MBA–Health Care Management: Curriculum

This course will develop marketing strategy and execution of diverse communication tactics critical to all enterprises. Students will examine competitive value propositions for business growth across various markets. Course work will analyze business scenarios and determine strategic objectives, target markets and messages, as well as demonstrate how to use and apply multiple marketing tactics.

This course examines the various research methodologies used in organizational settings. It provides an overview of quantitative and qualitative methodologies including research design, data collection and analysis, interviewing, case studies, and action science. The philosophy, ethics, and politics of management research are introduced. Students will critique published research, write a literature review, and design research studies.

The course will apply economic theory to develop a framework to analyze and predict trade, exchange rate, environmental, health, labor and other policies. Strategies will encompass the interaction of American and global economic institutions and policy making entities such as the United States Trade Representative, Congress, Federal Reserve, WTO, and the European Union. Topics will include tariffs and comparative advantage.

This course looks at human resources management from an operating manager’s perspective and focuses on the key role strategic human resource management plays in the development and execution of organizational strategy. Emphasis will be placed on the cultural, behavioral, and the legal issues faced by companies as they attempt to compete in an increasingly expanding global economy. Students will work collaboratively to analyze and compare the complexities and challenges of doing business abroad as well as in the United States and discuss approaches, plans, and programs to address those issues strategically.

This course will examine the framework and systems of current accounting and finance principles including preparation of financial statements, accounting cycles and balance sheet classifications. Students will apply these principles along with ethical responsibility and critical thinking skills to management practices of business decision making and strategic planning.

This course integrates the treatment of law and management. It helps managers and leaders spot legal issues before they become legal problems and emphasizes developing the legal astuteness to craft solutions that attain core organizational objectives without incurring undue legal risk. Traditional legal concepts are discussed as well as current topics in developing areas of the law. An emphasis on ethical concerns stimulates understanding of how managers must incorporate considerations of ethics and social responsibility into their managerial actions.

As formal and informal healthcare leaders, students will clarify and affirm their vocation/calling and moral compass including examining potential vulnerabilities that may challenge one’s integrity. Students will explore ethical theories and principles from the healthcare leader perspective in the context of current healthcare issues including economic constraints and resource allocation, access-to-care, autonomy and decision-making especially at end-of-life, moral distress, and other issues faced by healthcare professionals. Students will analyze contextual factors contributing to ethical dilemmas including professional values, patient/family rights and preferences including cultural differences, social and health inequities, political factors including hierarchy and ethical climate, and policy, legal, and regulatory requirements. Students will synthesize course concepts through the application of ethical decision-making models within the Christian context to various bioethical, clinical, business, and professional ethical dilemmas.

A call has come from the highest reaches of government for the computerization of all medical records. Information systems and the interlocking of these systems will be a major concern for health care providers in the years to come. Students will learn how to collect, massage, manipulate data in order to make it useful. There is plenty of useless data and information available; the real professional can mine that data and information into golden nuggets of knowledge.

In order to compete in this new economy, health care entities, particularly hospitals, need to employ quality practices. This course will examine current theory and practices for health care institutions: Six sigma, Lean and other processes and procedures. Students will understand how the quality system interweaves with customer service and happiness.

The distribution system for health care is complex and changing rapidly. The strategy process represents an essential opportunity for health care leaders to establish, implement and guide the organizations direction in these turbulent waters of changing distribution systems. MAP is a process in which students summarize, synthesize, and demonstrate knowledge, skills, and competencies as organizational managers and leaders. Students will draw from their MBA course work, career experiences, and synthesizing activities to build a portfolio.

This course explores the evolving landscape of healthcare administration, focusing on emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in the field. Students will examine the intersection of healthcare policy, technology, economics, and organizational management, gaining insights into the dynamic forces shaping healthcare service delivery and administration. Topics will include technological advancements.

This course examines healthcare policy, focusing on reform initiatives and equity considerations within healthcare systems. Students will examine reform initiatives, ranging from the implementation of universal health coverage models to efforts aimed at improving healthcare delivery and outcomes through payment and delivery systems. Through policy analysis and application, students will assess strategies for promoting health equity, including community-based approaches to healthcare delivery and mitigating access barriers. This course will equip students with the knowledge and analytical tools to critically evaluate healthcare policy proposals, advocate for equitable reforms, and advance innovative health systems.