Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration
Healthcare Administration is the business of healthcare.
Caldwell University’s Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Healthcare Administration prepares you for entry-level positions in healthcare policy and administration. The comprehensive coursework blends classes in business, the social sciences, and interprofessional Health Professions programming. The Healthcare Administration major provides business students the opportunity to pursue meaningful work in the healthcare industry, projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to grow 15% between 2019 and 2029, faster than the average for all other occupations.
Majoring in Healthcare Administration
The Caldwell Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration prepares you to work on the business and management side of the dynamic healthcare industry. Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), Caldwell’s program has a strong emphasis on fostering business interpersonal and communication skills through practical internships and international travel study trips. In addition to business-related resources, healthcare administration majors also participate in the Inter-Professional Health Education Collaborative (IPHEC), offering interdisciplinary learning experiences with other Caldwell students pursuing healthcare careers.
As a student of the program, you will also benefit from Caldwell’s northern New Jersey location and robust healthcare partnerships, providing healthcare internship opportunities across the New York City metropolitan region. As a Healthcare Administration graduate, you’ll possess essential business expertise for careers in diverse healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, life-care residential facilities, clinics, health insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and medical practices.
In addition to the undergraduate Healthcare Administration degree, Caldwell’s School of Business and Computer Science offers a variety of programs such as Business Administration, Accounting, Marketing, Computer Science, and Computer Information Systems. You have the option to pursue our increasingly-popular five-year BS/MBA track, a rigorous program for motivated students seeking to advance their business skills on an expedited basis.
Caldwell University’s Healthcare Administration Program objectives and student learning outcomes have been developed utilizing the standards set forth by the Association of University Programs in Healthcare Administration (“AUPHA”). Students will achieve the University objectives of communicating effectively orally and in writing, using logical reasoning, and demonstrating information literacy. Students will also achieve the healthcare program objectives of acquiring individual competencies and substantive content competencies. Individual competencies include the ability to use computational skills and critical thinking skills, and evaluate and articulate the societal and cultural context of healthcare administration from the historical, philosophical, social, cultural, economic, political and scientific foundations of healthcare. Substantive content competencies include the ability to evaluate the theoretical and experiential core knowledge of healthcare and apply administrative and policy initiatives in healthcare. Students integrate their internship or work experience into concepts developed in the capstone course, BU 485 Leadership & Organizational Change in Health Care, and produce a comprehensive analysis and presentation on a current topic in healthcare administration.
Traditional Undergraduates
Traditional Undergraduates
Students can choose the traditional four-year undergraduate route: the Liberal Arts & Science Core Curriculum with major degree requirements and free electives, as follows.
Students who major in Healthcare Administration must complete:
Course Code : BU 101
Course Description :
Introduces students to the essentials of economics and how economics affects households, businesses and government. Topics include concepts of supply and demand, savings and investments, and the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. Students gain a moral, ethical and practical perspective in exploring the dynamics of economic change occurring in world markets and its impact on populations and governments. This course cannot be taken for major credit for any Business or Computer Science major except for Healthcare Administration.
Credit : 3
Course Code : BU 110
Course Group(s) : GE DIV
Active Term : Fall
Course Description :
Emphasizes models of management-oriented modern business communications in the digital age: letters, reports, memoranda, emails, blogs and digital résumés. Develops oral communication skills: interviews, presentations, listening techniques. Includes use of computer lab and relevant presentation, writing and report generating technologies.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
CS 115 or waiver, CS115, CS115X
OR
Course Code : EN 338
Course Description :
Focuses on the professional writing required in a variety of professional fields such as education, finance, publishing, health professions, communications and others. Students work on the various genres of professional writing, including proposals, press releases, business plans, reports, feature articles, op-ed essays, letters, memos, and electronic formulations. Does not fulfill core literature requirement.
Credit : 3
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites :
EN111, EN320
Course Code : BU 213
Course Description :
This course introduces fundamental concepts in managing various kinds of healthcare organizations (HCOs) in the United States, emphasizing the integrated approach to management needed in today’s complex healthcare delivery system. The course introduces the foundational structure and operation of the U.S. health care system and addresses challenges in the delivery of effective health care. Topics include the history and evolution of healthcare in the United States and its evolution, the role of participants in healthcare delivery, the nature and scope of various HCOs (hospitals, nursing homes, ambulatory care centers, rehabilitation centers, physician offices, etc.), the administration and financing of healthcare, the concept of managed care, and the role of government in healthcare delivery.
Credit : 3
Course Code : BU 214
Course Description :
The United States Healthcare system is facing continuous change on multiple fronts: access to care, quality of health care, rapidly changing technologies in prevention, treatment, and administration, informed consent and patient access to information and healthcare records, and recent legislative changes to Medicare and the Affordable Care Act. This course explores the ethical implications facing various kinds of healthcare facilities and practices, underscored by the essential tension between effective healthcare delivery and rising costs. Topics addressed include ethical theory and justice, moral integrity, organizational mission and culture, institutional codes of ethics, patient-centered issues (privacy, experimentation and autonomy, end-of-life issues), public health ethics (population health and epidemiology), market forces, and community responsibility.
