Courses Health Information Management

Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration

Courses

Total program credits needed for graduation with GuidedPath: 180

Total program credits needed for graduation with FlexPath: 90

GuidedPath: One academic quarter is 3 months. You will have a 3-week break between each quarter.

FlexPath: With FlexPath's unique, flat-rate tuition—you have full control to accelerate your courses based on your schedule. The more courses you complete each 12-week session, the sooner you'll graduate, and the more money you'll save.

General Education Requirements

As a Capella bachelor’s student, you need 45 quarter credits to satisfy your general education requirements. You’ll need to choose a minimum of 4 quarter credits from each of the categories below. You’ll also select an additional 29 quarter credits of your choosing from any of the categories.

COM-H4005* Communicating and Integrating Solutions in the Professional World 6 quarter credits
COM1150 Introduction to Digital and Information Literacy 6 quarter credits
COM1250 Workplace Communication 6 quarter credits
COM2000 Intercultural Communication 6 quarter credits
COM3700 Conflict Resolution 6 quarter credits
COM4100 Media and Culture 6 quarter credits
ENG1000 English Composition 6 quarter credits
ENG1250 Introduction to Technical and Business Writing 6 quarter credits
ENG2250 Academic Research and Writing 6 quarter credits
HUM1150 Cultural Understanding in a Global World 6 quarter credits
HUM1200 Philosophy of Work 6 quarter credits
PHI-H2005 Honors Seminar: Critical Thinking for the Professional World 3 quarter credits
PHI1200 Philosophy of Problem Solving 6 quarter credits
PHI2000 Ethics 6 quarter credits
PHI3200 Ethics in Health Care 6 quarter credits
BIO1000 Human Biology 6 quarter credits
MAT1050 College Algebra 6 quarter credits
MAT1150 Essential Math for Everyday Life 6 quarter credits
MAT2001 Statistical Reasoning 6 quarter credits
MAT2051* Discrete Mathematics 6 quarter credits
MAT2100 Data-Driven Decisions 4 quarter credits
NSC1150 Science and Innovation 6 quarter credits
PHY1000 Introduction to Astronomy 6 quarter credits
BHA4002 History of the United States Health Care System 3 quarter credits
ECO1150 Personal Economics: Introduction to Financial Planning 6 quarter credits
HIS1150 U.S. History: How the Past Informs the Present 6 quarter credits
POL1110 U.S. and Nevada Government 6 quarter credits
PSYC1000 Introduction to Psychology 6 quarter credits
SOC-H3005* Honors Professional Seminar 6 quarter credits
SOC1150 How Society Works: Diversity, Collaboration, and Problem Solving 6 quarter credits
SOC2000 Cultural Diversity 6 quarter credits
SOC3400 Social Deviance 6 quarter credits

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Accelerated Master’s Pathway, BS in Health Care Administration/MHA option

Learners enrolled in the Accelerated Master’s Pathway, BS in Health Care Administration/MHA option complete the following master’s-level courses in lieu of BHA4006 and BHA4102.

 

 

Master’s-level courses

 

 

At least 12 quarter credits

MHA5010
Strategic Health Care Planning

In this course, learners examine strategic orientation, planning, and decision making in health care organizations and environments. Learners analyze the political, legal, regulatory, organizational, demographical, and multicultural implications of strategic planning decisions and how those decisions impact communities and populations, define best practices for health care organization staff development, and balance the prioritization of organizational and regulatory needs with feasible cost-effective solutions. Learners also develop a long-term strategic health care plan that includes information on human resource requirements, technology needs, and financial implications

4 quarter credits
MHA5012 *
Organizational Leadership and Governance

Learners in this course examine and articulate the fundamental concepts and principles of health care organization management and leadership, including governance, cost-effective decision making, and managing and leading stakeholders and staff. Learners identify best practices for mobilizing, managing, and improving employee, organization, stakeholder, and community commitment and for creating employee-centered organizations that foster professional and organizational accountability. Learners also analyze an organizational leadership structure and governance plan and examine how to apply team leadership skills to initiate change. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent registration in MHA5010.

