The Best Healthcare Management MBAs in Texas

As the nation’s second-largest field of employment, healthcare is a fast growing and rapidly changing industry expected to be worth trillions in the near future. A job in healthcare can represent any number of opportunities from working in a hospital to working for a government agency, insurance organization, consulting firm, group practice, pharmaceutical company, or biotechnology firms. In each of these areas, there’s a massive need for well-qualified individuals who can respond to critical problems. That’s where a healthcare management career can be valuable.

As a healthcare manager, you’ll be responsible for managing and coordinating health services while working closely with physicians and administrators to best represent your facility. It’s a rewarding career field with a positive job outlook—employment is expected to grow much-faster-than-average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

If this sounds like the career for you, one of the first steps is to earn your Healthcare Management MBA. A Healthcare Management MBA provides students with in-depth expertise on the unique elements required to work in the healthcare industry.

As for where to earn your degree, here are the best Texas healthcare MBA programs.

Dallas

Naveen Jindal School of Management – University of Texas at Dallas

In Dallas, the Naveen Jindal School of Management is known for its healthcare focus. Not only does the school offer a Master of Science in Healthcare Leadership and Management, which is a flexible evening program that can be completed in 18 to 24 months, but MBA students can also choose the Healthcare Leadership and Management concentration. This MBA concentration prepares students for leadership positions in healthcare and is a cross-functional and industry-focused option.

What makes the Healthcare Management MBA concentration stand out at Naveen Jindal is the fact that classes are taught by faculty and healthcare executives who have the specialized expertise and experience needed to train up-and-coming graduates. In addition, students can participate in the Healthcare Management Association (HMA) to cultivate industry experience, networking opportunities, and healthcare resources. The school also offers a Healthcare Management Executive MBA for current physicians who are looking to expand their skillset.

Hankamer School of Business – Baylor University

At the Baylor University Hankamer School of Business in Dallas, there’s a specialized MBA in Healthcare Administration. This degree path is offered in conjunction with the Robbins Institute for Health Policy and Leadership and gives students the opportunity to gain an interdisciplinary foundation in health services and business. The MBA program is nationally recognized, ranked 17th in the nation in 2016 by the U.S. News & World Report, and ideal for students interested in a healthcare career.

What makes this MBA program unique is that it includes a seven-month paid Executive Residency with a leading progressive health organization. During this residency, students receive guidance from well-qualified, practicing healthcare executives who give them the opportunity to apply and test their knowledge. Also, students can apply for the Executive Healthcare MBA program in Dallas and participate in the Future Healthcare Executives (FHE) student organization.

Neeley School of Business – Texas Christian University

Another opportunity for healthcare-minded MBA students in Dallas is the Healthcare MBA at the TCU Neeley School of Business. This program is designed for current healthcare professionals or individuals who are looking to enter the healthcare industry. It’s offered in partnership with the University of North Texas—Health Science Center and provides an in-depth healthcare focus.

What makes this program unusual is that students can choose a standard MBA (48 credit-hours) or an accelerated MBA (36 credit-hours) depending on their experience in business. In either case, MBA students completed 10.5 credit-hours of healthcare-specific courses as well as 9-10.5 credit-hours of additional business or healthcare electives. Some of the specialized courses include:

• Healthcare in the U.S.
• Population Health
• Legal Aspects of Healthcare

Houston

Rice University – Jones Graduate School of Business

At Rice University in Houston, there are multiple opportunities for MBA students at the Jones Graduate School of Business to develop their healthcare experience. Specifically, the school created a healthcare program that offers practical learning options and multiple healthcare electives. Some of those electives include U.S. Health Care Management, Health Care Strategy, and Health Care Operations Management.

As full-time MBA students, there’s the option to choose the health care concentration, which includes 12 credits, out of 24.5 available, focused specifically on a career in healthcare. Its unique curriculum prepares MBA students for a variety of healthcare settings including pharmaceutical, biotech, and insurance as well as hospitals and private practices. There are also many other ways to learn about healthcare at Rice University including speaker series, panel discussions, and multiple events.

Cameron School of Business – University of St. Thomas

In Houston, there’s also an MBA in Health Care Administration offered at the Cameron School of Business. This program is offered in conjunction with Texas Woman’s University (TWU) and gives students the opportunity to obtain the fundamental health services management skills required for a successful career. In addition, there’s an opportunity for a dual Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) and MBA degree. As part of the program, students take courses at both TWU and UST.

regions: Dallas / Houston

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