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MASTER’S IN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ONLINE

Fast facts

Fact 1

Credit Hours

36

Fact 2

Per Credit

$730

Fact 3

Duration

2 yrs

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Program Benefits

  • Certificate Offerings
  • Gain Ethical Standards and Leadership Knowledge
  • Diverse Course Topics
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Targeted Courses to Suit Your Career Goals

The curriculum for the online Master of Arts in Health and Human Services Administration at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is built on a foundation of core competencies that give you the skills and confidence to pursue your career goals.

The degree program consists of courses totaling 36 credit hours which can be completed in about 24 months given continuous enrollment.

Students have the option to take four additional practicum courses to fulfill hours for the Minnesota Nursing Home Administrator licensure. The Minnesota licensure pathway is no longer open to students as of Fall 2022.

Required Core Courses: 33 credits

HS 612 Health Informatics and Application (3 credits)

This course covers collection and analysis of data to support administrative, operational, financial, clinical decision making, and regulatory compliance. Roles that information systems and technologies serve in the health sector; types of computer-based health information systems; and issues related to data privacy, confidentiality, integrity, stewardship, and availability are addressed.

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

  1. Locate and describe regulations and strategic uses of data and information for healthcare, long-term care, or human services.
  2. Use historical and real-time data to make decisions through predictive analytics.
  3. Differentiate between advantages (opportunities) and disadvantages (risks) of information technology when applied to the delivery of care and services within current and anticipated systems.
  4. Identify specific technologies available for the collection, analysis, retrieval, storage, and dissemination of information.
  5. Address how technology and predictive analytics can support the planning, implementation, and evaluation of current and future administrative, clinical, financial, and operational service programs.
  6. Analyze the effectiveness of standardized vocabularies and classification systems, and identify how these systems impact delivery of care.
  7. Understand the ethical and management challenges which exist with information technologies in the health and human services sectors.

    HS 658 Human Resources in the Health and Human Services Sector (3 credits)

    This course examines core areas of talent acquisition and retention, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and employee development, including culturally responsive practice and system design. It emphasizes the application of effective and ethical human resource management principles for organizations within the health and human service sectors.

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

    1. Outline the key components of human resource management and the value added by this functional area, including the essential components of effective job analysis and design, development of position descriptions, and fundamental employee health and safety programs.
    2. Identify current and emerging human resource issues and scenarios within health sector organizations, and relevant laws, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices impacting them.
    3. Analyze the broad role of human resource management within the health sector, including workforce recruitment, development, evaluation, engagement and retention programs, succession and strategic planning to maximize resident/patient/client quality of life, quality of care, and workforce satisfaction and engagement.
    4. Understand how human resource, change management, and leadership development programs are planned, implemented, and evaluated to address diversity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices.
    5. Negotiate, interpret, and implement contractual and financial agreements, including those related to organized labor, managed care, vendors, and consultative services.

    HS 662 Financial Practices in the Health and Human Services Sector (3 credits)

    This course explores the skills required for effective, ethical financial management within the health sector. Students analyze and interpret financial statements, create and evaluate operating and capital budgets, and incorporate general principles of financial management.

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

    1. Relate the historical context of healthcare financial management, theory, and concepts to the current state of the health sector.
    2. Create and evaluate an operating and capital budget for an organization.
    3. Examine the reimbursement requirements and regulatory compliance on financial performance, including exploration billing and collections practices.
    4. Analyze and evaluate the financial statements of organizations in the health or human service sectors.
    5. Use the tools of financial forecasting, planning auditing programs, reporting systems, and control needed to make managerial decisions within the health sector.

    HS 710 Advanced Research, Writing, and Communication (3 credits)

    This course focuses on graduate academic and professional writing skills within the health sector, including voice and style, ethical use of source material, and revision. Students learn to identify and evaluate resources relevant to the research, writing, and communication process with an emphasis in the health sector.

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

    1. Analyze and synthesize a variety of credible sources relevant to a research question.
    2. Integrate source material into academic and professional writing, including correct use of summary, paraphrase, and quotation, along with proper citation.
    3. Evaluate various modes of organizational and health-related communication, including emerging technologies.
    4. Apply various communication styles, including variations found within diverse cultural, gender, and generational groups

    HS 711 Finance for Health Services Administrators (3 credits)

    This course examines the practices and procedures associated with ethical financial practices in the health sector. Public policy, ethics, stewardship, and the economic forces that influence organizations within the health sector are explored.

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

    1. Evaluate budget decisions and common economic variables to advance financial viability and growth of organizations within the health sector.
    2. Describe and interpret how market forces and public policy may affect the financial operations of a healthcare entity, including the emergence of risk adjusted and risk sharing models for population health management.
    3. Develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate financial policies and procedures that comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
    4. Review and demonstrate an understanding of contract negotiation and implementation, including the anticipated impact on an organization.
    5. Identify and establish policies, procedures, and practices to mitigate risk and safeguard the assets of the organization.

