Healthcare Administration

  • AMY E. COX, chair and adviser

The major in Healthcare Administration (HCA) is designed for students in the expanding and increasingly complex healthcare management field. The program goes beyond traditional business administration studies to include challenging courses focused on healthcare management topics. Students will also explore the field through internships and capstone experiences which will further prepare students for careers or graduate study.

Students majoring in HCA will be exposed to many aspects of the changing healthcare environment, such as policy, regulations, ethics, technology, and delivery systems. Association and interaction with faculty and with professionals in the healthcare industry will help prepare majors for careers in the fast-paced field.

The mission of the Healthcare Administration program at Converse is to prepare students for employment in the healthcare administration industry or entrance to graduate school.

Students earning a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Healthcare Administration will achieve the following program level student learning outcomes:

  1. Students will communicate clearly, concisely and professionally, both orally and in writing
  2. Students will evaluate and analyze data to solve problems and make business and financial decisions in a healthcare context.
  3. Students will demonstrate fundamental knowledge of the functional areas of business.
  4. Students will analyze general ethical and legal issues within a healthcare administration context.

Degrees and Certificates

Courses

HCA 206: HEALTHCARE COMMUNICATIONS

Credits 3

This course stresses effective communication in the healthcare environment. Methods and techniques are presented which will enable individuals working in the healthcare industry to communicate effectively and professionally with medical staff, patients and family members.

Notes

Major, Minor, Elective credit.

HCA 350: HEALTHCARE DELIVERY SYSTEMS

Credits 3

This course examines the healthcare delivery systems of the United States and other nations. Specific issues examined include basic healthcare economics and policy, accountable care organizations, quality outcomes, and other healthcare concerns.

Notes

Major, Minor, Elective credit.

HCA 360: INFORMATICS AND TECHNOLOGY

Credits 3

This course is an overview of the issues related to the management of healthcare information. Additionally, the course studies the technology used to manage and transmit medical information among healthcare providers.

Notes

Major, Minor, Elective credits.

HCA 430: COMMUNITY AND POPULATION HEALTH

Credits 3

This course examines how healthcare systems manage, prevent and react to localized outbreaks of disease; examines the social determinants of healthcare; and examines how healthcare institutions and providers work to provide effective, quality outcomes to the population and sub-populations in a efficient manner.

Notes

Major, Minor,  Elective credit.

HCA 471: FACILITY PLANNING AND THE ENVIRONMENT OF CARE

Credits 3

This course addresses the integration of regulatory requirements, financial constraints, the environment of care of patients and families, the technological aspects of providing care, the equipment and information flow required to ensure patients’ records are efficiently and securely managed and other considerations in providing safe, secure and effective healthcare outcomes. Capstone. Writing Intensive.

Prerequisites

or permission of the instructor.

Notes

Major credit. 

HCA 499: HEALTHCARE INTERNSHIP

Credits 3 6

The student will be engaged in a business or governmental agency related to the student’s career choice in the healthcare environment. A portfolio of the internship is required. Pass/fail grading.

Prerequisites

Minimum of 12 hours in major within the department; 2.5 GPA in the major; and permission of the director.

Notes

Major credit.