4 quarter credits
NHS6004
Health Care Law and Policy

In this course, learners examine the political, legal, and regulatory issues impacting health care organizations and environments. Learners analyze the effects of health care policy on health care practice and service delivery, with particular emphasis on the strategies used to monitor and maintain legal and regulatory compliance. Learners also identify and apply health care policy and law concepts that promote organizational improvement.

4 quarter credits

 

These courses are taken in addition to the general education and remaining required courses.

 

General Education Requirements

Choose 45 quarter credits with a minimum of 4 quarter credits from each category; see General Education Courses.

 

 

Core courses

 

 

At least 42 quarter credits

NHS4000
Developing a Health Care Perspective

In this course, learners build and strengthen the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to succeed in their program and in the workplace. Learners engage in interactive activities that help them develop and demonstrate a health care perspective and expand their academic success strategies including organizational, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Learners also develop an understanding of ethics, information literacy, and effective writing. For School of Nursing and Health Sciences learners only. Must be taken during the learner’s first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning.

6 quarter credits
BHA4002
History of the United States Health Care System

Learners gain a historical view of the U.S. health care system and analyze the challenges and successes of an ever-changing and evolving industry from both a private and public health perspective. Learners also investigate health care innovations, regulatory bodies and technology to assess the evolutionary processes in medical education, changing practice, hospital industry growth and the continuum of care.

3 quarter credits
BHA4003
Present and Future State Developments within the United States Health Care System

In this course, learners review developments in health policy and management to better understand the present and future state of the U.S. health care system. Learners also analyze trends and effects on health care services to determine their impact on the health care industry and to predict potential future reforms. Learners also gain knowledge of health policy; health reform; access, cost, and regulatory issues; and stakeholder influence.

3 quarter credits
BHA4004
Patient Safety and Quality Improvement in Health Care

In this course, learners examine quality improvement and risk management in health care. Learners apply various models to increase the quality of patient care and outcomes, decrease the risk of litigation, and effect positive change. Throughout the course, learners gain an understanding of how to prepare a quality dashboard utilizing common quality improvement tools, including statistical analysis; Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA); Six Sigma; and Rapid Cycle Improvement. 

6 quarter credits
BHA4006
Health Care Regulation and Compliance

In this course, learners analyze local, state, and federal health care laws and evaluate their applicability and effect on patient rights, care, and confidentiality; human resources; and organizational and professional licensure. Throughout the course, learners develop and demonstrate competence in applying standards to meet requirements of governing bodies and various agencies with regulatory oversight authority. Learners also investigate fraud and abuse, risk management, business ethics, and corporate compliance.

6 quarter credits
BHA4008
Health Care Budgeting and Reporting

Learners in this course acquire an understanding of inventory control, budgeting, financial statements, and reporting. Learners also demonstrate competence in preparing budgets for their scope of responsibility as health care professionals.

3 quarter credits
BHA4009
Health Care Reimbursement Systems

Learners in this course examine current trends and traditional methods of payment in the health care industry. In particular, learners examine hospital, physician, third-party, state, and federal reimbursement systems and gain an understanding of the organizational revenue cycle process and payor contracting.

3 quarter credits
BHA4010
Introduction to Health Care Research

In this course, learners examine health care research methodologies to assess access, quality, and cost as well as related marketing research and planning. In particular, learners strengthen their knowledge of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research designs in order to better understand the needs, expectations, and social norms involved within the health care delivery system.

6 quarter credits
BUS4121
Ethics in Health Care Management

The focus of this course is on the ethical principles that guide health care management practices. Learners examine the role of personal moral integrity in ethical health care leadership, as well as the external and internal forces that influence health care management. Finally, learners also analyze a variety of ethical dilemmas that health care leaders face in today’s rapidly changing health care environment.

6 quarter credits

 

 

Specialization courses

 

 

At least 54 quarter credits

BHA4102
Leadership and Communication in Health Care Organizations

Learners in this course gain awareness of their personal leadership style and develop communication approaches appropriate for a diverse set of stakeholders. Learners also build their knowledge and skills in cultural competence, effective teamwork, coaching, cross-functionality, and collaboration through the use of authentic, real-world scenarios.

