Domains and Competencies

The BS in Healthcare Administration (HCA) program is built around 10 core competencies organized within five domains adapted from the Healthcare Leadership Alliance (HLA) and the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE): Leadership, Professionalism, Communication and Relationship Building, Knowledge of the Healthcare Environment, and Business Skills (ACHE, 2026). These domains align with the program's mission, vision, and values, as well as the goals of the School of Health Professions and Mississippi State University.

The competency framework is informed by evidence-based healthcare administration literature and shaped through ongoing input from the program's healthcare advisory board, faculty, students, alumni, and other key stakeholders to ensure relevance to contemporary healthcare practice and leadership.

Domain 1: Healthcare Systems and Environment

Definition - The ability to analyze healthcare systems, policies, and environmental factors that influence healthcare delivery and population health, and evaluate emerging trends and innovations shaping healthcare (ACHE, 2026).

ACHE Alignment: Knowledge of the Healthcare Environment

• Healthcare Systems and Policy [PC 1.1]
  Analyze healthcare systems, policies, regulations, and factors that influence healthcare delivery and population health.
• Healthcare Innovation and Trends [PC 1.2]
  Assess emerging trends, technologies, and innovations that impact healthcare organizations and patient outcomes.

Domain 2: Communication and Interprofessional Collaboration 

Definition - The ability to communicate clearly and professionally, build and sustain productive relationships, and collaborate effectively with individuals and groups to achieve shared healthcare and organizational goals (ACHE, 2026).

ACHE Alignment: Communication and Relationship Management

• Professional Communication [PC 2.1]
  Communicate effectively with diverse audiences using professional written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
• Collaboration and Relationship Management [PC 2.2]
  Collaborate with healthcare professionals and stakeholders to support organizational and patient-centered goals.

Domain 3: Critical Thinking and Performance Improvement

Definition - The ability to apply data, critical thinking, and systems thinking to support decision making, solve problems, and improve healthcare outcomes (ACHE, 2026).

ACHE Alignment: Business Skills & Knowledge; Leadership

• Data-Informed Decision Making [PC 3.1]
  Use data, evidence, and critical thinking to support healthcare management decisions.
• Quality Improvement and Problem Solving [PC 3.2]
  Apply quality improvement methods and problem-solving skills to enhance organizational performance and healthcare outcomes.

Domain 4: Management and Organizational Effectiveness

Definition - The ability to apply business and systems thinking principles to manage resources, improve operations, and advance organizational effectiveness in healthcare settings (ACHE, 2026).

ACHE Alignment: Business Skills & Knowledge

• Resource Management [PC 4.1]
  Apply resource management principles to support organizational effectiveness and sustainability.
• Operations and Strategic Planning [PC 4.2]
  Apply operational, strategic planning, and management principles to achieve organizational goals.

Domain 5: Leadership, Professionalism, and Ethical Practice

Definition - The ability to lead with integrity and purpose, inspire excellence, guide organizational change, and demonstrate a commitment to ethical conduct, service, and lifelong learning (ACHE, 2026).

ACHE Alignment: Leadership; Professionalism

• Ethical Leadership [PC 5.1]
  Demonstrate ethical leadership in healthcare settings.
• Professional Development and Service [PC 5.2]
  Promote lifelong learning, professional development, and service to advance healthcare improvement.

Reference

American College of Healthcare Executives. (2026). 2026 competencies assessment tool.