The Best Healthcare Management Programs in Washington DC
Healthcare management is among the fastest growing jobs in the United States today. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a 20 percent increase is expected for jobs the field of medical and health service management over the next ten years. Given that the average growth rate for all other occupations is just 7 percent, this reveals a significant boost expected within this field.
Given how quickly this field is growing, jobs in healthcare management can be competitive. One of the best ways to set yourself apart in the job market is with a specialized degree in healthcare management, demonstrating to employers that you have the specific skill set the job requires. If you are eager to join this growing industry, or looking for a career path that allows you to combine a passion for business with a love of medicine, you may want to pursue a degree in healthcare management.
Many business schools offer MBAs with specializations in healthcare management, or offer other options for customizing your degree to gain credentials in the field.
The Top Washington DC Healthcare Management MBA Programs.
George Washington University School of Business
The School of Business at the highly ranked George Washington University offers an online healthcare MBA program, which combines the generalized business foundation learned during the school’s MBA program with healthcare focused electives. The program explores the most important concepts in business and healthcare amidst a rigorous and hands-on educational environment. In addition to earning an MBA in healthcare management, students may also choose to pursue an additional certificate in fields like Clinical Research Administration, Clinical & Translational Research, Health Care Quality, Integrative Medicine, and more.
The online healthcare MBA at George Washington is 55.5 credit hours, divided among core courses (31.5) and healthcare focused electives (24), offered through the university’s School of Medicine and Health. Students may also petition to have 12 of their elective credits made up of GWU graduate-level healthcare courses outside of the medical school.
Just a few of the many healthcare elective courses offered through SOMHS are listed below:
- Patient Safety Systems
- Issues and Trends in Health Systems
- Introductions to Global Regulatory Affairs
- Regulatory Strategy in the Development of Drugs and Biologics
McDonough School of Business – Georgetown University
The McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University takes their healthcare and business education combo to a new level with the dual MBA and MD program. Within just five years, students will graduate with two degrees; one in medicine and one in business.
The program is broken down with different requirements each year, focused primarily on MD courses at the start, but including at least one MBA core course during the evening each semester. Students will take MBA elective courses throughout the fourth and fifth years, eventually completing the Global Business Experience in the final year. Students interested in the joint MBA/MD program at McDonough must be accepted both by the School of Medicine as well as McDonough before enrolling.
Georgetown University’s precious mascot, Jack, shortly after earning his degree at the School of Medicine / Photo via Georgetown
Student testimonials comment on the way the program has shaped their way of thinking and creatively problem solving. “I am confident that much of what I have gained at the business school will aid me in my career as a physician and will certainly enhance opportunities to improve the healthcare system as a physician-leader,” commented Mark Matza, MD/MBA 2014.
University of Maryland R.H. Smith School of Business
While the R.H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland does not offer an MBA concentration in healthcare management, they offer students the opportunity to jointly pursue an MBA and a Master of Science (MS) with a Health Services Leadership and Management specialty. The degree is designed to prepare students for a role as an administrator within a health care system, with the ability to make management-level decisions on a variety of fronts, including strategic planning, governance, and finance. The business education provided by the MBA will also provide students with a strong foundation in leadership and innovation that will allow students to take the lead in designing new approaches to healthcare services. Students with this degree could serve in a variety of roles within the healthcare field, such as a chief nursing officer, consultant, finance officer, and more.
The 68 credit program will be completed over the course of four years, with the MBA requirements mostly being completed in the first two years, and the MSN courses in years three and four.
Questrom School of Business Dual MBAs
While MBA degrees may be the best way for business students to master business, management and leadership skills, some enter business school with a clear idea of which industry they want to enter following graduation. For such graduates, dual degree programs offer the chance to pair a general MBA education with a specialized degree that’s tailored to their a chosen field. And the Questrom School of Business dual MBAs give students an even greater advantage at tailoring that career path.
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