About the Program

The program prepares graduates for entry level positions in the management of health related organizations, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation facilities.

The program will prepare graduates to:

Demonstrate knowledge of the nature of health care

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the historical, social, cultural, and economic determinants of disease and health care, such as the stages of hospital development from the 19th to the 21st centuries, the aging of the American population, and the impact of the AIDS epidemic.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the various medical specialties and the related diseases for diagnosis and treatment.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the different roles of public and personal health care and their impact on health care systems.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the health care systems of other economically developed societies and the comparisons and contrasts to the U.S. system.

Demonstrate knowledge of basic management skills in health service delivery systems.

  • Identify and analyze the problems of providing clinical care in academic medical facilities where the goals involve both treatment and teaching.
  • Identify the different financial sources of medical care and describe the differences between the financing of medical care versus long term care.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of health care organizations, human resource management, and strategic planning and budgeting, including the similarities and differences in the modes of financial payment of hospitals defined as perpetual per cost and retrospective per diem.

Demonstrate critical thinking skills in health care administration.

  • Evaluate the quality of information, e.g. the source, the content, the credibility of the information, and the avoidance of being swayed by emotion.
  • Recognize and encourage critical thinking.
  • Evaluate new ideas using critical thinking skills.
  • Develop sound arguments based on logical reasoning, evidence, and experience.

Demonstrate literacy in information and technology.

  • Demonstrate competence in report writing.
  • Use computer technology, including appropriate software.
  • Integrate computer-based technological know-how [including data based health service information search strategies] and writing skills for the purpose of report writing.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the ethics of information and technological literacy, including the avoidance of plagiarism and the misrepresentation of statistical data.

Demonstrate developed skills in oral communication.

  • Communicate ideas articulately and apply active listening skills.
  • Communicate orally in various formats, including group discussion, debate, and group presentation.
  • Demonstrate advanced skills in recognizing nonverbal communication.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and respect for cultural diversity and its significance in oral communication.

Apply the career planning process to personal development.

  • Apply knowledge of health service administration to formulate career choices.
  • Identify the type of experience and performance that will facilitate entry into the work force.
  • Conduct an accurate self-assessment of ability, achievement, motivation, and work habits to calculate most advantageous health service administration career path.
  • Identify and develop skills and experiences relevant to achieving career goals.
  • Demonstrate an appreciation of lifelong learning as a means of sustaining personal and professional growth. (cannot be measured—see suggestion below)
  • Recognize major emerging societal issues in order to be in a position to contribute to resolution of future challenges.