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Graduate Certificate Program in Health Service Management

Get ready to step into a health management role by advancing your knowledge of health care administration and finance with this flexible and affordable four-course certificate program.

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Earn Your Graduate Certificate in Health Care Management Online and Boost Your Career

Acquire a practical understanding of the structure and operational processes of health care institutions, and build a solid foundation in health care financial reporting and analysis with UMass Lowell's Graduate Certificate in Health Service Management.

By earning your health care management certificate online with UMass Lowell, you will gain insight into the unique roles of management, clinical and support staff, and human resources in a variety of health care settings. Aligned with current industry trends and employer needs, the program's challenging, relevant curriculum will prepare you to efficiently and effectively lead operations across all functional areas of a health care organization.

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Complete in as Little as 9 Months

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One of the Most Affordable Tuitions in the Nation

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UMass Lowell's health care management online courses cover a range of relevant industry topics including the latest health care regulations, laws, policies and technologies; operations analysis; financial management practices and provider payment structures; leadership styles, organizational culture and change management; and workflow processes, patient safety and performance in different types of health care environments.

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UMass Lowell is an Academic Organizational Affiliate of Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.

Gain Knowledge That Is in High Demand

Health care management professionals who possess a valuable blend of health care experience and management knowledge are currently in high demand at numerous types of workplaces such as hospitals, nursing homes, public health organizations, assisted-living and memory care facilities, group medical practices, academic institutions and other organizations that involve health care.

Employment of health care managers is projected to grow 18 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.
—U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2019

Have Questions?

For more information about the Graduate Certificate Program in Health Service Management, please contact Sandra Guy at Sandra_Guy@uml.edu.

One Success Leads to Another

Apply credits from lower credentials to higher ones. Our programs are designed to build upon themselves:

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Graduate Certificate Program in Health Service Management
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Master of Science in Health Information Management: Health Service Management Option

Students who successfully complete UMass Lowell's Graduate Certificate in Health Service Management with a GPA of 3.2 or higher can waive the GRE requirement when applying to the Master of Science in Health Information Management program. Additionally, upon acceptance into the master's program, students can transfer certificate courses in which they earned a grade of 3.0 or higher into the master's program.

Curriculum Outline

- Required Courses: 2
- Electives: 2

Required Courses (2 / 6cr)

Electives (Choose 2 / 6cr)

Course Descriptions

This course reviews the organizational structure of healthcare facilities and the behavior of individuals within them. Students analyze the role of administration, human resources, providers and other support staff and apply organizational, behavioral, and social science practice and theory, to the operations of the healthcare organization. Comparison is made between healthcare and non-health care types of industry to highlight the unique characteristics of healthcare workers. An emphasis is also made on leadership styles, organizational culture, and change management within the healthcare organization. 3 credits.

This course explores analytic methods that can be used to improve the decision making of management, clinicians and others within the healthcare industry. Students learn the conceptual foundations of quantitative analysis and common methods used in supporting decision-making; developing evidence-based practices; analyzing data and testing hypotheses. Students also learn how to use industry-standard data analysis software applications, statistical packages and common applications for the development and reporting of analytic findings. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

Provides broad exposure to the concepts and practices of healthcare finance and healthcare financial management. Teaches a practical understanding of basic healthcare financial issues, financial reporting and analysis, and provider payment structures. The course enables students to read, analyze and use healthcare financial information in today's healthcare environment. 3 credits.

This course focuses on a multi-disciplinary approach to operations analysis, process redesign and quality improvement in health care. Focus is placed on the tools, methods and processes used for improving work flow processes, patient safety and performance in a variety of health care settings. Students study the history, development and principles of quality improvement in healthcare. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

Graduate level or permission

This course provides a framework for addressing common issues faced by management within a healthcare organization. Students are provided with an overview of how healthcare institutions are organized and governed, the unique roles of management, clinical staff, support staff, and human resources in the healthcare setting. Students also learn the management systems designed for efficient and effective operations. 3 credits.

Students explore the economic dimensions of healthcare by considering the input, output, production and costs of producing quality healthcare which meets demand and evaluates the behavior of supply. Students consider provider payer systems and aspects relative to private and public health insurance in determining market power and competitive markets. Common economic evaluation methods are introduced to measure health service feasibility, and promote value judgment in the realm of healthcare reform and regulatory compliance. 3 credits.

