March 28, 2024

Five Key Courses in Healthcare Management Degree Programs

Common Courses in Healthcare Management Degree Programs

  • Medical Terminology
  • Human Resources Management
  • Healthcare Finance and Accounting
  • Epidemiology
  • Healthcare Management

College students may encounter five key courses in healthcare management degree programs that are common between many schools across the nation. Topics often include strategic health planning, health issues, and organizational behavior. Class titles may vary from school to school, but the overall course subject matter will offer similar outcomes regarding knowledge and theory, as well as experience gained.

Medical Terminology

Medical terminology courses are essential healthcare management degree program classes in that they help students use everyday terms common in healthcare, as well as understand what others have written in healthcare settings. Those working in healthcare management must learn to identify medical terms by their component parts, as well as understand the significance of various terms. Knowledge of medical terminology is so important in healthcare that most medically and healthcare-oriented programs include this vital course.

Human Resources Management

A key role of the healthcare manager is working with human resources in the recruitment of new personnel, career development of recent hires, and the labor relations that exist within the organization. Human resources management delves into the basics of hiring managers, as well as the delicate topics of sexual harassment policies, benefits packages, and hiring processes. Organizations of all types must conduct intelligent hiring practices to remain competitive, and this is particularly important within healthcare where professional reputations may significantly impact the success of a healthcare business.

Healthcare Finance and Accounting

Providing adequate healthcare to patients is only possible in a fiscally responsible environment. Finance, accounting, statistics, and budgeting are some of the primary foci for those working in healthcare management. Virtually all healthcare management degree programs feature a course in accounting; however, the course may also include lessons in finance and other details related to medical budgeting. Topics covered may include the balance of inpatient and outpatient investment, value-based payments, and investment in cybersecurity.

Epidemiology

In addition to learning the key terminology used in healthcare environments, most healthcare management degree programs also require that students take a science course in epidemiology. This branch of medicine deals with the control of disease and how it spreads in various environments or populations. As the science of public health, epidemiology in healthcare management is sometimes referred to as managerial epidemiology. The National Institutes of Health has indexed several studies on epidemiology in healthcare management programs, such as Managerial Epidemiology in the Health Administration Curriculum, which are testaments to the importance of the topic in educational settings.

Healthcare Management

Students in healthcare management degree programs will usually take an introductory course on healthcare management that will serve as an examination of the common concepts, theories, and practices that influence modern healthcare organizations. Essential roles and responsibilities, as well as common management functions, are inspected to help students understand the relationship between external and internal forces that impact healthcare environments.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that Medical and Health Services Managers enjoy median pay of more than $96,000 a year after receiving a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management. After graduating from a healthcare management program, a student may serve as a Healthcare Administrator, Healthcare Executive, or another similarly titled health services professional. The decisions a healthcare manager makes for his or her organization not only impact the lives and careers of employees, but also the experiences of patients treated by the organization. After exploring these five key courses in healthcare management, the next step for a future student is learning about the different programs offered by various colleges.

Related resource:

Top 20 Master’s in Healthcare Management Online / Online MBA Healthcare Administration