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Online Healthcare MBA (Master of Business Administration)

Online Healthcare MBA Overview


Healthcare leadership and management roles are in demand as hospital systems and clinics strive to keep pace with shifting demographics, increasing use of big data, technological advancements, and evolving payment models. Nebraska Methodist College is prepared to meet that demand by educating business professionals who seek to offer a compassionate approach to administration as they embrace the challenges of the future.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare is a fully online program. Each course is taught through the lens of health services delivery, creating leaders who both anticipate change, and stand at the forefront of a new healthcare management model.

As a health professions institution, we are uniquely situated to help future executives address the challenges faced by healthcare organizations in the 21st century. Our experienced faculty provide MBA students with a skillset that includes effective communication, critical thinking, and complex problem-solving abilities.  Students will be able to lead strategically in healthcare settings, developing human capital skills alongside business acumen to meet the ever-changing healthcare market.

In addition to the core healthcare business curriculum, students in the program select three elective courses from a pool of available courses in the areas of healthcare administration, informatics, and quality improvement. Students select electives based on their unique educational interests, professional goals, and schedule. With classes launching multiple times throughout the year, the time is right to begin building a future in the business of compassion. It all starts with an education from Nebraska Methodist College.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services manager jobs will have a much faster than average growth rate of 28% from 2022 to 2032. Although salary ranges vary by state, the BLS lists the median salary for such managers in May 2022 as $104,830 per year.

Want to learn more? Watch our most recent Virtual Information Session.

Program Perks
  • Enrollment is made simple - No lengthy interview process, no GRE/GMAT requirement.
  • The degree is typically completed in 16 to 28 months, with options for shorter or longer plans of study.
  • 100% online format allows students to advance their educational goals while balancing personal and professional responsibilities.
  • Our flexible elective portion of the curriculum allows students to customize their educational experience.
  • Most courses are eight weeks long.
  • Opportunity to earn Lean Six Sigma Yellow/Green/Black Belt certification at no additional cost

Accreditation & Licensure

Nebraska Methodist College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Admissions Information for Online Healthcare MBA Program

Criteria

Applicants are evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

  • Bachelor degree (or higher) from an accredited university or college - does not have to be in healthcare
  • Bachelor degree GPA of 3.0 or above
  • Non-Nebraska residents meet State Authorization Regulations

Requirements

To be considered for admission the following items must be submitted to the Admissions Office:

Deadlines

Students interested in the Master of Business Administration in Healthcare may apply anytime and are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and students will be notified of their acceptance by letter or phone.

Starting Term - Summer 2024

Standard Deadline - 4/1/2024

Starting Term - Spring 2024

Standard Deadline - 12/4/2024

Costs & Financial Aid

NMC is committed to helping you find every avenue to finance your education. View the Tuition by Program & Degree page for a comprehensive list of all fees.

Cost Per Credit Hour

$771

NMC Scholarships

NMC Scholarships consist of funds generously provided by the Methodist Hospital Foundation to assist our students.

Student Grants or Loans

Visit our Financial Aid page to learn more about what's available and how to apply.

Employee Education Benefits

Employees of Methodist Health System can find details on the MHS Intranet.

External Scholarships

Visit our Scholarships page to learn more.

Calculate Your Net Price

Nebraska Methodist College Net Price Calculator.

Curriculum

The program requires a minimum of 36 credit hours. All students in the Master of Business Administration in Healthcare program are required to complete specific coursework. This list should only be used as a curriculum guide. Course listings and required curriculum are subject to change.

Core

HPM 575
Critical Appraisal of Research & Statistics
DETAILS
This course is designed to prepare the graduate student to critically examine research and statistical data for validity and reliability to make effective business and health promotion decisions. The course also provides students with the skills to determine quality of evidence and potential biases.

IDS 500
PROGRAM ORIENTATION
DETAILS

This course provides the Master in Business Administration in Healthcare program orientation for Nebraska Methodist College. Emphasis will be placed on program expectations, student resources, and scholarly writing.

