Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management (BS)

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A Career in Healthcare Management Degree Program Leadership Begins Here

The Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management from Nebraska Methodist College prepares individuals to make a difference from an administrative perspective.

Healthcare continues to evolve, and today’s students require an advanced set of business skills in order to effectively manage clinical and non-clinical settings. The healthcare field provides a wide array of career paths for those who appreciate the fast-paced nature of the industry but who feel that they could make a larger impact within an organizational leadership role with a bachelor's degree.

This degree is tailor-made for those aspiring to lead, with a curriculum that’s laser-focused on health administration, healthcare management degree, and leadership.

The BS in Healthcare Management provides a traditional curriculum that enables you to fully understand and excel within the inner workings of clinics, private practices, hospitals, allied health systems and insurance companies. The program also covers the healthcare environment and the management techniques necessary for thriving healthcare organizations.

Through online coursework, you’ll earn the skills needed to combine compassion and approachability with successful managerial techniques in health care administration, preparing you to become effective healthcare managers.

Healthcare manager/administrator salary ranges will vary by experience, education, level of responsibilities, location and many other variables. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates the U.S. median salary in May 2022 for Medical and Health Services Managers was $104,830 per year, with a much faster than average job growth rate of 28 percent between 2022 and 2032. The field of health care management also emphasizes strategic planning to develop leadership and analytical skills.

Want to learn more? Watch our most recent Virtual Information Session.

Program Perks for Healthcare Organizations

Program can be completed in four years (eight semesters) of full-time study
Program can be completed online
Option to complete Arts & Sciences coursework in-person
Option to complete online coursework at a partner institution when unavailable at NMC
This healthcare management program prepares students for leadership roles in the healthcare industry
All courses are taught by experienced faculty
The healthcare management major equips students to assess healthcare organizations in areas such as finance, human resources, and health information technology
Opportunity to transition immediately into the MBA in Healthcare program upon graduation
The program is part of the health sciences field, reinforcing knowledge and skills in the healthcare industry
Interested in minoring in Spanish? Find out more

Accreditation & Licensure

Nebraska Methodist College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Admissions Information

Criteria

Applicants are evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
High school record and/or college academic record
Have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
Non-Nebraska Residents meet State Authorization

Requirements

To be considered for admission the following items must be submitted to the Admissions Office:

NMC undergraduate application
Official high school transcript
Official GED test scores, if applicable
Official transcripts from all colleges attended

Deadlines

Prospective students may apply anytime and are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and students will be notified of their acceptance by postal mail, email or phone.

Starting Term - Spring 2025

Standard Deadline - 4/25/2025

Starting Term - Fall 2025

Priority Deadline - 1/31/2025

Standard Deadline - 7/11/2025

Costs & Financial Aid

NMC is committed to helping you find every avenue to finance your education. View the Tuition by Program & Degree page for a comprehensive list of all fees.

Cost Per Credit Hour

$623

Cost of Attendance

NMC Scholarships

NMC Scholarships consist of funds generously provided by the Methodist Hospital Foundation to assist our students.

Student Grants or Loans

Visit our Financial Aid page to learn more about what's available and how to apply.

Employee Education Benefits

Employees of Methodist Health System can find details on the MHS Intranet.

External Scholarships

Visit our Scholarships page to learn more.

Calculate Your Net Price

Nebraska Methodist College Net Price Calculator.

Curriculum

The program requires a minimum of 120 credit hours. All students are required to complete specific coursework for the healthcare management bachelor of science degree.

48 credits - Arts & Sciences (Educated Citizen Core) - online (in-person options at NMC or online options at partner institutions may also be available)
48 credits - Business Core - online
12 credits - Concentration - online, but scheduled throughout the curriculum plan to ensure completion
12 credits - Support Courses and Electives

This list should only be used as a curriculum guide. Course listings and required curriculum are subject to change.

Educated Citizen

COR 101

Educated Citizen 101

DETAILS

COR 201

Educated Citizen 201

DETAILS

COR 301

Educated Citizen 301

DETAILS

COR 401

Educated Citizen 401

DETAILS

COR 402

Educated Citizen 402: Seminar

DETAILS

Core

BIO/CHE/PHY/ SCI/MAT_

Science/Math Elective

DETAILS

BIO/CHE/PHY/SCI

Science Elective

DETAILS

COM 101

ENGLISH COMPOSITION

DETAILS

This course provides instruction and practice in writing, with emphasis on the recursive processes of generating, drafting, revising and editing. Students develop skills in producing and evaluating written communications in private and public contexts.

