BS in Healthcare Management

Learning Path

Two Ways to Learn

Choose from two degree completion options that are both designed for working professionals.

The course-based format may be a good option for you if you prefer an instructor-led approach and learning on a predetermined schedule.

Tempo Competency-Based Learning^™ is an alternative way to earn your Walden degree. It’s different from our standard course-based learning because you can work at a pace that makes sense for you, and progress once you’ve shown you understand a subject. With Tempo Learning^®, you have the flexibility of online learning, plus the ability to personalize and control the length, cost, and pacing of your program.

Choose the learning path that fits your life and experience. Here are the two ways to earn your degree:

^*May not be available for all programs

Accelerate Into Master’s (AIM)

Earn up to 25 master’s-level credit hours by taking graduate-level courses as an undergraduate. This allows you to complete both degrees in less time than earning each degree separately. Learn more about Accelerate Into Master’s (AIM).

Course-Based Learning

Curriculum

Degree Completion Requirements

• 181 quarter credits
  • General education courses (46 cr.)¹
  • Core courses (85 cr.)
  • Elective courses (45 cr.)
  • Capstone course (5 cr.)

You also have the option to pursue an undergraduate minor. Your minor must be in a discipline outside your bachelor’s degree program area. Adding a minor to your program of study allows you to gain multidisciplinary skills that can help you advance toward your professional goals.

Students may be eligible to transfer up to 135 credits. At least 45 credits must be completed at Walden.

This sequence represents the minimum time to completion. Time to completion will vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 1-844-767-9522.

