Program Overview
The program for the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Health Services Administration is offered Online Only and designed to prepare students to become leaders in institutions that provide health care services to residents of the Western Pennsylvania region and beyond.
The insurance and health care delivery system reforms passed as part of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 have added to an already high demand for skilled managers in acute care hospitals, ambulatory care clinics, long-term care organizations, community-based service providers and other ancillary enterprises. Today’s professionals must be prepared to direct person-centered integrated care delivery systems, navigate increasingly complex private and public regulatory environments, manage creative workplace environments and foster the efficient and effective adoption of new technologies by health care practitioners.
RMU's Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Health Services Administration degree program (online only) is designed to prepare individuals to gain entry and advance as leaders in a wide variety of health care organizations. The B.S. in Health Services Administration equips individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead organizations in providing better health care for individuals, fostering better health for the population and lowering per-capita costs through improvement. The program integrates theory with timely and relevant case study examples to support individuals in developing a comprehensive and practical understanding of the health care industry.
Curriculum - All courses are offered online
The 120-credit hour curriculum has three components:
Robert Morris University Core - 39 credits
These are the traditional liberal arts requirements of the University. Studies in humanities, communications skills, and social, behavioral, natural and quantitative sciences are included.
Health Services Administration - 45 credits
This is the major field of study and includes 15 courses in various areas of health care administration, including policy, strategic planning, marketing, human resources, law and ethics, finance, economics, accounting, research, information systems and an undergraduate thesis.
Minor/Open Electives - 36 credits
This component allows students to choose up to 12 courses to tailor their program of study to meet their professional and personal needs and interests. Many students use these courses to complete a minor. These courses also may be filled by transfer and life experience credits.
Major Courses
HSAM1100 Introduction to the American Health Care System
HSAM1200 Health Services Administration I
HSAM1300 Health Services Administration II
HSAM1400 Introduction to Managed Care
HSAM1500 Health Care Financial Administration
HSAM1600 Fundamentals of Health Policy
HSAM1800 Marketing for Health Services Organizations
HSAM1900 Human Resource Administration in Health Care
HSAM2000 Health Care Law and Ethics
HSAM2100 Basic Principles of Health Economics
INFS3440 Health Care Information Systems
HSAM4850 Undergraduate Thesis in Health Care Administration
Plus Two From
HSAM3100 Consumer Health Issues
HSAM3200 Accounting, Budgeting and Financial Accountability
for Health Care Administrators
HSAM3250 Research for Health Care Professionals
HSAM3400 Ethics for Health Care Administrators
Market Demand
Nationally, health care is a $1.7 trillion industry, or nearly 16 percent of the U.S. gross national product. As the "Baby Boomer" generation approaches retirement, a new generation of managers will be needed to lead the largest-ever expansion of the health care industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of medical and health services managers is expected to grow faster than the average through 2012.
The demand for qualified health care managers in Western Pennsylvania is strong and will continue to grow, as approximately 18 percent of the region's population is over the age of 65. As a result, health care is one of the region's major industries. The region is home to one of the nation's largest health insurance companies, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, and one of the nation's most prominent teaching hospitals, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. There are 73 hospitals in Western Pennsylvania plus a substantial number of long-term care facilities and home health agencies.
Career Options
A wide range of career options is available to students completing the B.S. in Health Services Administration degree program. Graduates may find jobs in the administration of hospitals, physicians' offices, clinics, long-term care or managed care facilities, rehabilitation services, pharmaceutical sales or government.