IDS 750
HEALTHCARE FINANCE
DETAILS
This course provides the basics of economic theory, market drivers and restraints, healthcare finance and reimbursement, cost/benefit analysis, and healthcare innovation. The financial environment of healthcare and how it impacts healthcare delivery is examined. The relationship between healthcare economics, health policy, program development, and clinical practice is explored. 

IDS 754
HEALTHCARE POLICY
DETAILS
This course provides the foundation for analyzing the social and political forces that influence healthcare policy decisions. The relationship between health policy, social justice, and the business of healthcare nursing practice will be explored. Students will examine current healthcare policy and factors which influence policy development. The importance of individual contribution to the healthcare policy making process will be investigated. 

IDS 758
HEALTH SYSTEMS, INFORMATICS & LEADERSHIP
DETAILS
This course provides an overview of contemporary healthcare systems and organizations. Within this overview research, health policy, regulation, and law are examined from the perspective of how these factors shape healthcare organizations. Available technology to interpret and organize health data is investigated in relation to health system productivity. This course synthesizes leadership and systems theory into understanding the healthcare industry and program development to become a leader in patient- centered care and positive health outcomes.

MBH 620
ACCOUNTING FOR DECISION MAKING
DETAILS
This course introduces the student to the financial reporting environment, financial statements, and analysis and interpretation. The course begins by viewing the financial accounting system as a language, and familiarizes students with the structure, usage, conventions, and the grammar of accounting as a business language. Examination of financial statements such as the Income Statement, the Balance Sheet, and the Statement of Cash Flows are how they are inter-related.

MBH 630
HEALTHCARE ECONOMICS
DETAILS
This course will enable learners to apply the tools of economics, finance, and strategy to address challenges faced by healthcare providers. Strategies for payers, manufacturers, and providers will be examined. Topics will include the role of economics, cost effectiveness, market analysis, and financial projecting. Case studies and current events will be integrated throughout to encourage discussions about healthcare economics and finance.

MBH 680
BUSINESS LAW & ETHICS IN HEALTHCARE
DETAILS
This course is an introduction to the laws and ethics that affect healthcare decisions, relationships among professionals and patients, and the management aspects of healthcare delivery. The goal of the course is to equip future healthcare executives with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize legal and ethical issues that arise in healthcare practice, to be prepared to evaluate situations that may have legal or ethical implications, to know when to seek legal or ethics committee counsel, and to have an understanding of the implications of healthcare law on their own decision making.

MBH 685
STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS
DETAILS

This course introduces the key concepts and tools of strategic management essential for the firm to develop a competitive position and sustainable business model. Emphasis is on the formulation of a strategic plan based on analyses, organizational processes, and logic to position the organization for long-term success.

MBH 694
CAPSTONE
DETAILS

Students will synthesize concepts, ideas, knowledge, skills, and experiences from the courses throughout the program into an e-portfolio and a comprehensive, business-related capstone project. This course will include the creation of a formal proposal that must be submitted to and approved by the faculty and the organization involved in the project. All projects will be designed collaboratively between the student and faculty to round out the student’s integrative experience in the program. In this second of a two-course series, students will submit an e-portfolio of highlights that address the program outcomes, implement the capstone project plan, and develop and present a professionally written business document and oral presentation.

Students will synthesize concepts, ideas, knowledge, skills, and experiences from the curriculum into an e-portfolio and a comprehensive, business-related capstone project. The course centers on the creation of a formal proposal designed collaboratively between the student and faculty that rounds out the student’s integrative experience in the program. At the conclusion of the course, the student will defend the proposal by presenting a professionally written business document and oral presentation.

Elective

EDD 786
ORGANIZATIONAL OUTCOMES & SUSTAINABILITY
DETAILS
This course equips students with concepts and strategies necessary to analyze system performance, healthcare outcomes, and evaluate impact. Students will learn to make evidence-based recommendations for interventions based on the data. Students will develop skills to design a comprehensive plan for quality improvement and sustainability.

MBH 655
INFORMATION SYSTEMS FOR HEALTHCARE
DETAILS
This course emphasizes the role of information systems in healthcare organizations and how information is used to improve healthcare processes, organizational performance, project management, and business strategy. Fundamental principles of data storage, processing, management, and reporting of health information will be discussed, as will the selection, implementation, and evaluation of IT systems. Case topics will scan a broad range of contemporary issues including clinical decision support, telemedicine, disease surveillance and public health, research applications, and legal and ethical issues related to information technology.