Courses

Show Course Descriptions

Course Code	Title	Credits
HMNT 1001	Living and Learning in the Technological World Show Imagine life without cell phones, television, or the internet. Recent technological developments have significantly altered all aspects of human life: at work; in play; and in personal, family, and social interactions. In this course, students examine the advantages, disadvantages, and controversies of living and learning in an ever-changing technological environment. By exploring multiple perspectives, students discover how technology is changing media, culture, business, health, human behavior, and overall access to information. In a dynamic, reflective, and engaging classroom environment, students use a variety of audio, visual, literary, and artistic resources, to engage in open dialogue. Students are also introduced to the tools essential to success at Walden. Students complete the course with a personalized success plan that provides a customized roadmap and tools that they can use immediately on their journey toward the completion of their bachelor's degree. Note: Virtual, cyber, digital, and asynchronous are used to describe online environments in this course.	(6 cr.)
	CORE COURSES
HLTH 1000	Concepts of Health Promotion Show Initiatives to prevent illness and promote healthy lifestyles are often more effective and cost efficient than efforts to intervene or treat disease, which is why health promotion is an increasingly popular trend in the field of healthcare. In this course, students formulate a definition of health and discuss the many influences that shape our individual and collective perceptions of health. Students consider the health-wellness continuum, including a number of factors, such as behavioral, demographic, psychological, and social forces. They also examine evidence-based methodologies for interventions to promote health and enhance wellness, and they evaluate health information found online to determine credibility and accuracy. Additionally, students reflect on ways to shape their future career in health and to promote positive change.	(5 cr.)
HLTH 2110	Behavioral and Cultural Issues in Healthcare Show Many factors influence the health behavior and wellness of individuals and populations. Understanding these factors helps healthcare professionals reduce health disparities and address healthcare access issues for vulnerable populations. Students in this course examine the cultural and behavioral factors and issues that influence the management and delivery of healthcare services. Students develop a framework for assessing the effect of culture and behavior in a variety of settings and situations. They identify health disparities attributable to diverse cultural and behavioral factors and discuss their implications for healthcare policy. Students also engage in application-based writing assignments to further examine the goals and objectives of addressing health disparities as well as obstacles for confronting vulnerable populations.	(5 cr.)
HLTH 2120	Health Informatics Show The focus of this course is on the application and use of information technology to support clinical and managerial decision making in healthcare. Emphasis is placed on information technology that supports the delivery of services, including the collection, storage, retrieval, and communication of data; information systems safeguards; ethical and legal issues; and information management to promote patient safety and quality of care. Information literacy and basic hardware and software concepts are addressed. Fundamental software applications, including spreadsheets and healthcare databases, are considered.	(5 cr.)
ACCT 1004	Fundamentals of Accounting Show Students take a top-down approach to understanding introductory accounting documents and procedures by exploring a business's financial statements, including the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement in this course. Students explore the practical uses for information that can be gleaned from these statements, individually and as a whole, through a detailed examination of the properties and characteristics of each statement. Students engage in application assignments and discussions on a variety of topics, such as regulations that should be followed when preparing financial statements as promulgated by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Students examine the U.S. use of GAAP in comparison to the use of International Financial Reporting Standards. Prerequisites BS in Accounting BUSI 1001 or BUSI 1002 MATH 1030 or MATH 1040 BS in Business Administration BUSI 1001 or BUSI 1002 MATH 1030 or MATH 1040 BS in Communication BUSI 1001 or BUSI 1002 MATH 1030 or MATH 1040 BS in Computer Information Systems BUSI 1001 or BUSI 1002 MATH 1030 or MATH 1040 All Other Programs BUSI 1002 MATH 1030 or MATH 1040	(5 cr.)
HLTH 3105	Interprofessional Teamwork in Healthcare Show Students in this course are introduced to a patient-centered interprofessional model for healthcare delivery in which individual practitioners collaborate as members of a team. Students examine the benefits of this interprofessional approach for patients and providers, focusing on how it can lead to improved outcomes. They also explore and discuss professional challenges and institutional barriers, such as delineation of responsibilities, reimbursement, and licensing. Students have the opportunity to gain practical experience with the patient-centered model through the analysis of a patient case study, a hypothetical interprofessional healthcare team, and an appropriate treatment plan. They also consider the benefits of such a model on the future of healthcare.	(5 cr.)
HLTH 3110	Current Issues in Healthcare Policy and Practice Show Many factors, such as access, affordability, insurance, quality, safety, and technology, affect the delivery of healthcare and the development of policies. In this course, students examine the nature of healthcare facilities, major factors influencing the quality of care, and the impact of policy initiatives on all stakeholders, including providers and consumers. They explore the major issues in acute and long-term healthcare policy and practice from the perspective of the patient and the provider. Students devote special attention to the social, institutional, economic, and regulatory contexts in which providers deliver services. Using concepts and issues addressed in the course, students complete a variety of application-based activities, such as a comparison of healthcare facilities in their region and an analysis of the practical role of policy.	(5 cr.)
HLTH 3510	Health Insurance and Reimbursement Show Students in this course will examine the history of third-party reimbursement, the culture of patient expectations for healthcare, and Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement funding and management. Students will consider how healthcare policy, insurance, and reimbursement impact quality and population health.	(5 cr.)
HLTH 4000	Introduction to Healthcare Management Show In this course, students examine management concepts and theories designed to influence and improve the performance of healthcare organizations. They identify and examine the external and internal environments of organizations as well as key management functions, roles, and responsibilities. Exploring essential aspects of healthcare management, students engage in a variety of conceptual and practical activities, such as profiling a healthcare manger, assessing the value of leadership in decision making, and comparing strategic plans. Students delve deeper into content through weekly discussions on a variety of topics, such as emotional intelligence, applications of financial management, issues of quality and safety, the purpose of strategic planning, and challenges in human resources.	(5 cr.)
