Health care administrators plan, organize, direct, control, and coordinate resources/methods to meet the needs and demands of health care. These professionals serve in various leadership positions in contemporary health care organizations and systems.

Health services administration professionals understand the health care delivery service. They demonstrate skill and competence as administrators/managers within a variety of health care settings and facilities. The skills and principles learned from our program will provide the basic foundation needed for career success.

The Health Services Administration Program at Ohio University prepares students for entry level management positions in a variety of sectors of the health care industry, including, but not limited to, hospitals, physician practices, managed care organizations, and other emerging health delivery systems. Additionally, it is excellent preparation for admission into a graduate professional program in health administration, business, or public health.

Long-Term Care Administration

Demand for long-term care administration is high due to the large number of assisted living, nursing facilities, and continuing care retirement communities across the United States. This trend is expected to continue for the next three decades as baby boomers reach their senior years.

Graduates of Ohio University's Long-Term Care Administration Program have historically been successful in the profession. Many are recruited by national and regional companies for administration and management positions.

The Long-Term Care Administration Program at Ohio University is accredited by the National Association of Boards of Examiners of Long-Term Care Administrators (NAB). The curriculum focuses on courses including gerontology, nursing facility and assisted living regulations, accounting, reimbursement, marketing, health policy, law, and human resource management. A Gerontology Certificate is earned in conjunction with the Bachelor of Science in Health (B.S.H.), and students can easily complete a double major in health services administration and long-term care administration. The OHio University Chapter of the American College of Health Care Administration (ACHCA), a national organization devoted to the professional needs of long-term care administrators, is available to students to assist in providing opportunities such as guest speakers and employment networking.

Professional licensure is required in over 75 percent of states to operate a nursing facility. Therefore, students should be prepared to sit for national and state boards upon completion to the degree requirement.

The mission of Health Services Administration and the Long-Term Care Administration Programs is to provide the academic foundation to be successful in the health care field. Health services administration students who graduate from OHio University will have a thorough understanding of the health care industry and its professional environment. Long-term care administration students who graduate from Ohio University are prepared to enter the multi-facted profession that focuses on skilled nursing, assisted living, and continuing care retirement communities.

Successful completion of either the health services administration major or the long-term care administration major leads to a Bachelor of Science in Health (B.S.H.).

Curriculum

To graduate from either program, students must complete all courses listed as requirements in the Ohio University Undergraduate Catalog. IN addition to requirements specific to the major, both programs include required courses in:

• Human Biology or Zoology
• Health and Lifestyle Choices
• Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
• Introduction to Health Care Organizations
• Medical Terminology
• Human Resource Management. & Training in Health Care
• Contemporary Problems in Health Care Organizations
• Financial Administration of Health Facilities
• Reimbursement Payment Systems in Health Care
• Accounting
• Microeconomics
• Community Health Epidemiology

The Practicum and Internship Experiences

Students in the Long-Term Care Administration Program generally have a wise range of opportunities for practical experience prior to graduation. Practice surveys conducted in surrounding community facilities provide a strong foundation to learn state and national regulations. Additionally, students are frequently involved in research or independent studies in the "real world" to enhance the academic environment.

Students in both the Health Services Administration Program and the Long-Term Care Administration Program are required to complete two field experience assignments:

• A 400 hour practicum performed in a health services organization or agency. Its intent is to expose the student to an area of interest that he/she would like to learn more about, and includes operational practices and issues in various departments such as nursing, dietary, rehabilitation, laundry, housekeeping, activities, maintenance, and administration.

  The practicum is generally performed in the student's junior year (or in the summer between the junior and senior year). It is primarily an observational experience, in which the student will “shadow” individuals who are performing their job on a daily basis. As part of the learning experience, it is expected that the student will ask many questions of the individual being observed. While a project or assignment is not a requirement for the practicum, the organization or department can involve the student in productive activities which benefit the agency and enhance the student's learning experience.

