Healthcare Management Degree Programs at South Texas College
South Texas College appears in our ranking of the 25 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Health Management.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health service manager positions are expected to grow by 18 percent over the next decade. In most cases, positions in this industry require a bachelor’s degree or higher and the average salary is $99,730 per year. South Texas College offers several degree programs designed to prepare individuals for this growing industry.
Health & Medical Administrative Services Certificate
The Health & Medical Administrative Services certificates offered through South Texas College prepares students for entry-level positions necessary to transfer paper-based records into electronic health records. Students are also provided instruction in technology for electronic health records. Students may specialize their certificate in the following areas:
- Electronic Health Records
- Health Information Technicians
- Medical Coding Specialist
- Medical Information/Transcription Specialist
The certificate programs are one-semester long and can be completed with day and evening on-campus classes, online classes or a hybrid version.
Courses for the Electronic Health Records certificate may include Health Data Content and Structure, Health Information Systems as well as Coding and Classification Systems. A capstone practicum is also required. Courses required for the Medical Coding Specialist certificate may include Medical Terminology, Body Systems, Medical Administrative Support, and Current Procedural Terminology Coding CPT-4. A practicum is required.
Courses required for the Medical Information/Transcription specialist certificate may include Medical Transcription, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Advanced Medical Terminology. A practicum capstone is required. Courses for the Health Information Technician program may include Anatomy & Physiology, Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Information, Healthcare Delivery Systems and General Psychology. Two capstone practicums are required.
Bachelor of Science in Medical and Health Services Management
The Bachelor of Science in Medical and Health Services Management prepares students for entry- to mid-level positions in healthcare. The program focuses on management principles for health and healthcare facilities as well as the technical innovations in the delivery of health and healthcare services. Students gain knowledge in finance, staff roles, and responsibilities, mechanisms for reimbursement, electronic medical recording as well as privacy and ethical issues in today’s healthcare industry. Courses may include U.S. Healthcare Delivery, Statistics for Healthcare Managers, Financial Management for Healthcare Managers and Healthcare Information Technology. A practicum is also required.
RN to BSN Program
South Texas College offers an RN to BSN program designed to respond to an increasing need for nurse leaders. The program is designed for nurses who currently hold an unencumbered nursing license to practice in Texas. Students gain an understanding of contemporary issues that face nurses today as well as holistic assessments in the medical field. Courses required may include Public and Global Health Policy, Leadership and Management in Professional Nursing, Nursing Informatics and Professional Development & Interprofessional Collaboration. Practicums are also required as part of the degree.
About South Texas College
Established in 1993, South Texas College offers more than 120 degree programs in a wide range of subjects. The school was created by Senate Bill 251 to create an institute of higher learning that would serve Hidalgo and Starr Counties. A taxing district was established by a vote in 1995 to fund the school. The Board of Directors consists of leaders from seven districts who are elected for six-year terms.
Partnering with public schools in the area, South Texas College has one of the largest dual enrollment programs in the state of Texas. The college partners with 24 school districts and over 79 high school sites, allowing high school students to take college courses while still in high school. Since 2003, South Texas College has provided tuition-free dual enrollment to over 95,000 students, saving families more than $180 million. More than 70 percent of the student body are the first of their family to attend college and more than 95 percent are Hispanic.
South Texas College Accreditation Details
South Texas College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. This indicates to parents, students, and employers that the school offers programs that are of the highest quality. It also indicates that South Texas College has the resources to meet its stated goals and objectives. Programs throughout the college are accredited by the following organizations:
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- American Occupational Therapy Association
- American Physical Therapy Association
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education
- Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
South Texas College Application Requirements
Those who wish to apply to the Health & Medical Administrative Services certificate program must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended as well as official high school transcripts. They must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all college work attempted or in high school. An individual student advisement meeting with faculty is also required.
Applicants to the Bachelor of Science in Medical and Health Services Management program must hold an associate’s degree or at least 60 college credit hours in a related health field. They must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Examples of related health fields include nursing, paramedic, health information technology, business administration, radiologic technology or biology.
In order to apply for the RN to BSN program, applicants must have a current, unencumbered RN license to practice in Texas or an Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact RN License. They must provide a letter of intent and current resume as well as official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
South Texas College Tuition and Financial Aid
Residents of Hidalgo and Starr Counties in Texas pay $77 per credit hour while residents of all other Texas counties pay $87 per credit hour. Students who do not live in Texas pay $200 per credit hour.
Financial aid is available and more than 75 percent of students at South Texas College take advantage of some type of financial aid. Students may be awarded federal Pell, Supplemental Educational Opportunity or Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants. Those attending on campus may also be offered federal work-study. State grants that may be available include the Texas Educational Opportunity, Towards Excellence Access and Success and Texas Public Education. Some students may be awarded Texas work-study programs as well. Scholarships and loans may also be awarded. South Texas College also accepts employer and veteran benefits.
South Texas College provides educational opportunities through excellence in teaching and learning as well as workforce development and cultural enrichment on a local, regional, national and global scale.