Health Care Administration and Policy

About this opportunity

Students studying Health Care Administration and Policy have the opportunity to combine their interests in the business of medicine, clinical practice and policy. They will obtain the knowledge and skills needed to make positive and measurable impacts in health care.

Students in the BS program in health care administration and policy study the design of health care systems, processes, leadership and management. This knowledge can be used to optimize how health care is delivered to improve health for all.

The program focuses on building a foundational knowledge of systems, processes and management in health care, grounded in concepts of leadership, social determinants of health, informatics, systems engineering and economics. Faculty are multidisciplinary tenure-track and clinically trained professionals who work together to create, teach and share knowledge.

Graduates of this program are academically prepared, well-rounded and adept in skills necessary for a number of exciting careers in health care.

Thesis

Faculty in Health Care Administration and Policy have led a wide variety of thesis projects and enjoy the opportunity to work with Barrett students. Project topics have included qualitative and quantitative research, health disparities research, reviews, policy briefs, process improvement projects, and health care quality improvement plans and. 

Academic Preparation

Students should have strong writing skills, an interest in learning more about difficult issues in the health care system, attention to detail and timelines. Working on honors enrichment contracts in classes is a great way to build the skills for a future thesis. Students are also encouraged to get involved in undergraduate research opportunities. 

Recommended Timeline

Students should start planning for the thesis in their junior year and then complete and defend their project by their last two semesters. Students are encouraged to review pas thesis projects in the Barrett Thesis Repository, attend thesis defenses, and thesis events held by Barrett Honors College. 

Other Honors Opportunities

Honors contracts are offered on a case by case basis in CHS courses and faculty throughout the unit are enthusiastic to develop and offer projects to students.

Students are also encouraged to participate in internships and experiential learning programs where they can earn honors credit and generate thesis topic ideas.