Who Should Consider This Program?

This health care administration specialization is for students who seek health care management positions. As managed care and health care delivery evolve, new skills and knowledge are needed. Through this specialization's many course offerings, students can explore a wide range of interests related to health care. The program balances practical skills with a values-based and research methods-based foundation so that graduates of the program can become dynamic members of their health care organization.

Careers

This specialization is designed for individuals interested in a career in academic medical centers, clinics, home health agencies, hospices, hospitals, long-term care settings, managed-care organizations, and public health departments.

Curriculum

To earn a master's degree in public service, students must complete 36 credit hours of course work.

Required Courses, Specialization Courses, and Electives (30 Credits)*

Required courses (12 credits)

PUBS 6000	History and Theory of Leadership and Ethics	3 credit hours
PUBS 6025      or POSC 6101	Research Methods Contemporary Political Research	3 credit hours
PUBS 6205      or POSC 6954	Urban Policy and Public Service Administration Research Seminar in American Politics**	3 credit hours
PUBS 6210      or NURS 6007	Ethics in Public Service Ethics, Policy, and Health Care Advocacy	3 credit hours

Specialization-focused Courses (12 credits; choose four courses below)

HEAL 6820	Health Care Program Development	3 credit hours
HEAL 6841      or NPSE 6525	Health Care Finance Financial Matters in the Nonprofit Sector	3 credit hours
HEAL 6848	Health Care Policy	3 credit hours
NURS 6009	Organizational and Systems Leadership	3 credit hours
NURS 6440	Theoretical Constructs: Dimensions of Aging	3 credit hours
POSC 5381	Politics of U.S. Health Care	3 credit hours

Electives (6 credits; choose two courses below)

ACCO 6000	Accounting Fundamentals	3 credit hours
HEAL 6845	Case Management	3 credit hours
HEAL 6846	Health Care Informatics	3 credit hours
MANA 6100	Organizational Behavior	3 credit hours
NURS 6440	Theoretical Constructs: Dimensions of Aging***	3 credit hours
NPSE 6521	Social Entrepreneurship: Nonprofit Organizations	3 credit hours
NPSE 6525	Financial Matters in the Non-Profit Sector	3 credit hours
NPSE 6530	Social Justice and Social Activism	3 credit hours
NPSE 6540	Restorative Justice	3 credit hours
PUBS 6051	Contemporary Leadership	3 credit hours
PUBS 6220	Organizational Behavior in Public Service	3 credit hours
PUBS 6230	Legal Issues in Public Service	3 credit hours
PUBS 6235	Communication and the Management Process in Non-Profit Sector	3 credit hours
PUBS 6964	Practicum in Public Service	3 credit hours
PUBS 6995	Independent Study in Public Service	1-3 credit hours

* Depending on your selected specialization, these courses may vary. Please check with your academic adviser for specifics.

** Students taking POSC 6954 must choose the section subtitled "Urban Public Policy."

***Neither NURS 6440 nor NPSE 6525 can count toward both the Specialization requirement and the Electives requirement.

Integrative Learning Options (6 credits)

Students select one of two integrative learning options to complete their degree requirements:

Professional Project

• Students selecting the professional project option will take PUBS 6998 (Professional Project in Public Service) plus one additional, 3-credit course related to the professional project.
• Students choosing this option must submit a project outline to be approved by their program adviser and by the Graduate School.

Comprehensive Exams

• Students selecting the comprehensive examination option will take 6 credits of additional course work followed by a comprehensive exam.
• Students typically take the comprehensive exam during their final semester in the program. 

Trinity Fellows Program

Students interested in this master's program may want to consider applying for the Trinity Fellows Program as well. Trinity Fellows is a graduate fellowship program dedicated to developing urban leaders with a commitment to social and economic justice. Trinity Fellows participate in a 21-month study/ work program while earning a master's degree. Those who have completed a full-time service program (minimum 10 months), and/or have worked for 2+ years in the nonprofit sector are eligible to apply. Details and instructions to apply are found on the Trinity Fellows website.