University of New England

Degree: Bachelor of Science with a major in Health Services Management

College: Health Professions

Department: Nursing and Health Services Management

Contact: Karen Pardue (Chair), MS, BSN, BC kpardue@une.edu

The health service management faculty believe that the availability of multiple entry and exit points in professional education is critical for students to meet various career aspirations.  The health programs of the University of New England provide the foundation for students to move from novice toward expert practice within the profession and allows students to explore expanded professional role opportunities.

This program is a two-year/four-semester Bachelor of Science-degree completion program which is offered on the Westbrook College Campus. The program focuses on preparing students for increasingly responsible leadership positions in a variety of health care settings. The program allows students to take full advantage of prior academic and professional work by using it as a foundation for further study in health services management.

A total of 120 credits are required for this degree completion program and a student may apply to transfer up to 60 credits of prior academic and professional work completed through an accredited two or four-year college or through a specialized degree/licensing program (e.g., registered nurse, radiology technician, biotechnologist, dental hygienist, etc.).

Health Services Field and Program Focus
Health Services Management is an exciting and challenging field. It involves the application of management skills to the delivery of a full range of health services. The curriculum is based upon a solid foundation of knowledge of the design and delivery of health services. Students are prepared for a wide variety of positions in health services settings, including general management or specialized careers in insurance, health maintenance organizations, hospitals, physician practices, long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, government policy offices, research organizations, and human resource departments. Health services continue to grow and employment opportunities in this field are many. Starting salaries usually exceed average baccalaureate graduates. The degree completion program in health services management is a rigorous, problem-solving focused curriculum designed to prepare health care professionals for ever-expanding leadership positions in the rapidly changing health services delivery environment. Upon completion students will:

• Possess an increased awareness of various health service delivery systems and the effect of economic, sociological, psychological and political factors on the design and delivery of services.
• Recognize the individual, social, and environmental determinants of health, disease, and disability, and their influence on health service delivery systems.
• Possess the management and administrative skills necessary to effectively and efficiently design, implement and manage health services in a variety of settings.
• Analyze ethical and legal issues related to the design and delivery of health services.
• Work effectively as a member of a interdisciplinary health care team.
• Analyze health policy, applying it to the design and management of health service and health delivery systems.
• Use data from a variety of sources, both primary and secondary, for health service management decision-making.
• Evaluate the availability of health service and delivery systems, using a variety of quality assurance and quality improvement tools and processes.
• Discuss the evolution of governance, financial structure and organization.
• Identify current issues in health service delivery as they effect health service organizations, policy, and professionals.
• Advocate for continuing professional development in management.

Admission Requirements

1. Meet all the general admission requirements of UNE.
2. Completed associate degree with health-related focus (preferred); or completed associate degree in another field; or prior academic and professional work completed through an accredited two- or four-year college or through a specialized degree/licensing program (e.g., registered nurse, radiology technician, biotechnologist, dental hygienist, etc); or three years employment experience in health care; or approval of department chair.
3. Minimum overall GPA of 2.00 in previous college level courses.

See University Undergraduate Admissions also.

A maximum of 60 credits may be accepted as transfer credit from an accredited college where an associate degree or its equivalent was earned.  Prior academic credit and professional work completed without an associate degree or its equivalent will be awarded on a course by course basis.  In all cases, academic credits are transferable only if a grade of “C” or better was earned.  Other options and restrictions apply. See University Undergraduate Admissions also.

The curriculum is designed as a degree completion program that reinforces the learning experience required of all University of New England students. These themes reinforce the University's core values of discovery, creativity, problem-solving, decision-making and critical thinking. The competencies are accomplished through a series of learning experiences that form a foundation of knowledge that provides students both theory and practice.

Students in the Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program participate in a field experience during their final semester of study, where they work closely with a manager in a health care setting to develop their managerial skills. This closely monitored experience is an integral part of the curriculum that provides opportunities for the development and reinforcement of effective interpersonal, team, and organizational skills.

A student may be dismissed from the Health Services Management Program for any of the following reasons:

1. Failure to comply with attendance requirements.
2. Failure to comply with policies stated in the UNE Catalog.
3. Failure to comply with the University Code of Conduct.
4. Failure to maintain a GPA of 2.0.

Graduation Requirements

A total of 120 hours of credit with a 2.0 GPA or above is required for the bachelor of science degree. The credits are distributed as follows:

See Academic Policy and Regulations also.

Minor in Health Services Management
Health services management is an exciting and challenging field and is rapidly growing and ever expanding career opportunities. For those students studying in other majors, in the health professions or in the liberal arts and sciences, a minor in health services management offers the opportunity to develop skills in leadership and management and to study their application to the health care environment. Students wishing to pursue a minor in health services management must have an advisor in the program and approval from the program director. Each student works with the faculty advisor to design a minor consisting of six courses (18 credits) that must support the student's interests, using these guidelines:

Faculty

Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog

This Catalog documents the academic programs, policies, and activities of the University of New England for the 2006-2007 academic year. The information contained herein is accurate as of date of publication August 1, 2006.

The University of New England reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in its programs, calendar, or academic schedule whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in course content, the rescheduling of classes with or without extending the academic term, canceling of scheduled classes or other academic activities, in any such case giving such notice thereof as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

While each student may work closely with an academic advisor, he or she must retain individual responsibility for meeting requirements in this catalog and for being aware of any changes in provisions or requirements.