Colleges and Schools

Health Systems Management Program Requirements

Students who complete the program requirements for a bachelor of science (BS) degree with a major in health sciences: health systems management will be prepared for careers across the healthcare sector related to administration and management, such as in human resources, financial counseling, claims adjudication, and care coordination. In addition, some students continue on to graduate or professional studies, particularly in areas such as business and health analytics.

Students concentrating in Health Systems Management can earn a minor in business with one additional course.

Major Requirements: Health Sciences, Health Systems Management Track

48 hours of major coursework

42 Core Curriculum hours

120 total hours for graduation

ACADEMIC CATALOG

CORE CURRICULUM

Course Descriptions

For a complete list of all North Park’s programs and course offerings, review the academic catalog.

Prerequisites and Supporting Courses

Includes structure and organization of human organ systems emphasizing skeletal, muscular, digestive, circulatory, respiratory, nervous, and urogenital systems. Lab included with cadaver demonstrations. It is recommened that the student complete one year of high school laboratory science. This course is designed for students majoring in the sciences, healthcare, or nursing.


The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a basic understanding of the general principles of disease, as well as specific disease processes of body systems and individual organs. Previously learned concepts from courses in anatomy and physiology provide the foundation for investigating pathophysiological mechanisms. Concepts learned in this course are basic to those interested in a career in a healthcare setting.

A survey of the major functional classes of organic compounds including structure, nomenclature, properties, and reactions. Includes an introduction to the classes of natural products. Four hours lecture and two hours laboratory per week. Student must have completed one year of high school general chemistry.


A survey of chemistry of cellular compounds. Introduction to the different classes of biochemicals. Introduction to bioenergetics and enzymology and to the major pathways of cellular chemical events. Four hours lecture and two hours laboratory per week.


This course introduces students to biostatistics, focusing on the application of statistical ideas and methods to collect, summarize, analyze and interpret health sciences data. Topics covered include: data types, summary statistics, graphical methods, correlation, regression, standard scores, probability, risk and odds ratios, normal distributions, confidence intervals, parametric and nonparametric inferential tests. Students develop analytic skills for working with data and critical thinking skills regarding the role of statistics in research in the Health Sciences professions.

 

Health Sciences Core Classes

This course serves as an introduction to the field of health science. The student will develop an understanding of the health care system in the United States and the professions which impact it. The student will be learning how to navigate the health care resources and acquire knowledge of how health care is delivered.


This course provides knowledge and skills to apply a population focused approach to addressing health-related problems in the US. This course will cover basic epidemiological concepts, statistics, and tools used in descriptive and analytic epidemiology. Students will gain practice in reading and interpreting epidemiologic studies used as a basis for improving health. Tools for improving public health will also be covered, including screening programs, Healthy People initiatives, and disease surveillance systems.


Issues and dilemmas in the health care system serve as a basis for examination of theories and principles of ethics. The spiritual domain is considered a valued context for decision-making.


This course prepares healthcare professionals to successfully apply technology to manage healthcare challenges and opportunities. It emphasizes the vital requirement of healthcare professionals to effectively use technology tools that will engage healthcare consumers as partners in care. A theoretical foundation for the field of informatics is introduced and applied. The course is designed for students in nursing or health science programs of study. It is built upon and connected to the University urban, intercultural, and Christian distinctives.


Introduces elements of the research process with emphasis on becoming a consumer of research. Focus is on relevance of research findings to evidenced-based quality health care. Considers ethical issues in research.


Examines and emphasizes the challenges and opportunities related to issues in health policy and health care from a local, national, and international perspective. Addresses the political, economic, legal, and ethical aspects of the United States Health Care policy and health care issues; their impact on patients; and mechanisms and strategies for political advocacy and influence.

 

Health Systems Management Core Classes

A study of generally accepted accounting principles and techniques for measurement and reporting of financial information in a balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows. It includes an introduction to analysis and interpretation of financial data for decision-making purposes.


An introduction to basic economic concepts and models. An aggregate and analytical view of economic analysis focusing on national income, employment, the price level, and economic growth. The theory of income determination, fiscal policy, monetary policy, and the international economy. Current issues and policies in macroeconomics including studies on labor force and job structure. Historical review and development of economic doctrines.


An introduction to finance. The study includes a discussion of basic concepts, including accounting statements, security markets, interest rates, taxes, risk analysis, time value of money, and the basics of security valuation. It includes how financial managers can help maximize their firm's values by improving decisions in such areas as capital budgeting, choice of capital structure, and working capital management.


An introduction to the marketing function in private and public organizations, designed to provide students with an overview of marketing concepts, tools, and methods of analysis. The course takes a practical, managerial approach to managing the marketing process. Steps in the marketing process, including market research, segmentation, targeting, positioning, and the four P's (product, place, price, promotion) are explored, along with concepts of customer value and satisfaction, competitive analysis, brand strategy, consumer behavior, advertising, and the impact of the internet on marketing strategy and implementation.


This course addresses the principles of management and leadership along with their historical underpinnings. The scope of the course includes managerial (i.e. planning, organizing, leading, and controlling) and leader (i.e. process, influence, context, attainment, shared experience) function and responsibility; effective and ethical manager and leader characteristics. Particular attention is paid to issues of gender and cultural diversity. Application of the above theory is practiced throughout the course in the form of project based teams, self-management activities, assessments, authentic leadership development, presentations, and introductory level scholarly research using APA (American Psychological Association) style for research writing.


The course explores how legal, policy, and political considerations influence legislative enactments and administrative agencies' regulatory policies in the health care arena. The first part of the course will examine policy and political reasons for government intervention at the state and federal level. The second unit will review the manner in which administrative agencies' implement health care statutes. The third unit will address health care enforcement and compliance issues.


Students will learn to integrate organizational principles with organizational practice in the preparation of healthcare leaders and managers. This course will lead students through foundations, research and new directions in health organizations


The Health Science Capstone course enables students to synthesize their educational experiences in the major and prepare for careers in their selected field of health care. The capstone project will require the student to demonstrate critical analysis of data and develop a plan to respond to an issue in health care relevant to their concentration (Health Systems Management or Health and Wellness). Students will present their research at the end of the semester through a research paper and formal presentation to each other and invited guests.