The ever changing health care industry relies on qualified leaders, many of whom have an MBA in Healthcare Administration, to manage hospitals, insurance companies and health care facilities. This unique MBA prepares graduates to become qualified leaders who have strong business and health care acumen.
Program Outcomes
Almost all MBA in Healthcare Administration programs are designed to provide graduates with an understanding of the business aspects of health care operations through real-world examples. This means that students are exposed to health care-based business administration functions such as accounting, marketing, economics, leadership and information technology. Graduates become intimately familiar with the ethical challenges faced by health care providers and the organizational difficulties faced by health care organizations. They learn how to effectively handle and overcome these issues while also creating efficient systems that provide affordable care. Students will develop an in-depth understanding of insurance regulations, hospital structures, managed care principles, reimbursement models and total quality management.
Business-Based Curriculum
MBA in Healthcare Administration programs generally start out with courses on business basics. This includes classes on organizational management that teach students how to strategically leverage technology to enhance clinical operations. Classes on business statistics provide graduates with standard math skills and knowledge, such as linear algebra, differential calculus and quantitative problem-solving. Courses on business laws focus on how to maintain compliance with a vast array of ever changing health care regulations and guidelines. Financial analysis and reporting courses help future hospital administrators understand health care-based financial rules, reports and auditing. This course is especially beneficial because government regulations continually raise the quality and integrity standards of financial accounting in health care organizations.
Health Care-Based Curriculum
After they finish basic business courses, MBA in Healthcare Administration students learn exclusive classes. This includes health informatics classes that teach students about health care technology systems, such as lab information and electronic medical record (EMR) programs. Students learn how to use technology to improve patient care and outcomes. Classes on public health systems provide overviews of public health operations and structures. Unique classes, such as environmental health, explore the impacts of society and physical surroundings on community health. Health care marketing teaches how to successfully execute marketing strategies and health care regulations introduces students to government programs and laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Career Outcomes
Like most job candidates with a master’s degree, graduates who obtain an MBA in Healthcare Administration will earn 10 to 20 percent more than those with bachelor’s degrees. The job outlook for medical and health services managers is expected to continue to grow at 23 percent because health care organizations must increase cost controls while also improving the quality of services, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many graduates go on to work in biotech, consulting and pharmaceutical companies. Others work as administrators in medical offices and large hospitals. Potential job titles include practice manager, patient strategy supervisor and health care analyst.
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An MBA in Healthcare Administration is the perfect degree choice for students who want to positively impact the health care industry.
