Studying healthcare management could prepare you with the business and healthcare knowledge needed to improve healthcare delivery and help healthcare organizations achieve their goals*. To help you decide if this area of study is right for you, we're highlighting 7 topics covered in the Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management program at South University.
1. Healthcare Delivery and Organization
In the Healthcare Management major, you’ll kick off your core courses with an introduction to the healthcare delivery system. You’ll explore the forces that shape how healthcare is delivered and received in the United States. Coursework covers the structure and function of health organizations, professions, and delivery systems across the continuum of care.
Later in the program, you’ll dive deeper into topics such as managing risk in healthcare settings and issues and trends in the managed care industry. You’ll also talk about long-term care settings, with attention devoted to care models and quality and to the future of long-term care in an aging society.
2. Healthcare Economics and Finance
Early in the program, you’ll study microeconomics, macroeconomics, and accounting. Later, you’ll have the chance to discover how economic principles apply to healthcare. You’ll also discuss the financial management structures and processes of healthcare organizations, including the healthcare reimbursement system. The courses are designed to prepare you to analyze profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to inform decisions on organizational operations and resource allocation.
3. Health Law and Ethics
The healthcare field has many legal and ethical considerations with the intent to protect patients and ensure quality of care. To work in healthcare management and administration, you need a foundational understanding of health law and ethics. Our coursework may help equip you to weigh and integrate ethical and legal considerations into your administrative decision-making in a healthcare setting. Students interested in broader business law may also take an elective course to learn more about the topic.
4. Healthcare Marketing and Strategy
As in all industries, marketing and strategy are vital to the success of healthcare organizations. As a Healthcare Management student at South University, you’ll review key marketing concepts that include market research, segmentation, branding, and advertising. On the strategy side, you’ll talk about creating a vision and mission, internal and external assessments, developing strategic initiatives, tactical planning, and strategic execution.
5. Health Information Management Systems
Health information management systems are digital repositories for patient and healthcare data. These systems store and organize patient medical histories, including doctor consultations, diagnostic outcomes, prescribed medications, and more. They help healthcare providers retrieve and exchange pertinent health information. For administrators, they provide valuable data on the efficiency, efficacy, and safety of healthcare delivery. As part of your Healthcare Management degree, you can explore best practices for designing and leveraging these systems. You may also take an elective course on applying management information systems to support business modeling.
6. Workforce Management and Leadership
Healthcare organizations need skilled managers and leaders. In our program, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss fundamental concepts and practical tools for managing the healthcare workforce and helping employees develop their skills. The courses are designed to introduce you to the different scopes of practice, levels of education, and practice settings that make managing this workforce complex. The program also includes content on interpersonal skills, leadership, ongoing professional development, and strategic management. Additionally, students can expand their study of leadership and management through program electives.
7. Managerial Epidemiology
Epidemiology examines the occurrence, distribution, and control of diseases and other health factors within a population. Our Healthcare Management program includes a course designed to help you apply epidemiological concepts and tools to improve management decisions in a healthcare environment. Students may also be able to take additional classes related to the public health field as electives.
Learn more today
If you’re interested in business and want to play a role in shaping the future of healthcare, studying healthcare management could be a fit for you. To talk to an Admissions Representative about our Healthcare Management program, request information today! Or, explore our complete program offering to find what’s right for you.
*South University does not promise or guarantee employment.
