Course Descriptions

Courses numbered 1000-1999 are open to freshmen; 2000-2999 to sophomores; 3000-3999 to juniors; 4000-4999 to seniors. It is recommended that students elect courses in the years for which they are listed. Freshmen will be admitted to courses above the 2000 level only with the consent of the instructor and the student’s advisor. Juniors and seniors taking freshman courses may be expected to do additional work. Any course above 4999 is a graduate course.

NOTE:
The number in parentheses following the course title indicates the semester hours of credit assigned to the course.
An H following the course number indicates an honors level course.

GHLH 5050
Organizational Leadership in Health Care [Course] (4)
This course examines organizational leadership in health care settings and the role that visionary leaders play in empowering employees, providing the environment for effective work units, and harnessing diversity (organizational, cognitive and physio-cultural) for competitive advantage. Pre-req or concurrent course: GHLH 5400.

GHLH 5200
Health Care Research Methods [Course] (4)
This course is an introduction to quantitative research methods in general and health care research methods in particular. First, an overview of research is given with attention to various purposes and approaches. Next, the components of the quantitative research process are studied; including the research problem, review of the literature, methodology, human subjects concerns, collection of data, analysis, results of the data, and conclusions. Statistical software is introduced as a tool to analyze, interpret and present data. Emphasis is on understanding the concepts of statistical analysis, choosing appropriate tools, and procedures to use in a given context, using the computer to carry out the procedures, and then interpreting the computer results within the given context. Pre-req or concurrent course: GHLH 5400 or GPHT 5150.

GHLH 5400
Health Care Systems, Organizations and Reimbursement [Course] (5)
This course introduces the history and evolution of our health care system. The structure and function of health care organizations, internally and with one another, is examined in depth. A systems approach to administration and management is covered within the health care context. The organization of health services is reviewed with an overview of the interaction among, the integration of, the major health care subsystems: primary; secondary; tertiary; long-term; palliative; special populations/disorders. Delivering health care in a systematic and integrated framework is stressed throughout the course. In addition, the course covers the current state of the health insurance industry and reimbursement for services in the United States. The status of managed care and its continuing evolution is examined in depth. Private and public reimbursement structures and functions are studied in detail as well as application of reimbursement management principles.

GHLH 5550
Health Outcomes, Performance & Six Sigma [Course] (4)
This course addresses Quality Assurance, Quality Improvement and Risk Management in health care from a systems thinker's point of view. The conceptual framework for the course is twofold in nature: 1) Continuous Quality Improvement/Total Quality Management (CQI/TQM) and Outcomes Assessment, currently the most comprehensive and well-established framework for Healthcare Quality Management, and 2) Risk Management, which is the most effective way of preventing adverse quality of care issues. Topics included in the course are 1) the history of Quality Management in healthcare from 1900 to the present, including the roles of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), 2) a brief introduction to the principles of systems thinking and their application in the healthcare setting, 3) the Principles, Processes and Tools of Quality management, 4) an overview of other approaches to Quality Management (e.g., Six Sigma in Health Care, Re-engineering, ISO 9000) and how they fit into the CQI/TQM framework, 5) the history of Risk Management in health care, 6) Risk management techniques such as risk reduction, informed consent, the medical record as evidence of quality care, reporting adverse occurrences, and communicating with distressed or angry patients/families, and 7) the introduction and use of these concepts and tools in real healthcare settings today. Student will choose one course – either GHLH 5550 or GBUS 5650. Pre-req or concurrent course: GHLH 5400.

GHLH 5600
Health Care Informatics and Communication [Course] (4)
This course introduces all of the fundamental elements of informatics; health information systems, health records systems, and information technology. The clinical and administrative information needs and use of computer tools of a healthcare organization are covered. Students will study the interrelationships between administrative data and clinical systems. Students will study the differences between and Electronic Medical Record (EMR), Electronic Health Record (EHR), and a Personal Health Record (PHR). The course also covers the role and function of Health Information Exchanges (HIE) such as a Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO).In addition this course is designed to meet the needs of student in health communication as well as those in the clinical and administration health professions. Students will learn the core concepts of planning a communication frameworks as well as strategies for reporting, communication for policy and advocacy, and health literacy and numeracy. Pre-req or concurrent course: GHLH 5400 or GPHT 5150.

