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Graduate Certificate Program in Health Service Management

Advance your knowledge of health care administration and finance with this flexible and affordable online Graduate Certificate in Health Service Management.

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Next Start Date: September 6

Online Graduate Certificate in Health Service Management

Learn the structure and operational processes of health care institutions and build a solid foundation in health care financial reporting and analysis with UMass Lowell's Graduate Certificate in Health Service Management.

This four-course program provides insight into the unique roles of management, clinical staff, support personnel and human resources in a variety of health care settings. Courses cover the latest health care regulations, laws, policies and technologies, operations analysis, financial management practices and provider payment structures, leadership styles, organizational culture, change management, workflow processes and patient safety.

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Complete in as Little as 9 Months

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One of the Most Affordable Tuitions in the Nation

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Apply Anytime

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Variety of Financial Aid and Scholarships Available

Career Outlook

281,208
Jobs (2022)
+2.4%
% Change (2022-2023)
$78.1K/yr
Median Earnings
32,569
Annual Openings
Source: Lightcast (2023) Target Occupations in New England
"Employment of health care managers is projected to grow 18 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations."
— U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2019
HIMSS Badge UMass Lowell is an Academic Organizational Affiliate of Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.

One Success Leads to Another

Apply credits from lower credentials to higher ones. Our programs are designed to build upon themselves:

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Graduate Certificate Program in Health Service Management
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Master of Science in Health Information Management: Health Service Management Option

Curriculum Outline

- Required Courses: 2
- Electives: 2

Required Courses (2 / 6cr)

Electives (Choose 2 / 6cr)

Course Descriptions

This course introduces core concepts of social and behavioral determinants of health and provides a foundation for the analysis of social, political and economic influences on health and their role in contributing to health inequities. The core functions of public health and essential services are discussed as well as the history of public health, its philosophy and values. Upstream and downstream reforms to addressing fundamental determinants are evaluated. The influence of behavioral and psychological factors on health and disease are analyzed. 3 credits.

This course reviews the organizational structure of healthcare facilities and the behavior of individuals within them. Students analyze the role of administration, human resources, providers and other support staff and apply organizational, behavioral, and social science practice and theory, to the operations of the healthcare organization. Comparison is made between healthcare and non-health care types of industry to highlight the unique characteristics of healthcare workers. An emphasis is also made on leadership styles, organizational culture, and change management within the healthcare organization. 3 credits.

The course focuses on expanding students' knowledge and skills for developing and evaluating contemporary public health policy in the United States and international settings. Students will gain information about the current US national health care system as it relates to emergent public health topics and priorities in the US and globally. This course will focus on competencies for designing, implementing, evaluating and advocating for evidence-based policy, program and practices. 3 credits.

This course explores analytic methods that can be used to improve the decision making of management, clinicians and others within the healthcare industry. Students learn the conceptual foundations of quantitative analysis and common methods used in supporting decision-making; developing evidence-based practices; analyzing data and testing hypotheses. Students also learn how to use industry-standard data analysis software applications, statistical packages and common applications for the development and reporting of analytic findings. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

This environmental health course explores the links between human activities and environmental systems and examines how these interactions can impact human health. The course is designed to provide knowledge and skills necessary to understand how human and industrial activities such as population growth, methods of food production, pollution of the air and water, waste, the built environment, toxic substances, pest control, and global climate change can result in human diseases and impact the environment. Understanding the links between human activities and environmental systems is essential to developing effective prevention strategies and building sustainable communities. 3 credits.

The purpose of this course is to enhance the students' ability to effectively build and lead high-performing Public Health organizations. This course will integrate fundamental principles from the behavioral and social sciences to provide students with a coherent set of strategies and techniques to effectively collaborate with internal external stakeholders as well as to influence meaningful, sustainable change. This course will also provide students opportunities to self-reflect on their own leadership styles and develop growth plans. 3 credits.

Provides broad exposure to the concepts and practices of healthcare finance and healthcare financial management. Teaches a practical understanding of basic healthcare financial issues, financial reporting and analysis, and provider payment structures. The course enables students to read, analyze and use healthcare financial information in today's healthcare environment. 3 credits.

