This course examines the financial practices and procedures of leading a healthcare, long-term care, or human services organization. Students have the opportunity to analyze and interpret financial statements, as well as create and evaluate capital budgets. Public policy and the economic forces that influence healthcare organizations are explored.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

• Create an operating and capital budget for an organization
• Evaluate budget decisions and common economic variables
• Describe and interpret how public policy may affect the financial operations of a healthcare entity
• Examine the reimbursement requirements and regulatory compliance on financial performance
• Analyze and evaluate the financial statements of a healthcare organization

This course evaluates the fundamentals of current healthcare and human services delivery systems in the U.S. Topics include health sector regulatory and financial systems, delivery operations, and organizational design theories.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

• Compare the evolution of various types of services for vulnerable individuals and populations
• Analyze the impact of social, economic, political, and regulatory forces on planning and objective setting
• Evaluate the emergence of organizational designs, operations, and governance in the health sector
• Analyze the factors influencing organizational outcomes and consumer/patient/client satisfaction
• Assess and analyze how the health sector financing and policy, care management, private health coverage, and government programs and reforms (including Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA) impact the cost, quality, experience, and outcomes of care and delivery systems within the U.S

This course examines the ethical, legal, and culturally relevant dimensions of the U.S. health sector, including not-for-profit, for-profit, and public health systems. Topics include ethical issues, public policy, stewardship, and compliance standards impacting healthcare finance and delivery; frameworks for ethical decision making; socio-economic impacts on public policy; and strategies for influencing the policy-making process within the health sector.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

• Apply frameworks for ethical administrative decision-making
• Analyze policies and laws impacting the delivery and financial operations of services for vulnerable individuals and communities
• Evaluate the effect of current policies, payment systems, and regulatory agencies on quality and system performance
• Examine and evaluate the policy environment and solutions while exploring ways to influence the creation and implementation of public policy

This course explores applied theories and skills of leadership and management within the health and human service sectors. Leadership styles and culturally responsive approaches to decision-making are examined. Topics such as governance, vision and mission, strategic planning, business decision support, and promotion of sustainable, ethical organizational growth and organization stewardship are explored.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

• Illustrate roles, relationships, and legal responsibilities for administration, board members, departmental managers, clinicians, staff, external stakeholders, and suppliers
• Articulate an overview of the scope and roles within strategic planning and external relations (market research, marketing, public and communication relations, communication, media, and government relations)
• Communicate organizational vision and manage internal communication and cross-functional teamwork
• Analyze organizational board governance systems for effective implementation of shared vision and mission.
• Evaluate strategies for promoting and leading organizational change
• Evaluate ethical standards and decision-making models for health and human service administration

• An undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
• A minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
• If your overall GPA is below 2.75, you may receive conditional status in the program at the discretion of the program director

No prerequisite coursework or experience is required for this program.

You don’t need GRE/GMAT scores to apply for this program.

Transfer credits are not accepted for this program.

Students with transcripts from universities outside the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada (except for the Quebec Province) must take and pass English proficiency testing

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 72
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.0
• Michigan Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) with a minimum score of 74%
• International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP) with a minimum score of 4.0 or Pearson Test of English with a score of 51
• Duolingo with a minimum score of 100

Whether you apply through our online application via hard copy, or in-person with a Saint Mary’s admissions counselor, your application must include the following items:

Official transcripts: An official transcript issued to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota from the institution posting the applicant’s completed degree and other relevant transcripts documenting program prerequisites and potential transfer credits must be sent separately and directly from your institution. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota accepts official transcripts electronically from previously attended institutions. Transcripts should be sent to oladmissions@smumn.edu or mailed to:

Transcript Processing Center
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
851 Trafalgar Court, Suite 420
Maitland, FL 32751

An up-to-date résumé: Include both your educational and professional experience.

Two references: Provide the names of two people (including title, organization, email, and phone number) who can serve as professional references, if needed, during the application review process. The best references are those who know you professionally, such as current or former supervisors.

Upcoming application deadlines for Saint Mary’s online Healthcare Administration Certificate:

• Spring: January 8, 2024
• Summer: May 6, 2024
• Fall: August 20, 2024

Upcoming start dates for Saint Mary’s online Healthcare Administration Certificate:

• Spring: January 8, 2024
• Summer: May 6, 2024
• Fall: September 3, 2024

Once you’ve submitted your application, expect to be notified about acceptance approximately two weeks after your submission date.