GHLH 5800
Health Care Financial Management [Course] (5)
This course focuses on cost centers and profit centers, and examines cost accounting, cost-volume-profit analysis, budgeting and variance analysis, and relevant costs for decision-making. The structure and function of the health care finance system in the United States is reviewed and students study the various sources of funding, both private and public, as they flow through third-party payers to the care providers/facilities. The course approaches finance within individual health care organizations from a managerial framework by focusing on decision-making that is driven by management functions. The unique aspects of health care and non-profit financing are also major themes of the course. Pre-req or concurrent course: GHLH 5400.

GHLH 5900
Leadership Coaching and Human Resources for Health Care Professionals [Course] (5)
Because health care administration is increasingly complex, many leaders are turning to leadership coaching – long used successfully by business leaders and sports figures – to become more effective in their roles as leaders. Being coached by a leadership coach is not about fixing one’s weaknesses; it is about embracing who one really is. Leadership coaching, as a leadership development tool, is about tapping into one’s strengths, gifts, and unique abilities – why a leader has been so successful so far. Effective coaching builds employee skills, addresses shortcomings, develops leadership capability, and enhances executive performance. Surveys show that employees at multiple organizational levels find coaching very useful and are calling for more coaching and better quality coaching. Learning how to become an effective coach requires developing a distinct set of competencies. This course builds on the Organizational Leadership module and will help you build the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to coach yourself and those around you more effectively in order to enhance leadership and work performance. This course reviews the current state of human resource management and labor relations in the health care system. In addition, the course examines human resource planning, recruiting, retention, orientation, job analysis/descriptions, performance appraisal and orientation. Current employment and labor law is examined for its impact on health care organizations and employees. Students will explore the status of organized labor and health administrator roles/responsibilities when interacting with non-unionized or unionized units. Pre-req or concurrent course: GHLH 5400.

GHLH 6000
Health Policy, Ethics, Employment and Law [Course] (4)
This course presents a review of the formation of governmental policy at all levels and how it impacts and regulates health care delivery in the United States. Administrative compliance to health care regulation is a key focal point of the course. Laws governing the relationship between patients and health care providers/organizations are reviewed. Health care law is examined through study of case law that directly impacts the administration of health care services and facilities. Pre-req or concurrent course: GHLH 5400 or GPHT 5150.

GHLH 6900
Strategic Planning for Health Care [Course] (4)
This is the capstone research course in the health administration program. All other required courses must be completed before registering for this course. This course reviews strategic thinking and planning from a systems perspective. Students will integrate the knowledge and information from their previous course work and employ strategic planning tools, techniques and data for the development of an integrative research experience. The course culminates in the development of comprehensive business plan in a health care industry sector selected by the students. Students may work independently or petition the instructor to produce a team-developed business plan. Part I of Capstone Project. Pre-req GHLH 5400 or GPHT 5150, GPHT 6400, and GHLH 5200; May be taken concurrently with GPHT 5450, GHLH 5600, GHLH 5550 or GBUS 5650, GHLH 5900, GHLH 5800; GHLH 6000, GHLH 5050, GPHT 5900, GPHT 6100

GHLH 6950
Health Organization Transformation [Course] (4)
This course prepares health care professionals to lead change and drive the transformation of healthcare organizations in the 21st century. The elements studied are an achievement orientation, managing ethically, values-based leadership, community service, innovation, relationship building, accountability, and process and project management. Part II of Capstone Project. Pre-req GHLH 5400, GHLH 5200 or GPHT 5150, GPHT 5450, GPHT 6400, GPHT 5900, and GHLH 6900; May be taken concurrently with GHLH 5550, or GBUS 5650, GHLH 5600, GPHT 6100, GPHT 6000, GHLH 5900, GHLH 5800; GHLH 6000, and GHLH 5050

GHLH 7950
Independent Study [Course] (1 - 4)
Under the guidance of a professor, the student pursues independent research in a specific topic.