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32.502 Organizational Behavior in Healthcare
Provides a systems overview of the organizational structure and behavior of individuals in healthcare institutions, along with an examination of the role of managers, clinicians and other leaders. The course applies organizational, behavioral and social science practice and theory to healthcare organizations. 3 credits. Special Notes: Additional course details may also be available on the Health Management & Policy course plans web page.
32.506 Quantitative Methods in Healthcare Management
This course focuses on the application of descriptive and inferential statistical techniques to the analysis of healthcare data. Areas covered include graphs, measurement, normal distribution, hypothesis testing, t tests, ANOVA, correlation, regression, and chi-square testing. Students analyze research questions using a database of hospital discharges, examining such variables as admission source, length of stay, payer, and charges. A basic statistics course or permission of instructor required. 3 credits. Special Notes: Additional course details may also be available on the Health Management & Policy course plans web page.
32.511 Healthcare Finance
Provides broad exposure to the concepts and practices of healthcare finance and healthcare financial management. Teaches a practical understanding of basic healthcare financial issues, financial reporting and analysis, and provider payment structures. The course enables students to read, analyze and use healthcare financial information in today’s healthcare environment. 3 credits. Special Notes: Additional course details may also be available on the Health Management & Policy course plans web page.
32.512 Operations Analysis and Quality Improvement
This course teaches a multi-disciplinary approach to operations analysis, process redesign and quality improvement in health care. Students learn the history, development and principles of quality improvement in healthcare; how quality improvement processes have been used in various healthcare settings; the tools and processes used in quality improvement; how to structure and implement a quality improvement program; and how to collect, analyze and interpret quality improvement data. 3 credits. Special Notes: Additional course details may also be available on the Health Management & Policy course plans web page.
32.514 Healthcare Management
The course provides a framework for addressing management problems in healthcare organizations, providing an overview of how healthcare institutions are organized and governed, the role of the management, physicians, nurses and other clinical and support staff in these organizations, and the management systems designed for their efficient and effective operation. 3 credits. Special Notes: Additional course details may also be available on the Health Management & Policy course plans web page.
32.515 Applied Health Economics
Students gain an understanding of basic economic concepts and how they are applied to healthcare; an appreciation of the circumstances under which markets may or may not work well in efficiently and equitably producing health care services; a broad familiarity with the health economics and related health services research literature; and experience in using economics to analyze health care reform proposals and other health policy issues. 3 credits.
32.527 Planning and Marketing in Healthcare
The history, principles, techniques, and methodologies of health services planning and marketing are studied, and students learn how to plan for new or changed health services, programs, strategies, or facilities. The functions of the health planner, managers, providers, and governing boards are presented. Practical approaches to health care problems are studied using case analysis of actual healthcare projects and programs. 3 credits. Special Notes: Additional course details may also be available on the Health Management & Policy course plans web page.
32.531 Health Informatics
Introduces student to how health science (theory and practice), computer science (hardware) and information science (software) come together in converting healthcare data into information and knowledge, and then managing the information and knowledge. Overview of current and future technologies for the management of healthcare information is presented. Comparisons of how different health care facilities manage information is discussed. 3 credits. Special Notes: Additional course details may also be available on the Health Management & Policy course plans web page.
32.607 Healthcare Information Systems
Introduces healthcare professionals to healthcare information systems, their design, development and implementation, as well as human factor considerations important to their success. Gives health care professionals a practical understanding of health care information systems sufficient to work effectively with and support information systems design, development and implementation within a variety of health care settings. Includes analysis and discussion of actual case examples. 3 credits. Special Notes: Additional course details may also be available on the Health Management & Policy course plans web page.
32.616 Law and Ethics in Healthcare
The course considers ethics and law in the management of health care institutions and public health. Ethics is considered with a focus on the ethical and legal issues facing health care managers and public health personnel. Law is approached as an important element in defining public health and as an instrument to achieve goals in public health and health care delivery. Topics include: an introduction to ethics, the legal basis of health care management, and public health practices. Topics range from HIPPA, fair employment practices, to the allocation of scarce resources in communities and organizations. The course provides an opportunity to apply these concepts to particular students’ interests in public health and health care management. 3 credits. Special Notes: Additional course details may also be available on the Health Management & Policy course plans web page.
32.625 Health Policy
This course provides students with a basic framework for health policy analysis and examines major aspects of U.S. health policy. Detailed consideration and discussion focus on the relationship of national policy to the planning, implementation and funding of healthcare services. The course covers topics such as the healthcare policy environment in the U.S, government-funded healthcare through Medicaid and Medicare, and the Massachusetts healthcare reform. 3 credits. Special Notes: Additional course details may also be available on the Health Management & Policy course plans web page.
32.626 Leadership in Healthcare
The course provides an integrative view of leadership and the management of change in health care organizations. The course includes the study of leadership as well as the application of leadership theories, concepts, and skills. Students develop their own leadership potential through the completion of personal and leadership self-assessments, values exploration, and leadership skill applications through course activities. 3 credits. Special Notes: Additional course details may also be available on the Health Management & Policy course plans web page.
32.627 Socioeconomic Inequalities in Health
The course explores the relationship between social and economic justice and public health. Focusing primarily on the U.S., the forces that either establish and exacerbate or prevent socioeconomic inequities are analyzed to understand the intricate links between social, behavioral, physical, and biological determinants of health. Several theoretical orientations are reviewed in order to better understand how each frames research and public health strategies. Students learn to competently articulate the relationships between social and health inequalities. 3 credits.
32.632 Health Information Systems Planning
A course examining contemporary healthcare information system requirements and focusing on the design, implementation, and modification of these systems. Actual or hypothetical health system related projects are used to support the theoretical framework. 3 credits. Special Notes: Additional course details may also be available on the Health Management & Policy course plans web page.
32.633 Healthcare Database Design
Theoretical understanding of major DBMS models and associated systems, query languages and design of DBMS systems are covered. MS Access is used to enhance understanding of the theoretical concepts. 3 credits.
32.634 Healthcare Database Development
The course introduces students to the Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) used to create and manage a database. Students use the database designed in 32.633 Healthcare Database Design to develop a working database system that can be used to manage data. No prior knowledge of a particular RDBMS application is required. Prerequisite 32.633. 3 credits. Special Notes: Additional course details may also be available on the Health Management & Policy course plans web page.
32.671 Comparative Health Systems
This course explores and compares a variety of national health systems. Systems compared include U.K. and France, Canada, and developing nations from Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Students learn the principles, criteria for effectiveness, and policies and practices that support achievement of health objectives and provide a foundation for sustainable social development. 3 credits.
32.733 Capstone Project
Near the end of the master's degree program, students are required to complete a Capstone Project under faculty supervision. The Capstone Project applies concepts and skills learned in the program, includes literature review, involves research and development, and culminates in a substantial professional report. Many working professionals develop projects related to their work assignments. 3 credits.