Course Descriptions: Healthcare Administration and Management

Required Courses
HCA500: Research Methods
Students explore various research techniques and then apply that knowledge to an analysis of existing research and to designing and implementing their own research projects. The course includes preparation of a literature review, qualitative and quantitative approaches, triangulation methods, research designs, threats to internal and external validity, sampling techniques, data collection methods, and ethical considerations. Note: This course must be taken in the first year of graduate studies. Available online.

HCA501: Introduction to Healthcare
This course will explore the historical development, current state and possible future trends of health care financing and delivery in the United States. Course components include a general overview of the size and scope of the health care system; issues related to the underlying need for health care, different modalities for financing and reimbursement and will conclude with evaluation and policy issues. Available online. Note: R.N. students may take HAM542: Nursing Administration in lieu of this course.

HCA505: Healthcare Marketing
Students are introduced to basic marketing principles and practices related to the health services industry. They examine consumer needs, target market concepts, strategies for attaining goals, current market practices, cost benefit analysis, ethical considerations, and marketing resources. The development of positive relationships within an organization is explored as a marketing strategy, including the role in marketing played by employees, physicians, patients, and the community. Class presentations and a term paper provide opportunities for students to research and discuss current healthcare marketing topics.

HCA509: Human Resources Management
This course will assist students in understanding the effective use of human resources to achieve organizational goals within the constraints imposed by ethical considerations and legal obligations. The processes used to determine human resource requirements, recruitment, selection, development, utilization and accommodation of human resources in contemporary organizations will be explored. Available online.

HCA519: Healthcare Finance
This course provides an overview of the health care environment and introduces financial concepts through financial statements reviews and analysis. Discussions address the development and use of revenues, identification of operating expenses, strategies to contain costs, and the financial interaction between healthcare providers and third­party payers. Class presentations and a term paper provide opportunities for students to research and discuss current healthcare financial topics.

HCA525: Ethics for Health Professionals
Students explore the current and recurring ethical issues facing health professionals in today’s healthcare environment. Topics include the right to refuse treatment, the right to die, physician-assisted death, organ donation, resource allocation, and issues related to healthcare reimbursement and administration, such as cost containment and quality assurance. Other topics include informed consent, confidentiality, autonomy, nutrition and hydration, professional codes, the Human Genome Project and cloning. Traditional theories of ethics as well as decision making models are also examined.

HCA528: Health Policy
Students focus on three major areas that contribute to the establishment of national health policies: health planning, health research, and health services. They examine the methodology for policy planning, goal setting, allocation of resources, plan implementation, evaluation, and regulation. Health policy as it relates to health research involves discussion of major illnesses and diseases, environmental factors, new technology and health research, and the social, political, and economic factors influencing policy development.

HCA533: Health Law
Students examine the law relating to health care administration. Course topics include. The physician patient relationship, professional liability, credentialing, medical records and disclosure of information, HIPAA regulations, consent to treatment, hospital liability, and the institution physician relationship. Recent legislation regarding issues in healthcare administration is also discussed.

HCA540: Healthcare and the Older Citizen
Students examine the political, social, economic, and healthcare issues that pertain to older people and their families. They look at housing, health and social programs, long term care, reimbursement, and public policy issues. Past, present and future trends that affect the aging population are also explored.

HCA542: Nursing Administration
Students who are registered nurses investigate advanced concepts of management and apply them to the administration of a nursing department in a variety of health care settings. An in-depth discussion of the goals, structures, processes, resources, and controls as they pertain to nursing administration is included. Current issues, such as mandatory staffing levels, patient outcomes and evidence based practice are also discussed. Prerequisite: Status as a registered nurse.

HCA543: Public Health Administration
The dawn of the 21st century provides a unique opportunity to reflect on the current health of the public, what we have accomplished as a nation and as a society and the challenges that we face as a nation in the future years. This course examines the historical development of public health, the organization and responsibilities of public health in the United States, health promotion and disease prevention, health status and risk factors. The final section of this course looks to emergency preparedness and response roles of public health. It concludes with a discussion of the future of public health as we enter this new century. Available online.

HCA547: Application of Healthcare Management Theory
This capstone course is taken at the conclusion of the student’s graduate healthcare studies. The course will review and reinforce the core competencies the student has acquired during their course of study. Through case studies and actual healthcare management situations students will have the opportunity to apply the techniques and skills acquired during their previous course work. Prerequisite: Completion of 30 credits or approval from the Graduate Program Director.

HCA570: Internship and Seminar in Healthcare Administration & Management (3 credits)
Individual work experience or project in an organization (normally off-campus) under the supervision of a practicing professional and structured by a Salve Regina University faculty member.  Although the specific nature of the internship varies with the student’s academic interest, there should be a close relationship between the program of study and the non-academic setting.  The internship is a supervised learning experience for academic credit typically consisting of a minimum of 240 hours (80/credit) of on-the-job experience occurring within a semester.  The number of hours may be reduced if the internship involves significantly more writing as required by the faculty (see guidelines and appropriate forms located on University web-site, Registrar link).

HCA581: Special Topics in Healthcare Administration & Management
Special topics courses with Healthcare Administration and Management content are offered on a periodic basis.

HCA591 Independent Study (1-3 credits)
A focused study on a subject outside the graduate catalogue.  An Independent study provides opportunity for original and in-depth research on a specific topic or regional issue of the candidate’s interest and professional focus.  It is an important part of the curriculum and should be used to supplement existing coursework.  A student selects a topic of research from a single field of learning or one which is interdisciplinary and prepares a research paper to be submitted at the end of the semester (recommended minimum of 20 pages). The quality of the research paper should be appropriate to graduate level research.  A list of preliminary reading and/or assignments and a means of assessment/evaluation are clearly defined in advance of the study.  Prerequisite:  A minimum GPA of 3.2 is required (see guidelines and appropriate forms located on graduate web-site).