Health Sciences - Healthcare Administration
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Health Sciences, B.S. – Healthcare Administration Overview
Because of the aging population, the healthcare industry is rapidly growing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that two million jobs will be added to the field between 2021 and 2031. With the healthcare administration online degree program from the University of West Florida, you can prepare for a high-demand career in healthcare administration, whether you work at a hospital, insurance company, long-term care facility and more.
With the program’s convenient online format, you can study for your classes anytime and anywhere while learning from faculty with years of experience in the field. And through a required internship, you will gain hands-on experience in the healthcare industry. UWF’s health sciences program was ranked number four on BestColleges.com’s list of Best Online Bachelor’s in Health Science Programs in 2022.
Key topics of study for our online healthcare administration degree program include:
- Contemporary issues in the health sciences
- Fundamentals of the United States healthcare system and its various characteristics
- Laws and regulations that impact the healthcare and public health systems
- Concepts and issues relevant to healthcare administration in different environments, including hospitals, nursing homes and clinics
- Managing healthcare employees
- Finance as practiced in health services organizations
- Making ethical decisions as a healthcare practitioner
- The basics of marketing
- Strategic management and planning as related to healthcare organizations
Candidates for the Healthcare Administration Program Include:
- Those seeking a career in administration at a hospital, nursing home, clinic or other healthcare facilities
- Students wanting the opportunity to make a positive impact on the population and its health
- Those desiring to pursue a high-demand career in a fast-growing field
Learning Outcomes
- Manage and work with other healthcare staff on projects
- Think critically and effectively resolve issues in healthcare administration
- Show knowledge of healthcare laws and regulations, management, marketing, economics and more
Courses and Requirements
UWF’s online health sciences degree includes a total of 120 credit hours. Through the major’s 60 credit hours, you will build a strong foundation in health sciences and healthcare administration. Included in the major are 12 credit hours of your choice of approved elective classes.
Students must satisfy 60 credit hours of general education requirements. The general education requirements are the basic studies that provide students with a broad educational foundation and are essential requirements for all baccalaureate degree programs. Included in the general education requirements are subjects in communication, mathematics, social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, multicultural studies and lower-level electives.
Common Prerequisites (13 credit hours)
These courses are common prerequisites for the online health sciences degree and can be used to fulfill general education requirements.
- BSC 1005+L - General Biology for Non-Majors (plus lab)
4 Credit Hours
General Biology for Non-Majors (plus lab)
Survey of abiotic and biotic principles as they apply to basic structural and functional topics at the cellular, organismal, population and community levels; and the application of these principles to issues of current interest. Meets general education requirement in natural sciences. Lab correlating with BSC 1005. Material and supply fee will be assessed. Satisfies Florida common core natural sciences requirement.
- MAC 1105 - College Algebra
3 Credit Hours
College Algebra
Provides the concepts and techniques of algebra that are needed to understand subjects such as statistics and economics which contain a considerable amount of quantitative reasoning. Is additionally a preparatory course for the study of calculus. Major topics include: the concept of functions, graphs of functions and relations, operations on functions, rational functions, exponentials and logarithms, systems of equations and inequalities and applications. Prerequisite course or appropriate score on placement test is required. Meets general education requirement in mathematics. Meets Gordon Rule theoretical mathematics requirement. Prerequisite: MAT 1033 OR 123 PERT Math OR 22 ACT Math OR 520 SAT Math.
- PSY 2012 - General Psychology
3 Credit Hours
General Psychology
A survey of methods, theories and body of knowledge of contemporary psychology, including such topics as learning, motivation, sensation and perception, development, thinking, personality, social behavior, psychological adjustment and methods of therapy. Meets general education requirement in social sciences.
- STA 2023 - Elements of Statistics
3 Credit Hours
Elements of Statistics
This course covers descriptive statistics, elementary probability theory and basic statistical procedures, estimation and inference. In addition to provide basic concepts in the mentioned areas it prepares the student for other more advanced statistical courses that are necessary for research. Meets general education requirement in mathematics. Meets Gordon Rule applied mathematics requirement. Prerequisite: MAC 1105 OR MAC 1105C OR MAT 1033 OR MGF 1106 OR MGF 1107 OR 22 ACT Math OR 520 SAT Math OR 123.
- BSC 1005+L - General Biology for Non-Majors (plus lab)
- HSC 3034 - Career Essentials for Healthcare
3 Credit Hours
Career Essentials for Healthcare
This course provides an overview of the field of health sciences and introduces students to essential skills required for career success in various healthcare professions. Content will also cover important issues facing today's healthcare environment.
- HSA 3111 - Understanding U.S. Healthcare
3 Credit Hours
Understanding U.S. Healthcare
This course provides an orientation to the characteristics and foundation of the U.S. healthcare system including a review of health professionals, technology, financing and reimbursement, delivery systems, vulnerable populations, process improvement and health policy.