COM 255 or 262

Beginning Healthcare Spanish or American Sign Language Basic Skills

DETAILS

Beginning Healthcare Spanish

This course will provide basic knowledge of the Spanish language and Latino culture, and emphasize the importance of this knowledge as it relates to healthcare in the United States. The student will demonstrate an ability to express ideas and thoughts in Spanish using both verbal and nonverbal communication skills in a culturally competent manner. In addition, the student will develop strategies to continue acquiring proficiency with the Spanish language beyond this course.

American Sign Language Basic Skills

This course presents practical communication skills needed for health professionals working with deaf clients. Everyday communication is the centerpiece of every lesson. Topics revolve around sharing information which is vital in the healthcare industry. Grammar is introduced in context, with an emphasis on developing question and answering skills that would occur between healthcare professional and patient. Students will learn conversational strategies to help maintain a conversation with deaf patients. Students will appreciate the diversity of deaf people and their culture. Interaction activities will allow students to rehearse what they’ve learned.

HUM 210 or 213

Introduction to Ethics or Principles and Practices of Ethics

DETAILS

Students must choose to take either: HUM 210 INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS: Introduction to Ethics introduces students to theories and practices of individual, communal and societal obligations. Moral inquiry in the course proceeds from a philosophical basis. HUM 213 PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF ETHICS: This course introduces students to theories and practices of individual, communal and societal obligations. Moral inquiry in the course proceeds from a philosophical basis, with an emphasis on varied professional codes of ethics in healthcare disciplines. Students will explore codes of ethics and how they relate to traditional Western philosophies.

HUM 220-259

Humanities Elective

DETAILS

HUM 220-279

Humanities Elective

DETAILS

HUM 250-259

Humanities: Historical Perspectives

DETAILS

MAT 110 or 120

Intermediate Algebra (required) or College Algebra (suggested)

DETAILS

MAT 110 - This survey level course is designed to build basic algebra skills. It covers topics including positive and negative real numbers, solving linear equations and their applications, integer exponents, operations with polynomials, factoring, rational expressions, logarithms, graphing and equations of lines.

MAT 120 - This course provides an advanced study of algebraic methods and prepares students for further studies in mathematics and physics. Content of the course starts with a review of basic concepts of algebra, and then it intensifies the study of the following topics: equations, inequalities, polynomials, exponents, logarithms, and the concept of functions and their graphs.

Prerequisite: MAT 110

MAT 260

INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS

DETAILS

This course is designed to introduce students to the methods used in organizing, summarizing, analyzing and interpreting quantitative information. Emphasis is placed on application of statistical methods and on the interpretation of statistically significant data.

PSY 101 or 215

Introduction to Psychology or Lifespan Development

DETAILS

PSY 101 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY This course offers students an engaging introduction to the essential topics in the field of psychology. Throughout this scientific study of human behavior and the mind, students will survey and gain insight into the history of the field of psychology, as well as explore current theories and issues in areas such as wellness, emotion, cognition, motivation, perception, consciousness, social and personality, and memory.

PSY 215 LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT The Lifespan perspective involves several basic contentions: development is life-long, multidimensional, multi-directional, plastic, historically embedded, multi-disciplinary and contextual. Three imperative developmental issues are explored: maturation and experience, continuity and discontinuity and stability and change. Students study how humans develop and how they become who they are.

SSC 370

RESEARCH METHODS

DETAILS

This course is designed to assist students in developing an understanding of the research process in qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods designs. The student learns to selectively apply the steps of research and to critically analyze research studies culminating in formal, oral and written projects.

Prerequisites: MAT 260 or permission of the Dean

Required

ACC 220

PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING

DETAILS

Financial accounting examines accounting concepts, the accounting model, measurement processes, financial statements, financial analysis, the accounting cycle, monetary and fixed assets, inventory, current and long-term liabilities and equity structures of partnerships, proprietorships and corporations.

ACC 225

PRINCIPLES OF MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING

DETAILS

Course presents accounting information used for internal business management. Focus is on planning, controlling and evaluating company performance. Content includes budgeting, job costing, product pricing, breakeven analysis, standard costing, and decision models.

