Course Descriptions
Health Sciences
HSC 200
Medical Terminology
3 credits
This course is designed to provide a foundation for a vocabulary of medical terminology to facilitate learning in the health science curricula and appropriate communication – both oral and written, within the healthcare community. Emphasis is on the definitions, pronunciation, and proper usage of the basic elements of medical terms. Common medical abbreviations will also be included and interpreted.
HSC 205
Principles of HealthCare Billing/Coding
3 credits
This course is intended to provide the student with an overview of the principles of medical billing and diagnostic and procedural coding concepts. Students receive an introduction to various coding methodologies as well as types of health insurance programs available in a range of current healthcare environments. The purpose of the use of documentation guidelines for accurate abstraction from medical records and compliance is emphasized. Implications of errors in coding and methods for resolution of insurance billing issues, tracing of delinquent claims, and the process to appeal denied claims will be highlighted. A summary of medical software programs and systems will be reviewed.
HSC 303
Professionalism in Health Sciences
3 credits
This course focuses on the myriad of issues and knowledge required to develop as a professional in health care practice. The course is designed to prepare healthcare professionals with the competencies critical for success in their current and future roles within their professions. The concept of Professionalism will be examined and discussed through many viewpoints. A variety of topics pertaining to roles as a healthcare professional will be explored. The course includes an introduction to information literacy and writing skills. Class sessions and course assignments are designed to foster critical thinking skills. During this course, the students are required to complete a credentialing profile. Detailed instruction of the mandatory credentialing is found in the College of Health Professions HSC Student organization site. There is a private vendor's fee associated with the credentialing process and is the financial responsibility of the student. Completed credentialing is mandatory for students to continue with HSC core course selection.
Prerequisite(s): HSC Major Pre-Requisite- 60 lower level credits, and ENG 310
HSC 313
Ethical and Legal Issues of Healthcare
3 credits
This course is designed to enable health care professionals to function as objective members of the health care delivery team while working within legal and ethical boundaries. Students will be introduced to medical law and a broad range of ethical issues specific to the provision of health care services. Ethical theory is combined with a practical application of ethical principles to healthcare issues.
HSC 320
Care Management Across the Health Care Continuum
3 credits
The purpose of this course is to provide learners with a broad understanding of the history and evolution of Care Management. Care Management focuses on the long term management of patients along the health care continuum coordinating seamless transitions of care from one health care setting to the next ensuring patients receive the right care at the right time in the right setting. This course will examine the difference between Care Management and Case Management, the role of Care Management in different health care settings, healthcare privacy and confidentiality, key regulatory and legal statutes impacting care management, the role of the care management assistant, professional licensure, introduction to healthcare reimbursement, and understanding post-acute care services. Students will focus on the roles of Care Management as part of the interdisciplinary care team focusing on transition management, patient advocacy, and patient centered care planning.HSC 323
Health Education & Principles of Teaching
3 credits
This course focuses on the development of teaching skills for professional healthcare practice. The course will explore the role of the professional in teaching individuals, families, communities, and peers. The Learner as well as the Educator and their unique characteristics and the influence they have on the learning experience will be explored. This along with advances in technology, environmental and social influences that enhance or deter from the ability to educate effectively will be highlighted.Prerequisite(s): HSC Major Pre-Requisite- HSC 303, and 60 lower level credits
HSC 325
Healthcare Compliance
3 credits
This course will focus on the fundamental healthcare laws and regulations that impact the healthcare industry and compliance. The course will include topics, such as, fraud and abuse laws (the False Claims Act, the Anti-Kickback Statute, and Stark Law), the Affordable Care Act, HIPAA, and HITECH. Additionally, this course will address law enforcement agencies responsible for investigating and enforcing the healthcare law. The course materials will allow students to test their knowledge and understanding of the statutory and regulatory principles of compliance in a variety of health care settings. This course is cross listed with POL 325.
Prerequisite(s): CTA 206, and ENG 121
HSC 327
Hispanic Cultural Immersion (for Hispanic Cultural Certificate only)
3 credits
In this course, students will utilize the skills and knowledge they gained in previous courses in Hispanic language and culture. Students will participate in a community learning experience within a Hispanic community setting. This course requires a total of thirty-five (35) hours of community learning with twenty (20) hours of experience at a faculty-approved community setting and an additional fifteen (15) hours during course-related activities such as logs Student's preparing to register for this course are required to speak with the Program Chair prior to registration.Prerequisite(s): Pre-Requisite- ETN 340, HLT 371, HSC 303,SPA301, SPA302, SPA305
HSC 330
Healthcare Quality & Reimbursement
3 credits
This course covers an overview of healthcare quality and reimbursement including the shift from pay for volume to pay for value transformation occurring throughout healthcare. Weekly discussions and assignments will focus on understanding healthcare quality and outcomes, value-based purchasing, risk arrangements, financial reimbursement in healthcare, and population health. Various healthcare settings will be covered including, but not limited to, acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, various community-based programs, and accountable care organizations.HSC 333
Leadership for the Healthcare Professional
3 credits
This course will focus on the development of leadership skills for health services professional practice. The course will explore the leadership role and competencies critical for success. Strategic thinking, the culture of professionalism, interprofessional collaborative behavior, and intercultural competence as well as patient and family centered leadership concepts will be discussed.Prerequisite(s): HSC Major Pre-Requisite- HSC 303 and 60 lower level credits
HSC 335
Foundations of HC Practice Management
3 credits
This course will provide students with the development of foundational skills to manage a professional healthcare office. Students will be exposed to management tasks for the daily operation of the practice including responsibilities for staff, providers and patient satisfaction, effective communication techniques and customer service guidelines. The roles of the manager to achieve a successfully functioning practice to include: financial, compliance, regulatory requirements, workplace hazard assessment and reduction, medical record management, and privacy/security aspects are discussed. Effective problem solving strategies, ethical behavior, and critical thinking are emphasized in both front and back office functions.
