major.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum Program | ||
| University Core Curriculum | 42 | |
| Healthcare Administration Major Requirements | ||
| HCAD 3300 | The Health Care System | 3 |
| HCAD 3310 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| HCAD 3320 | Health Care Marketing | 3 |
| HCAD 3330 | Financial Management in Health Care | 3 |
| HCAD 3340 | Health Program Planning and Evaluation | 3 |
| HCAD 3350 | Information Systems and Technology in Health Care | 3 |
| HCAD 3360 | Health Education and Promotion | 3 |
| HCAD 4100 | Assessment of Accumulated Knowledge | 1 |
| HCAD 4300 | Management and Organizational Behavior in Health Care | 3 |
| HCAD 4310 | Health Law, Policy and Ethics | 3 |
| HCAD 4320 | Project Management in Health Care | 3 |
| HCAD 4330 | Human Resource Management in Health Care | 3 |
| HCAD 4340 | Quality Management and Evaluation in Health Care | 3 |
| HCAD 4350 | Global Health/Health Disparities | 3 |
| HCAD 4680 | Practicum | 6 |
| Electives | ||
| Electives (6-14 hours) | 14 | |
| Specialization Area | ||
| Students must complete a designated minor in one of the following areas: | 18-22 | |
Geospatial Science (19-23 sem. hrs.) | ||
Computer Science (22 sem. hrs.) | ||
Business Administration (18 sem. hrs.) | ||
Accounting (18 sem. hrs.) | ||
International Business (18 sem. hrs.) | ||
Business Analytics and Information Systems (18 sem. hrs.) | ||
Marketing (18 sem. hrs.) | ||
Communication Studies (18 sem. hrs.) | ||
Public Relations (21 sem. hrs.) | ||
Social Work (18 sem. hrs.) | ||
Sociology (18 sem. hrs.) | ||
Human Resource Management (18 sem. hrs.) | ||
Psychology (18 sem. hrs.) | ||
Environmental Science (20-22 sem. hrs.) | ||
Management (18 sem. hrs.) | ||
| Total Hours | 120-124 | |
With approval, students can design a degree plan with an interdisciplinary area of specialization (18-22 hrs) or use electives to satisfy pre-professional school requirements.
Course Sequencing
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| UNIV 1101 | University Seminar I | 1 |
| ENGL 1301 | Writing and Rhetoric I | 3 |
| POLS 2305 | U.S. Government and Politics | 3 |
| Creative Arts Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Life & Physical Science Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| UNIV 1102 | University Seminar II | 1 |
| ENGL 1302 or COMM 1311 | Writing and Rhetoric II or Foundation of Communication | 3 |
| MATH 1442 | Statistics for Life (or MATH 1342 or MATH 2342) | 4 |
| Life & Physical Science Core Requirement | 3 | |
| American History Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Summer | ||
| Component Area Option Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Language, Philosophy & Culture Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| POLS 2306 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Elective/Specialization Area | 3 | |
| Elective/Specialization Area | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| American History Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Component Area Option Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Elective/Specialization Area | 3 | |
| Elective/Specialization Area | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| Elective/Specialization Area | 3 | |
| Elective/Specialization Area | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HCAD 3300 | The Health Care System | 3 |
| HCAD 3310 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| HCAD 3340 | Health Program Planning and Evaluation | 3 |
| HCAD 3350 | Information Systems and Technology in Health Care | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| HCAD 3360 | Health Education and Promotion | 3 |
| HCAD 3320 | Health Care Marketing | 3 |
| HCAD 4350 | Global Health/Health Disparities | 3 |
| Elective/Specialization Area | 3 | |
| HCAD 3330 | Financial Management in Health Care | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| Elective/Specialization Area | 3 | |
| Elective/Specialization Area | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HCAD 4100 | Assessment of Accumulated Knowledge | 1 |
| HCAD 4300 | Management and Organizational Behavior in Health Care | 3 |
| HCAD 4310 | Health Law, Policy and Ethics | 3 |
| HCAD 4340 | Quality Management and Evaluation in Health Care | 3 |
| Elective/Specialization Area | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| HCAD 4680 | Practicum | 6 |
| HCAD 4330 | Human Resource Management in Health Care | 3 |
| HCAD 4320 | Project Management in Health Care | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 121 | |
Courses
Addresses how the U.S. Health Services System is organized, how health services are delivered, and the mechanisms by which health services are financed in the United States. Provides an undergraduate level overview of the U.S. health services system and its key components, including health system resources, health system foundations, health system resources, health system processes, and health system outcomes. Should be taken during first semester of Health Sciences courses.
