The Associate of Science degree in Health Care Administration program prepares graduates for entry-level employment in a health care administration setting. This program is designed to meet the needs of individuals who desire to work in the allied health industry.

Courses for this program include:

• Introduction to Health Care Administration - Introduces the student to the overall subject matter associated with Health Care Administration. The course includes a comparison of health care systems around the world, legal and business issues in health care, financial management, the different settings in the health care environment, facility design, quality and patient safety, and organizing the physician practice. Other subjects, including team member motivation and conflict management, leadership, human resources management, and communication are covered. Outside preparation and study time, in addition to regular classroom activities, is required to complete the class assignments. The type of outside preparation may take the form of homework assignments, projects, reading, and required studying.

• Global Health Care Environment - This course includes understanding global health problems, the role of international health agencies and differing forms of major health care systems around the world. Discussion of the role of the health care administrative/management role and their impact on these health care systems is included. Outside preparation and study time, in addition to regular classroom activities, is required to complete the class assignments.  The type of outside preparation may take the form of homework assignments, projects, reading, and required studying.

• Administrative Technology Skills - In administrative positions, supervisory or otherwise, requirements may include, preparing and presenting reports, maintaining logs, and tracking employee or patient data. Students need the software and technology skills and knowledge of the software and technology to prepare these required documents in today’s technological atmosphere. In this course, students will cover Access, PowerPoint, and Excel, utilizing a hands-on and practical approach to complete projects that are customized to the student’s particular field. Outside preparation and study time, in addition to regular classroom activities, is required to complete the class assignments. The type of outside preparation may take the form of homework assignments, projects, reading, and required studying.

• Administrative Office Skills - This course includes a comprehensive introduction to administrative office management, focusing on what office managers actually do on the job and the skills necessary to perform the administrative manager's job, such as dealing with organizational issues, evaluation of employees, communication, office environment, supervision, motivation, equipment and furniture, salaries, productivity, telecommunications, applications software, records management, quality and quantity control, and budgetary and cost control. Outside preparation and study time, in addition to regular classroom activities, is required to complete the class assignments. The type of outside preparation may take the form of homework assignments, projects, reading, and required studying.

• Professionalism in Health Care Careers - This is a course designed to provide the student working in any health care field with the information to present a professional image and be successful in their chosen career. This course will enhance the student’s ability to obtain an administrative/supervisory position by providing them with the “soft skill” tools that are needed to perform in a professional, ethical, legal and competent manner. Outside preparation and study time, in addition to regular classroom activities, is required to complete the class assignments. The type of outside preparation may take the form of homework assignments, projects, reading, and required studying.

• Office Case Study - The student must analyze and research an issue or concern that was evident in their extern/clinical office or place of employment, and present a thorough plan detailing a resolution of this complexity. The student will be required to draw upon knowledge acquired throughout their entire program of study, as well as their extern/clinical and/or employment experience. The student will prepare and facilitate a public presentation of their issue, findings and ultimate solution to the issue. Preparation and presentation will include a “thesis” style  APA formatted paper and PowerPoint presentation. Outside preparation and study time, in addition to regular classroom activities, is required to complete the class assignments. The type of outside preparation may take the form of homework assignments, projects, reading, and required studying.

• Information System for Health Care - The Health Care Information Technology course is designed to equip students with the knowledge necessary to successfully navigate Information Systems in the Health Care Setting. The course will include an overview of Information technology, Health Care Information Technology leadership roles, strategic planning, hardware, software, and communications. In addition, students will learn how to utilize electronic health records, patient scheduling, and office automations. Outside preparation and study time, in addition to regular classroom activities, is required to complete the class assignments. The type of outside preparation may take the form of homework assignments, projects, reading, and required studying.

• Legal Aspects of Health Administration - This course provides an overview of health law issues and government regulation, including legal constraints; liability, negligence, patient rights, confidentiality, and corporate/administrative responsibility. In this course, there is also an emphasis on business applications of health law. Outside preparation and study time, in addition to regular classroom activities, is required to complete the class assignments. The type of outside preparation may take the form of homework assignments, projects, reading, and required studying.

• Marketing for Health Services Organizations - This course is designed to develop competencies in the business skills and knowledge domain. Students will study the development of marketing strategies and analyses in a health care setting. The course also covers the design of services, including pricing, communication, distribution channels, and client motivation and services. Outside preparation and study time, in addition to regular classroom activities, is required to complete the class assignments. The type of outside preparation may take the form of homework assignments, projects, reading, and required studying.

• Leadership in Health Care Administration - Micro and macro organizational behavior theories will provide the theoretical foundation for critical study of effective leadership within organizations. The processes of communication, problem solving, critical thinking, conflict management, change management and decision making will be explored at an individual, group, and organizational level. The imperative for leaders to understand and properly manage people will be emphasized. Various models of leadership will be reviewed including leadership competencies. Globalization, diversity leadership, governance and cultural diversity will be examined. Additionally, participants will reflect  upon and evaluate their individual leadership abilities, competencies, personal values, interpersonal and communication skills. Outside preparation and study time, in addition to regular classroom activities, is required to complete the class assignments. The type of outside preparation may take the form of homework assignments, projects, reading, and required studying.

• Interpersonal Relations - Provides skills and tools for health career students to communicate with patients, peers, superiors, and/or subordinates. Offers exploration of grief and loss, developmental milestones, addiction, professional ethics and law, as well as examining health care personnel as counselors and educators. Discusses tools for observing others, listening, sending and receiving accurate messages, influence of culture’s role in health and healing, and theories of human understanding. Outside preparation and study time, in addition to regular classroom activities, is required to complete the class assignments. The type of outside preparation may take the form of homework assignments, projects, reading, and required studying.

• Quantitative Principles - Provides an overview of mathematics relating to business, economics, life sciences and social sciences. Provides students with varying degrees of mathematical experience with an overview of all areas of mathematics, to including elementary functions, finite mathematics, and some calculus. Outside preparation and study time, in addition to regular classroom activities, is required to complete the class assignments. The type of outside preparation may take the form of homework assignments, projects, reading, and required studying.

• Body Function and Terminology - This is an introductory course that presents the principles and facts of human physiology for the health care professional. An advanced offering of medical terminology completes this comprehensive course, providing both clinical and administrative office examples and cases in a realistic context for introduction of terms and definitions. Outside preparation and study time, in addition to regular classroom activities, is required to complete the class assignments. The type of outside preparation may take the form of homework assignments, projects, reading, and required studying.

• Medical Ethics - This is a course designed to provide the health care professional with analytical and responsible decision-making skills utilizing ethical issues, which are prevalent in a health care setting. Outside preparation and study time, in addition to regular classroom activities, is required to complete the class assignments. The type of outside preparation may take the form of homework assignments, projects, reading, and required studying.

• College English - The course offers instruction and practice in writing by focusing on the composing process, which includes the exploration of ideas through reading, methods of writing development, and use of writing conventions. Outside preparation and study time, in addition to regular classroom activities, is required to complete the class assignments. The type of outside preparation may take the form of homework assignments, projects, reading, and required studying.