Working in the healthcare sector provides an unparalleled opportunity to promote individual and societal well-being. Industry-specific issues associated with highly specialized human capital, extensive regulation, complex organizational structures, rapid technological change, etc. demand an education tailored to understanding and excelling in healthcare management. A degree in healthcare management prepares students to help facilitate the sustainable delivery of high-quality patient care in a variety of healthcare contexts. The healthcare management program incorporates a robust, industry-specific curriculum taught by recognized scholars and industry professionals, all designed to provide students with the business acumen needed to successfully manage in the healthcare industry. Accounting for more than 15% of GDP, the healthcare sector is a large and growing driver of U.S. economic activity, and the opportunities to make an impactful difference in healthcare management are immense. The healthcare management program is designed to ensure you're ready to capitalize on these possibilities.
Undergraduate Major in Healthcare Management
For undergraduate curriculum in business, major in healthcare management.
The department of Management and Entrepreneurship offers a major in healthcare management. Students will complete the general education requirements (including business foundation courses), supporting courses/major prerequisites, business core requirements for the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree, and 24 additional credits in the major, which includes an experiential learning requirement, such as an internship or co-op.
Our curriculum is designed to prepare you to make a positive impact in healthcare management. Built on a foundation of knowledge about the healthcare management field, our interdisciplinary learning environment is also designed to facilitate development of comprehensive business skills including leadership, teamwork, evidence-based decision-making, and strategy formulation and implementation. The collaborative nature of the program provides a holistic approach to healthcare management issues and facilitates a diverse educational experience. A structured experiential learning component complements the classroom portion of the program by providing you with the opportunity to apply material from the HCM curriculum and build additional skills by gaining real work experience in a healthcare organization, helping ensure that you're ready to launch your career immediately upon graduation.
For more information on the undergraduate major in Healthcare Management, please visit: https://www.ivybusiness.iastate.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/healthcare-management/.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation, undergraduate students majoring in Healthcare Management will:
- Be effective communicators.
- Be effective collaborators.
- Be problem solvers.
- Understand business concepts.
- Recognize ethical and legal responsibilities to organizations.
Curriculum:
In addition to the basic business degree requirements (https://catalog.iastate.edu/collegeofbusiness/#curriculuminbusinesstext), healthcare management majors must also complete:
| Required Courses: | ||
| HCM 3010 | Introduction to the US Healthcare Industry | 3 |
| HCM 3020 | Economics for Healthcare Managers | 3 |
| HCM 3030 | Healthcare Quality Management | 3 |
| HCM 4010 | Financial Management for Healthcare Organizations | 3 |
| HCM 4020 | Law and Regulatory Environment in Healthcare | 3 |
| HCM 4030 | Healthcare Information Systems | 3 |
| Experiential Learning (choose one): | ||
| HCM 3910 | Internship in Healthcare Management | 3 |
| HCM 3980 | Cooperative Education * | R |
| HCM 4900 | Independent Study in Healthcare Management § | 3 |
| Elective Courses (choose one or two): * | ||
| ACCT 4880 | Governmental and Non-profit Institution Accounting | 3 |
| HCM 4040X | Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in Healthcare | 3 |
| MGMT 4220 | Negotiation and Conflict Resolution | 3 |
| MGMT 4700 | Leadership and Change Management | 3 |
| MGMT 4710 | Introduction to Human Resource Management | 3 |
| MGMT 4720 | Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Organizations | 3 |
| ENTSP 4100 | Social Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| MKT 3510 | Services Marketing | 3 |
| SCM 4240 | Process Management, Analysis, and Improvement | 3 |
| SCM 4860 | Principles of Purchasing and Supply Management | 3 |
| COMST 4120 | Health Communication | 3 |
| GLOBE 3300 | Global Health Disparities | 3 |
| HS 3100 | Community and Public Health | 3 |
| PSYCH 4850 | Health Psychology | 3 |
- *
If HCM 3980 is taken for your experiential learning component, you must choose TWO elective courses from the list to fulfill the requirements for the major.
- §
Course not offered on a regular basis. Students should consult with their academic advisor about terms of offering.
Total Credits: 24
The X designation after a course number indicates this is an experimental course offered by the Department. Although in an experimental phase, these courses are open for registration just the same as permanent courses listed in the course catalog and count as elective choices in the major.
Students are limited to three business majors/degrees/certificates/minors within the Ivy College of Business. This limit is on business majors/degrees/certificates/minors only and does not apply to multiple majors/degrees/certificates/minors taken outside the Ivy College of Business.
