All Healthcare Studies Courses

Undergraduate Courses

HCS 211 Professionalism for Healthcare (A)

Introduces students to the integral knowledge and professional skills required to be successful in healthcare careers. It prepares students for the rigor of healthcare career programs. It emphasizes understanding of the professional culture, retention and application of key foundational skills for professional healthcare practice, application of health information technology, and demonstrating cultural competence in interactions with others. 1 Cr. Fall.

HCS 230 Medical Terminology for Health Professionals (A)

Engages students in a systematic study of medical terminology with emphasis on constructing, pronouncing, understanding, and using medical terms. Includes diseases, symptoms and signs of disease; diagnostic and clinical procedures; and treatment modalities. Prerequisites: Program or department consent. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HCS 302 Survey Clinical & Administrative Information Systems (B)

Provides students with an overview of information systems and applications in healthcare organizations, issues and challenges in system design and implementation. Every spring. 3 Cr. Spring.

HCS 310 Healthcare Systems (B)

Provides students with an overview of the U.S. healthcare system; implications of environmental trends and healthcare policy on healthcare organizations; and an introduction to the financing of healthcare. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HCS 311 Technical Skills for Health Professionals (B)

Introduces students to the use of spreadsheet, database, file management, information systems, internet, and presentation applications in managerial functions for healthcare professionals. 3 Cr. Fall.

HCS 312 Organizational Behavior in Healthcare (B)

Introduces students to organizational behavioral science concepts including leadership, managing change, negotiating and conflict resolution, team building, organizational assessment, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Offered in spring. 3 Cr. Spring.

HCS 313 Quality Management in Healthcare (B)

Students are introduced to the concepts of monitoring and evaluating the quality and appropriateness of patient care and services provided in health care organizations. It also provides an overview of regulatory guidelines and industry standards, and current issues in quality measurement and outcomes. 3 Cr.

HCS 317 Healthcare Ethics (B)

Provides students with an overview of healthcare ethics including: major ethical theories; ethical decision-making models; application to patients’ rights, confidentiality, informed consent, professional relationships, and allocation of scarce resources. 3 Cr.

HCS 335 Marketing in Healthcare (B)

The Landscape in healthcare continues to shift to focus more on consumers and patients are becoming more involved with their own health. These and other trends influece healthcare administrators and providers to adjust how they engage their target audience to remain televant and successful. This course provides students with an overview of the key managerial activities related to marketing, branding and "selling" healthcare services. 3 Cr. Fall.

HCS 337 Healthcare Policy (B)

Provides students with an overview of the health policy issues facing the U.S. and the economic implications of health policy and healthcare reforms over time. 3 Cr.

HCS 338 Group Practice Management (B)

Provides students with an introduction to the practices and principles of group practice management. 3 Cr.

HCS 340 Healthcare Leadership (B)

Provides students with an overview of the critical knowledge and skills needed to be effective leaders in today’s complex healthcare environment. Sessions cover conflict resolution, leadership and negotiation skills, strategic planning and ethics. Guest speakers include business leaders and entrepreneurs from the local healthcare industry. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HCS 404 Criminal Justice and Addictions (A)

Junior status required. Presents a survey on core knowledge about addictions to alcohol and other drugs and the responses of society and the criminal justice system. It presents an intervention and effectiveness focus addressing addictions to alcohol and other drugs. 3 Cr.

HCS 409 Introduction to Alcohol and Other Drugs (A)

Introduces students to a variety of drug problems, including alcohol and tobacco, in contemporary society. Analyzes the diverse determinants (e.g., pharmacologic, behavioral, social, economic, historic) of these problems. Discusses effective substance abuse prevention and treatment strategies. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HCS 410 Introduction to Health Care Administration (A)

Provides an overview of health systems in this country, including the personal health care and public health sectors. Presents critical factors in the history, organization, delivery, and financing of health services. Places emphasis on identifying and analyzing current trends in the health field and their implication for health care administrators. 3 Cr. Fall.

HCS 411 Management Communications in Health Care Administration (A,Y)

Provides an overview of health care communication issues essential in performing the managerial role. Includes a wide variety of topics that will enhance skill development in the areas of interpersonal, public speaking, and persuasive communication; meeting organization and management; and business letter, memo, and policy writing. Provides instruction in the use of graphics presentation software. 3 Cr. Fall.