    Prerequisite: HS 662 Financial Practices in the Health and Human Services Sector

    HS 712 Health and Human Service Systems (3 credits)

    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:

    1. Compare the evolution of various types of services for vulnerable individuals and populations.
    2. Analyze the impact of social, economic, political, and regulatory forces on planning and objective setting.
    3. Evaluate the emergence of organizational designs, operations, and governance in the health sector.
    4. Analyze the factors influencing organizational outcomes and consumer/patient/client satisfaction.
    5. 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 US.

    HS 713 Aging, Illness, and the Continuum of Care (3 credits)

    This course provides a culturally responsive overview and comparison of the aging process and illness. Identification of resources designed to support healthy aging as well as understanding various health and human service agencies that meet the needs of the disabled, acute and chronically ill, and the medically complex are covered. This course covers the language and basic understanding of healthcare and human services needs for clients, patients, and residents across the continuum of care.

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

    1. Differentiate between aging and disease progression as distinct but interrelated factors in human development.
    2. Effectively define and communicate common medical and pharmacological terms for individuals and care providers.
    3. Describe the common physical, social, and psychological aspects of the human development process, focusing on the disabled and chronically ill, as well as the various approaches to addressing individual needs.
    4. Identify and develop culturally responsive best practices for addressing common elderly/disabled/chronically ill and medically complex individuals within an agency, facility, or community–based setting.
    5. Research and evaluate the laws and agencies (both public and private) addressing the needs of vulnerable populations in residential and community-based settings.

    HS 715 Advanced Health Policy and Ethics (3 credits)

    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:

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

    HS 716 Health and Human Services Administration (3 credits)

    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:

    1. Illustrate roles, relationships, and legal responsibilities for administration, board members, departmental managers, clinicians, staff, external stakeholders, and suppliers.
    2. 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).
    3. Communicate organizational vision and manage internal communication and cross-functional teamwork.
    4. Analyze organizational board governance systems for effective implementation of shared vision and mission.
    5. Evaluate strategies for promoting and leading organizational change.
    6. Evaluate ethical standards and decision-making models for health and human service administration.

    HS 717 Health Sector Quality and Performance Improvement (3 credits)

    This course examines the project management and quality improvement frameworks and processes in the health sector. The frameworks and processes outline key terminology, context, sequencing and life cycles, organizational designs and evaluation, and the roles of stakeholders.

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

    1. Apply project management tools, quality improvement terms, frameworks, and processes in the context of the health and human services settings.
    2. Identify project integration, scope, time, cost, quality, human resource requirements, communications, risk, and procurement management process inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs.
    3. Analyze stakeholder needs and expectations, and unique aspects in the health sector.
    4. Assess tools and strategies to effectively manage projects within organizations in the health sector to advance quality, cost, satisfaction and value improvement.
    5. Identify approaches to apply change management, process/performance/quality improvement, and project management to improve the performance within the health sector.
    6. Develop and integrate creative, adaptive strategies that promote positive change and innovation.

      HS 720 Strategic Health and Human Services Leadership (3 credits)

      This course focuses on leadership principles designed to create and sustain organizations and programs in the health and human services sectors through the creation and implementation of vision, mission, and reflective practices. Leadership styles coupled with personal, cultural, and ethical awareness are evaluated.

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

      1. Identify and synthesize ethical and culturally responsive management and leadership principles and styles in the health and human services sectors.
      2. Create a vision and mission to optimize health and human service system performance, including exploration of emerging and innovative system design, technology, and partnerships.
      3. Compare strategic planning models to best support the organizational mission.
      4. Evaluate and apply best practice change management to ensure application of system, workforce, data, and technology-oriented solutions.

      Required Capstone Course: 3 cr.

      HS 698 Capstone (3 credits)

      In this course, students integrate theory and findings from contemporary practices and literature identified in an in-depth study of a health sector administrative topic.

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

      1. Complete a study that poses a research question, synthesizes related literature, and analyzes gaps in literature to find potential areas of additional research.
      2. Participate in an experiential activity regarding healthcare and human services administration.
      3. Articulate and integrate learnings from the core health and human services curriculum and the experiential activity.

      Prerequisite: All required coursework.

      Nursing Home Practicum (Optional)(MN Only)

      HS 750 Nursing Home Practicum 1 (200-250 hours) (1 credit)

      This practicum course is designed to meet the requirements set out by the Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators (BENHA) and National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB).  This course provides practical learning experiences within the context of a nursing facility to complement the student’s academic training and work or volunteer experience in long-term care, general healthcare, and management.  Please contact BENHA (http://mn.gov/boards/nursing-home/) to determine if this course meets the (http://www.nabweb.org/) for national or state-by-state requirements.

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

      1. Demonstrate knowledge of all functions of the nursing facility departments.
      2. Analyze results of regulatory inspections, write and implement a plan of correction including in-service education.
      3. Explain the roles of the nursing facility Administrator and the facility relationships in the context of operations, governance, community relations, resident councils and other health care providers operating in the continuum of health care.
      4. Complete research designed to improve operations and inform decision-making on a current issue.
      5. Develop competence in “AIT Model Standards Covering the Domains of Practice”
        1. Domain 10 – Customer Care, Support, and Services
        2. Domain 20 – Human Resources
        3. Domain 30 – Finance
        4. Domain 40 – Environment
        5. Domain 50 – Management and Leadership
      6. Develop a clear understanding of what is needed to pass their respective State and NAB tests.

