MBA in Healthcare Administration Overview

In today's highly complex healthcare industry, the strongest leaders are those who understand the many facets of this dynamic marketplace. Healthcare administrators must be able to handle economic, legal, regulatory, political, historical, and social demands in addition to their managerial duties.

The South University Master of Healthcare Administration online program is designed for those individuals who want to excel at every level of decision-making. This MBA program provides a sound foundation in business analysis and a rigorous specialization in healthcare administration. Thanks to the online format, students can enjoy flexibility as they pursue a degree, with the option to take classes any time of the day or night.

Students of this program will have the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the following:

• The systems and subsystems that comprise the healthcare industry
• The impact that various dynamics (e.g., regulatory, legal, and political issues) can have on health service organizations
• The manner in which public, private, and social forces can shape the healthcare system and affect healthcare providers
• The managerial skills needed to work in teams, build cross-functional teams, and facilitate collaborative decision-making

Graduates will have the business competencies and leadership skills necessary to pursue a managerial position in a variety of medical and health service locations, including hospitals, practitioners' offices, home health care agencies, and healthcare management companies.

Employment Opportunities

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, "Employment of medical and health services managers is expected to grow 16 percent from 2008 to 2018, faster than the average for all occupations. The healthcare industry will continue to expand and diversify, requiring managers to help ensure smooth business operations." "Job opportunities will be good, especially for applicants with work experience in healthcare and strong business management skills."

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Medical and Health Services Managers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos014.htm.

Academic Requirements

The online MBA in Healthcare Administration program is designed for prospective students who have:

• Completed an undergraduate degree with a GPA of 2.7 or better on a 4.0 scale, OR
• Completed an undergraduate degree with a minimum combined GMAT score within the 50th percentile.

MBA in Healthcare Administration - 48 Total Hours

Students pursuing the MBA in Healthcare Administration are required to take a total of 12 courses as follows:

Foundation Pre-Requisite Courses Required

Students must have successfully completed a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.  The following foundation undergraduate courses must have been satisfactorily completed from an accredited institution or be satisfactorily completed (grade of C or better) within the first two quarters after acceptance into the MBA in Healthcare Administration program.  If the courses are taken at South University the undergraduate tuition rates will apply to these courses.

• Accounting: two courses (or completion of MBA5000 at South University)
• Macroeconomics: one course
• Statistics: one course

Foundation Curriculum - 16 Credits
Students are required to take 4 foundation courses as follows:

MBA5001 - Organization Behavior and Communication

This course addresses the issues of motivation, leadership, and communications. Included are negotiation, conflict resolution, and team building.

Prerequisite(s):

Credits: 4

MBA5004 - Managerial Economics

This course provides an overview of microeconomic concepts and their application to common business problems. Topics include supply and demand analysis, cost analysis, economies of scale, basic market types and their characteristics, pricing, risk analysis, and the government's role in economic affairs.

Prerequisite(s): Program Prerequisites

Credits: 4

MBA5005 - Law and Ethics for Managers

This course provides a framework for managers to understand and assess the fundamental legal and ethical issues confronting managers in the contemporary business environment. Emphasis is placed on legal issues managers might encounter when engaged in various business activities. The course covers legal principles that affect businesses, ranging from employment law issues, contract disputes, regulatory compliance, negligence claims, violations of fiduciary duties, securities fraud, development of cyber law, and more. Course activities integrate a variety of legal topics with management of businesses to demonstrate how the law influences management decisions and business strategies. Students will acquire practical knowledge that empowers them to spot legal issues, develop solutions, handle disputes, minimize risk, and make informed and effective business decisions.

Prerequisite(s): Program Prerequisites

Credits: 4

MBA5008 - Quantitative Analysis and Decision Making

Quantitative Analysis and Decision Making

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

Core Curriculum - 12 Credits
Students are required to take 3 core courses as follows:

MBA6011 - Strategic Marketing

Strategic Marketing

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

MBA6012 - Operations and Supply Chain Management

Operations and Supply Chain Management

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

MBA6305 - Advanced Accounting Information Systems

Advanced Accounting Information Systems

Prerequisite(s):

Credits: 4

Major Curriculum - 16 Credits
Students take the following course:

MHC6301 - Healthcare Structure, Organization and Governance

This course examines the way health care organizations are structured, organized, and governed to achieve optimum performance. Explores the various sub-systems of healthcare delivery and the way in which these interrelate in the marketplace.

Prerequisite(s):
Core coursework

Credits: 4

Students choose 3 courses:

MHC6302 - Public Health Organization and Management

This course examines the assessment and understanding of the health status of populations, determinates of health and illness, and health risks and behaviors in diverse populations. It also reviews federal and state emergency management procedures and services with lessons learned from recent national and foreign disasters.

Prerequisite(s):
Core coursework

Credits: 4

MHC6303 - Quality Performance and Management

This course examines the quality assessment of both business practices and health care delivery focusing on outcome measurements, process/outcome relationships, and methods for process improvement. Quality management tools and techniques are reviewed with a focus on patient safety, clinical quality, care outcomes, and cost benefit analysis in patient care.

Prerequisite(s):
Core coursework

Credits: 4

MHC6304 - Health Policy

This course examines the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of government health policy both at the state and federal level and the manner in which public, private, and social forces influence the politics of healthcare, shape the system, and impact healthcare providers.

Prerequisite(s):
Core coursework

Credits: 4

MHC6306 - Human Resource Management in Healthcare Organizations

Presentation of human resource management principles as applied in healthcare organizations. Examines the unique aspects of managing healthcare professionals including recruitment and retention; staff privileges; legal issues; job design and analysis; compensation; and labor relations.

 

Prerequisite(s):
Core coursework

Credits: 4

Capstone Course - 4 Credits

MHC6999 - Case Studies in Healthcare Administration

Through the application of cases in health care administration, students are provided an opportunity to draw upon and apply material covered throughout the program of study and to demonstrate skills in continuous learning through information access, synthesis and use in critical thinking.

Prerequisite(s):
To be taken during final quarter or with permission of Program Director.

Credits: 4

Ready to take the next step?

Our admissions representatives talk to students in situations like yours every day, and will prepare you with all of the opportunities, challenges, and expectations that come with a healthcare education at South University Online.