Are you a healthcare professional looking to move into a leadership role? Or perhaps you have an administrative background and want to apply your skills in the rapidly growing healthcare sector? The Ecu Health Care Administration Certificate is strategically designed to bridge these career paths, equipping you with the essential knowledge and competencies for success in health care administration.
This certificate program is tailored for two primary groups:
- Healthcare Workers without Administrative Degrees: If you possess a clinical or healthcare-related degree but lack formal administrative training, this certificate will provide you with the necessary skills to advance into management positions within healthcare organizations. By enhancing your skillset in areas like healthcare finance, operations, and strategic planning, you’ll be well-positioned for career progression.
- Administrative Degree Holders without Healthcare Experience: For individuals holding degrees in business administration, public administration, or related fields, this certificate offers a focused introduction to the unique challenges and opportunities within the healthcare industry. You’ll gain specific knowledge of healthcare systems, regulations, and management practices, making you a competitive candidate for administrative roles in hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, and other healthcare settings.
The flexibility of the ECU Health Care Administration Certificate program is a significant advantage for working professionals. You can pursue your certificate on a part-time or full-time basis, and choose from online, face-to-face, or hybrid learning formats to fit your schedule and learning preferences. This accessibility ensures that you can enhance your qualifications without disrupting your current career or personal commitments.
It’s important to note that while this certificate provides valuable credentials and expertise in health care administration, completion of the Health Care Administration Certificate program does not qualify graduates to sit for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) exam. This program is focused on broader health care administration skills rather than health information management specifically.
Program Goals: What You Will Learn
The ECU Health Care Administration Certificate is structured to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the key aspects of managing healthcare organizations effectively. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be able to:
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Understand the Organizational Structure of Health Care Organizations: Gain insights into the complex structures of hospitals, healthcare systems, clinics, and other healthcare entities. You will learn how different departments and functions interact and contribute to the overall delivery of care.
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Know How Reimbursement Systems Function: Master the intricacies of healthcare reimbursement models, including fee-for-service, capitation, and value-based payment systems. This knowledge is crucial for managing healthcare finances and ensuring organizational sustainability.
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Explain the Basics of Third-Party Payment: Develop a strong understanding of third-party payers, such as insurance companies and government programs (e.g., Medicare and Medicaid). You will learn how these entities influence healthcare financing and access to care.
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Appreciate How Legal and Regulatory Constraints Affect Health Care Organizations: Learn about the complex legal and regulatory landscape of healthcare, including HIPAA, Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, and other crucial regulations. Understanding these constraints is vital for ethical and compliant healthcare management.
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Understand the Role Played by Information Technology in Managing Health Care: Explore the transformative impact of health information technology (HIT) in modern healthcare. You will learn how electronic health records (EHRs), data analytics, telehealth, and other technologies are used to improve efficiency, patient care, and decision-making in healthcare administration.
Curriculum: Course Sequence
The Health Care Administration Certificate requires the successful completion of 15 semester credit hours. The program is designed with a logical course sequence, and while you can start at any time, beginning in the summer or fall is recommended to align with course availability.
Foundations (3 semester credit hours – Choose one)
- COHE 6000*: Health Care Systems and Problems (3 credits – Summer 1, Fall, Spring): This foundational course provides a broad overview of the U.S. healthcare system, examining its structure, challenges, and key policy issues. It’s an essential starting point for understanding the complexities of the healthcare industry.
- HIMA 6060: Health Informatics (3 credits – Fall and Spring): Explore the growing field of health informatics and its application in healthcare administration. This course covers the use of data and information technology to improve healthcare delivery, patient outcomes, and organizational efficiency.
*Students who have prior equivalent coursework to COHE 6000 are advised to select HIMA 6060.
Core Courses (12 semester credit hours – All required)
- COHE 6300: Health Law (3 credits – Summer 1): Delve into the legal principles and regulations that govern the healthcare industry. This course covers topics such as medical malpractice, patient rights, healthcare fraud and abuse, and regulatory compliance.
- COHE 6310+: Health Care Accounting and Financial Administration (3 credits – Fall): Learn the fundamentals of accounting and financial management in healthcare organizations. This course covers financial statement analysis, budgeting, cost accounting, and financial decision-making in healthcare settings.
- COHE 6600: Management of Health Care Operations (3 credits – Spring): Focus on the principles and techniques for managing healthcare operations efficiently and effectively. Topics include process improvement, quality management, supply chain management, and patient flow optimization.
- COHE 6620: Health Care Strategic Planning and Management (3 credits – Spring): Develop strategic thinking and planning skills essential for healthcare leaders. This course covers strategic analysis, strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation in the context of healthcare organizations.
+ MBA students are required to take COHE 6610: Financial Management of Health Care Organizations (3 credits, Fall) as an alternative.
Credits earned in the Health Care Administration Certificate program may be transferable to other graduate programs at ECU, providing a pathway for further academic advancement. However, admission to the certificate program does not guarantee acceptance into other degree programs.
Admission Information
To enroll in the ECU Health Care Administration Certificate program, you need to apply for admission to the ECU Graduate School. The application process is straightforward:
- Apply to the ECU Graduate School: Submit your online application through the ECU Graduate School Application Portal.
- Official Transcripts: Arrange for official transcripts from all previously attended undergraduate and graduate institutions to be sent to the ECU Graduate School.
- Application Fee: Pay the non-refundable application fee.
No standardized tests (GRE, GMAT) are required for admission to the certificate program, making it accessible to a wider range of qualified applicants. However, you must hold a baccalaureate degree and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 in your undergraduate or graduate studies.
Current ECU graduate students who wish to add the Health Care Administration Certificate to their existing program can simplify the process by submitting an ‘Add a Certificate’ form, available on the Graduate School Forms page.
Take the Next Step: Apply Today
Ready to enhance your career prospects in health care administration? The ECU Health Care Administration Certificate provides the focused education and credentials you need to succeed.
Apply Now via ECU Graduate School
Contact Information
For further information about the ECU Health Care Administration Certificate program, please reach out to the program director:
Dr. O. Elijah Asagbra (Program Director) – Contact Details
We encourage you to contact Dr. Asagbra with any questions you may have about the program curriculum, admission requirements, or career opportunities. Start your journey towards a rewarding career in health care administration with ECU today!
