Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration

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Earn your bachelor of science in Health Services Administration

The Health Services Administration (HSA) program is designed to educate students to become innovative leaders in today’s dynamic health care organizations. A Bachelor of Science in HSA will develop you into a knowledgeable and multi-skilled leader.

Preparing you for Healthcare Management

The HSA program will prepare you for entry-level and middle management and clinical supervisory positions in organizations, institutions and agencies that deliver health services.

Start as a Freshman

Begin as an incoming freshman and choose the Health Services Administration major (see degree requirements).

Start as a Transfer Student

Transfer in as a sophomore or junior level student. (See Transfer Admission and also Degree Completion)

The HSA program is designed with convenience in mind.

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Evening Classes

The undergraduate degree in Health Services Administration is offered in evening class formats to meet the needs of adults living and working in the Detroit metropolitan area.

Evening classes are scheduled at 5, 5:15, 6:40 or 7:40 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

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Full- or part-time

Students can start any semester and progress with a full-time or part-time schedule.

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Taught by Professionals

You'll be joining a diverse student body and learning from highly qualified faculty who focus on active learning and case-based instruction.

All faculty are currently practicing or former healthcare administrators; all full-time faculty have doctoral degrees in their field of expertise.

 

Career Opportunities. Who do our alumni work for?

Our alumni work for organizations such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Hospice of Southeastern Michigan, Trinity Health Corporate Office, Health Alliance Plan, Eli Lilly, Pfizer and virtually all of Southeast Michigan hospitals.

Grads' titles have included:

  • Regional Director of Operations
  • Internal Auditor for Medicare Payments
  • Operations Manager
  • Supervisor of Billing and Reimbursement
  • Director of Community Relations
  • Claims Adjustment Supervisor
  • Office Manager
  • Regional Manager for Clinic Services

Our global health systems approach in developing administrative competencies creates employment opportunities for our graduates worldwide.

See Policies, Procedures & Handbooks for additional information.

Career networking as a student

Throughout the year, HSA students are eligible to attend the professional educational programs* where you will meet many health care executives in the local area and learn about current topics and issues of interest to health administrators.

HSA Program has 100% administrative internship placement rate.

*Programs are sponsored by Midwest Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (MCACHE).

100%

Administrative Internship Placement

$100K+

Median salary for healthcare administrators

30%

Projected job growth by 2030

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    HSA Admission

    In order to be admitted to the Health Services Administration program, applicants must meet entrance requirements of the University. In addition, to gain acceptance to the program students must fulfill the following criteria:

    Undergraduate Transfer

    Transfer students must complete the following:

    • Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.00 and
    • Complete placement tests in English composition and mathematics.

    Conditional Admission

    Conditional admission may be granted to those students whose academic achievement falls below the standards required for full-admissions status. In such cases, the applicant may be required to fulfill course work and/or conditions before full-admissions status is granted. Application is free online.

    International Students

    Applicants who are not United States citizens must contact the International Admissions Office for information about the application process and status. You may also contact them at:

    International Admissions Office
    Phone: 313-993-3310
    Fax: 313-993-3326
    admissions@udmercy.edu
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    Degree Requirements / Curriculum

    All students will complete the following in addition to the Detroit Mercy core curriculum. Many core curriculum requirements may be met by transfer credits, CLEP or DANTE exams.

    The program consists of two major components in addition to University of Detroit Mercy's Core Curriculum:

    1. The Health Services Administration major 
    2. Supportive Courses

    A plan of study for the 15 credit hours of supportive courses in a selected area of management of health services will be developed in consultation with the student's academic advisor. Many allied health and nursing professionals can fulfill the supportive courses requirement through transfer credits.

    Students also complete a three-credit internship in a health care setting, which allows them to apply the theory and skills learned in the program and provides an opportunity to explore potential employment opportunities.

    Degree Requirements

    HSA Major Requirements - 43 credits

    HSA 3010 - Overview of the U.S. Health Care System - 3 cr.
    HSA 3001 - Accounting for Health Professions (prerequisite MTH core) - 4 cr.
    HSA 3025 - Career Exploration in HSA - 1.5 cr.
    HSA 3100 - Health Care Law and Regulations - 3 cr.
    HSA 3210 - Healthcare Marketing - 1.5 cr.
    HSA 3220 - Strategic Planning in Healthcare - 1.5 cr.
    HSA 3300 - Health in the Community - 3 cr.
    HSA 3450 - Health Promotion and Risk Reduction - 3 cr.
    HSA 3585 - Health Services Organization Management - 3 cr.
    HSA 3650 - Medical Information Management and Systems - 3 cr.
    HSA 4025 - Professional Development in Health Services Administration (prerequisite HSA 3025) - 1.5 cr.
    HSA 4600 - Health Care Emergency Management - 3 cr.
    HSA 4610 - Health Economics - 3 cr.
    HSA 4650 - Health Service Financial Management - 3 cr.
    HSA 4700 - Evidence-Based Research for Health Services Administrators (prerequisite STA 2250) - 3 cr.
    HSA 4941 - Health Services Administration Internship (prerequisite HSA 4025 and senior status) - 3 cr.


