Online Study
Health Systems Administration
Program Overview
The health systems administration MS prepares professionals to face rapid changes in the industry such as increased outpatient care, increased technology and its success in prolonging life, the fragmentation of the insurance industry, and varying medical practice standards. The need for health care administrators and managers is expected to increase at a rate of 43 percent by the year 2005. The program is available on campus and online, full-time and part-time.
The health systems administration program is designed to provide strategic skills to today's health care management. Now, as never before, we are realizing the rapid transformation of health care. The pace of technology and innovation are changing how, when, and where health care is provided, and who is providing it. Concurrently, health care customers have high expectations for quality and expect a high degree of responsiveness to their needs - all delivered in a cost-effective manner. To provide these strategic skills to health care management, the program builds on a foundation of courses in policy and law formation, health care economics, innovation, and leadership. Additional options are provided in course selections to build an integrated program that meets the individual challenges of participating students. To find out more about these options, please refer to the program's website: www.rit.edu/healthsytems.
One of the advantages of this program is the online format. Students can pursue their degree while maintaining full-time employment in locations around the world. Another distinct advantage of the program is the diversity of our student population, which allows for creative discussion and comprehension of global health care issues, and how these relate to the standards and practices of the American health care system. The ability to share information and ideas, to contrast and compare strategies, allows our students a level of creativity and scope of practice not found in the traditional classroom.
RIT provides excellent online learning support for the adult learner that leads the student through registration and use of distance learning tools. In addition, for select subject areas, the HSA program plans special learning sessions that blend presentation styles. This could be through attendance at a seminar in Naples, Fla. These formats provide a combination of both distance learning and the ability to interact with presenters who provide a strategic view of health care delivery models.
Curriculum Review
The MS degree in health systems administration currently requires 48 quarter credit hours at the graduate level. The program can be completed in approximately two years taking two courses per quarter or students may take longer to complete the course work and take one course per quarter. Toward the end of their program of study students will complete a business plan for an innovative topic related to their work environment. The paper is developed and written within a course which is taken during the last year of study for the degree. Upon matriculation each student works with the program chair for advice and direction to develop their plan of study. For specific questions about this contact Linda Underhill at (585) 475-7329 or at lmuism@rit.edu.
Required courses
Data Analysis
Breakthrough Thinking, Creativity and Innovation
Health Systems Policy and Law
Health Systems Economics and Finance
Service Leadership
Concentrations/Electives
Health Information Resources
Information Systems for Health Administrators
E-Health
Clinical Information Systems
Health Administration Application
Elements of Health Care Leadership
Health Systems Planning
Bioethics
Elements of Service
Customer Relationship Management
Senior Living
Senior Living Management
Elements of Service
Workforce Development
Customer Relations Management
Health Systems Finance
Finance for Operations
Health Insurance and Reimbursement
Information systems for health Administrators
Elective
Students may fulfill electives from other concentrations or from other graduate courses offered in the School of Hospitality and Service management with permission of their advisor and Program chairs.
Career Outcomes
Job TitlesHospital administrator, nursing home administrator, clinical manager, consultant
Functions
Improve efficiency in health care facilities; quality improvement; direct activities in clinical areas; oversee finance, human resources, and information management.
Recent Employers
Strong Memorial Hospital, Genesee Hospital, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Preferred Care
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for the Master of Science degree include:
All credentials must be submitted and reviewed by the faculty prior to the completion of 12 credit hours of graduate work in the program.
Prerequisites
Three or more year's experience in a health care or health-related organization or business environment as either a clinician or manager. An internship in a health care organization is required of those who do not meet this requirement.