This course focuses on a multi-disciplinary approach to operations analysis, process redesign and quality improvement in health care. Focus is placed on the tools, methods and processes used for improving work flow processes, patient safety and performance in a variety of health care settings. Students study the history, development and principles of quality improvement in healthcare. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

Graduate level or permission

This course provides a framework for addressing common issues faced by management within a healthcare organization. Students are provided with an overview of how healthcare institutions are organized and governed, the unique roles of management, clinical staff, support staff, and human resources in the healthcare setting. Students also learn the management systems designed for efficient and effective operations. 3 credits.

Students explore the economic dimensions of healthcare by considering the input, output, production and costs of producing quality healthcare which meets demand and evaluates the behavior of supply. Students consider provider payer systems and aspects relative to private and public health insurance in determining market power and competitive markets. Common economic evaluation methods are introduced to measure health service feasibility, and promote value judgment in the realm of healthcare reform and regulatory compliance. 3 credits.

This course explores the important aspects of planning and implementation of business strategies in a health service organization. Students learn about the multi-step process of creating and managing a successful business plan, as well as strategies and solutions for analyzing business situations while utilizing popular tools of the industry. 3 credits.

This course introduces healthcare professionals to the power of data and the importance of analysis. Students learn how population informatics, consumer health informatics, translational bioinformatics, and clinical research informatics are essential components in selecting the techniques and systems used for transforming clinical data into information, knowledge and improved decision-making. The past, current and future role of healthcare IT is also discussed. 3 credits.

Working with data is foundational to public health. This class will provide a practical introduction to how to think about and utilize data for a variety of public health functions Students will investigate sources of local, national, and global public health data, including health records, surveys, and vital statistics in terms of what data is available and how to access, manage, analyze, communicate, and use these data. Students will apply informatics and data sources to population health activities. Students will gain hands on experience working with data in practical ways through data visualizations and software used for public health informatics. 3 credits.

This course provides a broad-range overview of the healthcare information systems industry, its history, recent developments and continuing challenges, as well as a practical understanding of healthcare information systems acquisition and implementation. Topics include EMR, Data, CMS Quality Programs, Clinical Integration and health information exchange. 3 credits.

This course presents and overview of legal and ethical issues facing managers and providers in health care. It provides students with a foundation of health law and ethics and reviews health care legal and ethical situations and dilemmas. The goals are to provide students with practical knowledge of health law and ethics and their application to the real world of health care. 3 credits.

This course examines the practical concept of data quality review and auditing for monitoring compliance with state and federal licensing and regulatory bodies. Students develop an understanding of state and federal guidelines common to private and public health services. Students practice concurrent and retrospective review of health information and examine criteria that meets the Department of Health and Human Service and federal ONC Health IT initiatives including meaningful use and other provider quality initiative programs associated with national health care goals. Students develop a clinical documentation improvement program including tools for training other and create an electronic dashboard for monitoring compliance. 3 credits.

This course provides students with a basic framework for health policy analysis and examines major aspects of U.S. health policy. Detailed consideration and discussion focus on the relationship of national policy to the planning, implementation and funding of healthcare services. The course covers topics such as the healthcare policy environment in the U.S, government-funded healthcare through Medicaid and Medicare, and the Massachusetts healthcare reform. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

Health informatics studies use big data and information technologies to improve human health by reducing the gap between health practice and societal goals of improved health. Health care quality, access, and cost contribute to the broader perspective of health equity. Students apply the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) code sets applicable to the Department of Health and Human Services and Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. Students explore how data are used to detect and inform policies and interventions to reduce health inequities for marginalized and underserved groups. Students apply these skills by designing informatics interventions that support a broader understanding of overall population health equity. 3 credits.

This is a graduate level course providing a comprehensive foundation for project management as it applies to healthcare. Students will be introduced to the theory and concepts of project management and the tools to manage projects with a focus on healthcare. At the end of this course, students should be able to develop, execute, and control a basic project plan that is capable of supporting organizational objectives linked to measures of success for a single project. 3 credits.

