Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration/Management
Healthcare administration and healthcare management
The Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration/Management provides an opportunity for students who are interested in preparing for healthcare careers by providing competency-based educational programs that meet the changing needs of employers of an emerging health care industry. The graduates of our School of Health Sciences are expected to effectively function as entry level healthcare management/administrators in response to health care reforms, trends, issues and problem solutions that affect health and welfare of the people. If you’d like to pursue a career in healthcare management and you're interested in our Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration/Management program, request more information from our School of Health Sciences.
While the program is primarily under the School of Health Sciences, students' experiences are diversified and enriched by collaborative relationships with other Stratford programs including School of Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, and other affiliated health delivery systems in the region.
Healthcare Administration/Management Program Requirements and Online Options
Students can complete the program through classroom instruction at our medical schools in Virginia. A few electives and Arts and Sciences courses can also be completed online. It typically takes weeks 120 weeks (2.5 years) to complete the entire Bachelor’s program without breaks.
| Credits Required | Number of Classes |
|---|
| Core Component |
49.5 |
11 |
| Electives |
| Pool 1: Health Sciences |
36 |
8 |
| Pool 2: CIS |
13.5 |
3 |
| Pool 3: Business |
13.5 |
3 |
| Pool 2 or 3 |
13.5 |
3 |
| Arts and Sciences |
54 |
12 |
| Total Required for Graduation |
180 |
40 |
Student Disclosures
The U.S. Department of Education requires that we report and disclose certain information about our school programs in a clear, prominent, user-friendly, and easily understood manner. The intent of the requirement is to enable students to make an informed choice about a program of study. To this end, we have developed documents containing the following information:
- The tuition and fees;
- The employment rate(s);
- The median loan debt incurred by students;
- The on-time completion rate;
- The occupations that the program may prepare students to enter, along with links to the O*NET occupational profiles; and
- The graduation rate.
U.S. Department of Education references from 34 Code of Federal Regulations:
- Occupation (Sections 600.2, 600.4, 600.5, 600.6, 668.6, and 668.8)
- Gainful Employment Reporting and Disclosure Requirements (Section 668.6)
- Student Right-to-Know Act (Section 668.45(d)(3))
ACICS-Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Program level standards reporting requirement of student achievements.
- Retention rate by programs
Click here to see Student Consumer Information
Click on each group of courses below to expand the course list and descriptions.
Core Requirements
Introduction to Healthcare Administratio
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the U.S health care structure. This course also teaches students practical and conceptual skills with the aim of helping students to understand corporate compliance, as well as consumerism effects on the health care organization. Prerequisite: None.
HCA401
Introduction to Healthcare Administratio
4.5
Epidemiology and Health Services Researc
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course is designed to provide professional growth and understanding of public health and management dynamics using the principles of epidemiology, research theories, and methods. Special focus will be on the health and social determinants that affect health status, access to essential health care, capacity building, and health service disparities. Prerequisite: HCA402.
HCA402
Epidemiology and Health Services Researc
4.5
Healthcare Financial Management
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
The focus of the course is on financial planning, budgeting, and managing Medicaid, Medicare, and
health maintenance organizations including capitalization, fee-for service, indemnity, and premium and membership assessment for managed care organizations. This course will also develop knowledge and skills about small business planning, staffing, organizing, and financing. Prerequisite: BUS122.
HCA403
Healthcare Financial Management
4.5
Strategic Health Planning
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course is designed to provide students with the philosophy and activities of strategic management and its specific activities such as strategic thinking, strategic planning, and managing strategic momentum in the health care industry. It emphasizes the need for accountability in today’s health care environment and briefly traces its historical foundations. Prerequisite: None.
HCA404
Strategic Health Planning
4.5
Long-Term Health Care Management
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course is designed to examine the concepts and expanding role of long term care in the American health care services. It will also examine the continuum of long term care service including nursing care facilities, sub acute specialty units, long term acute care, adult day care, home health care, hospices and community based alternatives. Prerequisite: None.
HCA405
Long-Term Health Care Management
4.5
Medicare and Medicaid Administration
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course examines how Medicaid and Medicare Program operate, who they cover, what they cover, how they are financed, and how they are administered. The course will also examine several attempts to reform Medicare, Medicare, and Social Security. It addresses the use of evidence-based health policy issues, reimbursement policies, and cost controls such as Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG) to control patient care cost and ambulatory procedures. Prerequisite: HCA401 and HCA403.
HCA406
Medicare and Medicaid Administration
4.5
Health Policy and Reform
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course focuses on health care policy and reform in health care administration, nursing, allied
health science professions and other health related areas. It covers concepts, tools, and techniques of health policy formulation, process, and implementation. It examines historical perspectives and strategies in planning, financing, and managing health care delivery organizations in the United States. Prerequisite: MED270.
