Master of Health Care Administration Program Strategic Plan 2008 2010 The faculty and staff of the MHA program met and developed the following document. Included are foundational statements that include: Mission, Vision, and Values, as well as, educational, research and service goals and objectives. A number of strategic goals are outlined with specific tactics that will be used to achieve. An action plan with actions steps, responsibility, and a timelines will supplement this document when approved. Also, provided in the appendix, the MHA degree requirements are outlined for several programs and a SWOT analysis conducted at a strategic planning held with the MPH faculty in November of 2007. MISSION, VISION, & VALUES The MHA program approved (July 14, 2005) and adopted the following mission, vision, and value statements. Mission Des Moines University s graduate programs in Health Care Administration is dedicated to the preparation of individuals from diverse backgrounds in the education and experiences necessary for management and leadership positions within the broad array of organizations making up the delivery of health care to all segments of society. The program accomplishes this mission through teaching, research, and service activities. Vision The DMU MHA program will be recognized for its expertise in preparing students for entry or mid-level management and leadership positions in health-related organizations serving the core institutions delivery of health care services. Values The faculty and staff of the MHA Program at Des Moines University will exercise the following values in completing their obligations to its stakeholders: Contemporary knowledge of the US and global health care industry, effective management, and leadership practices An emphasis on developing the processes that support effective management and leadership practices within health services delivery Dedication to demonstrating and developing an evidenced-based practice approach in- and out-side the classroom An interactive educational experience involving faculty, students, and mentors in the delivery system along with various stakeholder groups Ownership of our own abilities, limitations, and commitment to role model our continued professional growth and development A supportive learning environment built on the individual experiences and professional goals of students and faculty. A commitment to provide access to programming and services to all students and faculty 1
Will use all current methods of teaching and research needed, including distance learning, to bring to students the best learning experience possible Committed to working with each student to ensure that proper placement and professional challenges exist for the individual and for the employing organization. EDUCATIONAL GOAL AND OBJECTIVES The education goals and objectives were updated and approved September 22, 2008. Educational Goal The educational goal of the program is to provide MHA students with a curriculum that prepares them for careers in health management and leadership and that is in compliance with the Commission on Accreditation for Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) curricular content areas: 1. Population health and status assessment 2. Health policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation 3. Organizational development/organizational behavior theory and application 4. Management and structural analysis of healthcare organizations, including evaluation and redesign 5. Operations assessment and improvement 6. Management of human resources and health professionals 7. Information systems management and assessment 8. Legal principles development, application, and assessment 9. Governance structure, roles, responsibilities, and alignment to leadership 10. Leadership - visioning, change management and team development 11. Written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills 12. Statistical analysis and application 13. Economic analysis and application to decision making 14. Market analysis, research, and assessment 15. Financial analysis and management 16. Ethics in business and clinical decision-making 17. Strategy formulation and implementation 18. Quality assessment for patient care improvement 19. Professional skills development Educational Objective The educational objective of the MHA program, in combination with five or more years of service, is to support student achieve to 3" "Uses indirect influence level on the 26 competencies identified by the National Center for Healthcare Leadership (see Health Care Leadership Competencies, MHA Program, Des Moines University). RESEARCH GOAL AND OBJECTIVES Research Goal 2
The research goal of the MHA Program is to produce and disseminate new knowledge to the field of health administration; to ensure that faculty scholarly output is utilized in the classroom; to ensure that it is relevant to the profession; and, to encourage students as health services administrators to utilize health services research in management practice. Research Objectives 1. To facilitate research among faculty and in collaboration with other academic and health care organizations 2. To conduct research and present results of studies focused on managerial and organizational issues that will enhance health care delivery 3. To continue to strengthen the level of external research support received by the Program faculty 4. To integrate recent faculty research into teaching activities, through required readings, presentations or case studies COMMUNITY SERVICE GOAL AND OBJECTIVES Service Goal The Program thrives to provide service to academic, professional, and community organizations that offer services to the general public and health care community. Service Objectives MHA Program Faculty provide: 1. service to the Program and the College, 2. service and leadership to the University, 3. service and leadership through membership on boards and consulting activities that utilize faculty members areas of expertise, 4. service to health care organizations through student internships and capstone projects, 5. presentations and seminars for the benefit of students, alumni, faculty, healthcare executives and the local community, 6. a solid foundation to students for a continuing service commitment to professional and community organizations. STRATEGIC GOALS Program faculty and staff met to review and determine the strategic direction of the program for the next 2 years. The strategies that follow, along with tactics to achieve, support the continued growth and development of the program and its stakeholders. Goal 1 Grow enrollment and revenues to support fulfillment of mission and vision. Tactic 1: Support the Enrollment Development department staff and the MHA program Enrollment Development Plan. Tactic 2: Monitor (and engage in active discussions with) University Services to ensure 3
