Business Administration, Health Care Management Concentration, MBA-HCM (On-campus)

Curriculum Professional Development Workshops Administrative Residency

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Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)

Background and Purpose

Health care is one of the largest industries in the United States, accounting for nearly 16 percent of GDP and employing more than 13 million people. It is also an industry that is growing significantly. With growth has come the challenge of containing costs, improving quality, and providing greater access to a diverse and aging population. In such an environment, health care organizations need well-prepared and competent managers—people who can position their firms for success in a competitive marketplace, design systems to deliver cost-effective care, and develop and lead an effective workforce.

The MBA in health care management (MBA-HCM) provides these competencies to individuals interested in management careers in the health care industry. It prepares graduates to work in a variety of health-related organizations, including hospitals and health systems, long-term care organizations, mental health facilities, medical practice and ambulatory care organizations, insurance companies, pharmaceutical firms, government agencies, and consulting firms. The program is interdisciplinary in nature, drawing upon and focusing on the interaction and interdependence of management, economics, medicine, and politics.

The program is designed to meet the expressed needs of senior health care executives for competent graduates to fill entry level and middle management positions in health care organizations. Graduates are trained for leadership roles through a rigorous and innovative curriculum that focuses on the application of sound theoretical concepts to practical situations, the development of professional and interpersonal skills, and the mastery of competencies needed to succeed in the health care industry. The program also provides students with opportunities to gain valuable field experience through career development workshops and other management development options.

With classes offered in the evening and on weekends, the health care MBA program is ideal for those who wish to continue working while pursuing a graduate degree on a part-time basis. A significant percentage of students in the health care MBA program work full time in the health care industry.

Vision

We aspire to be a premier graduate program in health care management in the Delaware Valley, recognized for a challenging educational experience that prepares students for leadership positions in the health care industry.

Mission

The mission of the MBA-HCM program is to:

• Provide a relevant high-quality graduate education in health care management.
• Prepare clinicians and nonclinicians for entry level and middle management positions in the health care industry and enable them to assume leadership roles in their field.
• Meet the needs of our students through excellence in teaching, program flexibility, and continuous improvement of the educational experience.
• Conduct research that improves health care policy and management practice, and facilitate the dissemination and application of this research.
• Serve our stakeholders: Widener University, health services organizations, the health administration profession, health care providers, and local communities.

Values

The mission of the MBA-HCM program is to:

• Provide a relevant high-quality graduate education in health care management.
• Prepare clinicians and non-clinicians for entry level and middle management positions in the health care industry and enable them to assume leadership roles in their field.
• Meet the needs of our students through excellence in teaching, program flexibility, and continuous improvement of the educational experience.
• Conduct research that improves health care policy and management practice, and facilitate the dissemination and application of this research.
• Serve our stakeholders: Widener University, health services organizations, the health administration profession, health care providers, and local communities.

Competencies

Students in the MBA-HCM program gain knowledge of the health care industry and develop a portfolio of competencies needed to lead and manage clinical and administrative units in healthcare organizations. They learn to develop viable business models that deliver desired results (clinical outcomes, business outcomes, and community/stakeholder outcomes). They acquire the skills to build and manage talented teams, robust structures and information systems, and effective administrative and clinical processes. Skill development occurs in an innovative learning-by-doing environment, characterized by a range of teaching methods that include cases, simulations, role-plays, work-based assignments, and field projects.

MBA-HCM graduates will develop competencies in:

• Health System Knowledge—Ability to evaluate impact of health policy, laws, and regulations on health outcomes and performance of healthcare organizations and make appropriate recommendations to achieve desired goals and outcomes.
• Population Health Management—Ability to assess and manage population health status, risk, and outcomes.
• Communication—Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups through clear and concise written reports and persuasive oral presentations.
• Interpersonal Effectiveness—Ability to utilize emotional intelligence capabilities and interpersonal skills to develop and manage effective working relationships.
• Information Management—Ability to use appropriate data and information in conjunction with robust analytical techniques and decision models to make sound management decisions and achieve desired outcomes.
• Process Management—Ability to analyze, design, improve, and control organizational processes to deliver desired clinical and business outcomes.
• Financial Management—Ability to use financial data, tools and techniques to assess financial risk, appraise capital investment decisions, and evaluate the impact of organizational strategies on financial performance.
• Strategic Orientation—Ability to position an organizational unit, product, or service for success in the marketplace.
• Leadership—Ability to deploy appropriate leadership styles and techniques to lead individuals, groups, and organizations toward achievement of vision, mission, and goals.
• Performance Management—Ability to motivate, manage and change individual and organization behavior to achieve desired performance outcomes and organizational goals.
• Team Building and Collaboration—Ability to manage group dynamics to drive collaboration, team performance, and organizational goals.
• Ethics and Professionalism—Ability to use ethical analysis, principles, and standards to make sound ethical decisions, promote organizational integrity, and behave in a professional manner.

Academic Policies and Standards

All academic policies and standards for the School of Business Administration apply to the master of business administration program. Additional policies are as follows:

• Students must complete all degree requirements within five academic years from the date they matriculate into the program.
• Students wishing to take a leave of absence from the program must formally notify the director of graduate business programs.
• Students not taking a course in a 24-month period are suspended from the program. Students who wish to return must petition the graduate program director.
• Students may not change to another concentration once program course work is completed. Change of concentration prior to that time must be discussed with and approved by graduate advisor.