Healthcare Management, B.S.
Sample 4-Year Plan (Your plan may differ)
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BUSAD 1020 or 1030 | 1 | ECON 1020 | 3 |
| ECON 1010 | 3 | STAT 2260 | 3 |
| COMS 1130 | 3 | HUM/SOC SCI | 3 |
| ENGL 1500 | 3 | ACCT 2840 | 3 |
| MATH 1500 | 3 | Global/International Perspective@ | 3 |
| LIB 1600 | 1 | BUSAD 2030 | 1 |
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ACCT 2850 | 3 | SPCM 3120 | 3 |
| MKT 3400 | 3 | ACCT 2150 | 3 |
| MATH 1510 | 3 | PHIL 2300 | 3 |
| ENGL 2500 | 3 | MGMT 3710 | 3 |
| Natural Science | 3 | ENTSP 3100 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 3020 | 3 | HCM 3030 | 3 |
| FIN 3010 | 3 | HCM 4010 | 3 |
| SCM 3010 | 3 | MIS 3010 | 3 |
| HCM 3010 | 3 | MGMT 3720 | 3 |
| HCM 3020 | 3 | U.S. Cultures and Communities# | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HUM/SOC SCI | 3 | MGMT 4780* | 3 |
| Global/International Perspective@ | 3 | HUM/SOC SCI | 3 |
| HCM 4020 | 3 | HCM 4030 | 3 |
| HCM 3910 | 3 | HCM Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 5 | General Electives | 3 |
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 122 | |||
- @
Courses in these requirements may also be used as Global Perspective.
- #
U.S. Cultures and Communities courses may be used to satisfy HUM/SOC SCI.
- *
Must have credit or enrollment in all core courses listed above, except for MGMT 3720, plus senior standing, in order to enroll in MGMT 4780.
Graduation Requirements:
1. Grade of “C” or higher in at least 30 credits of Core and Major courses.
2. 42 credits of 3000+ level courses from a four-year institution.
3. 50% of required Business courses must be earned at ISU.
4. At least 32 credits and the LAST 32 credits must be earned at ISU (exceptions for study abroad and internship may be requested).
5. 122 Credits minimum and a Cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 with no quality point deficiencies.
6. A grade of C or better in ENGL 2500 required, and also in one other required ENGL course.
7. All 3000-level and higher business credits must be earned at a four-year college.
8. Multiple business majors must have at least 15 distinct credits in each of the major requirements; when applicable, one course can be shared between business majors; see your advisor regarding multiple business degree requirements.
Undergraduate Certificate in Healthcare Management
The Department of Management and Entrepreneurship also offers a certificate in healthcare management that is open to all Iowa State University students. The certificate provides students with access to the same sort of robust, interdisciplinary curriculum that comprises the major in a more approachable format. Students will still learn valuable healthcare management skills and knowledge that complements their primary area of study. Built around a foundation of four required classes, the certificate includes elective courses from a wide variety of healthcare-related programs across campus, making it synergistic for students from a wide variety of majors. For students who want to work in a healthcare related field and do not want to major in healthcare management, earning the healthcare management certificate provides a recognizable credential that can help position them for success upon graduation and beyond.
Requirements
The Healthcare Management Certificate requires a minimum of 20 credits, including 11-12 required credits and 8-9 electives. At least 12 credits must be taken at Iowa State University.
