HSL 550 U.S. Health Care Systems
A comprehensive overview of the U.S. health care system covering structure, finance, governance, personnel, history, and cultural values. Examination of key problems and interactions with economic, technological, political, and social forces within the larger society to include the health care system's response to these influences. Must be one of the first four courses completed in the program. (3 credits)
HSL 560 Organization and Administrative Theory
Survey of organization theory as it relates to health services administration. Introduces key ideas in leadership, motivation, communication, human relations, decision-making, and policy formation. Special attention to how the individual, work group and organization interact to affect the accomplishment of both individual and organizational goals. This course will utilize case studies and provide opportunities to develop effective communication skills. Must be one of the first four courses completed in the program. (3 credits)
HSL 565 Economics of Health Care
An introduction to economic ideas, particularly drawing on microeconomic theory, which affect the health care system. Provides a review of relevant economic concepts and covers topics such as demand for health services, health care provider behavior, implications of insurance and payment strategies, cost containment, unhealthy behavior and social regulation, and health technology and regulation. (3 credits)
HSL 570 Health Care Law, Policy, and Regulation
Legal analysis of health care exploring the role of law in: (1) promoting quality health care - i.e., generally, malpractice; (2) organizing health care delivery - through hospitals, clinics, networks, HMOs and other managed care organizations, and public health agencies; (3) controlling costs of health care - managed care, government regulation of reimbursement; (4) promoting access to health care, e.g., Medicare, Medicaid and the Americans with Disabilities Act, etc.; and (5) protecting human rights of those who are provided health care, e.g., informed consent, the right to refuse treatment, the regulation of experimentation, etc. Examines topics such as the Internet and health care, HIPAA and Patient Bill of Rights. (3 credits)
HSL 575 Health Care Statistics and Research Methods
Introduction to strategies for gathering and organizing data and undertaking statistical data analysis in health care environments. Introduction to research design, statistical reasoning and interpretation, operational excellence methods and data analysis using Microsoft Excel or a comparable package. Course assists students in becoming an intelligent consumer of health care research. (3 credits)
HSL 580 Financial Administration for Health Care Organizations
Introduction to key concepts of financial management as applied to health care institutions. Examines practical financial issues that are faced in the operation of a health care organization. Sources of funds, budget creation and implementation, interpretation of financial information, and the use of financial analysis in organizational decision-making. Examples and case studies from both profit and non-profit sectors will be examined. (3 credits)
HSL 590 Human Resource Management: Principles and Practice
Major topics in human resource management including theories of motivation, analysis of positions, recruitment and employee selection, assessment of employee performance, compensation and benefit strategies, collective bargaining, employment and non-discrimination law, and employee development. This course will incorporate a variety of applied exercises to develop skills needed in supervising employees and in applying organization personnel policies. (3 credits)
HSL 600 Leadership and Ethics
This course presents a theoretical and applied treatment of the pervasive and challenging task of leading in the new global economy, continuously and successfully dealing with the issues of continuous improvement within a framework of ethical leadership. Students will learn leadership theories, concepts, and applications that will allow them to successfully initiate, analyze, and implement various types of organizational changes. Specifically, through a series of case studies, students will demonstrate their capacity to isolate key ethical issues as they are related to operational excellence decisions. (3 credits)
HSL 605 Quality Improvement: Principles and Practice
An in-depth study of quality improvement philosophy, methodologies, tools, and issues related to quality improvement. Introduction to main approaches to operational improvement with an emphasis on quality standard setting, system design and organizational change strategies, reporting mechanisms, and effectiveness assessment. The relationship between quality improvement programs, risk management, and utilization review will be emphasized. Pre-requisite: HSL 575 Health Care Statistics and Research Methods. (3 credits)
HSL 610 Strategic Management of Complex Organizations
Strategies for envisioning, developing, and managing change within complex organizations. Special attention given to environmental factors influencing health care including third party payers, technology, and governmental policies. Critical course concepts include environmental scanning, translation of data into knowledge, and the development of a business case that advances larger organizational strategy. The course will also consider the impact of communication, decision-making, and resource mobilization. May only be taken after completing 24 credits in the program. (3 credits)
HSL 650 Directed Research
Individual research project applying and integrating knowledge gained in the program. Emphasis on action research and the development of evidence based programs and practices in health care settings. Must be taken as the final course in the program. Transfer credit cannot be earned for this course. (3 credits)
