Healthcare Administration
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 bachelors of science program in Health Care Administration (major with no minor requirements). 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, insurance sector and other related health organizations. Individuals completing this program are academically prepared to enter graduate programs in health care administration provided that the student meets the entrance requirements of the particular graduate program to which (s)he applies.
PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
The Health Care Administration program is a selective admissions program. As such, admission to the University does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Students applying for admission to the program and for continued retention must meet the following criteria.
ADMISSION:
Students who have completed a minimum of 30 semester hours including the courses required for seeking admission status and admitted status of a specific program, with an overall GPA of 2.5, qualify for admission into the program. Students whose GPA falls below 2.5 for two successive semesters will be dropped from the program. Students who receive a grade below a “C” in two or more courses required in the major will be dropped from the program. A student may be reinstated in the program when the overall GPA is elevated to at least 2.5 and all courses in which a grade less than "C" was earned have been repeated and a grade of "C" or better is earned. Students must have an overall grade point average of at least 2.5 before enrolling in the internship. Grades below "C" in major or minor courses will not be counted toward meeting graduation requirements. Requirements for Seeking Admission (Ref # 559P): 24 hrs including MATH 116 (or higher) and PH 100 with overall GPA of 2.0 or better. Requirements for Admission (Ref # 559): 30 hrs including above courses plus BIOL 131, COMM 145/161 and ECON 202 with overall GPA of 2.5 or better.
CLASSES:
Class Course Title Credit Hours Class Course Title Credit Hours
PH 383 Biostatistics in the Health Science 3 PH 384 Introduction to Epidemiology 3
PH 447 Human Values and the Health Sciences 3 HCA 340 Health Care Organization and Management 3
HCA 342 Human Resources Management for Healthcare Managers 3 HCA 343 Health Care Quality management 3
HCA 344 Health Systems Management 3 HCA 345 Long-Term Care Administration 3
HCA 346 Ambulatory Care 3 HCA 383 Health Care Biostatistics Lab 1
HCA 440 Health Care Economics 3 HCA 441 Health Care Legal Issues 3
HCA 442 Principles and Methods of Health Planning 3 HCA 445 Health Care Finance 3
HCA 446 Health System Information Management 3 HCA 447 Health System Info Management Lab 1
HCA 448 Senior Seminar 3 HCA 449 Internship HCA 6
HCA Elective 3 HCA Elective 3
HCIS 290 Medical Terminology 2 MGT 310 Organization and Management 3
ACCT 200 Introductory Accounting -Financial 3 ACCT 201 Introductory Accounting-Managerial 3
FIN 330 Fundamentals of Finance 3
*Note: Students may take HCA 401 - Fundamentals of Health Care Finance if they are not taking a Business Minor
NOTE:
*Students will not be able to take 400-level HCA courses unless they have finished the prerequisites (with a C or higher) and are fully admitted to the HCA program. HCA 346-Ambulatory Care Management may be substituted for HCA 345-Long Term Care Administration.
*Students must have an overall GPA of at least 2.5 before enrolling in the internship.
* Grades below a "C" in specified program courses will not be counted towards meeting graduation requirements.
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:
Completion of ALL required program course work with a minimum grade of "C" in each course.
1. Possess a MINIMUM OVERALL GPA of 2.5.
2. Comply with internship placement policies and procedures.
3. Submit an application for internship to HCA program director.
The HCA faculty have created a guide to the internship experience. Students should print this off prior to begining their search for an internship.
For More Information, Contact:
Dr. William Mkanta
Phone: (270) 745-5260
Office: AC 127C
william.mkanta@wku.edu
