Associate in Health Care Administration
The U.S. health care system is made up of a large network of caring professionals who are all dedicated to helping others through the medical field. When many think of health care services, they picture doctors and nurses but there are many others who help distribute care to patients through services such as monitoring accounts, administering billing, working with insurance companies, and managing care facilities.
As a student in Ivy Bridge's Associate in Business Administration with a major emphasis in Healthcare Administration program you’ll receive a general college education with a strong emphasis in the areas of healthcare and management. That means you’ll take courses in the Knowledge Skills Core such as English composition and mathematics as well as specialized sophomore-level courses in healthcare. Your courses will cover topics such as health insurance, healthcare operations management, and managerial accounting that will give you the academic background you need to pursue a variety of heath care positions and career paths.
Learn more about Ivy Bridge’s health care program: Request more information or talk to a friendly advisor now at 855-413-4752.
Explore the program:
Core Classes
Major Requirements
Curriculum Map
Possible Career Paths
Knowledge Skills Core
As a student in the Associate of Business Administration with a major emphasis in Healthcare Administration program you’ll take courses in the Knowledge Skills core. This collection of 24 credit-hours includes courses in oral communication, writing composition, mathematics, and computer information systems that provide the academic foundation you need to be successful in any career or academic program.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hour |
|---|---|---|
| ACC 201 | Survey of Accounting | 3 |
| COM 241 | Introduction to Mass Communication | 3 |
| CIS 101 or 111 | Foundations of Information Technology and PC Applications or Information Systems and Applications | 3 |
| ECO 221 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ENG 141 | Expository and Research Writing | 3 |
| ENG 142 | Introduction to Literature and Criticism | 3 |
| MAT 174 or MAT 181 | Finite Mathematics or College Algebra (MAT 181 strongly recommended) | 3 |
| One Social Science Elective: | SCS, ECO, MGT, POL, PSY, SOC (SCS 110 recommended) | 3 |
ACC 201 - Survey of Accounting (3 hours)
An introduction to the fundamentals of accounting from the user’s perspective. The primary emphasis is the relationship between cash flow and accrual based income measurement. Includes financial reporting requirements and standards..
Prerequisite: MAT 173 or above
COM 241 - Introduction to Mass Communication
(3 hours)
A survey course examining the various media (i.e., newspaper, radio, television, film, etc.) comprising the mass media in contemporary American society. Emphasis is given to the history, structure, and potential effects of each medium.
CIS 101 - Foundations of Information Technology and PC Applications (3 hours)
This course is a survey of fundamental functions of a computer, Internet, file management, and an introduction to the Microsoft Office Suite. This course does not count for credit toward graduation..
CIS 111 - Information Systems and Applications
(3 hours)
This course is designed for students who have used MS Word regularly and have an understanding of MS Windows. Topics covered include responsible use of information technology; hardware concepts; the use, development, and maintenance of spreadsheets (Excel); the creation of electronic presentations (PowerPoint); and an introduction to databases (Access). This is a hands-on skills and a conceptual course. Participants will be required to demonstrate software proficiency in the lab, as well as, through objective written tests.
ECO 221 - Principles of Macroeconomics (3 hours)
A study of macroeconomics (the “whole” economy), concepts and principles, plus current issues in macroeconomics. Required for business and economics majors.
Prerequisite: MAT 173 or above
ENG 141 - Expository and Research Writing (3 hours)
This is a course in written communication. Emphasis is placed on development, structure, and writing of abstracts, summaries, and critiques. Literary devices such as pro/con, cause/effect, comparison/contrast, persuasion/argumentation essays and research/synthesis skills are used through a research paper.
ENG 142 - Introduction to Literature and Criticism (w) (3 hours)
This course presents drama, short stories, novel, poetry and critical essays from literary critical perspectives. Through reading, discussion, and critical writing, students become familiar with representative genres in literature as well as authentic critical approaches. This is a writing intensive course.
Prerequisite: ENG 141 or concurrent
MAT 174 - Finite Mathematics (3 hours)
This course applies mathematical techniques to solve real-world problems and involves the study of topics including linear models, systems of equations, financial math, logic, probability, and statistics.
Prerequisite: MAT 173 (“C” or better) or placement
MAT 181 - College Algebra (3 hours)
The course topics include functions and graphs, polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, matrices, sequences, and counting principles with probability.
Prerequisite: MAT 173 (“C” or better) or placement
Major Requirements
As a student in the Associate of Business Administration with a major emphasis in Healthcare Administration program, you will take specialized courses healthcare administration and management topics.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hour |
|---|---|---|
| ECO 222 | Principles of | 3 |
|
| FIN 201 | Survey of Health Insurance in the United States | 3 |
| LAW 115 | Survey of Health Care of Law and Ethics in the United States | 3 |
| MGT 121 | How Business Works | 3 |
| MGT 131 | Introduction to Human Resources and Ethics | 3 |
| MGT 140 | Survey of Healthcare Organizations | 3 |
| MGT 151 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MGT 201 | Management of Organizations | 3 |
| MGT 240 | Healthcare Office Management | 3 |
| NAT 150 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| Two Open Electives: | At the 100/200 level (ENG 140 recommended) | 6 |
ECO 222 - Principles of Microeconomics (3 hours)
A study of Microeconomics (the “parts” of the economy), concepts and principles, international trade, and current issues in micro-economics. Required for business and economics majors.