HCS 412 Health Care Administration Planning (A)

Investigates the planning process as applied to a health care setting. Includes these topics: assessing need, analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, health care law and regulations, the budgeting process, and process and outcome evaluation. Involves applying the planning process toward the preparation of a proposal. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HCS 413 Risk Management (A)

Identifies the risks within health care institutions in order to protect the assets of organizations, agencies and individual providers. Risk management will be explored as part of an organizational strategic response. Areas of risk will be identified, discussed and strategies developed to eliminate, mitigate, prevent and defend against errors. Course topics will include health care operations, regulations, corporate compliance, employer risks, patient communication and financing. 3 Cr.

HCS 415 Financial Management in Healthcare (B)

Provides an overview of financial management functions at the departmental level of healthcare organizations including budgeting and cost analysis for department-level operations and capital expenditures. 3 Cr. Spring.

HCS 416 Insurance and Managed Care (B)

Provides students with an overview of diverse financial systems within American healthcare, focusing on reimbursement methods and payment systems and how they affect providers and payers. Reviews major insurance programs, federal healthcare legislation, legal/regulatory issues, diagnosis and procedure coding systems, and the impact of coding on reimbursement, compliance, fraud, and abuse. 3 Cr.

HCS 417 Law in Healthcare Practice (B)

Develops students’ knowledge and understanding of the principles of law and the U.S. legal system as applied in health care organizations; documentation, privacy, security, and release of health information; liability, consent, and malpractice. 3 Cr.

HCS 418 Statistics for Healthcare Professionals (B)

Emphasizes intermediate statistical principles that healthcare managers use for achieving optimal organizational performance, pursuing organizational transformation and conducting research. Topics include descriptive statistics, normality, probability and non-probability sampling, parametric and non-parametric hypothesis testing, and regression. Statistical software packages including SPSS and Excel will be utilized. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HCS 419 Managerial Epidemiology (A)

Familiarizes students with the methods and applications of managerial epidemiology. Also equips students with an understanding of the measurement and epidemiologic tools that inform health care management decisions. 3 Cr. Fall.

HCS 420 Research Methods in Healthcare (A)

Understanding and implementing evidence-based health practice is imperative for all health care practitioners. This course develops students’ ability to use research methodology in healthcare and provides an overview of study designs, writing research proposals, and communicating research findings. Students will develop a critical understanding of the approaches, methods and procedures involved in generating rigorous healthcare research knowledge. Students will also have the opportunity to investigate and critique the issues that surround the implementation of research evidence in health care. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HCS 421 Group Counseling Skills (B)

Introduces students to the basic foundations of group dynamics and group therapy. Deals with the historical development of the group process movement, stages and techniques of group therapy, curative aspects of the group process, interpersonal learning, and problems associated with group process. 3 Cr.

HCS 422 Individual Counseling Skills for Addiction (B,Y)

Introduces students to the elements of individualized treatment planning; provides in-depth coverage of client goal formulation and writing and evaluation of corresponding attainable client objectives. Also examines the motivational dynamics associated with the individualized treatment plan and client case management. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HCS 423 Theories of Addiction & Behavioral Health (B)

Reviews major contemporary theories on alcoholism and other addictions (disease model, psychoanalytic formulations, conditioning models, social learning analyses, family systems perspectives, socio-cultural view points, transtheoretical model (stages of change) and harm reduction. Critically evaluates the concepts and research generated from each perspective. Analyzes the usefulness of each theory in the practice of substance abuse prevention and counseling. 3 Cr.

HCS 424 Counseling Diverse Populations (A,D,W)

Prepares students for working in a counseling setting with alcohol/substance abusers having multiple emotional and developmental disabilities, criminal justice clients, and individuals from diverse population groups. 3 Cr.

HCS 425 Long Term Care/Nursing Home Management (B)

Provides students with an introduction to the long term care industry and nursing facility operations through seminars, independent media research, and experiential learning. Swing course with HCS 525. 3 Cr.

HCS 426 Legal and Regulatory Issues for Long Term Care (B)

Provides students with an introduction to the governance and administrative responsibilities for compliance with Long Term Care licensure laws, government and accrediting regulations, and facility policies. 3 Cr.