resources provided effectively meet student/faculty needs. Tactic 3: Monitor internal and external environment for opportunities to develop new programs and initiatives. Tactic 4: Develop five year staffing and succession plan for faculty, support staff, and administration. Goal 2 Elevate reputation and increase program value and outcomes. Tactic 1: Explore and identify accreditation bodies to determine a "best fit" organization to support the program mission, vision, and values and that will add the most value to program stakeholders. Tactic 2: Assemble practice-based advisory committee. Tactic 3: Outline plan to achieve accreditation if accreditation is determined to be appropriate. Tactic 4: Grow opportunities to collaborate with groups, organizations, institutions, etc. to support teaching, research and service responsibilities of faculty. Goal 3 Support student progress, program completion and career success. Tactic 1: Define measurement of student retention for the MHA program Tactic 2: Track and manage (through intervention) student retention to program completion. Tactic 3: Enhance faculty advisor role/relationship with students through increased communication and faculty oversight of the students internship experience. Tactic 4: Develop an orientation experience that both welcomes and engages students, while serving as a continued resource, throughout their academic pursuits. Tactic 5: Track and trend course evaluation, program, and graduate surveys. Tactic 6: Develop and conduct an employer survey of graduates. Tactic 7: Recruit, train, and retain expert MHA full-time and adjunct faculty to develop and deliver courses that support student achievement of stated program competencies. Tactic 8: Define and formalize program processes (e.g. registration, graduation, etc.) and develop policies to support consistent adherence to established protocol. Tactic 9: Develop a single-screen access to student data (name, email, phone, transcript, advisor, academic notes, etc.) for all advisors and staff to advise and monitor student achievement. Goal 4 Maintain and evolve a work environment/climate/culture that supports high performance among faculty (full-time, adjunct) and staff. Tactic 1: Encourage faculty and staff to increase use of current recognition program (Spotlight Awards.) Tactic 2: Clearly define and describe a work load policy that supports the strategy and strategic plan with approval from College and University leadership. Tactic 3: Maintain and continue to develop effective and creative working relationships within MHA, between MHA/MPH, and among other support departments (or those individuals or departments with common interests) through communication. Tactic 4: Explore work setting options and develop schedule/location that best fits faculty/staff needs and high performance (e.g. telecommuting). 4
APPENDIX DEGREE REQUIREMENTS The Master of Health Care Administration (MHA) program requires the completion of 45 semester hours of course work to include 38 semester hours of core courses and 7 semester hours of elective courses. The core courses provide a general foundation of knowledge. The following undergraduate courses or content areas are suggested prerequisites for incoming students. Introductory Computer Course Introductory Accounting Course Economics (micro or macro) Course Writing Course PROGRAM LENGTH Students have seven (7) years from admission to complete the MHA Program. MHA CORE CURRICULUM AND COURSE SEQUENCES Credit Hours MHA 620 Orientation (take within 6 credit hours) 0 MHA 621 Overview of the U.S. Health Care System 3 MHA 622 Organization of Health Systems 3 MHA 623 Management of Health Organizations 3 MHA 624 Health Care Statistics and Research 3 MHA 625 Health Care Financial Management I 3 MHA 630 Health Care Financial Management II 3 MHA 631 Health Information Systems and Decision Analysis 3 MHA 632 Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care 3 MHA 644 Health Care Economics and Policy 3 MHA 645 Health Services Program Evaluation 3 MHA 646 Entrepreneurship and Strategic Marketing 3 MHA 640-642 Administrative Internship MHA 649 Health Care Administration Capstone 2 Total Semester Hours of Core 38 Total Semester Hours of Electives 7 Total Semester Hours for MHA 45 EARLY ADMISSION TO THE MHA PROGRAM 5
The Program offers early admission into the MHA Program to qualified applicants who do not have a bachelor s degree. Admitted students must have a minimum of 90 semester hours of undergraduate credit complete, to include the following general education requirements: - Composition 6 semester hours - Humanities 12 semester hours - Social Sciences 9 semester hours - Math & Science* 12 semester hours *To include 3-4 semester hours of college algebra. Degree Requirements Students are awarded a Master of Health Care Administration (MHA) degree after completion of a total of 165 semester hours of course work of which a minimum of 60 semester hours must be completed within the Health Care Administration (MHA) program. Degree plan Required admission transfer credit (see above) 90 semester hours MHA core curriculum 38 semester hours \Elective courses (see below) 37 semester hours Minimum total semester hours for MHA degree 165 Elective Option In addition to the 38-core semester hour MHA curriculum, admitted students will complete an additional 37- semester hours of elective course work. Students will choose between the following options: 1. Complete the entire requirement through the MHA or MPH. 2. Complete an area of concentration at another regionally accredited institution. Those students electing this option will develop an area of concentration in conjunction with their academic advisor. Areas of concentration must support a major in health care administration. Examples of several appropriate concentration areas include: gerontology, information systems, public administration, business administration, accounting, and finance. Students admitted into this program will have seven years to complete all degree requirements. ELECTIVE COURSES Electives courses are continually reviewed and evaluated to ensure that current trends are reflected, and the adequate courses are available to support student degree completion and competency development. Several opportunities are available to students: Leadership Seminar Series Public Health Gerontology Independent Study 6
Refer to the current term course calendar for core and elective course offerings. GRADUATE CERTIFICATE The Graduate Certificate option is for professionals who want to take classes in Health Care Administration, but do not want to complete the requirements for a master s degree. The Certificate program requires 20 semester hours, and is developed individually with the student's advisor. The certificate program does not allow transfer credit to be applied toward the 20 credits. CERTIFICATE IN HEALTH CARE LEADERSHIP The MHA program launched a 12-credit hour certificate program in Fall of 2008. The HCL requires students to complete 12 of the one credit hour Leadership Seminars of their choice. These seminars combine evidence-based theory with real-world application. The objective is for students to develop specific core competencies identified by the National Center for Healthcare Leadership (NCHL). Students earn graduate credit for participating in the program and gain direction for ongoing professional development. 7