Credit : 3
Course Code : BU 217
Course Description :
An overview of the basic accounting theory as applied to healthcare organizations, including fundamental accounting vocabulary (assets, liabilities, owners equity/net assets, the accounting equation, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles), and an introduction to accounting tools and concepts, including key financial statements, valuation of assets and equities, recording and reporting financial information, depreciation, audits, ratio analysis, and capital structure and analysis.
Credit : 3
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites :
MA112 or other equivalent math core.
Course Code : BU 223
Course Description :
The increasingly well-educated patient in the highly-regulated healthcare marketplace presents new challenges to healthcare providers and facilities. Innovative approaches are required to provide information for patients-as-consumers. This course introduces foundational principles in marketing with particular emphasis on the unique applications to the healthcare industry. Topics include basic marketing concepts (marketing process and marketing strategy), fundamentals of consumer-patient focus (market research, market segmentation, buyer behavior), and the marketing mix (product, price, distribution, promotion and advertising, selling and sales management).
Credit : 3
Course Code : BU 260
Course Description :
This course focuses on the basic management skills of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling, with additional emphasis on ethics, social responsibility, and management skills for the future. This course deals with understanding the manager’s job, decision-making, motivation, leading change, and innovation.
Credit : 3
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites :
BU105
Course Code : BU 302
Course Description :
A review of the accounting and financial management principles applicable to operational issues in health care. With reimbursement for services a critical element of quality care, this course examines the multiple payers for healthcare services and the inter-relationships among patients, payers, and intermediary entities, each with unique coding, compliance, documentation and financial reporting requirements. Specific attention is given to the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, electronic health records, revenue cycle management, and government incentive programs.
Credit : 3
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites :
BU217, MA207, BI216, BU305, PS208
Course Code : BU 305
Course Description :
Studies the collection, classification, presentation, and analysis of statistical data with an emphasis on business applications.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA 112 and CS 219 or equivalents.
OR
Course Code : MA 311
Course Description :
An introduction to the theory of probability and statistics utilizing methods from calculus. Topics include the axioms and rules of probability, Bayes Theorem, discrete and continuous random variables, univariate probability distributions, expectation, variance, and generating functions.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA 220 or MA 140
Course Code : BU 356
Course Description :
An introduction to the legal and ethical issues in the healthcare industry. Patients, practitioners, and healthcare administrators face a complex maze of legal and regulatory issues ranging from privacy, intellectual property, health care recordkeeping and reporting requirements, payment and reimbursement, and tort liability. Healthcare administrators address employment and human resource matters, as well as business process decisions with legal consequences. This course includes foundational aspects of the United States legal system for the context in which reasoned legal judgments are made.
Credit : 3
Course Code : BU 371
Course Description :
Today's healthcare systems and diverse healthcare organizations are intricate, with commensurate complexity in physical maintenance of facilities, communications infrastructure, data and technology infrastructure, human safety, and epidemiological implications. An effective and efficient healthcare operations management system will design, operate, and improve the processes and systems that create and deliver essential healthcare services while controlling costs and maximizing quality. Key issues include supply chain management, project management, performance assessment and improvement, financial performance, capacity management, scheduling, patient flow and process improvement, and the implications of recent trends in evidence-based medicine and pay-for-performance.
Credit : 3
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites :
PS208, MA207, BU305, BI216, BI212.
Course Code : BU 424
Course Description :
This course focuses on the quality assessment and improvement process in the healthcare industry, specifically how these processes apply to and affect clinical, managerial, and operational needs in the healthcare system. Students develop skills in collecting and analyzing data, and utilizing that data for effective decision-making. Topics include healthcare evaluation systems and the role of healthcare information technology professionals in quality improvement, clinical pathways, case management, utilization management, risk management, infection control, and credentialing.
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites :
BU302, BU305
Course Code : BU 465
Course Description :
An introduction to epidemiology and overview of epidemiological concepts and tools to improve health services management, emphasizing increased focus on population and community health, and the impact of disease on service area populations. This course examines infectious disease epidemiology, morbidity, planning and needs assessment, risk evaluation and adjustment, with analysis of financial implications and best practices in leadership, evidence-based medicine and management, and communication. Specific diseases considered and analyzed, such as, but not limited to, cardiovascular disease, HIV, influenza, and dementia.
Credit : 3
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites :
BI212, BU305, PS208, MA207
Course Code : BU 470
Course Description :
Focuses on organizational structure, employment policies and selecting, performance appraisal, training and development, motivation, morale, discipline and grievance handling, financial compensation, health and safety and ethics in personnel.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
BU260
Course Code : BU 485
Course Description :
This capstone course will prepare students to become leaders in their dynamic healthcare environment. The course investigates change process and analyzes the impact of effective leadership on change management and how organizational structure impacts change. Students will review their progress in the Healthcare Administration program through the leadership lens and gain insight into their own leadership and change management skills.
