Navigating the Healthcare Maze by Earning a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management

By Gillian Sclafani | October 3, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

The University of Louisville in conjunction with the School of Public Health and Information Sciences is thrilled to announce the launch of our newest online certificate , the Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management. This certificate is ideal for current and future healthcare professionals including nurses, clinical workers and allied health administrators who want to enhance their skills and advance to leadership and management positions. The online Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management is a 14-credit hour, 5-course program with each course delivered in an 8-week course format, 100% online.

Healthcare management is the practice of overseeing the business aspects of healthcare organizations, ensuring the institutions operate efficiently and effectively. These organizations can include hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical companies, insurance providers, and more. Healthcare managers play a crucial role in making strategic decisions, improving patient care, and optimizing resources. In today’s complex and ever-evolving healthcare landscape, the need for skilled professionals who can effectively manage healthcare organizations has never been greater. Whether you’re a healthcare practitioner looking to transition into a managerial role or a business professional seeking a career in the healthcare industry, earning a graduate certificate in healthcare management can be a smart strategic move.

One of the primary reasons to pursue a graduate certificate in healthcare management is career advancement. This certificate can open doors to leadership positions within healthcare organizations, allowing you to make a meaningful impact on patient care and the overall healthcare system. Once enrolled in this program you’ll learn applicable and transferable healthcare industry knowledge through courses in Health Policy and Analysis, Foundations of Public Health in Health Management, Population Health Management and more.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical and health service managers is projected to grow by 28% in the next ten years, which is much faster than the average growth for all occupations. The median annual wage for medical and health service managers was $101,340 in May of 2021 (bls.gov). A Graduate Certificate in Health Management can provide you with the expertise needed to advance into leadership roles within most healthcare organizations. Graduates are well suited to apply their credentials toward positions like Care Coordinators, Clinical Managers, Health Administrators, Medical Managers, Policy Analysts, and so much more. Students can also apply the credits earned in the Graduate Certificate of Healthcare Management towards UofL’s online Master of Science in Health Administration degree – saving the student both time and money while using their credits to further their educational journey.

The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, and healthcare management professionals need to adapt to new challenges and technologies. Earning a graduate certificate demonstrates your commitment to staying current in the field and a smart investment in your future. It equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in a dynamic and critical industry while opening doors to a wide range of career opportunities. As healthcare continues to evolve, healthcare managers play an essential role in shaping the future of patient care and healthcare delivery. To learn more about the certificate at UofL, or our other online programs, click here.

Exploring Competency-Based Education at University of Louisville

By admin | October 24, 2017

Returning to school and earning your degree can open new doors in your career. For students balancing family, work and school, though, the time commitment can seem daunting. Fortunately, UofL’s Healthcare Leadership track of the Bachelor of Science in Organization Leadership and Learning degree program is offered 100% online, allowing students to fit the classroom into their own busy lives.

The healthcare track also incorporates a Competency-Based Education model (CBE) which can help speed your path to graduation in three important ways.

How Does Competency-Based Education Work?

The driving force behind the Competency-Based Education model is to award credit for what students have already learned inside and outside the classroom. The aim is to make finishing your bachelor’s degree as easy as 1-2-3.

1) CBE rewards your previous college work

Whether you have started or even completed your associate’s degree, or have earned credit at a four-year college, applicants to the Healthcare Leadership program are eligible to transfer over 36 credit hours towards the general education requirements of your degree.

2) CBE gives credit for on-the-job knowledge

The Healthcare Leadership track of the Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership and Learning degree begins with a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) that allows students to demonstrate their professional knowledge and earn up to 48 credit hours tuition-free.

3) CBE allows you to set the pace

After transferring credits and completing the PLA, students may take the core curriculum of the Healthcare Leadership (36 credit hours) track in a competency-based model. There are also two enrollment paths available, offering varying degrees of flexibility:

Flex Pace: Students have 32 weeks to move through the program materials at their own pace, providing more flexibility and self-direction.

Set Pace: Students enroll in 8-week courses and complete each course within a pre-determined time frame, offering the benefits of accelerated courses within a more traditional university structure.

Your Degree is Nearer Than You Think

Between transfer credits, on-the-job knowledge and competency-based coursework, the Healthcare Leadership bachelor’s program is designed to bring your career and education goals within reach.