This course explores the important aspects of planning and implementation of business strategies in a health service organization. Students learn about the multi-step process of creating and managing a successful business plan, as well as strategies and solutions for analyzing business situations while utilizing popular tools of the industry. 3 credits.

This course introduces healthcare professionals to the power of data and the importance of analysis. Students learn how population informatics, consumer health informatics, translational bioinformatics, and clinical research informatics are essential components in selecting the techniques and systems used for transforming clinical data into information, knowledge and improved decision-making. The past, current and future role of healthcare IT is also discussed. 3 credits.

This course provides a broad-range overview of the healthcare information systems industry, its history, recent developments and continuing challenges, as well as a practical understanding of healthcare information systems acquisition and implementation. Topics include EMR, Data, CMS Quality Programs, Clinical Integration and health information exchange. 3 credits.

This course presents and overview of legal and ethical issues facing managers and providers in health care. It provides students with a foundation of health law and ethics and reviews health care legal and ethical situations and dilemmas. The goals are to provide students with practical knowledge of health law and ethics and their application to the real world of health care. 3 credits.

This course provides students with a basic framework for health policy analysis and examines major aspects of U.S. health policy. Detailed consideration and discussion focus on the relationship of national policy to the planning, implementation and funding of healthcare services. The course covers topics such as the healthcare policy environment in the U.S, government-funded healthcare through Medicaid and Medicare, and the Massachusetts healthcare reform. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

This is a graduate level course providing a comprehensive foundation for project management as it applies to healthcare. Students will be introduced to the theory and concepts of project management and the tools to manage projects with a focus on healthcare. At the end of this course, students should be able to develop, execute, and control a basic project plan that is capable of supporting organizational objectives linked to measures of success for a single project. 3 credits.

A graduate-level course introducing healthcare professionals to strategic planning for the information systems organization. The concepts are taught in a manner that allows the skills learned to be applied to any discipline with the organization. The course is designed to give healthcare professional a practical understanding of strategic planning and its importance to a successful organization. Skills learned in this course will enable the student to work effectively with and support the information systems planning effort in order to ensure better IS, clinical and business alignment. 3 credits.

The course addresses Electronic Health Records (EHR) integration with patient care flow, clinical decision making and patient engagement, as well as patient registries and clinical quality reporting. Students also learn core EHR functions, strategies for EHR optimization, and how the EHR can be leveraged for population health management. The course uses industry-leading EHR software as a learning tool to demonstrate how electronic health record technologies are used in a healthcare setting. 3 credits.

Graduate Certificate Requirements

Students enrolled in graduate certificate programs through UMass Lowell must complete all courses indicated in the curriculum outline. Students may complete the certificate program at their own pace by registering for and successfully completing one or more courses each semester, depending upon his/her personal time constraints. Students are required to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 with no more than one course grade below B to receive the certificate.

Online courses meet throughout the year during the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters (see Calendar for details). Online students generally log into their online course website one or more times per week to retrieve lectures and assignments or to participate in a chat session. Online students should expect to spend 6 to 10 hours per week engaged in course-related activities for each course. For more information on online courses, visit our online program home page .

Completing a Graduate Certificate Program

Graduate certificate courses must be completed within a five-year period with a minimum 3.0 grade point average and no more than one course with a grade below B. Once all courses for a graduate certificate have been completed, students must complete and submit the Graduate Certificate Clearance Form. Students must submit their clearance form to their coordinator. The coordinator will apply them in SIS, Graduation Tracking.

Tuition & Fees

At UMass Lowell, we believe that students should have as much information as possible up front so they can make informed decisions before enrolling in a degree program or signing up for a course.

Tuition for all undergraduate courses offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition for all online graduate courses is also the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition is priced per credit. To calculate the tuition for a course, simply multiply the per-credit tuition by the total number of credits per course. Exception: If the total number of course contact hours is greater than the total number of credits, the per-credit tuition is instead multiplied by the total number of contact hours.

Fall 2022 Tuition

 Cost Per Credit Cost Per 3-Credit Course*

Graduate
Online $585 $1,755
Online Business** $655 $1,965
Online IT and Engineering*** $600 $1,800
Online Education $470 $1,410
Online Doctoral Education $495 $1,485
On Campus View Here

*Please Note: If the number of contact hours exceeds the number of credits, tuition is calculated by multiplying by the total number of contact hours.

