Lewis University

What you'll study

This programme combines core business and healthcare subjects to develop practical administrative skills for hospitals, clinics and other health organisations. Typical modules include:

• Healthcare Systems and Delivery — structure of the US healthcare system, provider types, and care delivery models.
• Medical Terminology and Anatomy — foundational clinical language and basic human anatomy relevant to administration and coding.
• Health Information Management — records management, electronic health records (EHR), privacy and security (HIPAA fundamentals).
• Medical Coding and Billing — ICD and CPT coding principles, claims submission, reimbursement processes and payer relations.
• Healthcare Finance and Accounting — budgeting, cost analysis, revenue cycle management and financial reporting for health organisations.
• Healthcare Law and Ethics — regulatory compliance, patient rights, ethical decision-making and risk management.
• Management and Leadership in Healthcare — supervision, human resource issues, organisational behaviour and quality improvement.
• Health Information Technology — informatics, data analytics basics and use of clinical systems to support decision-making.
• Capstone/Practicum — a supervised field placement in a healthcare setting and a project integrating administrative skills with real-world problems.

Courses are delivered through classroom lectures, hands-on lab sessions using EHR software, case studies and a required practicum with local hospitals, clinics or physician practices. Electives allow focus on areas such as billing compliance, long-term care administration or ambulatory practice management.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a high school diploma or equivalent. Typical admission considerations include a competitive high school GPA and completion of college-preparatory courses; recommended subjects include English, mathematics and a science (biology preferred). Lewis University commonly accepts transfer students with college credits and assesses transcripts for prior coursework.

Standard application components include official transcripts and an application form; international applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through recognised tests or approved alternatives. Mature applicants with relevant work experience are considered; details of any portfolio, references or interviews will be provided by the admissions office.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a variety of administrative and support roles across healthcare settings. Common job titles include:

• Medical office manager or clinic administrator
• Health services manager or department supervisor
• Medical billing and coding specialist
• Patient services coordinator or admissions manager
• Claims analyst or reimbursement specialist
• Health information technician or records coordinator
• Compliance or quality improvement coordinator

Alumni also progress to further study such as a Master of Health Administration (MHA), business-related graduate degrees or professional certification programmes (for example in medical coding or health information management). The practicum component and career services at Lewis help students build employer connections in the Chicago metropolitan healthcare market and beyond.

Why study at Lewis University

Lewis University offers a focused, career-oriented curriculum delivered by faculty with professional experience in healthcare administration and health information. Small class sizes support personalised instruction, and strong ties with regional hospitals, clinics and physician groups provide practicum placements and networking opportunities. The university’s emphasis on ethical leadership and service complements technical training, preparing graduates to manage people, processes and compliance in complex healthcare environments.