Nursing and Health Studies image banner with links
Photo collage
Prospective Students Current Students Academics Research Faculty Alumni Alumni
Left Navigation Academic Programs Undergraduate Graduate Admissions Academic Affairs Departments Continuing Education Healthcare Management and Policy Human Science International Health Nursing Health Systems Administration Nursing Health Systems Administration Human Science International Health Nursing

What We BelievePhoto of students in the classroom


Mission

Our mission is to educate the next generation of health care system administrators to lead improvements in the delivery of quality health care and to advance the knowledge needed to make these improvements.

Vision

The program’s vision is to be on the cutting edge of health systems education and research, focusing on quality of health care, and consistent with both the university’s commitment to social justice and academic excellence and to the initiatives of the Georgetown University Medical Center and MedStar Health.

Values

Students

  • We value our students as individuals and the diverse experiences and perspectives they bring to the classroom.

Patients

  • We value the patients whom our students will soon help to ensure that they are receiving the care they need in a safe and caring environment.

Academic Excellence

  • We value knowledge, understanding, the integration of theory and practice, and finding better ways to challenge our students to be active learners to advance their skills and experience

Research

  • We value exploration and inquiry both for illumination and to improve policies, programs, and institutions.

Critical Thinking

  • We value “contemplation in action” as an approach to finding solutions to complex problems.

Communication

  • We value clear and concise articulation, prose, and the ability to use information to effect change.

Social Responsibility

  • We value individual and societal responsibility and accountability.

Professionalism

  • We value professionalism in health services administration practice, including a commitment to a code of personal and organizational ethics, integrity and career-long growth.

Teaching Excellence

  • We value effective and innovative approaches to individuals’ learning.



Competencies

When students complete the program, they should possess the competencies below. These competencies will be assessed at the beginning of the program, in the courses you take, at the end of Fall semester of your second year, and finally after completion of your practicum.

Quality Improvement and Informatics Domain

Q.1. Use healthcare quality, health outcomes, and other performance measures as management tools

Q.2. Apply the concepts and techniques in quality/performance improvement and service excellence

Q.3. Describe the interrelationships among patient safety, risk management, and performance mprovement

Q.4. Analyze the purpose, benefits, applications, and evaluation of clinical information systems

Q.5. Analyze the purpose, benefits, applications, and evaluation of management information systems

Q.6. Use information systems to plan and evaluate improvements in quality and patient safety

Policy, Strategy & Community Health Domain

P.1. Examine and analyze the healthcare policy environment, policy initiatives, current issues, and trends and how these affect health systems and healthcare management

P.2. Understand the processes of healthcare policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation

P.3. Develop a strategic and business plan

P.4. Develop a marketing plan

P.5. Apply the concepts of population health

P.6. Conduct a community needs assessment

Leadership & Professionalism Domain

L.1. Articulate the basic principles of bioethics and personal and organizational ethics

L.2. Formulate and articulate a professional values system, inclusive of Jesuit values

L.3. Communicate effectively in oral and written presentations

L.4. Build effective teams and work effectively as a team member

L.5. Integrate leadership concepts and approaches, including influencing/motivating others, resolving conflict, and improving job satisfaction

L.6. Develop strategies to improve relationships with the clinical staff, unions, the board, and employees

Management Skills and Tools Domain

M.1. Evaluate governance structures and the roles/responsibilities of board members

M.2. Know how to apply concepts and techniques of the human resource management process (e.g., recruiting, selecting/placing, developing, retaining, appraising, and disciplining employees)

M.3. Understand the application of law in contemporary management decisions as well as medical-legal issues (e.g., patients’ rights, confidentiality, credentialing, contracts, negligence, and malpractice)

M.4. Apply the basic concepts and tools of project management

M.5. Evaluate appropriate organizational structures/designs and issues involving mergers, systems integration, and financial arrangements with providers and vendors

M.6. Know how to apply the basic concepts and approaches of organizational development and change management, including changing physician behavior to improve quality and performance

Analysis & Critical Thinking Domain

A.1. Integrate the key concepts and approaches in critical thinking, decision analysis, and problem solving

A.2. Conduct an operational assessment and optimize resources through use of quantitative and qualitative methods

A.3. Know how to apply micro-economic theory and concepts to healthcare organizations

A.4. Apply quantitative methods and evidence from research studies to assist in making management decisions and assessing the quality of patient care

A.5. Apply accounting and financial analysis in making decisions and assessing the financial health of the organization

Note:
The above competencies will be assessed: (1) at the beginning of the program, (2) in each course as appropriate, (3) after the didactic phase, and (4) after completion of the practicum.


Curricular Philosophy

We believe that the management of health services is among the most complex and most consequential management role in our society. Health services are unlike any other enterprise in terms of mission, structure and organization. There is no other management position that encompasses the fields of medicine, public health, public policy and ethics while requiring the application of management competencies such as law, finance, marketing, human resources, and strategic planning.

The role of management in health services is consequential because the decisions and behaviors of health services managers have a direct impact upon the quality of life in the community. Virtually every decision and action has implications for the quality of health care, the cost of care, and access to appropriate care.

We believe that Georgetown University's Jesuit Catholic tradition significantly influences the content and administration of the program. It shapes the program's supportive collaboration among students, faculty and administration, and it places the highest priority for faculty effort on learning and teaching.

Our Beliefs Shape Our Curriculum

We believe that education for the health services administration profession should encompass both the technical competencies of management and the social and technical contexts in which these competencies are applied. Because professional health services administrators bring specialized knowledge, skills and values to the organization, our curriculum is highly practice-based. Highly qualified health services administrators who occupy key health services positions and bring in-depth operational experience teach many of our courses and are active participants in program development. This is why every graduate student will have a professional mentor, a successful practicing executive, throughout their time in the Georgetown program.

What You Will Experience As a Georgetown Student

We believe that to attain optimum success in any health-related management position it is essential for every student to have an in-depth understanding of the role and management of the hospital. The hospital is one of the most complex institutions in our society and it contains the most intensive concentration of health care management challenges.

Our graduates are valuable to any organization that provides health services, or that provides services to the health sector because they understand patient care, financing, performance improvement, professional roles and relations, labor relations, public relations, and all of the other functions that are inherent to the daily life of managing the hospital.

Health Services Administration Is a Profession

We believe that health services administration is a distinct profession, with a 75-year history, and a distinct body of knowledge, code of ethics, and identity. Professionals who are prepared in graduate programs dedicated to health services administration are recognized in the field of health services delivery, financing, policy and supporting services for their competence, values and knowledge.

Our program has strong management content, but is distinguished from the MBA, which includes few health care specific courses, and from the MPH, which broadly covers those factors that influence population health with emphasis upon medical care and applied management skills.

We believe that the profession of health services administration is a calling for individuals who are committed to public service, have clear and strong values, and are driven by the value of making a positive contribution to the public good.

 

>> Return to Master of Science in Health Systems Administration

  St. Mary's Hall, 3700 Reservoir Road, NW, Washington, DC 20057
Nursing and Health Studies Georgetown University Contact Us News and Events FAQ's Search Site Map Accessibility