Philosophy
The Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration (HCA) program provides a foundation of management skills and business knowledge specific to healthcare. The curriculum prepares students for meaningful and productive careers as administrators and managers in the healthcare workplace. Emphasis is placed on developing strong communication and critical thinking skills that highlight the effective healthcare manager.
Program Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the Healthcare Administration program, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the U.S. healthcare system.
- Identify legal and government regulations that impact healthcare organizations.
- Demonstrate fiscal and economic principles necessary for value creation within healthcare organizations.
- Determine practices required to support, develop, and motivate a diverse healthcare workforce.
- Identify essential organizational processes, infrastructure, and quality initiatives required within healthcare organizations.
Admission Requirements
Students holding an associate/bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.3, will be considered for program admission. Students whose GPA falls below a 2.3 but above a 2.0 will be considered on an individual basis. A student without an associate/bachelor’s degree will be considered for admission provided he/she has earned 60 or more transferable credit hours, with a minimum GPA of 2.3, and has completed the following general education coursework: Natural Sciences, Technology and Innovation (GNST) (6 credit hours), Oral and Written Communication (GCOM): ENG 101 or equivalent (3 credit hours), Math, Statistics and Logic (GMSL) (3 credit hours), and Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSBS) (3 credit hours).
Requirements for Practicum
Criminal background checks, drug screens, health records, and titers/immunizations are required prior to the start of the clinical program. Program requirements and instructions are maintained on the College website at https://mercycollege.edu/background. The Policy can be found at https://mercycollege.edu/about/compliance-consumer-information.
Degree Requirements
To earn the Bachelor of Science Degree in Healthcare Administration students must complete all college requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree including the following:
General Education Requirements
SOC 211: Specific courses are required by the program.
Complete All of the Following Courses:
Oral and Written Communication (GCOM) - 6 Minimum
Math, Statistics and Logic (GMSL) - 3 minimum
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSBS) - 6 minimum
SOC 211: This course may be used to complete either the Social and Behavioral Science General Education requirement; or the Arts, Humanities, Culture and Diversity General Education requirement.
Arts, Humanities, Culture and Diversity (must include 6 credit hours in Religious Studies) (GAHD/GAHR) - 9 minimum
Natural Sciences, Technology and Innovation (GNSI) - 6 minimum
Additional hours from one or more of the above categories - 6 minimum
Required Healthcare Administration Program Course Requirements
Complete All of the Following Program Courses:
| HCA 301 | Introduction to the United States Healthcare System | 3 |
| HCA 310 | Organizational Behavior in Healthcare | 3 |
| HCA 312 | Human Resource Management in Healthcare Organizations | 3 |
| HCA 316 | Healthcare Information Systems | 3 |
| HCA 330 | Principles of Accounting for Healthcare | 3 |
| HCA 410 | Introduction to Healthcare Finance | 3 |
| HCA 412 | Healthcare Law and Ethics | 3 |
| HCA 419 | Reimbursement, Insurance, and Managed Care | 3 |
| HCA 435 | Quality Improvement and Patient Safety | 3 |
| HCA 440 | Fundamentals of Population Health for Healthcare Administrators | 3 |
| HCA 450 | Healthcare Management | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 33 |
Healthcare Administration Program Elective Course Requirements
Complete Two of the Following Program Courses:
| HCA 318 | Principles of Healthcare Marketing | 3 |
| HCA 399 | Special Topics in Healthcare Administration | 3 |
| HCA 420 | Fundamentals of Healthcare Economics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Credit Hour Requirements
| Total Required Bachelor of Science General Education Credit Hours |
36 |
| Total Required Healthcare Administration Program Credit Hours |
33 |
| Total Required Healthcare Administration Elective Credit Hours |
6 |
| Free Elective Credit Hours |
45 |
| Total Credit Hours for Graduation |
120 |
Students may be required to take additional free elective credits to reach the 120 credit hours required for graduation. Free elective credit may be satisfied through prior coursework and transfer credit. See academic advisor for more details.
To complete college requirements students must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours of 300 to 400 level coursework.
Healthcare Administration Practicum
This course provides an experiential learning experience at a healthcare organization in which students will apply professional skills, knowledge, and behaviors learned in the program. As determined by the program director, students without prior experience or current healthcare employment will be required to complete HCA 404, Healthcare Administration Practicum as a graduation requirement. Students who become employed in a healthcare setting while enrolled in the program may not be required to complete the practicum experience, at the discretion of the program director. Additional practicum information may be obtained from the program director.