HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION

ONLINE ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM

Employment in such career fields as Healthcare Administration is expected to grow faster than average according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As the need for healthcare continues to grow, job prospects should be very good. Completion of the online associate degree program in health care administration will prepare you for work in such areas as the front office setting of medical, dental, and hospital facilities.

Opportunities in the healthcare field are varied. The Associate of Science in Health Care Administration program will prepare students with the knowledge and skills to assume entry level management positions in health care. Graduates will apply their knowledge of health care delivery systems, finance, reimbursement, health law and ethics and accounting practice to business and administrative roles. Graduates will be ready to supervise and direct staff in health care operations and information systems in both hospitals and community based care settings and to participate in quality improvement efforts. The program will also prepare students who wish to seek bachelor's or higher degrees in the profession of health care administration.

This fully online associate degree program provides the flexibility to complete your degree in just 20 months while working full time!

Contact an Admissions Representative for additional program and course details.

Course Outline

Code	Course Title	Request Information Now! Interested in the Healthcare Administration Program? Fill out this form to have a College Admissions Representative contact you to answer any questions you may have and determine if Western Career College is right for you. First Name:* Last Name:* Address:* City:* State:* Select State... Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Zip:* Email Address:* Home Phone:* Work Phone: Cell Phone:* When did/will you receive your high school diploma or GED?*    Month... January February March April May June July August September October November December   Year... 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 *Denotes Required Information
CL100	Computer Literacy CL100   Computer Literacy 3 credit hours This course will examine the various applications and basic computer functions. Students will learn the basic elements of computer operations involving word processing, Excel spreadsheet, Powerpoint presentations, and research using internet search engines. Close this
PSYC1	General Psychology PSYC1   General Psychology 3 credit hours This course will present concepts ideas and models that are fundamental to the discipline of psychology. In addition, it will introduce students to the basic elements of the scientific method and use of data driven decision-making. Students will learn basic skills that are essential to forming and examining questions, collecting relevant data and using this information to reach conclusions. The essential foundations that drive human behavior will assist the student as they prepare for a deeper understanding in both their personal and professional lives. Close this
ENGL1	English Writing and Composition ENGL1   English Writing and Composition 3 credit hours A course in expository writing that includes argument or persuasion, techniques of research, and a substantial reading component. Students will be required to write a number of essays, short research papers, and topic reports during the course of the class. The course requires a minimum writing requirement of 5,000 words in a number of essays, short papers and other writing assignments. Close this
MATH10	College Algebra MATH10   College Algebra 3 credit hours This course is an introduction to algebra covering operations using signed numbers, operations on polynomials, algebraic expressions, factoring, exponents, rational and radical expressions, linear and quadratic equations and inequities, graphs, and an introduction to systems of equations. Close this
ACT100	Accounting I ACT100   Accounting I 3 credit hours This course will focus on the financial operations of a business and how these activities are recorded and tracked for decision making. Students will learn the essential elements of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and how they are reflected in a variety of formats including financial statements, chart of accounts, general ledgers, and monthly income statements. Close this
HSM120	Medical Terminology HSM120   Medical Terminology 3 credit hours This course provides the student with the vocabulary and language of health care and treatment. Students will learn nomenclature related to human anatomy, disease states and medical treatments. Along with learning the definitions, students will learn the correct pronunciation of the terms. The course will also include the meanings of frequently used prefixes and suffixes applied in medical terminology. Close this
SOC2	Intro to Sociology SOC2   Intro to Sociology 3 credit hours This course is designed to explore the complexities of intercultural relationships in this pluralistic society. Students are given opportunities to share cultural experiences, as well as differences and commonalities. Students explore issues of self-identity, values clarification, cultural differences, and socialization practices. Close this
HSM210	Medical Law and Bioethics HSM210   Medical Law and Bioethics 3 credit hours This course is designed to prepare health care professionals by providing a background in the essential elements of health care law including patient rights, patent confidentiality, malpractice, professional liability and other tort laws. In addition, key bioethical concepts such as codes of conduct, ethics in clinical research, and end of life issues will be covered using a case study approach. Close this
HSM215	MediHealth Care Finance HSM215   Health Care Finance 3 credit hours This course is designed to prepare health care professionals by providing a background in the essential elements of health care law including patient rights, patent confidentiality, malpractice, professional liability and other tort laws. In addition, key bioethical concepts such as codes of conduct, ethics in clinical research, and end of life issues will be covered using a case study approach. Close this