      Prerequisite: Permission of the Program Director

      HS 751 Nursing Home Practicum 2 (250 hours) (1 credit)

      This practicum course is designed to meet the requirements set out by the Minnesota Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Support (MN BELTSS) and National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB). This course provides practical learning experiences within the context of a nursing facility to complement the student’s academic training and work or volunteer experience in long-term care, general healthcare, and management. Please contact BELTSS1 to determine if this course meets the requirements for you to take the MN Nursing Home Administration licensing exam and NAB2 for national or state-by-state requirements.

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

      1. Demonstrate knowledge of all functions of the nursing facility departments.
      2. Analyze results of regulatory inspections, write and implement a plan of correction including in-service education.
      3. Explain the roles of the nursing facility Administrator and the facility relationships in the context of operations, governance, community relations, resident councils and other health care providers operating in the continuum of health care.
      4. Complete research designed to improve operations and inform decision-making on a current issue.
      5. Develop competence in “AIT Model Standards Covering the Domains of Practice”
        1. Domain 10 – Customer Care, Support, and Services
        2. Domain 20 – Human Resources
        3. Domain 30 – Finance
        4. Domain 40 – Environment
        5. Domain 50 – Management and Leadership
      6. Develop a clear understanding of what is needed to pass their respective State and NAB tests.

      Prerequisite: HS 750 Nursing Home Practicum 1

      HS 752 Nursing Home Practicum 3 (250 hours) (1 credit)

      This practicum course is designed to meet the requirements set out by the Minnesota Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Support (MN BELTSS) and National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB). This course provides practical learning experiences within the context of a nursing facility to complement the student’s academic training and work or volunteer experience in long-term care, general healthcare, and management. Please contact BELTSS1 to determine if this course meets the requirements for you to take the MN Nursing Home Administration licensing exam and NAB2 for national or state-by-state requirements.

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

      1. Demonstrate knowledge of all functions of the nursing facility departments.
      2. Analyze results of regulatory inspections, write and implement a plan of correction including in-service education.
      3. Explain the roles of the nursing facility Administrator and the facility relationships in the context of operations, governance, community relations, resident councils and other health care providers operating in the continuum of health care.
      4. Complete research designed to improve operations and inform decision-making on a current issue.
      5. Develop competence in “AIT Model Standards Covering the Domains of Practice”
        1. Domain 10 – Customer Care, Support, and Services
        2. Domain 20 – Human Resources
        3. Domain 30 – Finance
        4. Domain 40 – Environment
        5. Domain 50 – Management and Leadership
      6. Develop a clear understanding of what is needed to pass their respective State and NAB tests.

      Prerequisite: HS 751 Nursing Home Practicum 2

      HS 753 Nursing Home Practicum 4 (250 hours) (1 credit)

      This practicum course is designed to meet the requirements set out by the Minnesota Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Support (MN BELTSS) and National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB). This course provides practical learning experiences within the context of a nursing facility to complement the student’s academic training and work or volunteer experience in long-term care, general healthcare, and management. Please contact BELTSS1 to determine if this course meets the requirements for you to take the MN Nursing Home Administration licensing exam and NAB2 for national or state-by-state requirements.

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

      1. Demonstrate knowledge of all functions of the nursing facility departments.
      2. Analyze results of regulatory inspections, write and implement a plan of correction including in-service education.
      3. Explain the roles of the nursing facility Administrator and the facility relationships in the context of operations, governance, community relations, resident councils and other health care providers operating in the continuum of health care.
      4. Complete research designed to improve operations and inform decision-making on a current issue.
      5. Develop competence in “AIT Model Standards Covering the Domains of Practice”
        1. Domain 10 – Customer Care, Support, and Services
        2. Domain 20 – Human Resources
        3. Domain 30 – Finance
        4. Domain 40 – Environment
        5. Domain 50 – Management and Leadership
      6. Develop a clear understanding of what is needed to pass their respective State and NAB tests.

      Prerequisite(s): HS 752 Nursing Home Practicum 3

      Students who have completed the Healthcare Administration Certificate may use all the credits toward the M.A. in Health and Human Services Administration.

       

      1Minnesota Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Support (MN BELTSS)
      2National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB)

       

      To learn more about these courses and what they can do for your career, call 877-308-9954 to speak with an enrollment counselor, or you canRequest More Information.

       

      *Program Accreditation and Minnesota State Licensure

       

      Minnesota: Effective August 31, 2024 the MA in Health and Human Services Administration program will no longer be accredited by the MN Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Supports (BELTSS) accreditation as meeting state educational requirements for Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) licensure in Minnesota. Due to this, we will no longer be accepting new students into the licensure pathway track of the MA HHSA program after the Fall 2022 semester. Contact Dr. Amy Heinz, at aheinz@smumn.edu, with any questions.
      This program is not intended or designed to meet educational requirements for long term care or nursing home administrator licensure in any jurisdiction.

      Current Degree Requirements

      For current degree requirements, visit the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Course Catalog.