HSC 337
Understanding Human Disease
3 credits
This course is designed to provide a foundation for students in the recognition of essential human body structure, and function in health and disease states. The causes, signs, and symptoms of diseases are explored using a systems approach. A focus on the appropriate preventative strategies, diagnostic procedures, and treatments of diseases commonly evaluated in the acute and chronic setting will be included. New treatments, therapies and technological developments will be highlighted.
HSC 340
Information Technology for the Care Management Professional
3 credits
Information technology has a vital role in care management support functions. This course will provide learners with a broad understanding of health information technology (HIT) platforms utilized by a variety of healthcare professionals to optimize coordination of care for patients, or health plan members. Metrics for informed decision-making will be introduced. Students will learn the value of adopting HIT into practice, key barriers to success, engaging with patients and members through virtual applications including telehealth, secure texting, and video conferencing. Engaging assignments and activities will allow students to understand how to leverage innovative technology to optimize workflow efficiency while fostering patient self-care engagement strategies. Providing care coordination to large populations of patients of all generations while maintaining patient privacy and information security will be discussed.
HSC 343
Research for Evidenced Based Practice
3 credits
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the methodology of research. Emphasis of this course is placed on the ability to understand and critique published research reports. Students learn the relevance of research and strategies for utilization as evidenced based care. Advocacy and accountability in the conduct and use of research are stressed.Prerequisite(s): HSC Major Pre-Requisite- HSC 303, MAT 308 and 60 lower level credits
HSC 355
Pharmacology for Health Care Professionals
3 credits
This course is an introduction to medication classification and basic pharmacology principles chemical characteristics, actions, and uses of common prescription, herbal, and over-the-counter drugs. Origins and classifications of drugs are presented along with routine aspects of a prescription such as abbreviations. Additional topics include drug dosages, infection control, and nutritional supplements. Safe administration of drugs is stressed, including food and drug interactions. Patient/care-giver education regarding medications is practiced. Differences in cultural practices for medication use will be discussed. Strategies to seek reliable resources on medications and health technologies are provided.
HSC 380
Health Care Policy
3 credits
Health care policy affects everyone personally and affects the nation in countless ways. It evolves constantly while engaging a wide variety of stakeholders and different branches and levels of government. For this course, students will approach health care policy from an historical perspective, from the perspective of policy stakeholders, examine current events in health care policy, and view health care policy through a political lens. In addition they will look at the mechanics of health care delivery so to be able to recognize its different components and interactions. This course examines the history, politics, ethics, and issues surrounding health care policy. Topics that will be covered include managed care, quality of health care, the cost of health care, paying for and accessing health care, Medicare, Medicaid, Healthcare reform, and the future of health care policy.Prerequisite(s): HSC Major Pre-Requisite-HSC 303 and 60 lower level credits
HSC 423
Essentials of Public Health
3 credits
This course is intended to provide the health sciences student with an overview of public health in the United States. The history of public health along with the growth of the public health system will be reviewed through readings, discussion board, and problem solving activities. The course will present the relationship between population health and the community including the impact of social, cultural, and economic factors. Pertinent public and community health issues such as minority health, aging, chronic disease, communicable disease, and health care delivery will be examined.Prerequisite(s): HSC Major Pre-Requisite- HSC 303 and 60 lower level credits
HSC 425
Data Analytics and Visualization in Healthcare
3 credits
This course will emphasize the increased value given to Healthcare data in providing guidance into all arenas for health: diagnosis, assessment, prevention and treatment as well as outcomes. The importance of thorough analyses and effective presentation of data as the key to improving health in both individuals and populations will be discussed. The role of artificial intelligence (AI) to provide further potential for transformation of healthcare in situations from social media to remote monitoring of personal health to our public health records for analysis is examined. This course will provide students with an overview of the types and sources of healthcare data available for analysis and presentation to a variety of stakeholders. Techniques and technology for extraction, consolidation, analysis, and provision of visual representation for data sets will be presented. The course will utilize health care data for students to develop solutions and visual reporting.
HSC 433
Health Sciences Practicum/ Capstone
3 credits
This course serves as a capstone course in Health Sciences. Students will have the opportunity to explore current issues related to their specific disciplines and health care in general. In addition, each student will prepare and present a capstone project utilizing research principles and providing an opportunity to integrate and synthesize their growth in knowledge and skills over the course of the program. Identification of goals for continued professional growth and lifelong learning will be explored with the use of surveys and career assessments. Themes of interprofessional collaboration, leadership, health behavior theories, research methodologies, program planning, and cultural awareness will be covered throughout the course content.Prerequisite(s): HSC Major Pre-Requisite- HSC 303, HSC 313, HSC 323, HSC 333, HSC 343, HSC 380 (or POL 380), and HSC 423