Health Professions

Chair of the Department: TBA.
Health Services Administration Graduate Program Coordinator: Aaron Liberman, Ph.D.
TR 534, (407) 823-3264.
E-mail: aliberma@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu
Health Services Administration EMBA Graduate Program Coordinator: Myron Fottler, Ph.D.
TR 534, (407) 823-5531.
E-mail: fottler@mail.ucf.edu
Physical Therapy Graduate Program Coordinator: Eileen Hamby, D.B.A., P.T.
HPA 256, (407) 823-3470.
E-mail: ptinfo@mail.ucf.edu

Master of Science in Health Sciences: Health Services Administration

The Department of Health Professions offers a Master of Science in Health Sciences: Health Services Administration. The program of study required for the Health Services Administration option is outlined below.

Application Deadlines

Fall admission July 15
Spring admission December 1
Summer admission April 15

Admission

Admission to graduate status in the Master of Science in Health Sciences: Health Services Administration program is based on the following criteria:

  • A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 attempted semester hours of credit earned for the baccalaureate degree, and a Graduate Record Examination score of at least 840 (a GMAT score of 400 may be used to satisfy this requirement); or a grade point average of at least 2.75 for the last 60 attempted semester hours and a GRE score of at least 1000 (a GMAT score of 500 may be used to satisfy this requirement). Additionally, an LSAT score of 150 or an MCAT score of 27 may be used to satisfy this requirement.
  • International students and students whose native language is not English must score at least 220 (computer-based test; or equivalent score on the paper-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
  • Submission of three letters of recommendation from individuals capable of assessing the applicant’s ability to undertake graduate work.
  • Completion of undergraduate course work comprising a knowledge of the U.S. health care systems, finance, statistics, and personal computers. These prerequisites may be taken after admission to the program.

Admission into graduate status is determined for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. All students must take the GRE or GMAT prior to acceptance into the program. After acceptance, all students must meet with their academic adviser to plan a program of study.

Degree Requirements

Required Courses—27 Semester Hours
HSA 5198 Information Systems and Computer Applications in Medicine
HSA 6107 Health Care Organization and Management I
HSA 6188 Health Care Organization and Management II
HSA 6126 Principles of Managed Care
HSC 6636 Issues and Trends in the Health Care Industry
HSC 6911 Scientific Inquiry
PHC 6160 Health Care Finance
PHC 6420 Case Studies in Health Law
HSA 6925 Capstone in Health Services Administration

Electives—12 Semester Hours Students must choose a minimum of four courses in consultation with the adviser. Electives may also include a research project, thesis, independent study, or internship. As part of these electives, students will be asked to select at least one area of specialization. The successful completion of the required courses in a specific area of specialization will earn the student a graduate certificate in that area.

Medical Group Management
HSA 4502 Principles of Risk Management (3 hours)
HSA 6508 Principles of Practice Management (3 hours)
HSA 6938 Advanced Practice Management (3 hours)
PHC 6160 Health Care Finance (3 hours)

Risk and Quality Management
HSA 5198 Information Systems and Computer Applications in Health Care (3 hours)
HSA 6385 Quality Management in Health Care (3 hours)
HSA 6938 Advanced Risk Management (3 hours)
HSA 6938 Data Management in Health Care (3 hours)

Health Care Information Systems
HSA 5198 Information Systems and Computer Applications in Health Care (3 hours)
HSA 6188 Health Care Organization and Management II (3 hours)
ISM 6121 Systems Analysis and Development (3 hours) or NGR 5937 Health Care Informatics (3 hours)
ISM 6305 Information Resource Management (3 hours) or NGR 5937 Health Care Informatics (3 hours)

Managed Care
HSA 6126 Principles of Managed Care (3 hours)
HSA 6938 International Health Systems (3 hours)
HSA 6938 Data Management in Health Care (3 hours) or HSA 5937 ICD 9 Coding for Health Services Administrators (3 hours)
PHC 6420 Case Studies in Health Law (3 hours)

Comprehensive Examination Experience—3 Semester Hours
A final written examination experience is required of all students in the program. This experience will be completed through successful completion of the capstone symposium course. All students must successfully complete the comprehensive examination experience to graduate.

Thesis and Research Report Options—3-6 Semester Hours
Students may choose to do a research project or thesis with the consent of the academic adviser. Normally, 3 semester hours credit is earned for the research project and 6 for the thesis. Students should discuss this with the adviser when the program of study is completed.

Internship—3-6 Semester Hours
Internships provide a student with practical administrative experience. For a three-hour course, a student must work 225 hours at a health care organization during the semester. A maximum of three student credit hours will count toward the 39 required student credit hours for graduation.

Minimum Grade Requirements for Graduation
A grade point average of at least 3.0 (“B”) is required for graduation. Additionally, a student may earn no more than two grades of “C” to graduate. A student who earns a third grade of “C” may be disqualified from further Health Services Administration studies. A final decision on disqualification will be made by majority vote of the HSA faculty. In any course repeated, a student must earn a grade of “B” or better.