A graduate-level course introducing healthcare professionals to strategic planning for the information systems organization. The concepts are taught in a manner that allows the skills learned to be applied to any discipline with the organization. The course is designed to give healthcare professional a practical understanding of strategic planning and its importance to a successful organization. Skills learned in this course will enable the student to work effectively with and support the information systems planning effort in order to ensure better IS, clinical and business alignment. 3 credits.

The course addresses Electronic Health Records (EHR) integration with patient care flow, clinical decision making and patient engagement, as well as patient registries and clinical quality reporting. Students also learn core EHR functions, strategies for EHR optimization, and how the EHR can be leveraged for population health management. The course uses industry-leading EHR software as a learning tool to demonstrate how electronic health record technologies are used in a healthcare setting. 3 credits.

Graduate Certificate Requirements

Students enrolled in graduate certificate programs through UMass Lowell must complete all courses indicated in the curriculum outline. Students may complete the certificate program at their own pace by registering for and successfully completing one or more courses each semester, depending upon his/her personal time constraints. Students are required to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.000 with no more than one course grade below B to receive the certificate.

Online courses meet throughout the year during the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters (see Calendar for details). Online students generally log into their online course website one or more times per week to retrieve lectures and assignments or to participate in a chat session. Online students should expect to spend 6 to 10 hours per week engaged in course-related activities for each course. For more information on online courses, visit our online program home page .

Completing a Graduate Certificate Program

Graduate certificate courses must be completed within a five-year period with a minimum 3.000 grade point average and no more than one course with a grade below B. Once all courses for a graduate certificate have been completed, students must complete and submit the Graduate Certificate Clearance Form. Students must submit their clearance form to their coordinator. The coordinator will apply them in SIS, Graduation Tracking.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition at UMass Lowell is typically half the cost of private colleges, and our online tuition is among the lowest in the nation. Tuition for online programs offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same whether you live in-state, out-of-state or outside of the U.S.

Summer 2023 Tuition

 Cost Per Credit Cost Per 3-Credit Course*

Graduate
Online† $585 $1,755
Online Business** $655 $1,965
Online IT and Engineering*** $600 $1,800
Online Education $470 $1,410
Online Education for Ed.D. and Ph.D.† $495 $1,485
On Campus View Here View Here
*If the number of contact hours exceeds the number of credits, tuition is calculated by multiplying by the total number of contact hours.
†Rate will increase slightly in Fall 2023

Additional Costs
Term Registration Fee $30
Late Fee $50
Graduate Degree and Certificate Application $50

Please note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.

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For Graduate Certificate Programs, Please Submit:

  • An application
  • An application fee*
  • An official transcript indicating a completed bachelor's degree. International transcripts require a foreign credential evaluation from an agency such as CED: Center for Educational Documentation, Inc., ECE: Educational Credential Evaluators®, or WES: World Education Services.
  • For students from countries where English is NOT the national language, an English test is required: we accept TOEFL: minimum is 79, iELTS: minimum is 6.5 and duolingo: minimum is 105.
  • Professional resume
  • No Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required for graduate certificate programs

Applications can be completed and submitted at any time during the year. Your application will be processed as soon as all admission materials have been received. You may apply to more than one certificate program but can only take 12 credits maximum before enrolling in an advanced degree. Learn more about specific application requirements for your program of interest.

*There is a $50 application fee to apply to this graduate program.

Count Your Graduate Certificate Toward a Master's Degree

Credits earned from a graduate certificate may be used toward a related graduate degree.

Graduate Program Admissions Requirements

Admission to all graduate programs at UMass Lowell is contingent upon successful completion of a bachelor's degree. In many cases, applicants may register for a course before formally applying to the program; however, students requiring financial aid may want to wait until they have been formally accepted into the program to ensure that their course(s) will be covered. Contact UMass Lowell's Office of Graduate Admissions if you have questions about the application process.

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Questions Regarding Your Graduate Application?

Email Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu or call 800-656-4723 (for U.S. students) or 978-934-2390 (for international students).

For General Assistance:

For general questions about registering for courses or to find out who the advisor is for your graduate program, call 800-480-3190. Our admissions and advising teams are here to help!

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