**Applies to ACCT, BUSI, ENTR, FINA, MGMT, MKTG, MIST and POMS courses.

***Applies to CHEN, CIVE, EECE, ENGN, MECH, PLAS and MSIT courses.

The cost to audit a course will be charged the rates listed above.

Additional Fees

Graduate
Online Registration Fee Per Term $30
Late Fee For Non Payment $50
Program Application Fee $50

Looking for Financial Assistance?

UMass Lowell offers a variety of financial aid and scholarship options.
Learn More »
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Registration

Current students can register using SiS Self-Service. New students who have not already applied and been accepted to a program must use the Non-Degree Registration Form.

You can take courses without being officially enrolled in a certificate or degree program, but you must meet course prerequisites. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Class size is limited. We recommend that you register early to reserve your place in class.

For more information, please visit our Registration Page.

New Students

If you have not already applied and been accepted to a program.
Register with Non-Degree Reg. Form

Current Students

If you have applied, been accepted to and are currently enrolled in a program.
Register with SIS Self-Service

Questions?

Program Support:
Contact: Sandra Guy
Email: Sandra_Guy@uml.edu
Phone: (978) 934-5437
Email our Advising Center for assistance, or call 800-480-3190 to speak with an advisor.

Please Note: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented within this website, the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies reserves the right to implement new rules and regulations and to make changes of any nature in its program, calendar, locations, tuition and fees. Whenever possible, appropriate notice of such changes will be given before they become effective. In applying for a degree program or registering for courses, each student assumes full responsibility for knowledge of and compliance with the definitions, regulations and procedures of UMass Lowell as set forth on our website. For additional information, please refer to the Graduate Program Policies found within the UMass Lowell Graduate Catalog.

Applying into an Online Graduate Certificate Program

UMass Lowell Graduate Certificate Programs provide knowledge and expertise that are vital in today's rapidly changing workplace. In many cases, graduate certificate courses may be applied toward a master's degree at UMass Lowell. Most graduate certificates consist of four courses, for a total of 12 graduate credits. This is a great way to earn a graduate-level credential on the way to earning your master's.

WHO CAN APPLY?

Holders of an appropriate bachelor's degree

HOW TO APPLY?

Learn more about specific application requirements for your program of interest. When you're ready, you can apply online or download an application at http://www.uml.edu/grad.

There is a $50 application fee for all programs except engineering and business, for which there is a $75 application fee. NO Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required for graduate certificate programs. Credits earned from a graduate certificate may be used toward a related graduate degree with the approval of the graduate program coordinator. Students who complete a graduate certificate with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or better in a UMass Lowell graduate certificate program may be able to waive the GRE when applying to a related master's degree. Graduate Certificate Programs must be completed within a five-year period with a minimum 3.0 grade point average and with not more than one course with a grade below B. Courses completed for one certificate may not be used for other certificates. Once you have completed all of the courses required for your certificate, please complete and submit the Graduate Certificate Clearance Form.

For specific information regarding any of the above application materials (which may vary for some programs), please see UMass Lowell's Graduate Application Requirements at https://www.uml.edu/Grad/Process/.

Applications can be completed and submitted at any time during the year. Each application is processed — and each applicant notified — as soon as all admissions materials have been received and reviewed. For additional details, please visit https://www.uml.edu/grad/.

Graduate Program Admissions Requirements

Admission to all graduate programs at UMass Lowell is contingent upon successful completion of a bachelor's degree. In many cases, applicants may register for a course before they have formally applied into the program; however, students requiring financial aid may want to wait until they have been formally accepted into the program to ensure that their course(s) will be covered. Contact UMass Lowell's Office of Graduate Admissions if you have questions about the application process.

Please Note: Test requirements for graduate applications have been temporarily waived. Learn more.
Apply Now

Questions Regarding Your Graduate Application?

Email Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu or call 800-656-4723 (for U.S. students) or 978-934-2390 (for international students).

For General Assistance:

For general questions about registering for courses or to find out who the advisor is for your graduate program, call 800-480-3190. Our admissions and advising teams are here to help!

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