HLTH 4100	Healthcare Organization Theory and Behavior Show The individual and group behaviors within healthcare organizations often have a direct impact on organizational success and the ability to deliver quality care. In this course, students examine the theories of behavior of healthcare organizations at the macro (organization-wide) level and micro (individual and team performance) level. Students explore factors that influence an organization's behavior and performance, including the role of culture, group processes, and interactions. Sharpening analytic skills, students apply theories of motivation to assess a hypothetical situation. They also investigate famous leaders to analyze leadership traits, including the ability to implement and lead others through change. (Prerequisite(s): HLTH 4000.)	(5 cr.)
HLTH 4520	Healthcare Finance Show Students engage in the foundations for financial management in delivery of healthcare services. Students in this course can learn about the purpose and methods of financial reporting, such as financial statements, balance sheets, and operational and capital budgets, in addition to financial risk, variances, and an overview of insurance principles. Students also explore the financial, political, and economic aspects of universal healthcare. (Prerequisite(s): HLTH 4000 and MATH 1030 or MATH 1040 or STAT 3001.)	(5 cr.)
HLTH 4530	Healthcare Economics From a Population Health Perspective Show Students are provided with the foundation for economic evaluation from a population health approach. Students can develop an understanding of healthcare as a market, compare supply-and-demand principles in healthcare versus a typical business, discuss how economic losses or gains impact healthcare policy changes, sectors of the population, physician staffing, nursing staffing, and stability. Students in the course also explore epidemiological, social, global, and future economic impact of healthcare. (Prerequisite(s): HLTH 4000 and MATH 1030 or MATH 1040 or STAT 3001.)	(5 cr.)
HLTH 4115	Strategic Planning and Marketing in Healthcare Show Key concepts related to strategic planning, including the relationship of the plan to the organization's mission, values, and vision, are presented in this course. Students examine and apply assessment techniques and methodologies for evaluating the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis) of a healthcare organization. They also explore the relationship between strategic planning, marketing, and organizational performance. Through a review of mixed-media resources and interactive discussions, students assess a variety of topics, such as values, vision, and mission statements; the differences between goals and objectives; and applications of healthcare promotion and social change. (Prerequisite(s): HLTH 4000.)	(5 cr.)
HLTH 4205	Introduction to Research Methods and Analysis Show In this course, students examine the basic components required for the conduct of health-related research and provides students with the analytic tools needed to understand and assess research methods described in the scientific literature. Basic research methods are described, including surveys, observational studies, experimental and quasi-experimental design, use of primary and secondary data, and statistical techniques for analyzing and interpreting data.	(5 cr.)
	Choose one course from the following two courses:
HLTH 1005	Context of Healthcare Delivery Show Students in this course describe the causes and consequences of historical events on health and medical care in the United States. They explain barriers related to cost, quality, and access to health and medical care. Students examine unique and complex aspects of subsystems and classify vertical and horizontal integrated healthcare delivery systems. They compare characteristics of healthcare in the U.S. with healthcare systems in other countries. Students also identify current and future issues, trends, and forces in healthcare reform.	(5 cr.)
MMHA 5050	U.S. Healthcare Delivery System Show Through this course, students are helped to understand the structure and components of health services and the health services delivery system in the United States. The components of the system, including patients, organizations, healthcare professionals, public and private third-party payers, regulators, reimbursement and reimbursement methods, and technology are identified and described, including the continuum of healthcare services such as hospitals and hospital systems, ambulatory care services, long-term care services, wellness/prevention services, and community/public health services. In addition, in the course, students are provided with an abbreviated history of health and health services in the United States and address the nature of population illness and disease. Contextual factors and challenges that are linked to the healthcare delivery system are addressed, and the impact of these challenges on the delivery of services and healthcare management are explored.	(5 cr.)
	Choose one course from the following two courses:
HLTH 3100	Ethical and Legal Issues in Healthcare Show The nature of health services, such as personal evaluations, clinical research, invasive surgeries, and end of life care, facilitates a host of ethical and legal considerations of which professionals must be aware. In this course, students examine the legal and ethical issues that are fundamental to the practice of healthcare and the conduct of health-related research. They explore a historical overview of events and milestones that have shaped the contemporary regulatory landscape. They also investigate and assess issues of privacy and confidentiality, informed consent, licensing, and malpractice, among others. Additionally, students consider ethical, decision-making models for assuring the quality, safety, and appropriateness of healthcare and services. They also apply ethical principles and legal considerations to real-world scenarios.	(5 cr.)
MMHA 5300	Law, Ethics, and Policy in Healthcare Administration Show The rapidly evolving healthcare system presents the healthcare administrator with complex challenges and risks. Healthcare administrators must possess the skills needed to assess external and internal healthcare polices to influence organizational design and delivery of healthcare services. Students assess and discuss key policy initiatives from the diverse perspectives of policymakers, interest groups, and other stakeholders. Students focus on required knowledge of laws and regulations developed by policymakers that impact the healthcare organizations in their coursework, and they will review key laws that govern patient care delivery, employee relations, contracts, and fraud. Emphasis will be placed on legal and regulatory failure points that administrators must avoid in designing and implementing policies and practices within the healthcare organization. To help frame these concepts, students examine the ethical underpinnings and principles that healthcare organizations and administrators follow in the delivery of services to patients.	(5 cr.)
