whole class MHA 601 Principles of Health Care Administration

MHA601 has no prerequisites. 

The focus of this course is on the application of advanced organizational principles in complex healthcare environments.  Organizational issues, administrative processes and applications are explored.  The managerial perspectives of a mid-to senior healthcare administrator are emphasized.

Effective health care organizational management in a very complex environment is the “heart and soul” of this course.  The course is designed to provide opportunities and tools to equip participants to assume health administrator roles within any healthcare organization.  Participants will analyze current healthcare dilemmas and develop insights into the organizational challenges facing administrators today –regardless of healthcare setting.

This course progressively builds up to provide students the ability to complete a project, covering basic health care organizational principles, strategic planning, financial planning, human resource management, effective leadership, and effective communication.  Much of the learning will come from a series of discussion questions, short papers, and realistic case studies.

Week One:  Examines and evaluates principles of healthcare administration in complex situations.  Students will be asked to evaluate modern management theories that can be applied to their own work environment by means of two Discussion Questions.

Week Two:  Examines and evaluates the concept of power, politics, and conflict within a health care organization.  One discussion question asks the students to evaluate power and political games in their own organization.  For the second discussion question, the students are asked to recommend a course of action from the point of view of conflict management and interpersonal relationships.  The written assignment for the week deals with conflict and teamwork within a hospital department.

Week Three: Introduces, examines, and evaluates the principles of leadership and decision making within the health care environment.  In one discussion question, students will be asked to identify the most important factors concerning effective leadership and then evaluate and recommend leadership qualities within their own organization.  A second discussion question deals with effective decision-making.  A third discussion questions requires the students to review a Case Study focusing on decision making and communication.  The written assignment asks the students for a reflective paper on their own personal leadership philosophy.

Week Four:  Introduces and examines the concepts of values, ethics, and organizational dysfunction.  For the first discussion question, students are asked to view a slide presentation and to read and respond to a case study dealing with racism rules.  The second discussion question deals with organizational dysfunction.  For the written exercise, the students will reflect on and write about various stakeholders’ views of the uninsured.

Week Five: Focuses on change, human resources, and the development of the most effective management team.  The students, for the first discussion question, create their own thoughts on “whitewater changes” occurring in healthcare today.  The second discussion question deals with human resources and the effects of poor communication.  For the third discussion question, the students are asked to review a video focusing on the theme, “Why do some succeed where others fail?  What makes high-achievers different?”    

Week Six: Concludes the course by focusing on the medical staff and the board of directors as well as the final paper.  The first discussion questions asks students to evaluate challenges faced by medical staff leadership, while the second discussion question requires the students to review a case study dealing with the failure of the board of directors to act effectively.  Finally, there is a summative assignment allowing the students to utilize their reading and learning from the six weeks of class to create a solution to a problem of an exodus of nursing personal within a health care organization.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 

1. Apply principles of healthcare administration in complex situations. 
2. Apply organizational principles of healthcare administration to the changing healthcare organizational environment.
3. Apply strategic planning methodologies in the planning of healthcare services. 
4. Analyze the financial factors influencing healthcare administration. 
5. Apply theories of human resource management to healthcare situations. 
6. Analyze the role of administrative leadership in creating a learning organization. 
7. Submit a project demonstrating mastery of course content.

The course map illustrates the careful design of the course through which each learning objective is supported by one or more specific learning activities in order to create integrity and pedagogical depth in the learning experience.

Graduates of Ashford University:

1. Demonstrate the ability to read and think critically and creatively;
2. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in speech and in writing;
3. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively through the use of technology;
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the various forms of diversity;
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the interdependence among living beings, the environment and humanly-created systems;
6. Demonstrate competence in their major fields of study;
7. Demonstrate an understanding of service directed at meeting the needs of others;
8. Demonstrate the ability to draw information from different fields of study to make informed decisions; and
9. Develop skills and abilities that provide for lifelong learning.

The mission of Ashford University is to provide accessible, affordable, innovative, high-quality learning opportunities and degree programs that meet the diverse needs of individuals pursuing integrity in their lives, professions, and communities.