BSH 200

SURVEY OF U.S. HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS

DETAILS

This course will explore the basic foundation in which healthcare is delivered in the U.S. Topics include the delivery, financing, and regulation within healthcare systems. Healthcare professionals need to have an understanding of the interaction of U.S. healthcare policies and public health science to be able to act as change agents in their professions.

BSH 280

BUSINESS LAW

DETAILS

This course will introduce students to laws and ethical standards that leaders must abide by in the course of conducting business. Business law includes state and federal laws, as well as administrative regulations. Laws and ethics contribute to shaping an organization's decision-making process. Upon the completion of the course, students will have a better understanding of the legal and ethical environment in which businesses operate.

BSH 310

HUMAN RESOURCES

DETAILS

This course explores the function of human resources within the healthcare organization. The focus of the course is on the development of skills that the department leader needs for effective management of personnel. Subjects include strategies to attract, hire, and retain high quality employees, compensation and benefit packages, productivity, and employee development, evaluation and training, as well as existing laws and policies surrounding employee relations.

BSH 320

MARKETING IN HEALTHCARE

DETAILS

This course involves analysis, evaluation, and implementation of marketing strategies within healthcare and managed-care environments. Designed to develop skills in segmenting customer and medical markets, brand products and services, enhance a communication strategy to the consumer, and develop pricing approaches. Methods and models of marketing fundamentals will be introduced.

BSH 340

HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

DETAILS

A study of the history of health records, professional ethics, the functions of a health information department, retention of records, medical forms, health information practices, and responsibilities to healthcare administration, medical staff, and other medical professionals.

BSH 350

FUNDAMENTALS OF HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT

DETAILS

This course focuses on the area of modern healthcare management through the analysis of important areas of emphasis for a healthcare manager. Students will focus on planning processes, job design, supporting and implementing decisions, division of work and overall organization while building and maintaining quality services within an organization.

BSH 360

ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR & THEORY

DETAILS

Students will analyze individual, group and organizations influence on behavior within the workplace. When leading within an organization it is critical to understand how an organization can influence performance, motivations, and turnover. Students will examine behaviors on different levels within an organization's structure along with influences of an individual's behavior within organizations, and how leaders within organizations accomplish change. Exploration of organizational behaviors will be studied by applying organizational theory to a variety settings and challenges.

BSH 370

LEAN PRINCIPLES

DETAILS

BSH 370 is a 3 credit hour course that provides students with the basics of Lean process improvement methodology. Students will examine the Lean management philosophy that enables change and continuous professional development. The students will be introduced to Lean terms, tool, methods, and approaches to continuous improvement.

BSH 400

ETHICAL ISSUES IN HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT

DETAILS

This course explores the foundation of ethics in relation to managing and decision making in the healthcare system, and investigates the healthcare manager as decision-maker, leader and moral agent. Topics covered include: Applying a foundation in the theories of moral philosophy to make and support ethical decisions as a healthcare manager and apply ethical decision-making processes to contemporary and critical healthcare issues. Corporate social responsibility is also discussed.

BSH 403

LEADERSHIP IN HEALTHCARE

DETAILS

This course provides a foundational investigation of personal and organizational leadership with an emphasis on developing leadership talent. The following topics in leadership are included: overview of key leadership theories; differences between management and leadership; followership, implementing change, and emerging trends. Students will learn attributes of successful leaders, including interpersonal skills, attitudes, and behaviors, which can facilitate effective leadership within organizations.

BSH 404

PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL AND HEALTHCARE REIMBURSEMENT

DETAILS

This course provides an overview of healthcare finance and reimbursement practices and methods. Students will learn payment systems, basic coding, revenue cycle management, and what fraud and abuse is along with the negative impact on an organization. Understanding the ways in which insurance companies pay claims will provide a basis to manage contracts and reimbursement levels. Different types of insurance will be studied that includes managed care, HMOs, Medicaid and Medicare. The shift from a process-oriented focus to a revenue cycle management focus, has driven the need to effectively manage revenue streams effectively in order to survive in today's healthcare world.

BSH 410

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT IN HEALTHCARE

DETAILS

This course focuses on healthcare operations management from the perspective of a healthcare professional. It provides a quantitative approach to analyzing business and logistics concepts and how they impact the healthcare equation. The course explores the foundations of operations management in healthcare, healthcare as a business, fundamentals of financial performance in healthcare, and the supply chain in support of healthcare and pharmaceutical operations management.