HCS 430 Gerontology and Health Issues for Aging Populations (A)

Introduces the study of gerontology and health issues that affect aging populations, including implications for individuals, families, and societies. Provides the background for health policy related to older persons. Students will gain an understanding of aging from different perspectives including: public health, epidemiology of diseases, physical and mental disorders, functional capacity and disability, health services, federal and state health policies, social aspects of aging, and ethical issues in the care of older individuals. For swing 530, in addition to the undergraduate course requirements for undergraduate students, graduate students will write a final paper on a topic related to gerontology and health issues for aging populations. Req min C grade. 3 Cr. Spring.

HCS 432 Counselor Wellness (B)

Counselor Wellness is a course designed for students who plan to go into a counseling field. It will help students explore how their own wellness impacts their ability to perform their job and to create better care for future clients. Students will have the opportunity to explore multiple wellness activities and create a plan that is suited for them. Swing course is HCS 532. 3 Cr. Summer.

HCS 435 Evaluation of Substance Use Disorders (B)

Covers the theory and methodology of measurement, assessment and evaluation in alcohol and substance abuse and alcoholism and dependence. Studies the more widely researched and utilized methods of assessment: clinical interviews, structured interviews, and standardized instruments. Reviews instruments used in screening, diagnosis, treatment planning and neuropsychological evaluation. Also covers documentation, report writing and the ethics of assessment. Employs extensive use of clinical materials to illustrate uses and limitations of various techniques. 3 Cr.

HCS 436 Economics for Healthcare Managers (B)

Provides students with an overview of the principles or economics of the healthcare system on the basis of incentives, risk management, asymmetrical information, and moral hazards. This course emphasizes the practical application of economic principles, including supply and demand, market structure and forecasting. 3 Cr.

HCS 437 Co-Occurring Disorders (B)

Explores the overlap between substance use disorders and mental health disorders, concepts and theories related to treatment, the mental health disorders most likely to be present in dual diagnosis, and assessment strategies and intervention approaches for working with clients who have dual disorders. 3 Cr.

HCS 439 Grief and Loss for Counseling Professionals (A)

Provides an overview of the field of grief and loss, including its psychological impact, and social responses to a variety of losses. In addition, the course will examine grief and loss among substance abuse clients, both during active use and throughout the process of recovery. 3 Cr.

HCS 440 Trauma Informed Care (B)

Provides an overview on rauma and trauma-informed care for students in the helping professions. Prepares students to identify signs of past and/or current trauma as well as offering skills to work effectively with the AOD population. Provides students with knowledge and a plan of how ot care for themselves while working with this challenging population and protect agains vicarious traumatization. 3 Cr.

HCS 441 Families and Addiction (B)

For students in counseling-related majors, the course examines the impacts of substance use disorder (SUD) on families, and explores theories and approaches to family treatment. Attention to specific populations including gender-specific, race & ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities interpersonal violence, military status, homelessness, criminal justice populations, and other contextual factors. Policy concerns and Program approaches are addressed. Swing Course HCS541. 3 Cr. Spring.

HCS 445 Psychopharmacology of Addiction (B)

Covers the effects of alcohol, sedatives, stimulants, opiates, hallucinogens and other drugs, especially their effects on the central nervous system, behavior and mood. Relates the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to intoxication tolerance, withdrawal, abuse and dependence of each drug. Includes the learning and motivational components of drug tolerance and addiction. 3 Cr.

HCS 455 Ethics for Addiction Professionals (B)

Students are introduced to content to assist them to develop a personal framework for ethical action and become more effective in addressing ethical issues in the field of alcohol and drug dependency counseling. Numerous ethical standards including OASAS and NAADAC codes of ethics are examined so that students thoroughly understand their ethical obligations as counselors. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HCS 464 Operations Management in Healthcare (B)

Introduces students to the operational functions of mid-level managers including: work design and re-engineering; systems theory; development, planning and analysis; ergonomics and work environment; quality improvement techniques. 3 Cr.

HCS 465 Human Resource Management for Healthcare (B)

Provides students with an overview of managerial activities related to job descriptions, recruiting, interviewing, hiring, firing, orientation, benefits, appraisal, discipline, and developing clinical and non-clinical personnel. 3 Cr.