| Required Courses: (11-12 credits) | ||
| HCM 3010 | Introduction to the US Healthcare Industry | 3 |
| or FSHN 4300 | U.S. Health Systems and Policy | |
| HCM 3020 | Economics for Healthcare Managers | 3 |
| HCM 3030 | Healthcare Quality Management | 3 |
| HCM 4020 | Law and Regulatory Environment in Healthcare | 3 |
| Elective Courses: (8-9 credits) | ||
| BIOL 2550 | Fundamentals of Human Anatomy | 3 |
| BIOL 2560 | Fundamentals of Human Physiology | 3 |
| BIOL 3280 | Molecular and Cellular Biology of Human Diseases | 3 |
| BIOL 3350 | Principles of Human and Other Animal Physiology | 3 |
| BIOL 3440 | Human Reproduction | 3 |
| BIOL 4210 | Biological Principles of Aging | 3 |
| BIOL 4230 | Developmental Biology | 3 |
| BBMB 1210 | Medicines, Drugs and You | 2 |
| BME 3520 | Molecular, Cellular and Tissue Biomechanics | 3 |
| BME 4400 | Biomedical Applications of Chemical Engineering | 3 |
| COMST 4120 | Health Communication | 3 |
| ENTSP 3100 | Entrepreneurship and Innovation | 3 |
| FSHN 3600 | Advanced Nutrition and the Regulation of Metabolism in Health and Disease | 3 |
| FSHN 3640 | Nutrition and Prevention of Chronic Disease | 3 |
| FSHN 3650 | Obesity and Health | 3 |
| FSHN 3670 | Medical Terminology for Health Professionals | 1 |
| FSHN 4600 | Global Nutrition, Health and Sustainability | 3 |
| FSHN 4610 | Medical Nutrition and Disease I | 4 |
| FSHN 4630 | Community Nutrition and Health | 3 |
| GEN 3400 | Human Genetics | 3 |
| GEN 3490 | The Genome Perspective in Biology | 4 |
| GEN 4620 | Evolutionary Genetics | 3 |
| GLOBE 3300 | Global Health Disparities | 3 |
| GLOBE 3600 | Global Health | 3 |
| HDFS 3670 | Family Stress, Abuse, and Resilience | 3 |
| HDFS 3730 | Death as a Part of Living | 3 |
| HDFS 3770 | Aging and the Family | 3 |
| HDFS 3870 | Trauma-Informed Practice | 3 |
| HDFS 3950 | Children, Families, and Public Policy | 3 |
| HDFS 4860 | Human Services Management II | 3 |
| HS 3100 | Community and Public Health | 3 |
| HS 3500 | Human Diseases | 3 |
| HS 3800 | Worksite Health Promotion | 3 |
| HS 4300 | Community Health Program Development | 3 |
| KIN 3450 | Management of Health-Fitness Programs and Facilities | 3 |
| KIN 3650 | Sport Psychology | 3 |
| or KIN 3660 | Exercise Psychology | |
| MGMT 3700 | Managing Organizations | 3 |
| MGMT 3710 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| MGMT 3720 | Ethical and Responsible Management | 3 |
| MICRO 4280 | Principles of Epidemiology and Population Health | 3 |
| NRS 3600 | Nursing Leadership and Management | 3 |
| NRS 4200 | Promoting a Culture of Health and Wellness | 3 |
| NRS 4400 | Population Health Nursing | 3 |
| PHIL 3310 | Moral Problems in Medicine | 3 |
| POLS 3370X | Health Politics and Policy | 3 |
| PSYCH 2500 | Psychology of the Workplace | 3 |
| PSYCH 3100 | Brain and Behavior | 3 |
| PSYCH 3140 | Motivation | 3 |
| PSYCH 3150 | Drugs and Behavior | 3 |
| PSYCH 3160 | Cognitive Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 3500 | Human Factors in Technology | 3 |
| PSYCH 3600 | Personality Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 4850 | Health Psychology | 3 |
| RELIG 3610X | Religion, Health, and Medicine | 3 |
| SOC 2350 | Social Problems and American Values | 3 |
| SOC 3050 | Social Psychology: A Sociological Perspective | 3 |
| SOC 3270 | Gender and Sexualities in Society | 3 |
| SOC 3300 | Ethnic and Race Relations | 3 |
| SOC 3310 | Social Class and Inequality | 3 |
| SOC 3450 | Population and Society | 3 |
| SOC 3480 | Global Poverty, Resources and Sustainable Development | 3 |
| SOC 4100 | Human Trafficking | 3 |
Students are responsible for meeting the prerequisites or any enrollment restrictions when registering for the elective courses from the approved list.
The X designation after a course number indicates this is an experimental course offered by the Department. Although in an experimental phase, these courses are open for registration just the same as permanent courses listed in the course catalog and count as elective choices in the major.
Students are limited to three business majors/degrees/certificates/minors within the Ivy College of Business. This limit is on business majors/degrees/certificates/minors only and does not apply to multiple majors/degrees/certificates/minors taken outside the Ivy College of Business.
Students need to fulfill the course prerequisites set by the Ivy College of Business.
A student may not receive both an undergraduate major and a certificate of the same name (ie. healthcare management majors cannot pursue the healthcare management certificate and the major at the same time).
Courses taken for the certificate may not be taken on a pass/not-pass basis.
The certificate is intended for students enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program at Iowa State University or that currently hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Students holding a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution must meet admission requirements to be enrolled at Iowa State University.
A certificate is not awarded until baccalaureate requirements are fulfilled.
A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 is required in courses taken for the certificate.
For more information on the undergraduate certificate in healthcare management, please visit: https://www.ivybusiness.iastate.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/minors-and-certificates/healthcare-management-certificate/