HCA407
Health Policy and Reform
4.5
Health Maintenance Org./Managed Care
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course is designed to familiarize students with the fundamentals of Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) since the enactment of the HMO Act of 1973. It will also cover the management, cost, quality, and types of services provided by a variety of managed care organizations such as staff model, independent provider organizations, and providers preferred organizations. Prerequisite: BUS122 and MED270.
HCA408
Health Maintenance Org./Managed Care
4.5
Minority and Health Disparity
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course is designed to examine the major health care disparities affecting minorities. The course will also explain the mission and role of the Office of Minority Health (OMH) and discuss what causes health disparities between ethnic and racial groups. Prerequisite: HCA401 and HCA402.
HCA409
Minority and Health Disparity
4.5
Health Management Seminar
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course is designed to provide professional growth and understanding of public health and management dynamics using the principles of epidemiology and research theories and methods and their applicability to demographics, rapid assessment techniques, survey analysis, health indicators Insert into event values (mortality and morbidity), risk assessment and control and randomized studies useful for health systems designs including needs assessment, planning, staffing, managing, and evaluation of health services. Special focus will be on the health and social determinants that affect health status, access to essential health care, capacity building and health service disparities. Prerequisite: Senior status in good academic standing.
HCA410
Health Management Seminar
4.5
Healthcare Administration Capstone
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course is designed to help students acquire basic knowledge and skill in practical management of designated health care settings under the supervision of a qualified faculty members and health care managers. Upon completion of this course students will be able to demonstrate to their peers and faculty preceptors learned knowledge and skills in the various units of a health care setting in order to satisfy the needs of the agency and their career path. Prerequisite: Senior status in good academic standing and all course work must be completed prior to taking this course.
HCA411
Healthcare Administration Capstone
4.5
Health Sciences Electives
Must take any 8 from the following list of courses
Anatomy and Physiology I
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course is a scientific study of the structure of the human body and
its parts including organization of the body, the relationships and
functions of the digestive, urinary, cardiovascular, lymphatic,
respiratory, reproductive systems, nutrition and metabolism. Laboratory
activities coincide with lectures to enhance understanding of each topic
by providing visual and hands-on experiments. Supplemental Lab Fee
required. Prerequisite: None. Lecture Hours: 30; Lab Hours 30
MED110
Anatomy and Physiology I
4.5
Medical Terminology
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course presents a study of basic medical terminology. Prefixes, suffixes, word roots, combining forms, special endings, plural forms, abbreviations, and symbols are included in the content. A programmed learning, word building systems approach is used to learn word parts for constructing or analyzing new terms. This provides the opportunity to decipher unfamiliar terms and check their spelling. Emphasis is placed on spelling, definition, usage, and pronunciation. Abbreviations introduced as related terms are presented with each unit. Prerequisite: None.
MED120
Medical Terminology
4.5
Medical Office Billing, Coding, & Insur
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course will train the student in the major medical insurances and claims forms processing. It will include information on national and other common insurance plans, as well as claim form completion and ICD and CPT coding. Problem solving and managed care systems will also be discussed. Daily financial practices including patient fee determining, credit arrangements bookkeeping and bank-keeping procedures will be discussed. Additionally the process of purchasing equipment and supplies will be covered. Computer use in the ambulatory environment will also be taught. Prerequisite: None. Lecture Hours: 35; Lab Hours: 20.
MED130
Medical Office Billing, Coding, & Insur
4.5
Medical Computer Applications
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course is designed to give the student the exposure to computer software applications as used in the medical office environment. This includes the use of medical office management software for organizing front office procedures and word processing software for typing medical reports and transcription. Other medical software may be introduced. Prerequisite: CIS110. Lecture Hours: 35; Lab Hours: 30.
MED160
Medical Computer Applications
4.5
Domestic Violence
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course covers the various aspects of family violence, including its legal, social, economic, medical, and psychological impact on the family, individual, and community. Prerequisite: None.
MED170
Domestic Violence
4.5
Anatomy and Physiology II
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course is a scientific study of the structure of the human body and
its parts including relationships and functions of the Integumentary,
muscular-skeletal, nervous, and endocrine systems. Laboratory activities
coincide with lectures to enhance understanding of each topic by
providing visual and hands-on experiments.
