Healthcare Financial Management (CERT)

Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Financial Management

Unit: Public Health and Information Sciences (GH)
Department: Health Management and Systems Sciences
Academic Plan Code(s) HCFMCGRO

The Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Financial Management provides students the foundational competencies of Healthcare Financial Management: health finance, health economics, managerial accounting in health organizations, and health insurance and alternative payment models.

Those interested in the possibility of pursuing the Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA) may use this program as a stepping stone towards completion of the MSHA degree. University policy states that, "Upon approval of the graduate program, students may applyt he coursework from no more than one certificate program towards a graduate degree program." (See the Graduate Catalog, General Policies, Procedures and Requirements - Transfer of Credit.)

This program is available in an online format only.

Competencies

The successful student is able to demonstrate:

• Financial Skills
• Achievement Orientation
• Analytic Thinking
• Innovative Thinking
• Collaboration
• Communication Skills
• Performance Measurement
• Public Health Methods

Prior to graduation, students in the program will have demonstrated these competencies by completing the curriculum.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have completed a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum of 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Application requirements are submitted to the Graduate School and include:

• Graduate application submitted to the Graduate School
• Official transcripts indicating conferral of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

• Curriculum vitae or resume
• One-page personal statement written by the applicant that is a clear, substantive description of his or her goals in public health and healthcare management.

• Application fee

For specific information about the degree program or the application process, students should contact Pam Renner.

Applications are accepted for the Fall and Spring semester. There are no Summer admissions. Preferred, to facilitate processing, application deadlines are August 1 for Fall starts and November 15 for Spring starts.

Certificate Requirements

12 credit hours of required coursework.

If a student chooses to pursue the Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA) degree at any time after enrolling in or completing the Certificate program, then all coursework completed within the preceding three years with a grade of B or better may be applied towards the coursework for the MSHA degree.

MSHA graduates or currently enrolled MSHA students are not intended to be eligible to receive this certificate as the CAHME-accredited degree is appropriate and sufficient development and credentialing.

Formerly enrolled MSHA students may apply for certificate admission and utilize previously earned credits (grades of B or higher) toward certificate completion.

Accreditation

The School of Public Health and Information Sciences is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

The University of Louisville is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

For more information, see the School of Public Health and Information Sciences accreditation webpage.