The Healthcare Leadership program at University of Louisville starts the first Tuesday of every month except December, so you can begin the next chapter of your career right away. Visit the online program’s homepage to learn more and apply today!

About UofL Online Learning

The University of Louisville currently offers online programs in various areas of study for adult learners who are not able to come to a physical campus, but want to earn a college degree or certificate and advance their career.

The University of Louisville is a nationally-recognized, metropolitan research university, with a commitment to the liberal arts and sciences, as well as the intellectual, cultural, and economic development of our diverse community of learners.

UofL Introduces Its First Competency-Based Education Program

By admin | June 20, 2016

Bachelor of Science for Organizational Leadership and Learning in Healthcare Leadership Rewards “On the Job” Knowledge—In a Flexible Online Format

The University of Louisville, the state-supported research university located in Kentucky’s largest metropolitan area, is proud to introduce a competency-based education (CBE) program for experienced, knowledgeable healthcare professionals seeking to complete a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management.

The Bachelor of Science for Organizational Leadership and Learning is focused on Healthcare Leadership and allows students of all ages to achieve their academic, professional and personal goals through a quality online education program. The program itself is designed to be as flexible and convenient as possible, including offering a wide variety of online courses, flexible start dates and coursework that can be completed based on the student’s work schedule.

Degree Recognizes Knowledge and Rewards Experience

Most significantly, the Bachelor of Science for Organizational Leadership and Learning in Healthcare Leadership is delivered through an innovative method of competency-based education (CBE), allowing healthcare professionals to capitalize on their existing knowledge and experience and earn a bachelor’s degree at their own pace.

“The program encourages adult learners to enhance their skills in leadership, organizational change, business planning, workplace development and performance,” says Dr. Lee Bewley, the program’s director. “Through this program, students can attain higher-level leadership positions in healthcare management in their own organization or within the industry at the clinic, service, or department level across all types of healthcare organizations and systems.”

“The program is ideal for professionals who are experienced in their healthcare field, but are missing the proper credentials that could help them secure promotions, increase their pay or accept new management and leadership roles,” he adds.

Structure and Delivery Tailored to Work/Life Balance

The program curriculum was designed to address the needs of healthcare professionals who are tapped to play a more complex role in the healthcare organizations of the future, as traditional roles in supervision, management and leadership are becoming larger and more strategic in scope. More than ever before, mid-level professionals are being asked to develop a broader set of leadership and technical skills and increase their understanding of healthcare delivery and support.

The bachelor’s degree was developed to balance career goals and lifestyle. The structure allows students to capitalize on their existing knowledge and experience, while earning a bachelor’s degree at their own pace—with eleven flexible start dates throughout the year.

The first major course, a Prior Learning Assessment, allows students to earn up to 48 credit hours by documenting their learning from work experiences, existing course credits or associate degrees and technical/specialized healthcare training. These 48 credit hours, the equivalent of 16 courses, are recognized at no additional cost to the student.

The entire degree program requires a minimum of 123 credit hours, which include the major concentration, general education required courses, elective courses and work specialization. Notably, it also offers an ideal launch platform for further education within a graduate healthcare management program as the curriculum is based on the National Center for Healthcare Leadership competency model which has also been adopted by many top-tier MHA programs in the country. Tuition and financial assistance may be available for students who qualify.

First Degree in UofL’s New OnTrack Program

This program is the first offered through UofL’s OnTrack program, the first of its kind in the state and region, with a curriculum based on the National Center for Healthcare Leadership’s (NCHL.org) competency model, one of the leading industry standard models for healthcare executive competencies development.

This program also represents a significant step for the university. As a member of Kentucky Commonwealth College, the University of Louisville joins other institutions in the Competency-Based Education Network, a national consortium of colleges and universities that collaborate in the design, development and scaling of competency-based degree programs. The network represents 34 institutions and public systems—82 campuses in all.

“UofL is honored to join our fellow institutions in delivering an education model like this, one that offers students more flexibility than traditional classes,” says Dr. Bewley. “This is a significant step for us, and a very beneficial program for adult learners looking to enhance their career development in the healthcare field by earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisville, a high-quality, nationally-recognized educational institution.”

To learn more about the Healthcare Leadership track in the Bachelor of Science for Organizational Leadership and Learning, visit the UofL Online Learning website.

Tag: healthcare leadership