Southeastern to offer Health Systems Management Degree
Monday, September 15, 2014
by: Rene Abadie
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University will partner with McNeese State University in Lake Charles to offer a new bachelor of science degree in health systems management intended to fill increasing workforce needs, the university announced today (Sept. 15).
The HSM program recently received final approval from the Louisiana Board of Regents. Both institutions are expected to begin enrolling students in fall 2015.
The new program will include three separate academic concentrations designed to fill a wide variety of health-related workforce occupations, explained Southeastern Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Tammy Bourg.
"The healthcare field has become one of the strongest growing sectors in the economy with an increasing demand for qualified professionals with specialized training," Bourg said. "Increased regulations, the demand for accountability in medical outcomes and influences such as the Affordable Care Act are some of the factors that are spurring this need by hospitals, clinics and other healthcare-related industries."
The program will be housed in the university's College of Nursing and Health Sciences specifically in its Department of Health and Human Sciences. Students interested in the program should contact Assistant Dean Ralph Wood at rwood@southeastern.edu.
Employment prospects for graduates of the program are with hospitals, clinics, insurance providers, home healthcare agencies and managed care companies among the industries expressing a strong need for HSM professionals. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that healthcare employment is projected to have one of the fastest growth rates between 2010 and 2020.
The concentrations include healthcare management, healthcare quality improvement and care coordination. Each concentration will require students to complete capstone projects and supervised professional practice experiences.
"The three concentrations offered address many of the needs we heard expressed by hospital executives and human resource directors in the regions served by Southeastern and McNeese," said Ann Carruth, dean of the Southeastern College of Nursing and Health Sciences.. "Healthcare reform has opened up new and different job opportunities, and we anticipate that new jobs will evolve that are only now being developed."
Carruth said the program is also being offered in an accelerated option that allows students to complete their academic requirements by following a three-year, fast-track curriculum.
The degree will integrate healthcare principles, management, as well as organization and information systems designed to produce professionals who hold a blend of knowledge and skills related to the complex and ever-evolving healthcare industry.
Carruth explained that by partnering with McNeese, both institutions will be able to reduce costs associated with instruction.
"A number of the courses will be offered online, allowing us to share the instruction load, library holdings and other resources," she said.
Southeastern and McNeese have a long history of cooperating on academic programs, said Carruth, especially in the field of healthcare. The two institutions were among the initial developers of the long-standing Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing Program, which also includes the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and Nicholls State University.
