4-Year Degree Plan: Bachelors of Science in Patient Care Administration at the University of Justice

University of Justice proudly presents its Bachelor of Science in Patient Care Administration (BS-PCA). This innovative, interdisciplinary degree blends foundational medical sciences, ethical legal frameworks, and compassionate health leadership, preparing students to become pioneers in equitable patient care, policy development, and community wellness.

Designed as a robust four-year program, the BS-PCA aligns with national transfer standards and is fully articulated for seamless credit transfer to the University of Houston (UH), particularly into health sciences, public policy, and pre-law tracks. Each course at the University of Justice features a JUST prefix followed by a four-digit course ID and includes a designated transfer equivalent at the University of Houston, ensuring academic continuity for students pursuing advanced degrees or professional licensure.

Below is the comprehensive 4-Year Course Plan with transferable equivalents and detailed course descriptions:

4-Year Texas Degree Plan for Patient Care Administration Services (Transfer to University of Houston)

Designed to align with UH’s PCAS program, emphasizing healthcare management, law, ethics, sterilization, and clinical research.

Year 1: Foundations in Healthcare Systems and Safety

Semester 1

HLTH 1301 (UH: HSCI 1301): Introduction to Healthcare Systems

Overview of U.S. healthcare structures, roles, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

HLTH 1303 (UH: HSCI 1303): Medical Terminology

Medical language for accurate documentation and communication in clinical settings.

HLTH 1410 (UH: BIOL 1410): Infection Control Fundamentals

Principles of preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

HLTH 1115 (UH: HSCI 1115): Sterilization Protocols Lab

Hands-on training in autoclaves, chemical disinfectants, and aseptic techniques.

ENGL 1301 (UH: ENGL 1301): College Composition I

Critical writing and analysis for professional communication.

MATH 1314 (UH: MATH 1314): College Algebra

Quantitative skills for healthcare resource management.

BIOL 1406 (UH: BIOL 1406): Principles of Biology I

Cell biology and foundational science for healthcare roles.

GOVT 2305 (UH: GOVT 2305): American Government

Healthcare policy and regulatory frameworks.

Semester 2

HLTH 1420 (UH: HSCI 1420): Healthcare Information Systems

Electronic health records (EHRs) and data security compliance.

BIOL 2401 (UH: BIOL 2401): Human Anatomy and Physiology I

Anatomical systems and their relevance to patient care.

HLTH 1325 (UH: HSCI 1325): Patient Hygiene and Wound Care Practices

Promoting hygiene for infection prevention and patient dignity.

HLTH 1120 (UH: HSCI 1120): Lab Services Management

Safe disposal of biohazardous materials per OSHA standards.

HLTH 1040 – Lab I: Sterilization & Disinfection

ENGL 1302 (UH: ENGL 1302): College Composition II

Research-based writing for healthcare ethics and compliance reports.

MATH 1342 (UH: MATH 1342): Statistics for Healthcare

Data analysis for quality improvement studies.

BIOL 1407 (UH: BIOL 1407): Principles of Biology II

Evolution and ecology in public health contexts.

HLTH 1310 (UH: HSCI 1310): Cultural Diversity in Healthcare

Cultural competency to address disparities in patient care.

Year 2: Healthcare Law, Compliance, and Clinical Skills

Semester 3

HLTH 2304 (UH: HSCI 2304): Healthcare Law and Ethics

HIPAA compliance, patient rights, and ethical dilemmas in care delivery.

HLTH 2315 (UH: HSCI 2315): Patient Safety and Risk Management

Root cause analysis and error prevention strategies.

HLTH 2320 (UH: HSCI 2320): Healthcare Documentation and Compliance

Legal documentation practices and audit readiness.

HLTH 2410 (UH: HSCI 2410): Medical Office Procedures

Scheduling, billing workflows, and telehealth operations.

BIOL 2402 (UH: BIOL 2402): Anatomy and Physiology II

Pathophysiology and clinical implications of systemic diseases.

HLTH 2330 (UH: HSCI 2330): Introduction to Healthcare Finance

Budgeting and cost analysis for clinical departments.

BIOL 2420 (UH: BIOL 2420): Microbiology for Healthcare

Microbial mechanisms in infections and antibiotic resistance.

HCRT 2040 – Lab II: Sterile Processing & Packaging

HLTH 2695 (UH: CSLA 2695): Internship I

Clinical shadowing in hospital administrative departments.

Semester 4

HLTH 2340 (UH: HSCI 2340): Healthcare Regulations and Compliance

CMS regulations and Joint Commission standards.

HLTH 2350 (UH: HSCI 2350): Healthcare Information Technology

Cybersecurity and interoperability in EHR systems.

HLTH 2360 (UH: HSCI 2360): Advanced Patient Safety Measures

Fall prevention, medication error tracking, and sentinel events.

HLTH 2370 (UH: HSCI 2370): Medical Billing and Coding Fundamentals

ICD-10 coding and reimbursement cycles.

NURS 1410 (UH: NURS 1410): Health Assessment and Clinical Skills

Vital signs, patient interviews, and basic diagnostics.

MATH 1314 (UH: MATH 1314): Intermediate Algebra (if needed for statistics prerequisites).

PSYC 2301 (UH: PSYC 2301): Psychology in Healthcare

Behavioral factors in patient adherence and care planning.

HLTH 2696 (UH: CSLA 2696): Internship II

Administrative tasks in outpatient clinics or long-term care facilities.

