school of health professions 2019 - 2020 Catalog

Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Finance and Economics (CRHF)

Program Description

A Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Finance and Economics (CRHF) is available for working professionals who would like to expand their knowledge and further their education in healthcare finance and economics without pursuing a full graduate degree in healthcare administration. It is a fully online, 12-semester hour program.

Admission to the Program

The CRHF certificate program begins three times a year, in the Summer, Fall and Spring. The application period will open on January 1st for Summer and Fall and on August 1st for Spring. The deadline for the receipt of the application, supporting documentation, and application fee is April 1st for Summer, July 1st for Fall and December 1st for Spring.

Application Process

To be considered for admission, applicants must have one of the following qualifications:

  1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum overall GPA of 2.7 or minimum overall GPA of 2.7 in the last 60 semester hours of courses, OR

  2. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5, AND at least three years of professional or executive work experience, OR

  3. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5, AND at least 9 semester hours of graduate education from an accredited university with a minimum GPA of 3.0, OR

  4. Graduate degree from an accredited university with a minimum GPA of 2.7.

The following are considered in the admissions process:

  • All official college transcripts
  • Acceptable grade point average
  • Professional healthcare or executive experience

Applications may be submitted at anytime; however, applications are considered approximately 3 months prior to the beginning of each term. It is in the best interest of the applicant to apply as early as possible. Applicants should understand that fulfillment of the basic requirements does not guarantee admission.

CRHF Curriculum

Students admitted to the CRHF program will be required to complete 12 semester credit hours with passing grades and a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or better to meet the certificate requirements.


REQUIRED COURSES
HPHA 5311      Healthcare Finance
HPHA 5313      Healthcare Economics & Policy
HPHA 5320      Health Insurance & Reimbursement


ELECTIVES*
HPHA 5321      Healthcare Operations & Supply Chain Management
HPHA 5323      Business Innovation & Entrepreneurship in Healthcare
*Students must complete one of the electives.

  • HPHA 5311 Healthcare Finance (3:3:0,O)

    This course introduces students to the core concepts of financial management in healthcare, including interpretation of financial reports, financial ratio analysis, cost and profit analysis, planning and budgeting, time value analysis, financing, investments, capital budgeting, and current accounts management. The purpose of this class is to assist the student in developing the necessary analytical ability, attitudes, and decision making skills required of a healthcare manager in a changing environment.

  • HPHA 5313 Healthcare Economics and Policy (3:6:0,O)

    The course introduces the concepts of economic theory and analysis within the health services industry focusing on healthcare consumption, supply and demand, healthcare resource allocation, and the impact of health policy on the delivery of healthcare in the U.S.

  • HPHA 5320 Health Insurance and Reimbursement (3:6:0,O)

    This course provides an overview of health insurance, including public and private payers, self-funded insurance, managed care, health insurance markets, and policy changes that impact these areas. In addition, the course will cover healthcare payment systems and reimbursement methods of various payers in the health services marketplace.

  • HPHA 5321 Healthcare Operations & Supply Chain Management (3:6:0,O)

    This course examines operational issues in healthcare management. Healthcare operations topics include systems analysis, forecasting, facility location and design models, decision analysis techniques, inventory control, CQI and statistical quality control. The course also integrates key components of supply chain management, including strategic sourcing and purchasing, acquisition, logistics, inventory management, and point of use applications, providing understanding, knowledge and evaluation models to operate and manage an organization's enterprise resource planning and management system.

  • HPHA 5323 Healthcare Business Innovation & Entrepreneurship (3:6:0,O)

    This course will explore the evolving world of healthcare innovation from a business perspective to include the entrepreneurial side of human health advancements. Technology is an institutional imperative driving innovation through value-chain optimization and strategic convergence and/or divergence across all sub-sectors within healthcare, including sectors such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices and health informatics. The course will evaluate the entrepreneurial process, strategic thinking and new venture exploration while focusing on rapid growth and technological implementation and close considerations within the healthcare sector.