HEAL 460 - CRIMINOLOGY & HEALTH CARE LAW

This course explores the criminological theory applicable to white-collar crime, specifically healthcare fraud and the laws pertaining to healthcare fraud (ERISA, ACA, Anti-Kickbacks and False Claims). The course also examines investigation techniques and the role of whistleblowers in health care fraud. In exploring criminological theory, we begin to uncover motive, means and opportunity for healthcare fraud, which then improve our abilities to investigate and resolve healthcare fraud crimes. There is scant academic literature on these topics and the course pulls a variety of textbook materials, videos, academic articles and podcasts covering leading edge research in the area. The course culminates with an engrossing "who done it" final that test the investigative skills particular to health care fraud learned in the course.

Credits: 3

Course Notes: HEAL Certificate Course

HEAL 470 - HEALTH CARE ANALYTICS

This introductory level course provides foundational skills and knowledge in health care data analytics that will equip students to contribute more effectively to local data analytics and performance improvement efforts. This course explores the use of Excel as a tool to assist investigators in understanding the unique and rich sets of data found in healthcare that produce "leads and clues" to healthcare fraud. The course covers key skills in Excel such as pivot tables, filters and descriptive statistics. The course also covers basic statistical concepts such as the Central Limit Theorem and z-test and z-scores so that investigators have an appreciation of how these statistical methodologies can uncover fraud. Data visualization using charts and 3D Maps help bring investigations to life using simple instructions.

Credits: 3

Course Notes: HEAL Certificate Course

HEAL 480 - HEALTH CARE ETHICS

This course will introduce students to the moral theories/ethical frameworks used in biomedical ethics as well as various topics related to the ethical implications of biotechnology and healthcare. The methodology employed in this course will teach students how to use critical thinking skills and objective decision-making to work through various ethical dilemmas. Classic ethical theories are covered which helps students realize the various stakeholders in the decision-making process. In keeping with our social justice mission, an entire week is devoted to worldviews of bioethical decision-making looking at the role of religion (Christianity, Hindu, Buddhist and Jewish frameworks), indigenous and African American views and feminist theory. Lastly, the course explores the impact of managed care in bioethical decisions. The course provides students with theoretical knowledge and practical examples in order to prepare them to engage in ethical deliberation and scholarly research related to healthcare ethics.

Credits: 3

Course Notes: HEAL Certificate Course

HEAL 490 - CAPSTONE RESEARCH PROJECT

The capstone is a self-contained research study carried out by a student to identify the volume and depth of theoretical knowledge gained during the certificate program and evaluate the ability to apply it to practical research question. Students will write a short paper each week, directed by the instructor, that will culminate in an academically sound research paper covering a topic of the student's choosing. Students will learn the fundamentals of research papers including literature reviews and writing methods and discussion sections of papers.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: HEAL 460 and HEAL 470

Course Notes: HEAL Certificate Course