HCS 496 Management Internship (B)

$21 Course fee required: Prerequisite: HCS 310. Provides students with an administrative field work experience at a health care setting. Student will apply course work knowledge and skills to a health care administrative problem through the completion of a major, negotiated project at the targeted organization. 1-9 Cr.

HCS 497 Internship Seminar for Addiction Professionals (B)

Designed to be taken concurrently with HCS 498. Allows students to process their experience in the field in a clinical group supervision format. Addresses issues which present themselves within the internship setting, including situations with clients, peers, and supervisors. Covers ethics, confidentiality, and diversity issues. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Grading. 3 Cr.

HCS 498 Internship for Addiction Professionals (B)

$21 Course fee required: Prerequisites: HCS 421; HCS 422; HCS 423; HCS 424; HCS 435, HCS 445 and program coordinator's permission. Enables students to apply their knowledge from course work in a variety of treatment settings with people in varying stages of alcohol and substance abuse and dependence. Allows students to gain experience in assessment, evaluation, treatment planning, referrals, counseling, therapeutic treatment and making referrals. Examines professional ethics in the practice setting. Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory grading. 1-12 Cr. Spring.

HCS 499 Independent Study in Health Care Studies (A)

To be decided in consultation with the instructor-sponsor and procedures of the Office of Academic Advisement. 1-6 Cr.

Graduate Courses

HCS 504 Alcoholism & Sub Abuse: Specialized Interv in Crim Just Syst (A)

Presents a survey on core knowledge about addictions to alcohol and other drugs and the responses of society and the criminal justice system. It presents an intervention and effectiveness focus addressing addictions to alcohol and other drugs. 3 Cr.

HCS 509 Introduction to Alcohol and Other Drugs (A)

Introduces students to a variety of drug problems, including alcohol and tobacco, in contemporary society. Analyzes the diverse determinants (e.g., pharmacological, behavioral, social, economic, historic) of these problems. Discusses effective substance abuse prevention and treatment strategies. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HCS 521 Group Counseling for Alcohol and Other Drugs (B)

Introduces students to the basic foundations of group dynamics and group therapy in alcoholism counseling. Addresses the historical development of the group process movement in addition to stages of group therapy, techniques of group therapy, curative aspects of the group process, interpersonal learning and problems associated with group process. 3 Cr.

HCS 522 (B)

Introduces students to the elements of individualized treatment planning; provides in-depth coverage of client goal formulation and writing and evaluation of corresponding attainable client objectives. Also examines the motivational dynamics associated with the individualized treatment plan and client case management. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HCS 523 Theories of Addiction & Behavioral Health (B)

Reviews major contemporary theories on alcoholism and other addictions (disease model, psychoanalytic formulations, conditioning models, social learning analyses, family systems perspectives, socio-cultural viewpoints, transtheoretical model [stages of change] and harm reduction). Critically evaluates the concepts and research generated from each perspective. Analyzes the usefulness of each theory in the practice of substance abuse prevention and counseling. 3 Cr.

HCS 524 Counseling Diverse Populations (B)

Prepares students for working in a counseling setting with alcohol/substance abusers having multiple emotional and developmental disabilities, criminal justice clients and individuals from diverse population groups. 3 Cr.

HCS 525 Long Term Care/Nursing Home Management (B)

This course provides students with an introduction to the long term care (LTC) industry and nursing facility operations through seminars, independent media research, and experiential learning. 1) Interview/shadow Administrator in LTC Industry and present findings; 2) Complete written organizational assessment/feasibility study related to practice/segment within LTC/LTSS and present findings; 3) complete additional requirements related to assignment #3 - laws/regulations unique to LTC industry and present findings/implications for LTC Administrators. Swing course with HCS425. 3 Cr.

HCS 530 Gerontology and Health Issues for Aging Populations (A)

Introduces the study of gerontology and health issues that affect aging populations, including implications for individuals, families, and societies. Provides the background for health policy related to older persons. Students will gain an understanding of aging from different perspectives including: public health, epidemiology of diseases, physical and mental disorders, functional capacity and disability, health services, federal and state health policies, social aspects of aging, and ethical issues in the care of older individuals. For swing 530, in addition to the undergraduate course requirements for undergraduate students, graduate students will write a final paper on a topic related to gerontology and health issues for aging populations. Req min C grade. 3 Cr. Spring.

