The Bachelor of Science in Health Policy and Administration (HPA) is a 120-credit program that offers a solid foundation in the management, business, and policy aspects of health care. To earn this degree, you must successfully complete:
- 81–83 credits in requirements for the major
- 36 credits prescribed courses
- 15–17 credits additional courses
- 30 credits supporting and related areas
- 45 credits General Education (12 of these 45 credits are included in the requirements for the major)
- 4–6 credits electives
Course List - Bachelor of Science in Health Policy and Administration
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy | ECON 102 (GS) | Methods of economic analysis and their use; price determination; theory of the firm; distribution. | 3 credits |
| Introduction to Health Services Organization | H P A 101 | Examination of the social, political, historic, and scientific factors in the development and organization of health services. | 3 credits |
| Health Care Payment | H P A 210 | This course covers basic concepts and issues related to health insurance and payment for health care providers. Prerequisite: ECON 102, H P A 101 |
3 credits |
| Financial Decisions in Health Care Organizations | H P A 211 | An introduction to financial and economic information to make decisions in health care organizations. Prerequisite: H P A 210 |
3 credits |
| Health Services Policy Issues | H P A 301 | Analysis of major issues in health services delivery in hospitals, medical practice, public health, mental health, and health professional education. Prerequisite: ECON 102, H P A 101, PL SC 001 |
3 credits |
| Health Care and Medical Needs | H P A 310 | Health care from an individual, family, and community standpoint illustrated with specific diseases and health problems. Prerequisite: BB H 101, BI SC 004 or BIOL 141, H P A 101 |
3 credits |
| Population Health and Healthcare | H P A 311 | This course covers fundamental theories, concepts, issues, and strategies related to a population health approach to health and health services. Prerequisite: H P A 101 |
3 credits |
| Health Systems Management | H P A 332 | Introduction to and analysis of managerial roles and practices in health service organizations. Prerequisite: H P A 101, H P A 211 |
3 credits |
| Professional Development in Health Policy and Administration | H P A 390W | Development of personal understanding and professional skills to prepare students for future employment or study in health policy and administration. Prerequisite: H P A 101 |
3 credits |
| Field Experience in Health Policy and Administration | H P A 395 | Professional field experience providing opportunities to apply skills and knowledge in health care setting. Prerequisite: H P A 301, H P A 310, H P A 332, H P A 390W |
3 credits |
| Strategic Planning and Marketing for Health Services | H P A 455 | Introduction to principles and methods of strategic planning and marketing. Prerequisite: H P A 395 |
3 credits |
| Introduction to American National Government | PL SC 001 (GS) | Introduction to development and nature of American political culture, constitutional/structural arrangements, electoral/policy processes; sources of conflict and consensus. | 3 credits |
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to C++ Programming | CMPSC 101 (GQ) | Properties of algorithms, languages, and notations for describing algorithms, applications of a procedure-oriented language to problem solving. A student may receive credit for only one of the following courses: CMPSC 101, 200, 201, 202, 121 Prerequisite: 2 entrance units in mathematics |
3 credits |
| Elementary Statistics | STAT 200 (GQ) | Descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, probability, binomial and normal distributions, statistical inference, linear regression, and correlation. Prerequisite: Placement into MATH 021 or higher |
4 credits |
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Care Leadership | H P A 430 | This course provides an opportunity to students to learn about the challenges of leadership in health care. Prerequisite: H P A 301, H P A 311, H P A 332 |
3 credits |
| Administration of Hospital and Health Service Systems | H P A 433 | Analysis of administrative structures and interorganizational arrangements among hospitals and other health care organizations. Prerequisite: H P A 332 |
3 credits |
| Principles of Epidemiology | H P A 440 | Theory of epidemiology and significant case studies. Potential application to health care. Prerequisite: BB H 101 or BIOL 110 or H P A 310; STAT 200 or STAT 250 |
3 credits |
| Long-Term Care Management | H P A 442 | Management and policy issues for institutional, community, and home settings for chronic care services. Prerequisite: H P A 332 |
3 credits |
| Financing Health Care | H P A 447 | Analysis of financial flows, third party payment programs, and reimbursement practices in the health services sector. Prerequisite: H P A 211; H P A 332 |
3 credits |
| Human Resource Management in Health Care Organizations | H P A 460 | Foundations of human resource management applied to health care organizations, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community health organizations. Prerequisite: H P A 332 |
3 credits |
| Health Care Information Management | H P A 470 | This course introduces information systems terminology, data structures, software applications, and their management functions in health services organizations. Prerequisites: CMPSC 203, H P A 332, IST 210, IST 220 |
3 credits |
| Health Care Quality | H P A 475 | This course covers the basic principles and techniques of quality management in healthcare; including the definition, measurement, and uses of data for improving the quality of health and health services. Prerequisite: H P A 332 |
3 credits |
| Physician Practice Management | H P A 490 | Development of skills needed to effectively manage physician practices. Prerequisites: H P A 210, H P A 332 |
3 credits |
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Select from University-wide offerings in consultation with adviser. View the full department list Please note that not all supporting courses on the department's list are available to online students. Check the World Campus Course Catalog to see which courses are offered online. |
30 credits |
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| Arts – GA | 6 credits |
| Humanities – GH | 6 credits |
| Health and Wellness – GHW | 3 credits |
| Natural Sciences – GN | 9 credits |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences – GS | 6 credits |
| Writing and Speaking – GWS* | 9 credits |
| Quantification – GQ* | 6 credits |
| Integrative Studies | (6 credits)*** |
*A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.
**12 credits are included in the requirements for the major.
***This requirement only applies to students starting in summer 2018 or later. Learn more about the Integrative Studies options and consult your academic adviser when choosing courses to fulfill these requirements.
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| Choose electives from the World Campus Course Catalog. | 4–6 credits |
Please note: Among the above degree requirements, you must incorporate at least 3 credits in US cultures, 3 credits in international (IL) cultures, and 3 credits in Writing Across the Curriculum courses. The above course list includes only courses offered by World Campus. An official degree audit or the recommended academic plan for this program may include additional course options and detailed requirements. All students are expected to complete at least 36 Penn State credits to earn this degree. Please consult an academic adviser for details.
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.