BSH 490

CAPSTONE

DETAILS

Students will synthesize concepts, ideas, knowledge, skills, and experiences from the courses throughout the program into a comprehensive capstone project. This course will include the creation of a written proposal to solve a problem in healthcare management, and an oral presentation. All projects will be designed collaboratively between the student and faculty to round out the student’s integrative experience in the program.

ECO 210

HEALTHCARE ECONOMICS

DETAILS

This course will provide an introduction to basic economic concepts important for the study of healthcare economics. Topics covered in this course include: How healthcare differs from other goods and services, historical trends in healthcare expenditures, economic analysis of the Affordable Care Act, determinants of supply and demand for healthcare, health insurance and health insurance markets, basic economic evaluation methods. Alternative healthcare systems and reforms are also explored.

Elective

BSH 401

HEALTHCARE QUALITY

DETAILS

This course provides an introduction to knowledge and skills needed to lead quality improvement initiatives. Focusing on the evolution of quality from management to assurance and final to improvement students will explore the history of quality improvement. Students will examine principles, concepts and methods related to the application of quality initiatives and strategies to quality improvement in a healthcare setting. Thematic topics for specific initiatives may include Lean Methodology concepts, Six Sigma, and Plan-Do-Check Act (PDCA) Cycle related to performance improvement in healthcare.

BSH 405

HEALTHCARE POLICY

DETAILS

This course analyzes key contemporary issues in healthcare policy. This course includes design and structure of the U.S. healthcare system, policy initiatives and the roles of government, the private sector, consumers, and advocacy groups in setting policy agenda.

BSH 414

PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP

DETAILS

Students will evaluate basic principles and elements of the growing organizational leadership discipline. Topics that are covered include organizational culture, structure, group behavior, motivation, power, politics, organizational change, and workplace conflict within a healthcare setting.

BSH 416

COACHING IN ORGANIZATIONS

DETAILS

Students will explore effective skills that are essential to being a successful coach. It is imperative for leaders in today's business environments to be effective team leaders who are able to coach individuals to initiate, embrace, and sustain change. Leaders must understand that an employee's expertise is not the only area to consider when coaching. When a leader coaches individuals, they must consider an individual's values, personal characteristics, and attitude, which makeup a person's personality, which could challenge the process. Students will identify criteria for developing high-performing teams through coaching, talent development, and team leadership.

BSH 425

CRITICAL ISSUES IN HEALTHCARE

DETAILS

This course is designed to provide a foundation for students to develop a clear understanding of how society, politics, and world issues influence healthcare in the United States. Topics included in this course are bioethical issues, and contemporary issues such as bioterrorism, human genome project, rising prescription drug costs, and urbanization, social stress, and mental illness.

BSH 426

THE ART OF NEGOTIATION

DETAILS

Negotiation in today's world is an intentional skill one should strive to master. This course will introduce skills associated with successful negotiation and conflict resolution. Students will apply concepts, theories, and related research to situations with a focus on developing a deeper understanding of roles, and approaches to negotiation. This course is designed for an individual to apply negotiation skills in a variety of environments that can be emotionally and conceptually complex.

Meet the Faculty

Our healthcare management faculty are highly experienced and credentialed in their fields, giving you constant real-world insight you can use.

While any instructor can recite from a textbook, ours go a step further and draw from vast personal experience. Instructors here care as deeply about their students as they do the subject matter and it shows.

Meet the Faculty

Additional information

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the BS in Healthcare Management program will:

Demonstrate knowledge of the U.S. healthcare systems to guide decision making and promote quality within healthcare environments.
Effectively communicate to establish collaborative relationships with members of the leadership team and other stakeholders.
Demonstrate the ability to manage a culturally diverse workforce.
Apply evidence based practice to guide financial management, human resourcing, operational improvement, and strategic planning practices.
Develop effective change management practices to stimulate organizational sustainability using a legal and ethical framework.

Online Technology Requirements

To be successful with your online healthcare management courses, you should have a basic understanding of computers and the internet. Read more about the minimum knowledge and hardware requisites on our Online Technology Requirements page.

Minor Options

Spanish for Healthcare Professionals

Masters Degree Option

If you already possess a Bachelor's degree, we also offer an online Master of Business Administration in Healthcare that builds upon the knowledge developed in the BS in Healthcare Management program.

Professional Organizations

American College of Healthcare Executives

Program Handbook

2024-25 Healthcare Management Handbook

Nursing

Healthcare Certificates