Applies epidemiologic methods and procedures to the study of the distribution and determinants of health and diseases, morbidity, injuries, disability, and mortality in populations. Epidemiologic methods for the control of conditions such as infectious and chronic health hazards, and unintentional injuries are discussed. Other topics include quantitative aspects of epidemiology, for example, data sources, measures of morbidity and mortality, evaluation of association and causality, and study design.
Prerequisite: HCAD 3300* or HLSC 3300*.
* May be taken concurrently.
Provides an introductory study of the essentials of marketing within the dynamically evolving health care system. The marketing framework is provided as a basis for decisions related to marketing mix variables. Content includes buyer behavior, marketing research, market segmentation, and marketing strategy.
Prerequisite: HCAD 3300*.
* May be taken concurrently.
Provides an introduction to health care financial management including selected topics from financial accounting, management accounting, finance, internal audit and personal finance. Health care payment and classification systems are studied and practical applications are emphasized.
Prerequisite: HCAD 3300*.
* May be taken concurrently.
Introduces the skills and techniques required to research and develop culturally competent health programs. Students create new data and utilize existing data to assess community needs, implement community health programs, and evaluate program effectiveness, exploring the concepts, processes and techniques used in health program planning, implementation, and evaluation. The course emphasizes the importance of teams and partnerships in successful community health programs. This is an intensive writing course.
Provides an overview of the role technology plays in management of health care information. Emphasis is placed on system analysis, techniques, and skills used in information management. Covers determining what information is needed by whom; designing information flows, procurement of computer/telecommunication resources, assuring information security, and continuing management of information systems supporting healthcare delivery. Satisfies university computer literacy requirement.
Prerequisite: HCAD 3300*.
* May be taken concurrently.
Provides an introduction to the discipline and profession of health education and promotion. It examines the concepts of health and wellness, national and global health status, theories of behavior change, and the implementation and assessment of health promotion interventions. It provides an introduction to medical terminology for health educators. This is a writing intense course.
Prerequisite: HCAD 3300*.
* May be taken concurrently.
Provides an introduction to complementary and alternative medicine with an emphasis on related economic, political, legal, and social issues. The course identifies the processes, interventions, and funding agencies available for providing alternative care; reviews the various professions within alternative and complementary medicine; and addresses the holistic approach to health and well-being.
Provides an assessment of student knowledge garnered from Health Science program course work. Allows creation of a business resume and mock interview experience. Prepares students for the capstone Practicum course.
Introduces students to principles of management and organization behavior in healthcare. Topics include management, planning, organizing, staffing, leading, controlling, decision making, communicating, and professionalism, as well as the connective processes of decision making, coordinating, and communicating in healthcare organizations. This is an intensive writing course.
Introduces law and the legal system with special emphasis on health-related topics and policies, and key health law issues. Includes the study of the legal and regulatory environment of health care and the administration of health services with a review of the laws pertaining to healthcare institutions, physicians, and other healthcare workers who contribute to patient care. Tort and contract law are emphasized. The course addresses policy issues and ethics through topics like patient rights, reproduction, and end of life decisions.
Introduces the fundamental project management concepts required to design, develop and deploy project plans successfully within the healthcare industry. The management of resources, schedules, risks, and scope of a project are examined for successful project implementation. Students are exposed to the role of healthcare project managers and the project management process as they provide structure and oversight to the constantly growing and changing healthcare industry.
Presents the foundational concepts of healthcare human resource management. Students are introduced to fundamental human resource management techniques needed within health organizations including leadership, workforce planning, recruitment, employee selection, compensation, employee development, workload management, human resource law, and ethics. Future healthcare management and leadership professionals must understand these concepts to comply with human resource department policies and support the strategic plan.
Introduces the principles of quality assessment and outcome management in healthcare organizations. This course is an introduction of integrated delivery systems and their operations. It includes an examination of patient care management and the patient experience. A framework for understanding healthcare quality efforts is also an integral part of the course.
Provides students with an historical perspective on global health issues and leads to an understanding of current and future concerns. Emphasis is on the global burden of disease and determinants of health as well as health disparities. Provides students with an introduction to the study of health disparities in the United States, examining how health disparities are defined and measured and exploring issues such as how the structure of American society affects who gets sick and who gets care. Case studies expose students to a variety of real-life scenarios and explore a range of issues. This is an intensive writing course.
The course researches the operation and administration of long-term care facilities. Students will investigate the differences between acute and long-term care, the different types of long-term care facilities, and special concerns of long-term care residents.
The Health Science Practicum is an institution-based project course requiring the student to complete on-site practicum hours. It provides a structured and guided learning environment to help students make the most of their practicum experience. Course components facilitate students' professional development, focusing on the transition from the role of a student to the role of a healthcare professional. Cross listed with HLSC 4680.