Curriculum
Course Descriptions
Following each course description is the designation: F, Sp or Su. This indicates the semester (F=Fall, Sp=Spring, or Su=Summer) in which the course is normally offered, and is intended as an aid in planning your program of study.
MHA 621
The Health Services System (3)
This course allows students the opportunity to analyze the current organizational arrangements and patternsfor the provision and financing of health care services in the United States. Topics include the health care process and factors which affect need, access and use of services; factors affecting the supply and distribution of health professionals and health facilities; factors related to health care costs; quality assessment and quality assurance; the impact of legal and regulatory actions; technology evaluation; and financing of care through private health insurance and governmental programs. Emphasis will be placed on current trends in the organization, financing and delivery of health care, including managed care, health care reform, mergers, consolidations, and integrated delivery systems. As well, the inter-related nature of all aspects of the health care delivery system will be illustrated throughout the course. 1st year. F
MHA 622
Biostatistics and Epidemiology (3)
Course provides the statistical and epidemiological basis for the science-based evaluation of health data and services. In order to make objective administrative decisions, proper interpretation and analysis of information is essential. This course addresses statistical tools used in the evaluation of data and potential sources of statistical error. Like wise, epidemiological methods used to infer relationships between factors and outcomes are addressed including the major threats to study validity. Specific areas covered include: data types and sources, statistical tests commonly used in the health field, sampling error, studydesigns and associated issues, bias within studies, and the effect and control of other factors that may affect results. Additional topics include: data based decision-making, analytic approaches, and the use of meta-analysis in health services. The course will include a critical review of health data from research or the literature and the development of a study design directed at administrative issues in health services. 1st year. F
MHA 623
Operations and Control Systems Research in Health Care Organizations (3)
Provides framework for decision-making for both operating and control systems in the health care environment. Emphasizes basic modeling techniques and examples of actual hospital applications. Students study health care information systems and operations research techniques. 1st year. Sp
MHA 624
Applied Economic Analysis in Health Care (3)
Examines economic theory and the concepts of production, distribution, supply, demand and utilization of individual and public health care resources. Focuses on the relevance of economic analytic techniques, and their application to processes of resource allocation. Emphasis is also placed on the economic analysis of public policy development. 1st year. Sp
MHA 625
Marketing and Competitive Strategies in Health Care (3)
Concepts of marketing and competitive strategies are applied to health care settings. Topics include health consumer behavior, market segmentation and targeting, medical staff relations, forecasting service demand and analysis of the competitive environment using market research, new product development, product pricing and distribution, advertising and public relations, personal sales techniques, and strategy formulation. Emphasis is placed on methodologies for developing organizational strategic plans using the marketing approach. 1st year. Su
MHA 626
Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care (3)
Legal issues related to the organization and delivery of health care will be examined, along with the ethical and moral considerations associated with the management of health care facilities and the provision of health services. Topics include government regulation of health care facilities and occupations, civil rights regulations regarding diversity, fraud and abuse, institutional and personal liability for negligence and malpractice, patient consent requirements, termination of care, confidentiality of medical information, medical staff credentialing, peer review of care, utilization review, and managed care regulations. Treatment of ethical and moral issues will emphasize the understanding of diverse viewpoints and methods for resolving conflicting moral obligations. Concerns arising from potential conflicts between legal and moral obligations are also investigated. 1st year. Su
MHA 631
Individual and Group Behavior in Health Care Organizations (3)
Provides theory, knowledge and skills from organizational psychology and organizational behavior to understand and effectively manage individuals and groups in health care organizations. Traditional and contemporary issues in power and conflict resolution, organizational development, decision-making and group dynamics, performance appraisal and compensation, work stress, and discrimination are discussed. 2nd year. F
MHA 632
Administration of Health Care Organizations (3)
Theories of administrative practice are examined and applied to the complex human relationships existing in healthcare facilities. Special attention is paid to the physician-management relationship, policy development, decision making, and strategic planning. 2nd year. F
MHA 633
Human Resources and Labor Relations Management in Health Care (3)
Concepts in human resources management as applied to health services organizations are presented. Topics include the relationship between human resources management and general management, the nature of work and human resources, compensation and benefits, personnel planning, recruitment and selection, training and development, employee appraisal, and discipline. Labor relations topics focus on the history of the labor movement; legal regulations related to labor; union structure and formation; the analysis of union contracts; the collective bargaining process; grievance and arbitration; and the problems of managing with and without a contract. 2nd year. Sp
MHA 634
Financial Management in Health Care Organizations (3)
Principles of financial management and insurance are integrated and applied to health care. Methods of public and private financing for a variety of providers and services are examined. Costing concepts are applied to the financial control of health care operations and managed care contracts. Strategic financial planning, financial statement analysis, and budgeting are also covered. Students use spreadsheet software to complete assignments that model actual health care practice. 2nd year. Sp
MHA 635
Seminar in Health Care Administration (3)
As the integrative capstone course for the Master of Health Administration student, emphasis is placed on developing problem-solving skills in multi-faceted scenarios taken from actual situations. Learning goals include the assimilation of new information from various sources, including the current literature and research; preparing appropriate solutions within a team environment; and exhibiting leadership among peers. 2nd year. Su
MHA 636
Administrative Effectiveness in Health Care Settings (3)
This course is designed to prepare students for distinctiveness and success in the employment market. Emphasis is on developing management skills, including communications, public speaking, negotiating, mediating, using political strategies, problem solving, time management, and team building. Other topics include stress management, career planning, personal marketing, and effective interpersonal relationships. 2nd year. Su
MHA 641
Health Care Administrative Residency (3)
The administrative residency provides exposure to all facets of a health care organization. The student will present a meaningful end product to the host organization at the culmination of the experience. The structure of the residency is flexible, and varies with the student’s interests, the preceptor’s priorities, and the needs of the organization. 3rd year. F
Typical Course Sequence
All courses are three (3) hours.
Year One
Fall Semester
MHA 621 The Health Services System
MHA 622 Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Spring Semester
MHA 623 Operations and Control Systems Research in Health Care Organizations
MHA 624 Applied Economic Analysis in Health Care
Summer Session (10 weeks)
MHA 625 Marketing and Competitive Strategies in Health Care
MHA 626 Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care
Year Two
Fall Semester
MHA 631 Individual and Group Behavior in Health Care Organizations
MHA 632 Administration of Health Care Organizations
Spring Semester
MHA 633 Human Resources and Labor Relations Management in Health Care
MHA 634 Financial Management in Health Care Organizations
Summer Session (10 weeks)
MHA 635 Seminar in Health Care Administration
MHA 636 Administrative Effectiveness in Health Care Settings
Year Three
Fall Semester
MHA 641 Health Care Administrative Residency
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