5 Best Online MBA Programs for Healthcare Professionals

Experienced healthcare professionals are experts in clinical medicine. But after years of clinical work, some doctors and nurses may decide that they want to expand their business management skills so that they can transition into a healthcare management or administration role.

That is why many clinicians choose to earn their Master of Business Administration, often with a focus on healthcare management or administration. Students in an MBA healthcare program are taught the advanced management and business concepts that they need to excel in top executive positions in healthcare organizations. Some professionals in healthcare who earn this MBA eventually become some of the top leading change agents in the healthcare industry.

In a healthcare MBA program, the doctor or nurse will study the organization, finances, accounting, databases and infrastructure of common healthcare systems. Students also will learn how to effectively exercise healthcare leadership, and learn how to make critical business decisions in medical organizations.

This will include a complete study and analysis of common healthcare policies, regulations and compliance problems in the industry. Students in these MBA programs also will look at the legal and ethical problems that occur in healthcare facilities and systems.

Some of the courses that doctors and nurses may take in their healthcare MBA program may include:

• Healthcare policy and regulations
• Healthcare economics
• Healthcare law
• Healthcare risk management
• Global problems in health care management
• Healthcare informatics

After completing their MBA, the experienced health care clinician will find that most top-tier healthcare executive positions are available, which may include:

• Hospital administrator: Oversees the function of the departments and organizations in a hospital.
• Healthcare consultant: Develop and present new strategies for their clients in medicine, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Research procedures and policies and improve patient care and business procedures.
• Private practice manager: Manage the offices of doctors and other healthcare professionals. Supervise all staff, work with insurance companies and government agencies to ensure reimbursements are handled.

If you are considering your MBA as a healthcare professional, we recommend that you investigate the following five online MBA programs.

#1 Liberty University

The Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management program at Liberty University will ready you for a top level position in the healthcare field. As you are preparing for your administrative career in the field, you will gain new insights into the ethical, professional and financial issues in the healthcare industry.

Through rigorous and intense classes, you will be able to master important skills that are specifically related to the healthcare industry. This will give you the tools and knowledge to become a successful healthcare business leader.

Your courses will prepare you to serve as an expert on the healthcare business field. Further, you will learn how to apply ethics to health care management practice.

This program is accredited by ACBSP, and it consists of 45 total credit hours. Up to 12 credit hours may be transferred into the program.

Your required core classes include:

• Strategic Marketing Management
• Managerial Finance
• Legal Issues in Business
• Business Research Methods
• Accounting for Decision Making
• International Business
• Organizational Design & Structure
• Global Economic Environment
• Contemporary Issues in Human

In your healthcare-focused classes, you also will study legal and ethical issues for healthcare professionals; healthcare administration; managing human capital; and healthcare informatics.

#2 Drexel University

Drexel University offers an online accelerated MBA with a concentration in healthcare. This specialty is designed for the experienced health care professional who wants to learn how to manage healthcare delivery systems, as well as for executives who work in pharmaceuticals and the life sciences. The program is made to teach you the regulatory, economic, political and technology forces that affect the healthcare industry in a worldwide market.

Drexel’s online MBA features all of the recognition and rigor of the campus based program that is offered by the LeBow College of Business. This is one of the most recognized research and academic organizations i the country.

This program is accredited by the AACSB, and is ranked among the top 15 online MBAs by the Financial Times.

The two year healthcare MBA and its world renowned faculty will help you to master all of the fundamentals of business, identify your leadership strengths and to think strategically with quantitative data.

This is a part time program that most complete in 24 months, but you also can take part in the 42 month Flex MBA option if you have a higher level of work obligations. The program is organized into groups or cohorts of 25-30 students who will take the MBA program together. This offers the student a learning community that studies and grows together over time.

Required courses include:

• Healthcare Business Practice I: Foundations
• Healthcare Business Practice II
• Healthcare Business Practice III
• Measuring and Maximizing Financial Performance
• Essentials of Economics
• Managerial Accounting
• Managerial Economics
• Corporate Financial Management
• Managing the Total Enterprise
• Managing Technology Innovation

#3 Florida Tech

The MBA in Healthcare Management at Florida Tech will provide you with a complete understanding of business management and knowledge of modern healthcare issues.

This program is offered completely online. It is geared toward the healthcare aspects of information management, and covers managerial economics, healthcare policy and legal issues.

In this 24 month program, you will discover how to apply emerging theories of good leadership, negotiation and management. Also, you will learn through real world experience by forming business plans that are specifically tailored to your ambitions and interests.

Further, you will discover how to apply cutting edge business principles that are critical to a healthcare organization. Last, you will learn how to plan, motivate and communicate in a progressive healthcare environment.

Your healthcare management courses include:

• Healthcare Policy
• Information Management in Healthcare
• Legal Aspects of Healthcare
• Healthcare Planning and Marketing

Many of the former students of this program transition into careers that include titles such as director of healthcare marketing, hospital director or administrator, healthcare finance executive, or health analytics manager.

#4 Saint Leo University

With an MBA in Healthcare Management from Saint Leo University, you will develop the professional management skills and experience to transition into a successful director, manager or executive for many healthcare organizations.

This program features a rich mix of foundational MBA courses, combined with the most current and up to date courses in healthcare management, finance, accounting, ethics and law.

The healthcare management concentration courses focus on these critical areas:

• US health insurance
• Healthcare and taxation issues
• Legal and ethical matters that face patients and providers
• Consumer demands in healthcare
• Federal and state healthcare laws
• Epidemiology and community health evaluations

Students also will develop a strong background in business basics that address the core functions of business management, and effective oral and written business communication. Students also will learn how to work effectively in teams as they work on multiple team projects during the program.

MBA students in this two year program typically take as many as two classes in each eight week term. Some students can complete the program in as little as one year, although two years is typical. You can begin your online healthcare MBA at six set times per year. You also may take up to two MBA concentrations.

#5 George Washington University

The online Healthcare MBA at George Washington University is made for the working and experienced healthcare professional who wants to hone her business skills and leadership abilities. Developing these core strengths will allow you to take a proactive role in transforming the future of the American healthcare industry.

You will build your foundation in healthcare business principles as you gain the necessary knowledge to address difficult healthcare business challenges. This will be accomplished through a combination of real world experience and critical thinking.

This program can be completed in two or three years, and it is offered completely online. This allows you to balance your life, work and school so that you can complete all of your daily obligations.

Also, this is a highly healthcare focused degree, which will allow you to gain critical skills that are focused more on healthcare business. This is done through the offering of specialized electives in healthcare quality analysis, medicines development, regulatory compliance with FDA and NIH and more.

This is a highly regarded online MBA program that is consistently highly ranked by Business Week, Wall Street Journal, and Forbes magazine.

The GWU online MBA program has been accredited by the AACSB International, which ensures that quality business management education is maintained all through the world.

The GWU online healthcare MBa program is taught by highly acclaimed scholars, practitioners and healthcare business educators. Students in this program always benefit from the publication and research work of this group of healthcare and business scholars and experts. This is a great opportunity for you to carry on a high level dialogue and instruction with some of the best health care business minds in the world.