Prerequisite: MAT 174 or above
FIN 201 - Survey of Health Insurance in the United States (3 hours)
This course includes understanding various health insurance plans and coverage. It explores the concepts of insurance as well as financial, legal and social issues related to the health insurance industry. The course focuses on reimbursement methods and proper coding procedures and in addition addresses eligibility requirements, claims processing, collection, and patient accounting processes. It will instruct the student on the completion of insurance forms and interpretation of insurance codes. The course will provide each student with the framework for understanding the critical concepts and components of health care reimbursement and billing.
Prerequisite: MGT 140 and NAT 150
MGT 121 - How Business Works (3 hours)
This introductory course is designed to acquaint the student with a broad variety of topics that are fundamental to the understanding of business. These include the essentials of economics, finance, management, marketing, international business, strategy and ethics. The study and discussion of current issues in each of these areas will be used to increase the student’s understanding.
MGT 131 - Introduction to Human Resources and Ethics (3 hours)
This course will provide students with an introduction to human resource topics in business. Concepts in planning, job analysis and design, safety, recruitment and retention, employee development, and employee relations will be covered. An introduction to ethical concepts and systems of moral values will be included. This course will also provide students with skills and information to enable them to make competent ethical business decisions.
Prerequisite: MGT 121
MGT 140 - Survey of Healthcare Organizations and Terminology (3 hours)
This course includes an overview of the healthcare industry and the important concepts needed to manage in the healthcare field. It also includes a comprehensive study of the basic structure of medical terminology that is necessary to work in healthcare. Spelling and pronunciation are emphasized as the student develops a professional vocabulary.
Prerequisite: MGT 121 and NAT 150
CIS 335- Spreadsheet Applications for Decision Making (3 hours)
This course focuses on the use of spreadsheet applications as a tool for decision making. Included are topics such as design and management of worksheets and templates, and the use of built-in functions. Organizational uses in the areas of accounting, finance, marketing, human resources are discussed.
Prerequisite: CIS 105/111 and MAT 174 or above
MGT 151 -Medical Terminology (3 hours)
This course includes a comprehensive study of the basic structure of medical terminology that is necessary to work in healthcare. Spelling is emphasized as the student develops a professional vocabulary.
Prerequisite: NAT 150
MAT 273 - Applied Statistics I (3 hours)
A study in descriptive and inferential statistical methods that aid decision-making. Includes the following topics: probability, probability distributions, calculation of parameters from a universe, calculation of statistics from a sample, hypothesis testing, regression, and correlation. A hand-held calculator with scientific functions is required.
Prerequisite: CIS 105/111 and MAT 174 or above
MGT 201 - Management of Organizations (3 hours) (w)
This course will provide an overview of the internal workings of an organization. It will survey the functional areas such as finance, marketing, operations, information and decision support systems, and human resources. The course will also examine the nature of the managerial job. This is a writing intensive course..
Prerequisite: ENG 141
MGT 240 - Healthcare Office Management (3 hours)
This course applies management planning and controlling concepts for the students to learn how to evaluate and improve processes for the healthcare office environment. Topics include process selection and design, project implementation, capacity planning, and forecasting that are unique to healthcare.
Prerequisite: MGT 201
NAT 150 - Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology (3 hours)
This course will provide students with an introduction to the structure and function of each body system. The most common diseases and disorders are explored to understand the physician’s diagnosis and treatment. Correct spelling of corresponding terminology is emphasized.
Health Care Administration Curriculum Map
The Associate of Business Administration with a major emphasis in Health Care Administration curriculum map gives you an overview of the academic path we recommend most students in the health care program follow. As an Ivy Bridge student, you’ll use the curriculum map to guide your conversations with your success coach and academic advisors as you set up an academic schedule that works for you. Download a PDF of the curriculum map now>
Health Care Administration Possible Career Paths
The healthcare administration field covers a variety of careers ranging from administrative and office manager positions to support workers and systems analysts. Positions are available in hospitals, private practices, medical centers, care facilities, and local community clinics. Depending on your area of interest, you may also want to pursue a career in a facility that specializes in a specific area of health care such as optometry, dermatology, or general practice.
Career paths in health care administration you may be interested in pursuing include:
Hospital Administrators
Hospital administrators play a large role in the day-to-day operation of the medical facilities they work in. They are responsible for maintaining accurate and complete medical records, managing billing and insurance processing, and for general office and operation management. By following the policies set out by the governing board of the facility they work in, hospital administrators help direct the delivery of medical and health services.
Typical duties include transcribing medical reports, scheduling appointments, recording information on patients’ medical charts, managing office budgets and restocking supplies, managing contracts, and serving as a liaison between medical staff and the governing boards and department heads of the hospital organization or institute.
Records Clerks
Every time patients receive medical attention there is a record maintained of the care they received, physicians’ observations, and the outcomes of their treatment. Managing health records such as a patient’s history, symptoms, medications, and test results is an extremely important aspect of providing quality health care. Medical records clerks and technicians play a large role in a patient’s care by managing these records and maintaining their organization and accuracy.
Typical duties include analyzing medical charts and forms to ensure they’re complete, inputting information to an institutions computer information system, working with physicians and other specialists to ensure diagnosis are correct.
Patient Representatives
Patient representatives are responsible for helping patients as they seek medical aid by providing assistance understanding policies and making health care decisions. They often step in when there is a problem or issue related to a patient’s care and coordinate communication between a patient and his or her doctor, family members, and any regulatory staff who may be involved.
Typical aspects of the job include investigating patient complaints or questions, resolving disputes, explaining policies or procedures, providing training or consulting to staff or volunteers, keeping up-to-date on new developments in the health care field, risk management, and directing patients to community services and resources.
Learn more about Ivy Bridge’s health care administration program:
Request more information or talk to a friendly advisor now at 855-413-4752.