Academic Programs Catalog

The Master of Science in Healthcare Management is designed to meet the needs of the healthcare industry and appeal to professionals in many different healthcare and healthcare-related organizations. Healthcare is a large and growing industry with its own set of regulatory and business challenges. The future of healthcare organizations will require professionals who are grounded in management principles, strategic thinking, and innovation.

The program develops depth and breadth in business principles and skills sets within the context of healthcare systems and management. Courses are designed to prepare students to advance to add value to their organizations and advance in their careers. The program emphasizes the changing nature of healthcare and the need for strategic management. The applied course work includes healthcare-specific courses in key business areas such as financial management, marketing, supply chain, and human resource management.

The curriculum also includes critical topics for healthcare management addressed within unique areas to healthcare such as: managing quality, risk, and performance management, healthcare systems and policy, healthcare technology and innovation, and managerial epidemiology. The capstone class integrates the various topics into a comprehensive framework that can be applied as a practicum, paper, or other approach.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

To be admitted to the Master of Science degree in Healthcare Management degree, an applicant must:

1. Be currently employed in the healthcare industry, including hospitals, pharmaceuticals, physician associations, surgical centers, medical suppliers, assisted care facilities, device manufacturers, insurance, consulting, or in public policy.
2. Have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized educational institution.
3. Have a cumulative undergraduate grade-point average of 3.00 in the last two years of their program.
4. Have a high degree of potential for advancement to an organizational leadership role.

International applicants are required to complete the TOEFL or IELTS with minimum scores set by Michigan State University and the program.

Admission to the program is selective and meeting the minimum standards listed does not guarantee admission. The applicant's overall record is considered, including the student's statement of objectives, recommendations, academic transcripts, and other documentation as required.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Healthcare Management

The Master of Science degree in Healthcare Management degree is available only online and only under Plan B (without thesis). A total of 34 credits are required for the degree. The degree consists of a business core and a capstone. Other courses as approved by the program director may be used to fulfill degree requirements.

1.	All of the following courses (34 credits):
	HCM	801	Critical Thinking and Innovation in Healthcare						2
	HCM	802	Cost Analysis in Healthcare						2
	HCM	804	Financial Management in Healthcare						2
	HCM	805	Quality, Risk, and Performance Management						2
	HCM	806	Healthcare Information Systems						2
	HCM	807	Law and Ethics in Healthcare						2
	HCM	808	Healthcare Systems and Economic Policy						2
	HCM	809	Organizational Behavior in Healthcare						2
	HCM	810	Human Resource Management in Healthcare						2
	HCM	811	Healthcare Strategic Management						2
	HCM	812	Supply Chain Management in Healthcare						2
	HCM	813	Healthcare Services Marketing						2
	HCM	814	Hospitality and the Patient Experience						2
	HCM	815	Managerial Epidemiology and Population Health						2
	HCM	816	Healthcare Management Capstone						4
	HCM	825	Analytics in Healthcare						2
2.	Completion of a final oral examination or evaluation.

Academic Standards

Students must achieve a minimum 2.00 grade in a course in order for that course to count toward the 42 credit degree requirement. Students must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher in all graduate courses in order to graduate from the program.