Supplemental Lab Fee required. Prerequisite: MED110. Lecture Hours:
30; Lab Hours 30
MED210
Anatomy and Physiology II
4.5
Medical Law and Ethics
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course is designed to cover medical jurisprudence and medical ethics. Legal aspects of office procedures are covered, including a discussion of various medical and ethical issues in today’s medical environment. Prerequisite: None.
MED230
Medical Law and Ethics
4.5
Pharmacology
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
Various aspects of clinical pharmacology will be discussed including a study of the various medications currently prescribed for the treatment of illnesses and diseases based on a systems method. Included in the course are common abbreviations used in prescription writing, interpretation of prescriptions, and legal aspects of prescriptions. In addition, dosage calculations and administration will be taught and practiced. Prerequisite: MED110 & MED210. Lecture Hours: 30; Lab Hours: 30.
MED240
Pharmacology
4.5
Medical Office Practice
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course introduces the student to the administrative functions of the medical office or clinic. Emphasis is placed on written and oral communication, scheduling, medical records, documentation and filing. In addition, telephone techniques, etiquette and management/human resource skills will be covered. Prerequisite: MED120.
MED250
Medical Office Practice
4.5
Medical Finance and Insurance
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course will provide the student with training in areas such as managing records, billing and collections, financial management, medical insurance, and medical office management. Computer use in the ambulatory environment will also be taught. Prerequisite: MED120.
MED270
Medical Finance and Insurance
4.5
Therapeutic Communication
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course encompasses the nonverbal and verbal therapeutic communication skills needed to deal effectively with physicians, family members, and other health care professionals. This course will also aid the student in developing appropriate techniques in dealing with change within the medical environment. Prerequisite: None.
MED280
Therapeutic Communication
4.5
Diseases of the Human Body
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course is a scientific study of the human body's diseases and disorders, including signs and symptoms, etiology, diagnosis and treatment. Prerequisite: MED110 & MED120.
MIB130
Diseases of the Human Body
4.5
Intro to Diagnostic & Procedures Coding
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course will cover the basic guidelines and coding conventions in ICD-9-CM. The focus of the course will be on the professional guidelines for outpatients. The proper diagnostic assignment based on the documentation will be discussed as well as the proper use of multiple codes, 1 digit, 4 digits, and 5 digits specificity. Computer Lab Fee required. Prerequisite: MED130. Lecture Hours: 30; Lab Hours: 30.
MIB210
Intro to Diagnostic & Procedures Coding
4.5
Electronic Medical Billing
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
Students will be introduced to medical office reimbursement through electronic processes and procedures. This course covers billing and insurance procedures, contracts and requirements, principles and compliances to sustain medical practice, coding and claims processing for health plans using medical office management software, submission of paper and electronic claims, inspecting and monitoring the billing process. Computer Lab Fee required. Prerequisite: None.
MIB260
Electronic Medical Billing
4.5
Computer Information Systems/Business Administration Electives:
Must take any 9 from the following list of courses. (Must at least three classes from each group; Students should pay close attention to prerequisite requirements.)
Elective Group 1
Fundamentals of Information Systems
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
Students learn the founding concepts of Information Technology (IT) and the systems needed to achieve the measureable benefits of introducing IT into and enterprise. The course will teach students to analyse systems and quality concepts and learn how information technology can be used to design, facilitate, and communicate organization goals and objectives. An overview of hardware and software with its relation to information technology is also presented. Prerequisite: None.
CIS103
Fundamentals of Information Systems
4.5
Computer Office Application
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
In this course, students learn how to generate word, spreadsheet, database, and presentation documents using the Microsoft Office Professional suite and other contemporary office utility products. Topics include: editing methods, document merging, templates, document preparation, file naming and storage conventions, backup methods, macros, desktop publishing, object linking and embedding (OLE), and Visual Basic application extensions. Prerequisite: None.
CIS110
Computer Office Application
4.5
Hardware and OS Architecture
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course provides knowledge in preventative maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of expansion buses, multimedia, video, modems, SCSI controllers, laptops, and printers. In addition, this course provides a brief introduction to networking technology, including the components necessary to attach a client to a local area network LAN).
CIS140
Hardware and OS Architecture
4.5
Data Communications
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course covers the basic concepts of networking technology within Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN) environments. Topics include the dominant network topologies (Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI), network protocols (TCP/IP, SPX/IPX and NetBIOS), cabling systems (coaxial, twisted pair, fiber optic), as well as wireless communication. The course introduces the primary features of internetworking devices (bridges, routers, repeaters, hubs, gateways, and switches) and the OSI software model for computer communication. All topics are related to the historical development of the field. Computer Lab Fee Required. Prerequisite: CIS141 or Permission of the Dean. Lecture Hours: 35; Lab Hours: 20.
