Health Systems Administration Certificate

Learn the fundamentals of the U.S. health care system, the organizations that delivery services, how various services are financed, and the management and leadership skills needed within these organizations to effectively serve individual patients and the larger community.


12%

Job growth

64K

Average annual salary

11M

Health care jobs past 12 months

$2.5B

2019 health care industry revenue


Overview for Health Systems Administration Certificate

There will be four million new jobs in the health care industry by 2026. Gain the skills you need to advance in the ever-growing health care field.

Health Systems Administration: A Critical, In-Demand Role in the Health Care Industry

The health systems administration certificate introduces you to the complexity of the U.S. health care system. You will learn how health care organizations plan for and deliver effective health care services, how various services are financed as well as other financial management strategies, and how to effectively lead these highly complex, mission-driven organizations that serve people throughout their lives.

Students working on undergraduate degrees in the health sciences or those considering a career within the health care industry, would benefit from this certificate program, as it provides an excellent orientation to the health care industry as a whole.

An Online Health Care Administration Certificate

Each of the certificate’s four courses are delivered online during the 14-week, fall and spring semesters. Most courses are taught by faculty who also teach in RIT's master of science degree in health systems management.

The health systems administration certificate is designed for three types individuals:

  • Students who have completed their associate degree or are in the process of completing a bachelor’s degree who are considering careers in health care but desire an orientation to the U.S. health system;
  • Working professionals, without a bachelor’s degree, who are interested in exploring the health care delivery system; and
  • Professionals that have invested in clinical degrees, but their primary programs fell short of a completed bachelor’s degree who desire to understand the business side of health care.

There are three primary goals for the health systems administration certificate program:

  1. Understand the role of the U.S. health care system, how it compares to other countries systems, in achieving health and wellness;
  2. Appreciate the complexity of the system and the related organizations that respond to the needs of their communities and the populations within them; and
  3. Assess the leadership potential of those interested in careers within the design and delivery of high-quality health service systems.
This program is offered exclusively online.
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Curriculum for 2023-2024 for Health Systems Administration Certificate

Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements

Health Systems Administration, certificate, typical course sequence

Course Sem. Cr. Hrs.
HLTH-325 
Health Care Leadership
Highly trained clinical and administrative professionals drive the nature of work in health care. The purpose of this course is to provide students the opportunity to study leadership theory as it is applied in health care organizations. Leadership theories and applications geared toward professionals working in health service organizations will be emphasized. Students will learn to apply leadership theories via case studies and issue analysis of their active work environments. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).
3
HLTH-328
Finance for Health Care Professionals
This is an overview course that will provide an in-depth investigation of the financial workings in the health care industry. The course will be presented through the investigation of the operations of various health care settings – hospitals, physician practices, long term care facilities and home health care providers. The course covers all the essential functions in health care internal financial operations that would be experienced throughout the industry, except for the insurance companies. There are several examples involving physician practices, inpatient hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, etc. During the course the participants will carefully evaluate what the finance department is expected to accomplish. They will better understand the role of the clinical operations manager in the financial health of a health care organization. The course is designed to provide an approach that includes some terminology used in accounting, but more so those terms associated with finance. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).
3
HLTH-330
Health Care Planning And Program Development
This course provides a review of the methodology of planning effectively for health care services. The use of data systems and the methods of forecasting, identifying, and analyzing problems are explored. The course will all address the process of strategic planning, setting priorities, developing projects and allocating resources. Students prepare actual application for new programs to regulatory agencies. Lecture 3 (Spring).
3
HLTH-508
Integrated Health Systems and Population Health
This course discusses the delivery system of health care in the US. Specifically, the course will review the current status of American health care including research into population demographics and health and the concept of wellness and prevention. Following this a review of international health care models will occur to consider best practice as alternative care models for consideration for the US. In addition, the students will develop, for their area of interest and expertise, a strategy for incremental or radical innovation in how we provide health care to our constituents. (A minimum of 3rd year standing is required to enroll.) Lecture 3 (Spring).
3
Total Semester Credit Hours
12

Note for online students

The frequency of required and elective course offerings in the online program will vary, semester by semester, and will not always match the information presented here. Online students are advised to seek guidance from the listed program contact when developing their individual program course schedule.

Admissions and Financial Aid

Certain countries are subject to comprehensive embargoes under US Export Controls, which prohibit virtually ALL exports, imports, and other transactions without a license or other US Government authorization. Learners from Syria, Sudan, North Korea, the Crimea region of the Ukraine, Iran, and Cuba may not register for RIT online courses. Nor may individuals on the United States Treasury Department’s list of Specially Designated Nationals or the United States Commerce Department’s table of Deny Orders. By registering for RIT online courses, you represent and warrant that you are not located in, under the control of, or a national or resident of any such country or on any such list.

Learn How to Apply

Additional Information

Online Study Restrictions for Some International Students

Certain countries are subject to comprehensive embargoes under US Export Controls, which prohibit virtually ALL exports, imports, and other transactions without a license or other US Government authorization. Learners from the Crimea region of the Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria may not register for RIT online courses. Nor may individuals on the United States Treasury Department’s list of Specially Designated Nationals or the United States Commerce Department’s table of Deny Orders. By registering for RIT online courses, you represent and warrant that you are not located in, under the control of, or a national or resident of any such country or on any such list.