Health Care Administration is a profession that provides management leadership in one of the nation's largest service industries. Components of the health care delivery system include hospitals, nursing homes, group medical practices, personal care homes, retirement centers, health maintenance organizations, medical sales, insurance, companies, etc. The graduate in healthcare administration has a business foundation in accounting, finance, management, economics, personnel management, as well as, a specialized foundation in health care administration and related health areas. The environment of health care changes every day. Change, whether it be advances in technology, clinical practice, pharmaceuticals, diagnostic equipment, personnel requirements, information management, or many other areas of health care, is affecting the entire industry. The health care system in the United States is uniquely structured. This is where you, as a health care administration major, fit into the picture. The industry needs well-educated, energetic, competent, and creative managers and administrators that can not only prepare for the future of health care, but can also create that future.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

The Department of Public Health offers a Master's program in Health Care Administration. This program prepares the student for management and administrative positions in various types of health care facilities, organizations, and agencies such as hospitals, nursing homes, group medical practices, health maintenance organizations, public health agencies and clinics. This program will also prepare individuals to work in medical sales companies, health planning agencies, the health insurance sector and other related health organizations.

PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

The Health Care Administration program is a selective admissions program. The program requires that the students meet the entrance requirement with a minimum GRE of 1000 on the verbal and quantitative combined score and have an undergraduate degree or first professional degree with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Students not having their Bachelors in Health Care Administration or Business Management will be required to take some pre-requisite courses. Some of the pre-requisites may be waived by the Program Director if specific competence can be demonstrated.
Students whose grade point average falls below 3.0 for two successive semesters will be dropped from the program. Students must have an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 before enrolling in the graduate internship or thesis research.

INTERNSHIP:
Students have the opportunity to enroll in a 6-hour internship offered at the end of their graduate program or enroll in thesis research.

EXECUTIVE OPTION:
Additionally, graduate students with several years of administrative experience can choose to specialize in an specific area by taking 2 additional electives in lieu of an internship or thesis.

INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE:
The Health Care Administration program requires students to complete a twelve (12) week full-time, internship experience in an approved health care facility. In order to be eligible for internship, the student MUST meet the following requirements:

1. Completion of ALL required program course work.
2. Possess a MINIMUM OVERALL GPA of 3.0.
3. Comply with internship placement policies and procedures.
4. Submit an application for internship to HCA program director.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION:
The Health Care Administration program of Western Kentucky University meets all criteria and standards for admission into the American College of Healthcare Executives ( ACHE) as a student chapter. On December 12, 1989, the ACHE Board of Governors officially granted student chapter status to the Health Care Administration Program. The objective of the student chapter is to promote the ethical development of personal, professional, and social skills in a manner that will enhance the attainment of effective leadership in health care organizations. This is accomplished through professional interaction and dialogue with practicing health care professionals, research projects, community service, and other appropriate activities and endeavors.

PROGRAM ACCREDITATION:
Currently the Masters Program has been restructured in preparation for accreditation by the Accreditation Commission in Health Services Administration (ACHESA). Health Care Administration program is a full member of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA).

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH:
The Department of Public Health, housed on "The Hill" in the Science and Technology Hall, is an integral part of Western Kentucky University’s School of Health and Human Services. Academic programs at the undergraduate level include a major in Public Health with options in Environmental Health, Public Health Education, Occupational Safety & Health, and School Health Education (teacher certification); and major in Health Care Administration. Graduate offerings include the Master of Arts in Education degree with a school health education minor; a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree with options in Environmental Health and Public Health Education. Special certification programs offered in the department are driver education certification, school nurse certification and emergency medical technology (EMT) certification. Financial aid for undergraduate and graduate students is available in the form of various scholarships, loans and graduate assistantships.

PH 599-Thesis Researh can be substituted for HCA 546-Graduate Internship. Choose 1 elective from the list below to complete the program.

For More Information, Contact:

Dr. Charles Wainright
Health Care Administration Program Director
STH 410B
charles.wainright@wku.edu
(270) 745-5868

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