6 quarter credits
BHA4106
Introduction to Managing Health Care Information

Learners in this course integrate essential informatics concepts into health care administration and manage the health care information lifecycle. Learners analyze information system applications to make evidence-based decisions that maximize the efficiency and quality of departmental workflow. Learners also analyze the application of methods to improve the management of patient data, clinical knowledge, population data, and other information relevant to patient care and community health. 

6 quarter credits
HIM4610
Medical Terminology

Learners in this course develop an understanding of medical terminology used within health care. Learners analyze prefixes, suffixes, word roots, and combining forms, and practice correctly pronouncing, spelling, and using medical terms in the appropriate contexts.

6 quarter credits
HIM4620 *
Data Management in Health Information Systems

In this course, learners examine the operational and financial principles of managing health data from multiple source systems. Learners gain and demonstrate an understanding of various data integration tools and techniques used to support clinical information systems, including data warehousing, batch processing, and interface engines. Learners also examine and apply network and database design and architecture and their effects on source system development. Prerequisite(s): HIM4610.

6 quarter credits
HIM4630 *
Statistical Analysis for Health Information Management

In this course, learners develop a working knowledge of basic statistical strategies and tools used to analyze and interpret health care data, including pattern recognition; data classification; and data mining, modeling, and sampling. Learners also evaluate the resources that provide health care information and support health information integrity and data quality. Prerequisite(s): HIM4610.

6 quarter credits
HIM4640 *
Electronic Health Records and Health Information Systems

Learners in this course build their knowledge of health data management history and the role of the electronic health record (EHR) in health care organizations. Throughout the course, learners identify the characteristics of the EHR and other clinical systems, develop their skills in using an EHR, and evaluate the standards being developed to encourage EHR interoperability and data sharing. Prerequisite(s): HIM4610.

6 quarter credits
HIM4650 *
Decision Support and Quality Management in Health Information Management

In this course, learners examine decision-support practices and quality-management techniques used to improve the quality of health care. Learners apply decision-modeling techniques and evaluate the impact of clinical information systems on the quality, safety, and efficiency of health care data. Prerequisite(s): HIM4610.

6 quarter credits
HIM4660 *
Information Security, Privacy, and Ethics in Health Care

Learners in this course gain a legal and ethical overview of the health information industry, including the role of the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Learners analyze security and privacy issues related to gathering and sharing health data and examine the legal constraints of transmitting data outside the parameters of treatment, payment, and health operations. Prerequisite(s): HIM4610.

6 quarter credits
HIM4670
Health Information Systems and Management

Learners in this course examine health care systems and health information management in the United States. Learners examine organizational relationships, business associations, and market forces that affect the health care system. In particular, learners build knowledge of leadership and management theories for health care systems and health information management.

6 quarter credits

 

 

Elective courses

 

 

At least 33 quarter credits

 

Choose 33 quarter credits of additional undergraduate courses.

 

 

Capstone course

 

 

At least 6 quarter credits

Taken during the learner’s final quarter:

BHA4020
Health Care Administration Capstone Project

The capstone project is the culmination of the BS in Health Care Administration degree program. Learners demonstrate the technical and applied health care administration knowledge and the critical thinking and communication skills needed to effectively influence a diverse and dynamic health care environment, develop innovative solutions for managing U.S. health care systems, and apply continuous improvement and quality management processes to improve organizational and patient outcomes. For BS in Health Care Administration learners only. Must be taken during the learner’s final quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning.

6 quarter credits

 

 

Total

 

 

At least 180 quarter credits, including a minimum of 54 quarter credits from the 3000/4000 level

 

Honors Pathway

Learners enrolled in the honors pathway complete the following general education courses.

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What Can I Expect?

Each unit consists of readings, discussions, and other activities you will be expected to complete throughout the week. Assignments are due on Sundays, though not every course requires an assignment each week.

In each course, you will receive a detailed scoring guide that describes expectations for every graded assignment.

Grades are based on your participation in weekly reading discussions and completion of assignments. You will also be assessed on your ability to demonstrate an understanding of expected outcomes for your program or specialization. These outcomes are based on the needs and performance standards of your field or discipline.

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