Health Care Leadership

Associate Professor Li; Assistant Professors Samis-Smith (Program Director), Spain; Clinical Assistant Professors Migler, Sheets, Zart.

The Bachelor of Science in Health Care Leadership (HCL) program will prepare students with the skills to be a dynamic leader within the evolving and demanding health care landscape. The HCL program provides theoretical and experiential learning focused on setting vision, guiding change, leading teams, and inspiring others in the health care industry.

Once admitted, students take 42 HCL credits and 21 IPE credits (124 credits for the degree). The final semester includes a culminating five-credit practicum experience in a health care organization in the local community. Courses focus on the three domains identified in the National Center for Healthcare Leadership competency model: transformation, execution, and people. Students who complete the requirements for the Health Care Leadership degree will also receive a minor in Public Health.

Purpose

The purpose of the health care leadership program is to develop graduates who will function in diverse leadership positions within varied health care environments.

Objectives

The B.S. in Health Care Leadership graduate will:

Demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and skills required for positions of professional leadership in the health care industry.
Characterize leadership skills of service minded, purpose driven, ethical decision making, empowering individuals and visionary perspectives.
Appreciate how the environmental influences of culture, economics, ethics, law, policy, politics, society, and technology impact the intersection of individuals within the health care industry.
Promote the health of persons in dynamic health care environments.

Requirements for Admission to the Health Care Leadership program

Freshman students who have declared Health Care Leadership as their major will be admitted directly into the program. The general requirements for admission to the University are found in this catalog.

Progression

Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.000 to progress in the program. A student must earn a C- or better in all Health Care Leadership (HCL) and Interprofessional Education (IPE) courses. A HCL or IPE course may not be repeated more than once. Dismissal from the HCL program occurs when a student incurs two infractions. Infractions include: earning a cumulative grade point average that is less than 2.000; or earning a grade of D+ (1.300) or lower in any HCL or IPE course. Students who are dismissed from the program do have an opportunity to appeal the decision with the College of Nursing and Health Professions Academic Standards Committee.

Students are required to present evidence of a criminal background check and a negative drug screen during the first semester of admission to the program. Students will also have to repeat a criminal background check, negative drug screen, and any additional requirements as required by the agency a second time during the fall semester of their graduating year, prior to the practicum placement. Drug screening can be requested randomly. Students should refer to the most recent College of Nursing and Health Undergraduate Academic Guide for complete requirements.

Minor

A health care leadership student may declare a minor in another college. The minor is noted on the student’s academic record.

Course Intensification

A health care leadership student may propose a special project for earning one extra credit in one health care leadership course in which they are enrolled in a given semester. The following regulations pertain to this option for a student:

Student must have a health care leadership GPA of 2.500 or above.
The course must be offered in the College of Nursing and Health Professions for 3 or more credits.
Student must meet with the academic advisor to determine if course intensification is appropriate. The initiative and responsibility for developing a satisfactory proposal lies with the student.
Student must submit a one-page proposal for the intensification project and the petition online. It will be forwarded to the advisor, the instructor of the course, and the dean for approval.

Transportation

Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from all community agency and practicum experiences. Access to a car is necessary for the practicum course.

Association of Aspiring Healthcare Professionals

All HCL students are invited to join this interprofessional association in the College of Nursing and Health Professions.