The Business of Health Care Specialization Course Syllabus
Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.
A comprehensive and accessible program that equips learners with the foundational skills necessary for effective healthcare administration and management. This specialization consists of five core courses, each requiring approximately 4 weeks of part-time study, with an estimated total time commitment of 80 hours. Learners will explore key aspects of healthcare business operations, including economics, financial management, operations, and leadership, culminating in a final project that applies core concepts to real-world healthcare scenarios.
Module 1: The Economics of Health Care Delivery
Estimated time: 16 hours
- Understand the major challenges of the U.S. healthcare system
- Identify key stakeholders in the U.S. healthcare system
- Analyze supply and demand dynamics in healthcare markets
- Explore efforts to improve healthcare delivery and system performance
Module 2: Financial Acumen for Non-Financial Managers
Estimated time: 16 hours
- Learn to interpret financial statements and budgets
- Apply financial concepts to managerial decision-making
- Understand revenue cycle management in healthcare organizations
- Analyze cost structures and financing arrangements
Module 3: Operations Management in Healthcare
Estimated time: 16 hours
- Analyze healthcare operations for efficiency
- Implement process improvements in care delivery
- Examine challenges in patient flow and resource allocation
- Explore quality improvement frameworks
Module 4: Leadership and Management in Healthcare
Estimated time: 16 hours
- Develop leadership skills for healthcare environments
- Understand organizational behavior in healthcare settings
- Learn principles of change management
- Explore roles of physician practices and hospitals
Module 5: Healthcare System Challenges
Estimated time: 16 hours
- Examine healthcare cost management challenges
- Analyze quality of care metrics and initiatives
- Explore access to care disparities and solutions
- Study the role of pharmaceuticals and insurance in the system
Module 6: Final Project
Estimated time: 4 hours
- Deliverable 1: Analyze a real-world healthcare organization's challenges
- Deliverable 2: Propose data-informed solutions using course concepts
- Deliverable 3: Present recommendations for improving cost, quality, or access
Prerequisites
- Beginner-friendly with no prior experience required
- Basic understanding of English
- Access to a reliable internet connection
What You'll Be Able to Do After
- Understand the structure and challenges of the U.S. healthcare system
- Interpret financial statements and apply budgeting principles in healthcare settings
- Improve operational efficiency in clinical and administrative processes
- Apply leadership and change management strategies in healthcare organizations
- Address key issues in healthcare cost, quality, and access through strategic analysis