Credit : 3
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites :
Senior Status and corequisite BU 487
Course Code : BU 487
Course Description :
Integrates classroom study with a specific, planned period of supervised learning through paid or unpaid work experience related to the student’s career goals. School of Business and Computer Science Approval.
Credit : 3
Course Code : CS 219
Course Description :
This course emphasizes analysis and solutions to contemporary business problems through the use of the current version of Microsoft Excel. Students are introduced to business decision modeling processes to strengthen logical reasoning and analytical skills. Microsoft Excel is used as the basis for managerial decision support through analysis of contemporary business case problems. Students apply the appropriate functions and features of Microsoft Excel to solve business cases. The course also emphasizes oral presentation and written reports on business processes used in case solutions to further strengthen students’ communication skills.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
CS115, CS115X, MA207, MA112
Course Code : CS 310
Course Description :
An overview of the knowledge necessary to understand HIT (healthcare information technology) and develop skills in HIT management, including topics in hardware, software, and communication systems; operational, management, and clinical applications; and selection, implementation, and valuation. The importance of HIT strategic alignment is evaluated and emphasized in the rapidly-changing economic, political, regulatory, and technological arenas of today’s healthcare industry, with specific application to networks, security, health records, administrative and financial systems, project portfolio management, and strategic competitive advantage.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
CS 115 or waiver
Course Code : CS 405
Course Description :
As one of the most data-intensive industries in the United States, healthcare managers are challenged to collect, access, assimilate, analyze, use, and keep safe ever-increasing data. Special emphasis on using data analytics to integrate information for strategic decision-making to achieve organizational objectives, as well as enhancing healthcare delivery (medical decision-making, risk management, and assessing quality of patient care).
Credit : 3
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites :
CS310
Course Code : HS 101
Course Description :
Provides a working knowledge of the special language and terms used in the healthcare environment for students in pre-health professional studies. Includes a study of the basic language related to the medical science, word analysis, construction, spelling and definitions of the vocabulary used in the medical, dental and health professions field. Meets the prerequisite requirement for admission to health professional programs such as medicine; dentistry; occupational therapy; physical therapy; physician assistant, and other healthcare fields.
Credit : 2
Instruction methods : Lecture: 2 Hours
Prerequisites :
BI 110 The Human Body, or BI 203 Human Anatomy and Physiology I, or BI 207 Physiology.
*Core courses required (these can fulfill foundational core requirements)
Course Code : AT 230
Course Group(s) : Fine Arts Requirement
Course Description :
This course offers an introduction to the art therapy profession. Students will learn about the interface of art and therapy, as well as basic theory and application. Students will participate in experiential art exercises which will provide exposure to the use of the creative process of communicating through art.
Credit : 3
OR
Course Code : MU 231
Course Group(s) : Fine Arts Requirement
Course Description :
This course will introduce the student to the music therapy profession. It will cover basic literature in music therapy, basic assumptions and practices and orient the student to clinical applications of music as therapy. An emphasis will be placed on experiential learning, research and writing.
Credit : 3
Course Code : BI 110
Course Description :
Provides a basic understanding of the structure and function of the human body. Students will become familiar with the terminology related to anatomical and physiological features and will be able to apply such knowledge to everyday living.
Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 101/PS 150
Course Description :
This course provides a survey of the major areas of psychology, the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Major content areas include research methodology, biopsychology, learning, psychopathology, and cognitive, social, and developmental psychology
Credit : 3
OR
Course Code : SO 334
Course Description :
Examines major topics in the sociology of medicine including socio-cultural concepts of health and disease; consequences of illness; the social context of health care; and problem areas such as mental illness, ethical issues and the high costs of health care.
Credit : 3
*Transfer students seeking to major in HCA who have an Associate degree can choose the degree-completion route of 60* credits. They will need to complete: TH102 and one course from each Enriched Core Cluster (Catholic & Dominican Tradition; Global Awarene
*Transfer students seeking to major in HCA who have an Associate degree can choose the degree-completion route of 60* credits.
They will need to complete:
Course Code : TH 102
Course Description :
Investigates basic Christian themes, particularly from a Catholic perspective: God, Jesus, Spirit, Salvation, Sacrament, Christian community.
Credit : 3
AND
One from each of three clusters:
- Catholic & Dominican Tradition
- Global Awareness & Cultural Understanding
- Ethical Inquiry and Applications
*Transfer STUDENTS WHO MAJOR IN HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION:
*Transfer STUDENTS WHO MAJOR IN HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION:
Prerequisite for students who have achieved an Associate Degree: Business writing (BU 110 Business Communications or equivalent); Statistics (BU 305 Introduction to Statistics or equivalent).
**Students working in a health-related field are exempt from HS 101 Medical Terminology and BU 487 Internship
Your degree includes credits from Liberal Arts and Sciences Core, Major, and Electives.
Earn your BS in Healthcare Administration at Caldwell
Caldwell’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration equips you with the knowledge and skills for entry-level roles in this expansive industry. This undergraduate degree in healthcare administration prioritizes professional development through interdisciplinary opportunities and internships in New Jersey and the greater NYC area.
To learn more about majoring in Healthcare Administration, request information.
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