A student who earns a grade of “D” or below will be disqualified from further HSA graduate studies.

Minimum Hours Required for M.S. in HS (HSA)—39 Semester Hours

Note: Students are encouraged to have access to a personal computer, modem, and appropriate software to interact with the university and professors.

The Health Services Administration program may offer Graduate Teaching Assistantships to selected students. Those students who have distinguished themselves are encouraged to apply for a GTA position.

Executive MBA in Health Services Administration

See College of Business Administration, Executive MBA Program.

Master of Science in Physical Therapy

The mission of the program in Physical Therapy is to educate and train students to be entry-level practitioners of the art and science of Physical Therapy. The educational process enables students to possess the general skills for competent clinical management of patients. The intent of the curriculum is to enable students to assess, evaluate, and treat patients in the most efficient and appropriate manner possible.

Objectives of the Program

  • Preparation of a physical therapist who will practice as a broadly skilled, inquiring clinician in a variety of health care settings, with appropriate skill in education, communication, advocacy, management, and research
  • Preparation of a physical therapist who demonstrates a lifelong commitment to the profession and to their patients, through active participation in their communities, patient advocacy, and the ability to adapt to consumer needs and the changing health care environment
  • Promotion of the scientific foundations of physical therapy practice and education with emphasis on outcomes and efficacy of treatment
  • Promotion of interdisciplinary approaches to patient care
  • Promotion of the physical therapy profession and the physical therapist as a unique and integral component of health care

The program in Physical Therapy (M.S.) is a two-year (seven consecutive semesters), professional curriculum designed to prepare entry-level therapists to practice in a variety of settings. The professional curriculum is a full-time program with no opportunity to take courses other than those prescribed by the curriculum. The professional program includes clinical practicums and internships ranging from four weeks to twelve weeks long. Applicants need to note that one or more of the clinical practicums may be assigned at a site sufficiently removed from the Orlando area to require the student to provide transportation and housing.

Students who successfully complete the course of study will be granted the M.S. degree, enabling the graduate to seek membership in the American Physical Therapy Association and to qualify for Physical Therapy licensure. UCF’s Program in Physical Therapy received interim accreditation of its Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education. Approximately 28 students are admitted to the program each year. The demographics of the class entering in 1999 include an average age of 26.6 years, an overall grade point average of 3.465 (on a 4.0 scale), an average prerequisite grade point average of 3.45, and an average of 1,210 field hours in physical therapy settings.

Application Deadline

Summer admission January 15

Admission Requirements

Acceptance and registration to study at UCF does not constitute admission to the Program in Physical Therapy. Students must apply to the University of Central Florida through the Office of Graduate Studies. Acceptance to the program in Physical Therapy is contingent upon admission through Graduate Studies and is based on competitive admission.

Before applying to the program, the applicant must:

  • Earn a score of 1000 on the verbal-quantitative portion of the GRE or a 3.0 GPA for the last 60 attempted semester hours earned toward a bachelor’s degree*
  • Apply to the University of Central Florida, Program in Physical Therappy through the Office of Graduate Studies
  • Earn a minimum of ten hours of volunteer/work experience under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist in the field of physical therapy

International students and students whose native language is not English must score at least 220 (computer-based test; or equivalent score on the paper-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

* Each applicant must submit official GRE results, regardless of score.

Before entering the program, the applicant must:

  • Earn a bachelor’s degree
  • Complete program prerequisites with at least a 3.0 grade point average and no grade less than a “C.” No CLEP, TSD, or AP credit may be used for prerequisite courses. Please see the program webpage (http://www.cohpa.ucf.edu/health.pro) for an outline of prerequisite courses.

Please visit the webpage for application details as well. Qualified applicants will be selected to participate in the interview process. Admission to graduate programs is based on minimum State of Florida Board of Regents criteria but may include higher GPA or GRE standards or other factors such as work or internship experience, community service, research interests of prospective student, letters of recommendation, or personal interviews.

Degree Requirements

Summer Term 1
PHT 5XXXC Gross Anatomy/Neuroscience I (2 hours)
PHT 5XXXL Gross Anatomy/Neuroscience I Lab (2 hours)
PHT 5XXX Physiology of Therapeutic Exercise (2 hours)
PHT 5XXXL Physiology of Therapeutic Exercise Lab (2 hours)
PHT 5XXX Patient Care Skills (2 hours)
PHT 5XXXL Patient Care Skills Lab (1 hour)
PHT 5XXX Foundations of Physical Therapy I (2 hours)