CIS143
Data Communications
4.5
Database Concepts & Relational Mgmt Sys
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course presents the concepts of databases and various ways to represent and manage data to the student. It provides an overview of the concepts involved in the five structure models of database management: (1) simple; (2) hierarchical; (3) network; (4) relational; and (5) object-oriented databases. Course outcomes include a solid understanding of fundamental database terms and concepts such as tables, queries, forms and reports, and their application using a popular database. Discussed topics include abstract data types, recursion, mathematical induction, sorting and searching, indexing, file processing, constructing data base schema and querying a database. It also 18 introduces database analysis, database design, database administration and N-tiered client-server database systems. Computer Lab Fee Required. Prerequisite: None. Lecture Hours: 35; Lab Hours: 20.
CIS206
Database Concepts & Relational Mgmt Sys
4.5
Elective Group 2
Introduction to Business
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course provides a background on business and management. Students will discuss human relations, organizational structure, communications, and technology in business, and strategic planning. Prerequisite: None.
BUS100
Introduction to Business
4.5
Principles of Accounting I
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course is an introduction to the basics of accounting procedures. Topics include, accounting techniques and cycles, billings, balance sheets, and financial statements. Prerequisite: None.
BUS112
Principles of Accounting I
4.5
Sales and Marketing
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course introduces the student to effective methods for marketing products and services. Direct mail, print time and other advertising techniques are discussed. Problem solving relative to customer relations is addressed. Consumer profiled, organizational personalities, and demographics are presented as components of market research and analysis. Prerequisite: None.
BUS120
Sales and Marketing
4.5
Principles of Accounting II
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course expands the student’s knowledge of preparing balance sheets and financial statements. Students prepare general ledger entries, prepare payroll, and discuss budget control. Prerequisite: BUS112 or equivalent.
BUS122
Principles of Accounting II
4.5
Principles of Management
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course presents management theory and the functions of planning, organizing, directing, staffing and controlling. This course also focuses on the application of management principles to realistic work related situations. Prerequisite: None.
BUS135
Principles of Management
4.5
Business Law: Business, Government & Soc
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course is an introduction to law and ethics and outlines the ethical responsibilities managers face when conducting business. This course includes vulnerability to lawsuits and litigation. American and international perspective and interpretations of laws and ethical standards are discussed. Prerequisite: BUS 100 or equivalent.
BUS200
Business Law: Business, Government & Soc
4.5
Human Resource Management
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This introductory course concentrates on human resource management issues confronting organizations. These issues include organizational practices and legal aspects of recruitment, selection, training, orientation, and performance appraisals. Labor relations are discussed. Prerequisite: BUS 100 or equivalent.
BUS210
Human Resource Management
4.5
Business Communications
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course prepares the student for communication in the workplace. The student prepares memorandums, letters, proposals, presentations, newsletters, and flyers. Discussions focus on information exchange in and outside of the organization. Student’s presentations are be critiqued on the message intended and message received. Prerequisite: None.
BUS220
Business Communications
4.5
Principles of Economics
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course examines supply and demand, market demand and elasticity, cost theory, market structures, pricing theory, and consumer behavior. Regulation, antitrust policy, and income distribution are also discussed. Prerequisite: BUS 100 or equivalent.
BUS250
Principles of Economics
4.5
Introduction to Financial Management
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course is for non-business majors only. This course introduces the student to topics in financial management such as financial statement analysis, capital budgeting analysis, working capital (accounts receivable, inventory, and cash) management, capital structure and cost of capital, and interest rate determination methods. Some integration of international finance in these topics is also presented, because of its significant impact on financial management. This course also presents a general view of the financial system, including the financial market system, financial institutions, the firm’s objective in the business environment, and the history of financial management. Note: Not open to students with credit for Financial Management (BUS300). Prerequisite: None.
BUS310
Introduction to Financial Management
4.5
Project Management
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course will allow students to manage a project within their major field of study. Students prepare a project plan that includes details of their project, deliverables, dates when they will be completed, and the associated learning that will be exhibited. Students implement their plan and record weekly status on their progress, issues, decisions, and learning. At the conclusion of the course, students complete their projects and summarize their results in a final report. Prerequisite: None.
BUS380
Project Management
4.5
Diversity in the Workplace
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course examines the management of a diverse workforce and the benefits of creating this diversity. Topics include understanding human behavior in an organization, changing marketplace realities, employment systems, affirmative action, behavior modification for employees and other topics related to a multicultural workforce. Prerequisite: None.
BUS425
Diversity in the Workplace
4.5
Arts and Sciences Requirements
See the Arts and Sciences Elective Pool Requirements