Year 3: Leadership, Legal Case Studies, and Clinical Rotations

Semester 5

HLTH 3305 (UH: HSCI 3305): Healthcare Leadership and Management

Team dynamics, conflict resolution, and change management.

HLTH 3310 (UH: HSCI 3310): Workforce Development

Staff training, retention strategies, and labor laws.

HLTH 3320 (UH: HSCI 3320): Quality Improvement in Healthcare

Lean Six Sigma and performance metrics in clinical departments.

HLTH 3330 (UH: HSCI 3330): Healthcare Financial Management

Cost-to-charge ratios and value-based care models.

HLTH 3340 (UH: HSCI 3340): Healthcare Economics

Supply-chain logistics and insurance reimbursement trends.

HLTH 3350 (UH: HSCI 3350): Clinical Billing and Reimbursement

Coding audits and third-party payer negotiations.

HLTH 3360 (UH: HSCI 3360): Advanced Clinical Research Methods

Designing IRB-approved research for patient safety innovations.

HLTH 3620 (UH: CSLA 3620): Clinical Rotation I

Direct patient care in surgical units and infection control labs.

Semester 6

HLTH 3010: Patient-Centered Dialysis Care Foundations

HLTH 3370 (UH: HSCI 3370): Legal Case Studies in Healthcare

Analysis of landmark malpractice lawsuits and settlements.

HLTH 3380 (UH: HSCI 3380): Ethics in Healthcare Decision-Making

Ethical frameworks for end-of-life decisions and patient consent.

HLTH 3390 (UH: HSCI 3390): Patient Rights and Legal Responsibilities

Capacity assessments and guardianship in critical care.

HLTH 3400 (UH: HSCI 3400): Wrongful Death and Medical Malpractice

Case law for identifying negligence in patient outcomes.

HLTH 4020: Dialysis Safety Protocols & Clinical Skills

HLTH 3410 (UH: HSCI 3410): Crimes in Healthcare Settings

Fraud, abuse, and HIPAA violations in clinical environments.

HLTH 3420 (UH: HSCI 3420): Palliative Care and End-of-Life Decisions

Ethical and legal considerations in hospice and DNR protocols.

POLS 3325 (UH: POLS 3325): Healthcare Policy Analysis

Impact of policy on underserved populations and access to care.

HLTH 3625 (UH: CSLA 3625): Clinical Rotation II

Legal and ethical scenarios in emergency departments and ICU.

Year 4: Leadership Consolidation and Capstone

Semester 7

HLTH 4305 (UH: HSCI 4305): Strategic Healthcare Management

SWOT analysis and strategic plans for hospital mergers.

LEGAL 4310 (UH: LEGAL 4310): Paralegal Support in Healthcare

Subpoenas, depositions, and legal documentation for litigation.

HLTH 4320 (UH: HSCI 4320): Advanced Healthcare Research

Publishing patient outcome studies in peer-reviewed journals.

HLTH 4330 (UH: HSCI 4330): Maternal and Child Health Administration

Perinatal services and pediatric compliance standards.

HLTH 4340 (UH: HSCI 4340): Mental Health Policy and Administration

Regulatory frameworks for psychiatric facilities and teletherapy.

PHAR 4350 (UH: PHAR 4350): Pharmacology for Administrators

Understanding high-alert medications and prescription errors.

NURS 4360 (UH: NURS 4360): Patient Assessment Techniques

Vulnerability screening for chronic disease management.

HLTH 4370 (UH: HSCI 4370): Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Team-based care models integrating physicians, social workers, and administrators.

Semester 8

HLTH 4380 (UH: HSCI 4380): Capstone: Healthcare Process Improvement

Designing Lean initiatives to reduce hospital-associated infections.

HLTH 4390 (UH: HSCI 4390): Capstone: Compliance Strategies

Creating risk mitigation plans for new clinical departments.

HLTH 4400 (UH: HSCI 4400): Healthcare Policy Development

Drafting legislation for equitable vaccine distribution.

HLTH 4410 (UH: HSCI 4410): Supervisory Leadership

Leading interdisciplinary teams during public health crises.

HLTH 4420 (UH: HSCI 4420): Global Perspectives in Healthcare

Comparative analysis of healthcare systems in the EU vs. the U.S.

HLTH 4430 (UH: HSCI 4430): Directed Studies in Healthcare

Custom research on AI in patient safety or telehealth expansion.

HLTH 4695 (UH: CSLA 4695): Capstone Internship

Leadership role in a hospital quality improvement department.

HLTH 4699 (UH: CSLA 4699): Exit Internship Seminar

Reflecting on professional growth and preparing for UH’s bachelor’s program.

Electives to choose:

1. HLE 3345: Legal Case Studies in Patient Care (UH: HLE 4345)

2. HLE 3350: Advanced Healthcare Ethics: Palliative & End-of-Life Decisions (UH: HLE 4350)

3. HADM 3355: Healthcare Fraud & Compliance Auditing (UH: HADM 4355)

4. HADM 3360: Healthcare Economics & Budgeting (UH: HCRT 4360)

5. HPRC 3135: Clinical Lab: Advanced Infection Control (UH: HPRC 3135)

6. HPRC 3195: Clinical Rotations II: Emergency & Critical Care (UH: HPRC 3192)

7. CRIM 3320: Crimes in Healthcare: Forensics & Liability (UH: CRIM 3320)

8. HLE 3395: Mortality Investigations & Wrongful Death Cases (UH: HLE 4395)

Note: Course codes are illustrative and based on Texas public institution conventions. Students should consult their advisor and UH’s transfer guide for equivalencies.