Fall Term 1
PHT 5XXX Gross Anatomy/Neuroscience II (2 hours)
PHT 5XXXL Gross Anatomy/Neuroscience II Lab (2 hours)
PHT 5XXX Clinical Kinesiology (3 hours)
PHT 5XXXL Clinical Kinesiology Lab (2 hours)
PHT 5XXX Physical Assessment (1 hour)
PHT 5XXXL Physical Assessment Lab (2 hours)
PHT 5XXX Theories and Procedures I (2 hours)
PHT 5XXXL Theories and Procedures I Lab (1 hour)

Spring Term 1
PHT 5XXX Neurological Physical Therapy (2 hours)
PHT 5XXXL Neurological Physical Therapy Lab (1 hour)
PHT 5XXX Pathology/Pharmacology (3 hours)
PHT 5XXX Physical Therapy Integration I (1 hour)
PHT 5XXX Therapeutic Exercise I (2 hours)
PHT 5XXXL Therapeutic Exercise I Lab (2 hours)
PHT 5XXX Foundations of Physical Therapy II (3 hours)
PHT 5XXX Clinical Education I (1 hour)

Summer Term 2
PHT 6XXX Research Methods in Physical Therapy (2 hours)
PHT 6XXX Orthopedic Physical Therapy (2 hours)
PHT 6XXXL Orthopedic Physical Therapy Lab (1 hour)
PHT 6XXXC Functional Rehabilitation (2 hours)
PHT 6XXX Therapeutic Exercise II (2 hours)
PHT 6XXXL Therapeutic Exercise II Lab (1 hour)

Fall Term 2
PHT 6XXX Research Methods in Physical Therapy (2 hours)
PHT 6XXXC Pediatric Physical Therapy (2 hours)
PHT 6XXX Advanced Neurological Physical Therapy (2 hours)
PHT 6XXXL Advanced Neurological Physical Therapy Lab (1 hour)
PHT 6XXX Advanced Orthopedic Physical Therapy (2 hours)
PHT 6XXXC Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy (2 hours)

Spring Term 2
PHT 6XXX Advanced Clinical Applications I (1 hour)
PHT 6XXX Management of Physical Therapy Services (3 hours)
PHT 6XXX Gerontology in Physical Therapy Practice (2 hours)
PHT 6XXX Theories and Procedures II (2 hours)
PHT 6XXXL Theories and Procedures II Lab (1 hour)
PHT 6XXX Physical Therapy Integration II (2 hours)

Summer Term 3
PHT 6XXX Advanced Clinical Applications II (3 hours)

Master of Science in Physical Therapy awarded—75 Semester Hours

Examinations
This non-thesis program requires a final comprehensive examination on course work in the program of study. In addition, comprehensive examinations will be required at the end of each year of the program. A research project is also required on each student.

Graduate Certificates in Health Services Administration

Graduate Program Coordinator: Aaron Liberman, Ph.D.
TR 534, (407) 823-3264.
E-mail: liberma@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu

Medical Group Management

The medical group management certificate is designed for individuals who wish to better understand a medical office or a group practice environment. The certificate provides an opportunity to gain training in this ever-changing and exciting environment. The program is open to both degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking graduate students.

Required Courses—12 Semester Hours
HSA 4502 Principles of Risk Management (3 hours)
HSA 6508 Principles of Practice Management (3 hours)
HSA 6938 Advanced Practice Management (3 hours)
PHC 6160 Health Care Finance (3 hours)

Risk and Quality Management

Risk and quality management represent the first line of defense against liability claims that can adversely affect a healthcare organization, its governing board, and its professional staff. This program provides useful information and techniques both for preventing problems and addressing sensitive issues when they arise. The program is open to both degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking graduate students.

Required Courses—12 Semester Hours
HSA 5198 Information Systems and Computer Applications in Health Care (3 hours)
HSA 6385 Quality Management in Health Care (3 hours)
HSA 6938 Advanced Risk Management (3 hours)
HSA 6938 Data Management in Health Care (3 hours)

Health Care Information Systems

The information superhighway influences every facet of the personal and professional lives of many Americans. This certificate program provides a substantive road map for becoming actively engaged as an integral part of the technological revolution that is taking place. Training offered through the World Wide Web is an important feature of this certificate program. The program is open to both degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking graduate students.

Required Courses—12 Semester Hours
HSA 5198 Information Systems and Computer Applications in Health Care (3 hours)
HSA 6188 Health Care Organization and Management II (3 hours)
ISM 6121 Systems Analysis and Development (3 hours)
ISM 6305 Information Resource Management (3 hours)

Managed Care

Managed care represents the dominant mechanism for reimbursing providers for healthcare services. This certificate program is designed to guide each student in addressing their potential service interests in this diverse and multifaceted arena. The program is open to both degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking graduate students.

Required Courses—12 Semester Hours
HSA 6126 Principles of Managed Care (3 hours)
HSA 6938 International Health Systems (3 hours)
HSA 6938 Data Management in Health Care (3 hours)
PHC 6420 Case Studies in Health Law (3 hours)




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