Online Certificate in Business of Health Care

Business of Health Care Certificate Outcomes

Employment in health care occupations is projected to grow 13% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. As a result, 2 million new jobs could be created over the next decade (bls.gov).

According to bls.gov, that growth is not limited to just clinical roles. Medical and health services managers are expected to experience similar growth, meaning abundant opportunities for high-paying leadership roles within health care systems will become available over the next decade.

As an experienced clinician or business professionals, the combination of your previous experience and the skills gained in our certificate could prepare you for roles such as:

• CEO, CMO, CNO, COO, etc. within a hospital/health care system
• Health Care Administrator
• Health Care Manager
• Medical Practice Manager
• Quality and Compliance Officer
• Division Chief
• Division Chair
• Division Director
• Dean of Medicine
• Dean of Nursing
• Director of Health Care Operations
• And more

Application Deadlines

Note: We admit students on a rolling basis. The preferred deadlines help you complete the application process on time, be notified of acceptance and enroll before the term begins. We review applications as they become complete, and admit students for a specific term up to the day classes start. We recommend you work on and submit your complete application well in advance of the preferred deadline, as obtaining transcripts and other materials may take more time.

Admission Requirements

Students will be admitted to the certificate program in one of two ways:

1. Those who apply to earn the certificate independent of other degrees must apply to the graduate programs office in the College of Business, have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and submit an official transcript certifying a GPA of at least 2.0 in that undergraduate degree.
2. MBA students may also earn the certificate using the elective courses of their MBA degree if they are in good standing in their program. Newly admitted and currently enrolled MBA students should connect with the College of Business's Graduate Programs Enrollment Coordinator, Kim Hamilton, for admissions/enrollment timelines

For more information on the admission and application process, please contact our team.

Request More Information

Steps to Apply

Those who wish to pursue the certificate as a standalone credential (not as part of their MBA degree) will need:

• Completed online application
• $40 application fee
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Request official transcripts certifying an undergraduate degree earned from an accredited institution
  • Electronic (recommended):
    gradadm@louisville.edu
  • Physical Mail:
    University of Louisville
    Graduate School
    2211 S Brook St
    Louisville, KY 40292
• Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale)

Note: GMAT/GRE scores are not required for admission.

BOHC 621 Health Care Budgeting & Finance (1.5 credit hours) is required for students not in an MBA program or having no finance background.

Business of Health Care Certificate Course Descriptions

BOHC 610 Health Care Strategy*

This course builds on existing courses and frameworks to provide the tools necessary for crafting successful strategies for firms operating in the U.S. health sector. It introduces key strategic problems facing the complete set of health care organizations and develops strategic frameworks that can be applied in a variety of settings. This course will explicitly cover recent health care changes, including COVID-19 and how those can represent both opportunities and threats for participants in a variety of markets. Credit may be granted if the student has already taken PHMS 620 – Strategic Management.

BOHC 620 Health Care Systems & Population Health*

This course is mandatory for those with a finance background or those in the MBA program.

In this course, we will explore the historical development of the U.S. health care system; engage in a comparative analysis of health systems around the world; and use leading causes of morbidity and mortality to highlight the broader system of health and health services in the U.S., including both public health and social policies, which together influence population health outcomes. This course is designed primarily for professionals who wish to move from another industry into the health care industry. This program is mandatory for those already having a finance background or those in the MBA program. Credit may granted if the student has already taken BOTH of the following: PHMS 615 – Introduction to Health Systems, and PHMS 708 - Population Health and Health Disparities.

BOHC 621 Health Care Budgeting & Finance

This course is mandatory for those without a finance background or those not in the MBA program.

This introductory course provides an overview of health care budgeting and finance. Students will gain practical skills for budget preparation, cost control, revenue maximization and financial decision making in health care organizations. The course emphasizes critical financial management skills that are essential for supervisory and management roles in health care administration. Upon completion, students will be prepared to apply budgeting and finance knowledge to real-world health care settings.

Note: Official curriculum requirements will be decided and discussed with your academic advisor after admission.

BOHC 630 Health Care Economics

This course is designed to introduce students to the ways economists analyze topics related to the production of health and the delivery of health care. Throughout the course, we will consider the role that incentives play in the health care sector by applying economic theory and methods to current issues in health policy, with a particular focus on the U.S. health care system.

BOHC 640 Health Care Operations*

This course introduces analytical tools for improving the quality and efficiency of health care operations, focusing on topics such as throughput, scheduling, quality control, resource allocation and capacity planning. Credit may be granted if the student has already taken PHMS 685 – Health Operations and Management Science.

BOHC 650 Business Planning for Health Care Initiatives

This course walks students through the steps of building clinical service lines or practices, including the process of determining a budget, understanding how health and employment law apply, creating HR systems and the other processes that make new health initiative mirror entrepreneurial ventures. It will be an applied, practical course, serving as a capstone for the certificate.

BOHC 660 Conflict Management & Negotiations in Health Care

A common experience for which many health professionals are not prepared is the amount of conflict that must be managed in a health system. Health organizations are almost designed for conflict, given the competing demands for patient care and financial solvency or even profitability. This course explores causes of conflict and approaches for productive resolution, such as uncovering hidden agendas, finding integrative solutions, maintaining respectful relationships, active listening and so forth.

*Where noted, PHMS courses already taken through the School of Public Health and Information Sciences can be granted as credit toward the Business of Health Care Certificate.