B.A.S. in Community Health & Education
The Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) in Community Health & Education at Seattle...
B.A.S. in Healthcare Services Management
Seattle, Washington
INTAKE: Jan, Apr, Jun & Sep
Program Overview
Seattle Central College offers a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Allied Health with a specialization in Healthcare Services Management. This program is specifically designed for experienced healthcare professionals who already hold an associate's degree and are looking to advance into healthcare administration and leadership roles. It's a work-compatible program, offering flexibility with full-time or part-time enrollment options and hybrid core classes that combine reduced in-person time with online learning, often with evening meetings to accommodate working students. The program prepares graduates to plan, coordinate, and supervise service delivery across various healthcare settings, reflecting the growing demand for qualified managers in the healthcare industry.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the BAS in Healthcare Services Management is comprehensive, focusing on developing essential knowledge and skills for effective healthcare administration. While specific course lists can vary, core areas typically include integrated healthcare management, healthcare systems, healthcare leadership, health equity, health literacy, and applied research methods. Students learn to create work schedules, supervise staff, manage finances including billing and patient fees, organize and maintain service records, apply research to evaluate programs, and demonstrate effective communication and management skills. The program emphasizes practical, hands-on training, often including a significant fieldwork component (e.g., 240 hours) to provide real-world experience. Prerequisites generally include an associate's degree from a regionally accredited institution, a minimum GPA, and at least one year of full-time healthcare work experience, along with foundational English and math courses.
Research Focus: While not a traditional research-intensive bachelor's degree, the BAS in Healthcare Services Management incorporates principles of research and evidence-based decision-making. The curriculum often includes courses on research methods, enabling students to select appropriate strategies, collect and manage data, evaluate programs, and implement assessments within healthcare organizations. This focus ensures graduates are equipped to analyze healthcare trends, understand the impact of various interventions, and contribute to continuous quality improvement within their workplaces. The applied nature of the degree means research is often geared towards solving practical managerial issues and problems within healthcare organizations.
Industry Engagement: Seattle Colleges maintains strong and active connections with the healthcare industry in the Washington State area, particularly for its applied bachelor's degrees. The Healthcare Services Management program collaborates with healthcare employers, leveraging industry insights to develop a relevant and in-demand curriculum. This engagement ensures that the skills taught are directly applicable to the needs of the modern healthcare workforce. Such connections often lead to internship opportunities, guest speakers from the industry, and real-world projects embedded within coursework, providing students with valuable networking and practical experience.
Global Perspective: While primarily focused on the U.S. healthcare system, the BAS in Healthcare Services Management implicitly fosters a global perspective through its emphasis on diverse patient populations, health equity, and the social determinants of health. Healthcare management often involves understanding varying cultural backgrounds and healthcare access issues, which can have global parallels. The program prepares graduates to navigate a complex healthcare landscape that is increasingly influenced by global health trends and challenges. While direct global health coursework may not be a primary focus, the foundational principles of effective management, ethical considerations, and adaptable leadership are universally applicable in any healthcare system.
Location
Seattle, Washington
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
USD 21075
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $50
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for undergraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 60% or above in their previous academic qualifications.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.0 or 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 64 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 100.
Seattle Colleges is supporting the educational goals of international students by offering a variety of scholarship opportunities to help ease the financial burden of studying abroad. These scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence, leadership, community involvement, and financial need.
Merit-Based Scholarships: Seattle Colleges offers merit-based scholarships for international students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement. Applicants must typically have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher and be enrolled in a degree-seeking program. These scholarships can be renewed based on continued academic success.
Need-Based Scholarships: Students facing financial challenges may qualify for need-based scholarships offered by the colleges or through external donors. These scholarships require students to submit a personal statement, financial documentation, and recommendation letters explaining their financial situation and academic goals.
Program-Specific Scholarships: Some academic departments at Seattle Colleges, such as STEM, Business, IT, and Hospitality, may offer scholarships to students enrolled in specific programs. These scholarships aim to encourage academic excellence and increase participation in high-demand career fields.
External Scholarships and Grants: Seattle Colleges also assists international students in identifying and applying for external scholarships offered by private organizations, government agencies, and nonprofit institutions.
A Bachelor of Applied Science in Healthcare Services Management prepares graduates for a diverse range of administrative and leadership positions within the dynamic healthcare industry. This degree is particularly beneficial for those looking to transition from clinical or entry-level administrative roles into management.
Medical and Health Services Manager: This broad role encompasses overseeing the daily operations of a healthcare facility, department, or specific service. Responsibilities include staff scheduling, budgeting, ensuring regulatory compliance, and optimizing patient flow.
Practice Manager: Manages the administrative and operational aspects of a private physician's office, group medical practice, or specialized clinic. This includes personnel management, financial oversight, billing, and patient relations.
Nursing Home Administrator: Oversees the overall operations of long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities, ensuring quality resident care, managing staff, and maintaining regulatory compliance.
Clinical Manager/Director: Leads and manages a specific clinical department (e.g., surgery, oncology, rehabilitation) within a hospital or larger healthcare system. They are responsible for departmental operations, staff supervision, and policy implementation.
Health Information Manager: Manages patient health records, ensuring their accuracy, security, and compliance with healthcare laws and regulations. This role is crucial in the era of electronic health records.
Healthcare Human Resources Manager: Responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, and managing healthcare staff. They handle employee benefits, performance evaluations, and workplace issues within a healthcare setting.
Healthcare Operations Manager: Focuses on optimizing the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare services delivery. This involves streamlining processes, managing resources, and implementing strategies to improve organizational performance.
Medical Billing and Coding Manager: Oversees the billing and coding processes, ensuring accurate and timely submission of insurance claims, managing patient accounts, and staying updated on coding regulations.
Healthcare Quality Improvement Manager: Identifies areas for improvement in patient care and operational efficiency, develops and implements quality improvement initiatives, and ensures adherence to best practices and standards.
Public Health Program Manager/Coordinator: Works within public health agencies or non-profit organizations to develop, implement, and evaluate health programs aimed at improving community health outcomes. This can involve managing budgets, personnel, and outreach efforts.