• A 400 hour internship performed in a health services organization or agency. This internship is performed in the student's senior year after all academic coursework has been completed. It is intended to represent the final “capstone” experience for the undergraduate health services administration major. The internship is project-based in that the student is expected to produce tangible output for the host organization. The amount and type of projects are determined by interaction between the preceptor and student. It is expected that the student will select an internship site which is consistent with career interests and objectives.

Program Information

For more information or questions about the programs, contact:
School of Health Sciences
Ohio University
Grover Center E317
Athens OH 45701-2979
740.593.4675
www.ohio.edu/healthsciences/

Long-term care administration inquires should be addressed to the attention of the school director.

Health Services Administration Alumni Say:

"The Ohio University Health Services Administration Program gave me all of the tools necessary to survive in a rapidly growing industry--including knowledge of everything from financials to operations. Along with this essential business knowledge, I learned communication skills, imperative to managing and implementing each of these facets."
--Joshua L. Berman, Class of "97, manager of revenue recovery, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

"Ohio University's Health Services Administration Program provided me with the means to be successful in my career. Working in the health care industry provides me the opportunity to be involved in a corporate environment while still being able to see first-hand how I am changing people's lives for the better."
--Renee Perlatti, Class of "98, recruitment specialist, University Hospitals of Cleveland

Long-Term Care Administration Alumni Say:

"Ohio University's Long-Term Care Administration Program provides small classes where students really get a chance to know each other and their professors. The networking opportunities were very valuable."
--Le-Ann Harris, Class of "90 and "92, senior regional director, Alterra Health Care Corporation, Columbus, Ohio

"It is clear that the long-term care profession is the next frontier in terms of growth and opportunities for graduating college students. While some professions are struggling economically, health care companies need quality administrators. Our company has been extremely satisfied with the performance of Ohio University's graduates!"
--Cole T. Marvin, Class of '98, administrator, Life Care Services, Honolulu, Hawaii

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements to the long-term care administration and the health services administration majors are the same as those established for admission to Ohio University in general. No special prerequisites need to be met prior to declaring a major in either area. The major can be designated on the application when applying for admission to the University, or current Ohio University students can request to enter the major by contacting the College of Health and Human Services Office of Student Services.

Your are invited to visit the campus and meet with faculty members, or if you are currently an Ohio University student interested in the majors, visit or contact the School of Health Sciences in Grover Center E317, phone 740.593.4675.

To learn more about admission or to arrange a campus visit, contact:
Office of Admissions
Ohio University
Chubb Hall 120
Athens OH 45701.2979
740.593.4100
E-mail: admissions@ohio.edu
Web: www.ohio.edu/admissions/

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Along with federal and state aid programs such as Pell Grants, College Work Study, Perkins loans, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants, and Stafford Student Loans, Ohio University awards academic scholarship to incoming freshmen and upperclass students each year on a competitive basis.

For more information, contact:
Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
Ohio University
Chubb Hall 020
Athens, OH 45701.2979
740.593.4141
www-sfa.chubb.ohiou.edu

About Ohio University

Established in 1804, Ohio University is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state. Located in the classic college town of Athens in southeastern Ohio, the University has earned a reputation for its rich educational tradition and outstanding academic programs. The student population of nearly 19,000 represents all 50 states and about 100 nations. There are more than 275 majors offered and nearly 350 registered student organizations are active on campus. Additionally, five regional campuses--Chillicothe, Eastern, Lancaster, Southern, and Zanesville--extend University access across southern Ohio.

The College of Health and Human Services, one of the largest colleges within the University with about 2,500 students, includes six schools: Health Sciences; Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences; Human and Consumer Sciences; Nursing; Physical Therapy; and Recreation and Sport Sciences. The College also administers Campus Recreation, WellWorks, the Child Development Center, Ohio University Therapy Associates, and the Institute for Health and Human Services.

For more information, visit Ohio University on the Web at: www.ohio.edu/ or visit the College of Health and Human Services at: www.hhs.ohiou.edu/

For more information, contact:
Director, School of Health Sciences
Ohio University
Grover Center E317
Athens, OH 45701.2979
740.593.4675
www.ohio.edu/healthsciences/