AUPHA Body of Knowledge Wiki

The purpose of the AUPHA Body of Knowledge is for the field to delineate the content that students in health management programs should learn during the course of their study.  The Body of Knowledge differs from competencies in that it refers to the knowledge base, or content, rather than the student’s ability to demonstrate skill in use of the content.  It assumes that competency in application requires a basic knowledge of facts, theories and analytical approaches.  The Body of Knowledge is distinct from accreditation requirements of CAHME or CEPH in that it encompasses detailed subject matter in addition to broad topics.  

The Body of Knowledge is not intended to be taken as a series of course outlines nor collectively as a required curriculum.  Rather, the broad content areas and the detailed learning objectives have been determined by the field of academicians and practitioners as information that a student should gain at some point in their course of study.  How learning objectives are grouped into courses, what format is used to achieve learning, or how learning is evaluated are not included in this document, as these are deemed to be the purview of individual universities.  

The Body of Knowledge was compiled by input from faculty of health management programs throughout the nation, gathered during 2012, reviewed, and revised with broad input.  This wiki is a living resource, and as our field is constantly evolving, we assume that the Body of Knowledge will evolve as well.  The document here (PDF) is the best thinking as of 2012. By posting the document on line and in an interactive platform, we will enable all readers to see the reflections of others who are striving to teach healthcare management.  Please review the Guide to Terminology for clarification of terms used within the document and wiki.

Our thanks to the many faculty and practitioner colleagues who contributed to and reviewed this document. They are listed individually under Contributors.  Dr. Monica Minor-Exum, educational consultant, provided the pedagogical framework and definitions. Dr. Connie Evashwick, consultant, worked with Faculty Forum leaders and others to prepare the initial document. We look forward to continued refinement as faculty use the BoK to prepare undergraduate and graduate students who will join the future healthcare management workforce.