HSM220	Health Care Delivery Systems HSM220   Health Care Delivery Systems 4 credit hours In this course, students will participate in a comprehensive overview of the basic structures and operations of the US health care system. Following a brief historical overview, the current status of health care organizations, national health care policies and health care needs of the US population will be covered. Students will examine the current administration's plan for health care reform. Close this
HCA210	Health Care Reimbursement Models HCA210   Health Care Reimbursement Models 3 credit hours This course will examine the historical funding of health care from private pay to indemnity insurance. The development and status of governmental funding for the elderly and disabled through Medicare, and for the poor through Medicaid will be discussed. Consideration will also be given to various capitated and managed health plans. In addition the current crisis in health care funding and the administration's plan for government intervention will be evaluated. Close this
HIT130	Introduction to Health Information Systems HIT130   Introduction to Health Information Systems 4 credit hours As the first course in the HIT major this course is an introduction to the fundamentals of health information systems and their applications in the healthcare environment. The roles and responsibilities of medical records professionals in a variety of inpatient and outpatient facilities will be explored. The key attributes of effective information collection, storage, dissemination and retrieval of health information will applied in an online simulation experience. Close this
HCA220	Leadership and Management in Health Care HCA220   Leadership and Management in Health Care 3 credit hours In this course students will study the critical role of leaders and managers in health care organizations. Areas of study will include leadership styles, decision making models, allocation of resources and strategic planning. A case study approach to leadership situations will be used to analyze and apply theory in practice. Students will complete a leadership evaluation in a practice setting. Close this
HCA230	Introduction to Billing and Coding HCA230   Introduction to Billing and Coding 3 credit hours This course will assist the health care administration student in understanding and applying basic principles of medical billing and coding. Topics will cover universal claims forms, payment cycles from Medicare and Medicaid programs and fundamentals of coding claims for hospitals, outpatient procedures and office visits. Students will participate in a simulation lab to complete billing and coding activities. Close this
HCA240	Medical Office Management HCA240   Medical Office Management 3 credit hours Students will apply principles of resource management and finance to management of a medical practice office. A variety of medical office procedures including patient scheduling, purchasing/inventory management, management of office accounting systems and medical records will be discussed. Students will use a software system to simulated activity in a medical office setting. Close this
ACT200	Accounting II ACT200   Accounting II 3 credit hours This course will cover the financial aspects of organizational planning, decision-making, controlling and directing as performed by managers. Students will learn to design and prepare revenue and expense budgets, capital equipment requests, and other financial reports used in managing a business. Close this
HCA250	Quality Improvement in Health Care HCA250   Quality Improvement in Health Care 3 credit hours In this course students will apply principles of continuous quality improvement to a health care quality improvement Topics will include accreditation standards, patient safety improvement, operational improvements and improving patient and customer satisfaction levels. The role of the health care administrator in directing and managing project teams will be explored. Close this
MGT200	Techniques in Supervision MGT200   Techniques in Supervision 3 credit hours This course provides an overview of the foundations of supervision and how to get things done within an organization through the supervision of other people. The functions of planning, organizing, staffing, motivating and managing are presented. Close this
HIT270	Medical Record Operating Systems HIT270   Medical Record Operating Systems 3 credit hours Students will address health information functions such as content and record format and forms control. Students will learn about record storage and retention and document imaging and archiving. In addition the use of patient registries and indexes will be studied. Fundamentals of database management and networks of health information will be considered. This course will include a simulated experience with medical record systems. Close this
MGT201	Human Relations in Business MGT201   Human Relations in Business 3 credit hours This course provides an analysis of motivation, leadership, communications, and other human factors. Topics include customer relations and care. Also covered are the cultural differences that may create conflict and affect morale individually and within organizations. Close this
HCA280	Career Development Seminar HCA280   Career Development Seminar 2 credit hours Career planning strategies and resources are explored to prepare students for a successful job search and to maximize their potential for advancement and long term professional growth. Students perform self-assessment and goal setting activities and apply research and evaluation skills to execute job search and career advancement strategies. Each student assembles a professional portfolio highlighting achievements, goals and concrete plans Close this
HCA290	Capstone in Health Care Administration HCA290   Capstone in Health Care Administration 4 credit hours In this course students will synthesize their prior course work and apply it in a real life health care administrative activity. Students will work with an approved facility preceptor on select administrative project(s). Topics for the project will be approved by the course faculty and the preceptor and may include; quality improvement, financial reporting or analysis, strategic planning, preparation of management or accreditation reports. Students will prepare a written summary of their project as the final assignment. Close this