	Choose one course from the following two courses:
HLTH 4110	Healthcare Quality and Safety Show A lack of quality service in healthcare, including medical errors, unnecessary surgery, and neglect, accounts for preventable deaths and a continual increase in the cost of delivery. Students in this course explore major quality and safety issues within healthcare organizations. They also examine methods of assessing quality and techniques to improve quality as well as opportunities to prevent adverse and never events, devoting special attention to the 5 Million Lives Campaign. Students examine current requirements for reporting indicators of quality and pay-for-performance initiatives to reward quality. They analyze weekly topics and share perspectives through discussions and case studies on critical issues, such as medical error, the patient perspective, quality and safety measurement, and improvement approaches, among others. (Prerequisite(s): HLTH 4000.)	(5 cr.)
MMHA 5900	Healthcare Quality Management Show Students in this course are introduced to the basis for quality and patient safety and are provided an overview of healthcare quality, methods of assessing quality, and techniques for improving quality. They can learn key terminology and concepts, including defining quality care; measuring quality in terms of the structure-process-outcomes model; distinguishing between clinical and customer service quality; identifying techniques to avoid adverse clinical events; and exploring customer service quality in terms of defining, measuring, and improving patient satisfaction. Students also explore and discuss the roles of governmental agencies in promoting and reporting quality information regarding hospitals and other health organizations, accrediting bodies, and recent performance initiatives of government and private payers. They apply course concepts to current issues of improving clinical and service quality in healthcare organizations, with special consideration of the 5 Million Lives Campaign—a national effort initiated by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement designed to improve medical care in the United States.	(5 cr.)
	Choose one course from the following two courses:
HLTH 4121	Human Resource Management in Healthcare Show Healthcare organizations are able to provide quality care to patients only when their workforce is productive, satisfied, organized, and well-trained. Organizations rely on the human resource (HR) department to provide employees with support, while focusing on the needs and goals of the organization. Students in this course explore and discuss the role of HR in healthcare organizations as related to the recruitment, retention, and management of the healthcare workforce. They examine workforce development models, employee benefits, and compensation strategies. Students also explore methods used by HR professionals to develop goals and expectations for evaluating employee performance and promoting effective employee relations, and they investigate HR problem-solving strategies, such as conflict resolution, collective bargaining, and arbitration methods. Through application-based activities, students analyze effective development of position descriptions; assess practices of hiring based on organizational fit; gain real-world insight on strategies of successful organizations; and develop plans for attaining long-term professional goals. (Prerequisite(s): HMNT 1001 and HLTH 4000.)	(5 cr.)
MMHA 5500	Human Resource Management and Organizational Development and Leadership for Healthcare Administrators Show Students in this course examine organizational behavior as well as the roles and responsibilities of management and leadership within healthcare organizations through the macro (organization-wide) and micro (individual and team performance) perspectives. Students also focus on understanding organizational values, mission, and vision; management and leadership principles to help manage change; and effective delivery of services in an increasingly global environment. They also learn and apply theories of organizational design, governance, and alternative organizational structures, and they consider the theory and practice of managing individuals and groups through motivation, communication, teamwork, leadership, organizational change, coalition building, negotiation, and conflict management and resolution. Through group assignments and personal assessments, students work toward developing self-awareness and effective management styles and strategies.	(5 cr.)
	CAPSTONE
HLTH 4900	Capstone Show This capstone course provides students with the opportunity to synthesize knowledge and skills acquired throughout their program into a practical, integrative literature review of a selected topic specific to their area of concentration and personal interest. Through this project, students gain experience in refining their résumé, locating and assessing professional literature, and presenting arguments and findings. Students also engage in weekly discussions on networking, professional organizations, and the promotion of positive social change. They also reflect on their learning experience throughout the program and consider how they can use these experiences to enrich future professional endeavors. (Prerequisite(s): All prior health core and concentration courses completed. This course must be taken in the student's final quarter.)	(5 cr.)
	ELECTIVE COURSES
	Choose nine courses from general education, BS in Public Health, or other Walden bachelor’s degree programs. Your elective credits should total 45 to meet your program requirements. You may also be eligible to transfer previous credit to meet your elective requirements. Note on minors: Electives can also be used to complete a six-course minor.
VIEW ALL COURSES Less Courses

Tuition and Fees

Curriculum Component	Requirements	Cost	Amount
Tuition	181 quarter credit hours	$325 per quarter hour	$58,825
Technology Fee	Per quarter	$160	$2,560
			$61,385*

*Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 135 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-768-0109.

855-646-5286

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Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost up to an additional $5,000.

Course-Based Learning AIM

Tempo Learning

TEMPO LEARNING AIM ^new!

Admission Requirements

Admission is considered for adult students who hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. Applicants must also meet one of the following criteria:

• You are 21 years of age or older.
• You are less than 21 years of age with at least 12 quarter credits.
• You are an active member of the military or a veteran with documentation of service.

More information for international applicants.

Hone Your Leadership Edge

Become a leader and innovator in today’s complex healthcare landscape with Walden’s BS in Healthcare Management program. A bachelor's in healthcare management degree program focuses on developing a greater understanding of the U.S. healthcare system and the management techniques that guide the operation of thriving healthcare organizations. Learn to think more analytically, communicate more effectively, and master other skills you can apply immediately to impact your organization’s success.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this healthcare management degree program will be prepared to:

What’s the Career Impact of Earning a BS in Healthcare Management?