- BUL 4602 - Legal Fundamentals of Healthcare
3 Credit Hours
Legal Fundamentals of Healthcare
This course provides an overview of laws most affecting healthcare practices. The legal basis for government involvement in healthcare is examined with an analysis of the laws controlling the provision of healthcare industry and professional regulations. This course provides an in-depth overview of healthcare law, allowing students to acquire skills to confirm their actions to legal requirements and ethically analyze daily healthcare situations.
- HSA 4002 - Healthcare Administration
3 Credit Hours
Healthcare Administration
This course provides students with an overview of concepts and issues related to healthcare administration in a variety of healthcare settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and others. Emphasis is placed on important issues such as ethics, controlling costs, strategic planning and marketing, information technology and personnel administration.
- HSC 3535 - Medical Terminology
3 Credit Hours
Medical Terminology
This course is designed to familiarize students with the vocabulary used in the medical and health professions. Students will employ a systematic, word-building approach to master the complex terminology of the medical field. An emphasis is placed on word dissection of compound medical terms and inferring word meanings from their prefixes, suffixes, and stem words. Credit may not be received in both HSC 3535 and HSC 3534.
- HSA 4340 - Personnel Administration in Healthcare
3 Credit Hours
Personnel Administration in Healthcare
This course focuses on the fundamental concepts and practical tools necessary for maximizing employee performance in healthcare organizations with special emphasis on the complex factors that influence the performance of this unique workforce in a dynamic industry.
- HSA 4430 - Health Economics
3 Credit Hours
Health Economics
Provides instruction in economic theories, tools and concepts and their application to current healthcare issues.
- HSA 3170 - Principles of Healthcare Finance
3 Credit Hours
Principles of Healthcare Finance
This course provides students with an introduction to the fundamentals of healthcare finance as practiced in health services organizations. The course will enable students entering management positions to more readily become effective and efficient participants in the achievement of organizational goals. Reimbursement insurance and third-party payments are covered.
- HSA 3551 - Health Ethics and Professionalism
3 Credit Hours
Health Ethics and Professionalism
This course includes an overview of ethical issues facing today's healthcare practitioners in addressing clinical and administrative decision-making. This course will also focus on the importance of professionalism and effective communication skills in dealing with healthcare consumers and other medical professionals in the healthcare industry.
- HSA 3140 - Strategic Planning in Healthcare
3 Credit Hours
Strategic Planning in Healthcare
This course focuses on strategic management as it applies to healthcare organizations with special emphasis on strategic planning, analysis of the health services environment (both internal and external), marketing and implementation. Healthcare case studies are used to illustrate key concepts.
- MAR 3023 - Marketing Fundamentals
3 Credit Hours
Marketing Fundamentals
Function of marketing in our economic system; role of the consumer in marketing decisions; the decisions marketing managers must make to provide goods and services priced, promoted and distributed to meet organizational objectives in changing environments. Prerequisite: Completion of 45 hours of college coursework is required prior to taking this course.
- HSA 4383 - Quality Improvement in Healthcare
3 Credit Hours
Quality Improvement in Healthcare
This course provides students with an introduction to the underlying principles and the fundamentals of quality management and improvement in the delivery of healthcare. An emphasis is placed on literacy and awareness of the concepts, topics and practices needed to address quality improvement challenges in complex healthcare systems.
- HSA 4192 - Current Topics in Health Informatics
3 Credit Hours
Current Topics in Health Informatics
Provides an overview of the multifaceted, interdisciplinary nature of health (medical) informatics. Fundamentals of computer applications in medicine, health data classification and coding and legal and ethical issues (including documentation, security and regulatory requirements). Additional avenues for further credentialing will be covered. Credit may not be received in both HSA 4192 and HSA 4190. This course was formally known as Introduction to Medical Informatics.
- HSA 4941 - Internship
3 Credit Hours
Internship
This internship experience will provide students with hands-on experience in the health industry and exposure to key elements in this environment. Emphasis will be placed on effective professional communication, career development and preparation of the student for the workforce.
Select one:
- HSA 4431 - Healthcare Operations
3 Credit Hours
Healthcare Operations
This course explores the application of operational concepts to healthcare organizations. Students will gain a solid foundation in operations and processes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of delivering healthcare.
- HSC 4050 - Health Sciences Capstone Course
3 Credit Hours
Health Sciences Capstone Course
This capstone course will focus on contemporary research in the health sciences. The course will cover topics such as the scientific method, research study designs, critical evaluation of the literature, technical writing, research ethics, data collection and analysis. As part of an ongoing semester project, students will design a research proposal on a specific topic in health. A capstone exam will be given.