    Program-specific requirements - 9 credits

    ETH 3580 - Health Care Ethics - 3 cr.
    MTH 1010 or higher - Algebra - 3 cr.
    STA 2250 - Statistics - 3 cr.


    Professional Area of Specialization - 15 credits

    Each student must also complete 15 credit hours in a selected area of management or health services. A plan of study for this area must be developed with and approved by the student’s academic advisor. A minor may replace the Professional Area of Specialization. See an advisor for details.

    Electives

    Students may need to complete additional electives in order to reach the minimum total required credits of 120.

    Suggested HSA Elective Credit - 3 credits

    HSA 3710 - International Healthcare Systems

    University Core Curriculum

    All undergraduate degree students at University of Detroit Mercy are required to fulfill the objectives of the University’s Core Curriculum. The curriculum consists of courses designed to meet objectives which ensure that students receive an overall education consistent with the mission of the University. See the Core Curriculum section for more details.

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    Degree Completion

    While you may transfer in as a sophomore or junior level student even with a non-healthcare background. (See Transfer Admission), the Health Services Administration program also provides an opportunity for health care personnel who have some college credits or a community college degree to complete a bachelor's degree in health care management. For example:

    • Nurses
    • Respiratory therapists
    • Laboratory technicians
    • Medical records personnel
    • Dental hygienists
    • Other certified health care personnel

    This degree completion program has been designed for persons who are qualified, certified, registered or licensed as health professionals, who were educated through an accredited two-year college or community college program and who are at junior level (earned 63 transfer credit hours).

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    Prior to Fall 2019 Curriculum

    All students will complete the following in addition to the Detroit Mercy core curriculum. Many core curriculum requirements may be met by transfer credits, CLEP or DANTE exams.

    Degree Requirements

    Total HSA Major Requirements - 43 credits


    HSA Introductory Course - 3 credits

    HSA 3010 - Overview of the U.S. Health Care System - 3 cr.


    HSA Other Major Courses - 34 credits

    HSA 3001 -  Accounting for Health Professions - 4 cr.
    HSA 3100 - Health Care Law and Regulations - 3 cr.
    HSA 3200 - Health Services Marketing - 3 cr.
    HSA 3300 - Health in the Community  - 3 cr.
    HSA 3450 - Health Promotion and Risk Reduction - 3 cr.
    HSA 3585 - Health Services Organization Management - 3 cr.
    HSA 3650 - Medical Information Management and Systems - 3 cr.
    HSA 4600 - Health Care Emergency Management - 3 cr.
    HSA 4610 - Health Economics - 3 cr.
    HSA 4650 - Health Service Financial Management - 3 cr.
    HSA 4700 - Evidence-Based Research for Health Services Administrators - 3 cr.


    Internship Course - 6 credits

    HSA 4940 - Health Services Administration Internship - 6 cr.


    HSA Supportive Courses - 24 credits

    ETH 3580 - Health Care Ethics - 3 cr.
    MTH 1010 - Algebra - 3 cr.
    STA 2250 - Statistics - 3 cr.


    Professional Area of Specialization

    Each student must also complete 15 credit hours in a selected area of management or health services. A plan of study for this area must be developed with and approved by the student’s academic advisor. A minor may replace the Professional Area of Specialization. See an advisor for details.

    University Core Curriculum

    All undergraduate degree students at the University of Detroit Mercy are required to fulfill the objectives of the University’s Core Curriculum. The curriculum consists of courses designed to meet objectives which ensure that students receive an overall education consistent with the mission of the University.  See the Core Curriculum section for more details.

    Electives

    Students may need to complete additional electives in order to reach the minimum total required credits of 126.

    Related Links

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    Accreditation

    University of Detroit Mercy is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission – and includes the programs within the university.

    The HSA program is a member of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration and the Higher Education Network, which is through the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Members of the HSA faculty serve on the Executive Board of the local chapter of ACHE, the Midwest Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (MCACHE) and participate on the chapter committees.