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Welcome to Capella
Select your program and we'll help guide you through important information as you prepare for the application process.
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.
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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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.
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.