Select one:
- HSC 2622 - Introduction to Global Health Sciences
3 Credit Hours
Introduction to Global Health Sciences
This health sciences course considers the influence of factors such as access to healthcare, biology, infectious diseases, societal status, culture, the environment and the management of healthcare resources, on the well-being of people around the globe. The course will also examine the role of equity, social justice and ethics in healthcare. Case studies demonstrating how various actors have cooperated across national borders to solve problems like pandemics, healthcare access challenges and disease eradication will be analyzed. Students will integrate ideas from different disciplines to identify problems affecting society in the international context. Meets multicultural requirement.
- PHC 4101 - Essentials of Public Health
3 Credit Hours
Essentials of Public Health
Course teaches basic terms and definitions of public health and the factors leading to disease causation as well as disease prevention. Students study programs and policies that effect healthcare in a positive manner and apply basic principles of scientific reasoning with the use of available data and information. Topics introduced serve as a basis for enhancing the participants' ability to critically evaluate current trends in healthcare and develop programs and policies in an analytical manner.
Approved Electives (12 credit hours)
- HSC 3034 - Career Essentials for Healthcare
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission into UWF’s online healthcare administration program, you must:
- Have a cumulative 2.5 GPA in all previously attempted college work
- Successfully complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better
- Be at the level of a sophomore or higher
How to Apply
To apply for admission to this program, you first need to submit an application for undergraduate admission (plus a $30 application fee) and be accepted for admission into University of West Florida. In addition, you must:
- Submit official transcripts from all institutions previously attended whose accrediting agency is included on the list of UWF-approved accrediting agencies
- Submit ACT or SAT scores
- Complete the residency application form for tuition purposes
- Complete the Health Sciences application form
Have questions about this program or the admissions process? Connect with one of our knowledgeable enrollment counselors.
Costs & Financial Aid
| Component | Cost | Total* |
|---|---|---|
| In-State Tuition | $218.98 per credit hour | $26,277.60 |
| In-State Tuition with Maximum Transfer Credits (Up to 90) | $218.98 per credit hour | $6,569.40 |
| Full Out-of-State Tuition | $648.37 per credit hour | $77,804.40 |
| 75% Out-of-State Tuition Waiver | $341.67 per credit hour | $41,000.40 |
Tuition waivers cover up to 75% of the non-resident portion of your tuition and are available to non-Florida residents (including international students) admitted to online programs and registered for online courses in active pursuit of that degree or certificate. You must pay all other assessed tuition and fees. Review Tuition Waiver Information to learn more.
Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Fees are charged per semester unless otherwise noted. This program takes up to approximately 48 months to complete, depending on transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 844.372.9390 or request information.
Refer to UWF Cost of Attendance Estimates and Financial Literacy for more information on UWF costs and financial aid.
* Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Alabama Differential Out-of-State Tuition
Residents of Alabama are eligible for Alabama Differential Tuition, a reduced out-of-state tuition rate. For more information and to verify residency status for tuition purposes, new undergraduate students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and new graduate students should contact the Graduate School. Current enrolled students should contact the Office of the Registrar.
Active Duty Military
All active-duty members of the U.S. military who are residing or are stationed outside the state of Florida shall have all (100%) out-of-state fees waived by the university. Contact the Military & Veterans Resource Center to apply for the Active Duty Military Out-of-State Waiver.
UWF Short-Term Financial Assistance
The University of West Florida provides eligible students with an alternative to paying the full amount of tuition at the beginning of each term in the form of an installment payment plan or a short-term loan.
Military Students
UWF proudly serves active duty U.S. military members and veterans. As UWF has been a participant of the Yellow Ribbon Program since 2011, you could be eligible to receive free tuition with your military benefits.
See How We Can Serve YouFinancial Aid
Funding your college education should not empty your wallet. We offer various financial aid options for our online students, including loans, scholarships and grants for degree-seeking students.
Learn More About Financial AidCareer Outcomes
Upon completion of our online healthcare administration bachelor’s degree, you can pursue a variety of careers within the field.
* Salary and job outlook information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Medical Group Practice Office Managers
Also called a medical and health services manager, a medical group practice office manager plans and directs services within a healthcare institution. In office settings, these managers made a median salary of $98,230 in 2021. Job growth for medical and health services managers, as a whole, is projected to grow much faster than average at 28% from 2021 to 2031.
Assisted Living Facility Administrators
Assisted living facility administrators, also known as nursing home administrators, manage a facility’s admissions, finances, staff and care of the building and its residents. These administrators made a median salary of $83,550 in 2021. Overall, job growth for medical and health services managers is projected to grow much faster than average at 28% from 2021 to 2031.
Medical Records Specialists
Medical records specialists manage and organize medical records. They use various systems to classify patient information for insurance purposes, databases and treatment histories. These professionals made a median salary of $46,660 in 2021, and occupations are expected to grow 7% from 2021 to 2031.