HCS 532 Counselor Wellness (B)

Counselor Wellness is a course designed for students who plan to go into a counseling field. It will help students explore how their own wellness impacts their ability to perform their job and to create better care for future clients. Students will have the opportunity to explore multiple wellness activities and create a plan that is suited for them. Graduate students will have to complete an additional assignment. swing course is HCS 432. 3 Cr. Summer.

HCS 535 Evaluation of Substance Use Disorders (B)

Covers the theory and methodology of measurement, assessment and evaluation in alcohol and substance abuse and alcoholism and dependence. Studies the more widely researched and utilized methods of assessment: clinical interviews, structured interviews, and standardized instruments. Reviews instruments used in screening, diagnosis, treatment planning and neuropsychological evaluation. Also covers documentation, report writing and the ethics of assessment. Employs extensive use of clinical materials to illustrate uses and limitations of various techniques. 3 Cr.

HCS 537 Co-Occurring Disorders (B)

Explores the overlap between substance use disorders and mental health disorders, concepts and theories related to treatment, the mental health disorders most likely to be present in dual diagnosis, and assessment strategies and intervention approaches for working with clients who have dual disorders. 3 Cr. Spring.

HCS 539 Grief and Loss for Counseling Professionals (B)

Provides an overview of the field of grief and loss, including its psychological impact, and social responses to a variety of losses. In addition, the course will examine grief and loss among substance abuse clients, both during active use and throughout the process of recovery. 3 Cr.

HCS 540 Trauma Informed Care (B)

Provides an overview on rauma and trauma-informed care for students in the helping professions. Prepares students to identify signs of past and/or current trauma as well as offering skills to work effectively with the AOD population. Provides students with knowledge and a plan of how ot care for themselves while working with this challenging population and protect agains vicarious traumatization. Choosing this swing course - Graduate students must complete a literature review on a specific therapy for trauma and present it to the class. 3 Cr.

HCS 541 Families and Addiction (B)

For students in counseling-related majors, the course examines the impacts of substance use disorder (SUD) on families, and explores theories and approaches to family treatment. Attention to specific populations including gender-specific, race & ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities interpersonal violence, military status, homelessness, criminal justice populations, and other contextual factors. Policy concerns and Program approaches are addressed. Swing Course HCS441. 3 Cr. Spring.

HCS 545 Psychopharmacology of Addiction (A)

Studies the effects of alcohol, sedatives, stimulants, opiates, hallucinogens and other drugs, especially on the central nervous system, behavior and mood. Relates the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to intoxication, tolerance, withdrawal, abuse and dependence of each drug. Also explores the learning and motivational components of drug tolerance and addiction. 3 Cr.

HCS 555 Ethics for Addiction Professionals (A)

Students are introduced to content to assist them to develop a personal framework for ethical action and become more effective in addressing ethical issues in the field of alcohol and drug dependency counseling. Numerous ethical standards including OASAS and NAADAC codes of ethics are examined so that students thoroughly understand their ethical obligations as counselors. This course requires completion of a "Skill Demonstration Project". It is repeatable for up to 9 credits when skill demonstration projects vary. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HCS 597 Internship Seminar for Alcohol and Other Drugs (A)

Designed to be taken concurrently with HCS 598. Allows students to process their experience in the field in a clinical group supervision format. Addresses issues which present themselves within the internship setting, including situations with clients, peers and supervisors. Covers ethics, confidentiality and diversity issues. (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading). 3 Cr.

HCS 598 Internship for Addiction Professionals (B)

$21 Course fee required. Prerequisites: HCS521; HCS522; HCS523; HCS524; HCS535, HCS545 and program coordinator's permission. Enables students to apply their knowledge from course work in a variety of treatment settings with people in varying stages of alcohol and substance abuse and dependence. Allows students to gain experience in assessment, evaluation, treatment planning, referrals, counseling, therapeutic treatment and making referrals. Examines professional ethics in the practice setting. Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory grading. 1-12 Cr. Spring.