Doctor of Health Administration Course Descriptions

• DHA 700. Leadership Strategies in Health Entities. An exploration of leadership strategies that generate value, competitive advantage and growth in health entities. Students will be exposed to core concepts, analytical techniques and frameworks. (Lecture) (3 semester hours)
• DHA 706. Foundations of Health Policy. An examination of health policy and economic issues as they relate to the health care delivery system. The complex arrangements and interactions among governmental, private not-for-profit and for-profit systems are explored within a context including economic, legal, socio-political and public policy perspectives. (Lecture) (3 semester hours)
• DHA 712. Strategic Change Management. A discussion of the strategic change management process in the delivery of health care. Within the context of health care mission, planning, resource allocation, program implementation and program evaluation are examined. (Lecture) (3 semester hours)
• DHA 718. Current Trends in Accreditation & Licensure. An inquiry into the foundations, requirements and trends in various accrediting and licensing entities within health care. (Lecture) (3 semester hours)
• DHA 724. Health care Law, Regulations & Ethics. An exploration of the legal and ethical issues and dilemmas in the delivery of health care. The principles and practical application of laws and regulations affecting operational decisions of health care providers, health plans and third-party payers along with the social, moral and ethical issues encountered in the balance of patient interests, needs and rights. (Lecture) (3 semester hours)
• DHA 736. Health Economics. A discussion of economic theory, trends, market issues and applications as related to health care delivery. The application of economic analytical techniques to health care markets, quality improvement and patient safety will be explored. (Lecture) (3 semester hours)
• DHA 748. Communications in Health Organizations. An exploration of concepts and issues related to communication among internal entities and with external entities in the delivery of health care. Interprofessional collaborative practice, interprofessional education, knowledge management, negotiation, mediation and public relations will be studied. (Lecture) (3 semester hours)
• DHA 754. Fundamentals of Applied Research. An  inquiry  into  the  principles  and  techniques  for  designing  and implementing research studies in the health care environment. Critical assessment of literature, analysis and interpretation of results, and application to management decisions will be studied. (Lecture) (3 semester hours)
• DHA 756. Quality processes in health organizations. A review of methods to improve health care systems and health care delivery. Students will learn to focus on identifying opportunities to improve process, developing methods to identify factors that impact process and using data to determine appropriate actions.  (Lecture) (3 semester hours)
• DHA 760. Fiscal Responsibility & Accountability. An examination of financial management and operations theory as related to health care delivery. (Lecture) (3 semester hours)
• DHA 764. Health Systems. A discussion of the evolution, structure and current issues in the health systems. Students will be exposed to provider, supplier and payer aspects of health systems as well as to health care disparity within the United States, especially within Mississippi. (Lecture) (3 semester hours)
• DHA 767. Current Topics in Health Administration. An exploration of the rapidly changing health care landscape.  Students will examine executive-level managers' use of innovative and strategic practices to capitalize on trends and optimize potential opportunities in today's health care market. (Lecture) (3 semester hours) 
• DHA 770. Epidemiology. An exploration of epidemiological principles and tools of investigation as applied to managerial decision-making in health care delivery. Students will examine health behaviors and lifestyles that impact demand on health care delivery systems, require integration of health services, necessitate preventive programs and affect continuity of care. (Lecture) (3 semester hours)
• DHA 776. Applied Research Techniques. A continuation of DHA 754 "Fundamentals of Applied Research". Students will apply research methods to community health problems and critique research in terms of design, technique, analysis and interpretation. (Lecture) (3 semester hours)
• DHA 791. Doctoral Project Proposal. In consultation with the department chair and advisory committees, students will write and successfully defend a doctoral research project proposal in which they describe the problem and question(s) to be answered, the introduction, the literature review, and the investigation portions of the project. (9 semester hours)
• DHA 798. Doctoral Project. In consultation with the department chair and the advisory committees, research, findings, implementations and conclusions of the doctoral research project will be defended and recorded. (3-9 semester hours)