MBH 658
HEALTHCARE IT PROJECT MANAGEMENT
DETAILS
Project management expertise is essential for the effective management of projects that successfully meet their objectives, delivered on time and within budget. This course combines project management principles with healthcare IT tools to improve the student’s ability to provide strategic leadership, manage teams, focus resources, and generate impactful results with the greatest potential cost savings to improve the quality of care in the healthcare setting.

MBH 659
BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE AND APPLIED HEALTHCARE ANALYTICS
DETAILS
This course combines computer-based methods to analyze health data with the tools used by healthcare leaders to retrieve, report, and present data as part of an informed decision-making process. Topics covered include data warehousing, data mining, data visualization, and technology architecture. Case studies will help prepare students for delivering managerial presentations of their analysis and findings.

MBH 671
INTRODUCTION TO SIX SIGMA QUALITY MANAGEMENT
DETAILS
This course will provide an understanding of design and implementation of quality improvement systems. The Six Sigma methodology is a systematic application that focuses on achieving financial gains and increasing customer satisfaction. Emphasis is placed on the DMAIC problem solving process, which is designed to improve effectiveness. When this process is properly applied significant defects, process waste, and out-of-control processes lead to business gains. Beginning with the define phase of the DMAIC process voice of the customer is analyzed. Process effectiveness will be analyzed to identify root causes of process inefficiencies, elimination of these inefficiencies and developing process improvement practices in the healthcare industry. Basic Lean Six Sigma metrics will also be presented.

MBH 674
LEAN SIX SIGMA IN HEALTHCARE
DETAILS
The central focus of Lean is to maximize customer value while minimizing waste within an organization. This course explores lean principles such as specify value, value stream and flow. Understanding value is a critical competency in a Lean culture. By targeting waste a Lean culture is able to focus on key processes in an effort to increase value. The benefit of a Lean culture is that these principles are adaptable to any industry and applicable to every process. Finally, exploration into Lean sustainability is analyzed following the successful adoption of Lean within an organization.

MBH 681
HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION PRINCIPLES & PRACTICES
DETAILS
This course provides an overview of the structure, management, financing, and regulation of healthcare delivery systems in the United States. A wide range of principles and topics are discussed, including managed care techniques, reimbursement systems, and the role of government in healthcare delivery, policy, and system reform.

MBH 682
QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN HEALTHCARE
DETAILS
This course introduces healthcare administrators to principles and processes of quality management and performance improvement in healthcare. Effectiveness standards, risk management, best practices, benchmarking, and other concepts related to quality improvement and quality outcomes will be discussed. Current issues, datasets, evaluation tools, and the roles of quality monitoring agencies will also be studied.

MBH 684
STRATEGIC MARKETING FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS
DETAILS
This course delivers marketing principles and skills related to developing marketing research, target marketing, branding, marketing strategies, marketing design, and measuring marketing effectiveness that culminate into the development of an original marketing plan.

MBH 686
HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATION MANAGEMENT
DETAILS
This course focuses on the foundational concepts of leadership, workplace behavior and ethics, and organizational management in healthcare systems. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of principles and processes of organizational theory for improved communication, fostering corporate culture, and strategic decision-making. Attention will be placed on the assessment and application of managerial best practices while strategically planning for performance excellence within a complex healthcare organization.

Meet the Faculty

Our Master of Business Administration in Healthcare faculty are highly experienced and credentialed in their own fields, giving you constant real-world insight you can use.

While any instructor can recite from a textbook, ours go a step further and draw from vast personal experience. Instructors here care as deeply about their students as they do the subject matter and it shows.

Meet the Faculty

Additional information

MBA in Healthcare Outcomes

Graduates of the MBA in Healthcare program will:

1. Evaluate effective communication processes to provide clear messages to stakeholders

2. Analyze real world business problems in healthcare organizations

3. Explain the impact of diversity within organizations in the development of solutions

4. Integrate accounting, marketing, finance, management and economics into a strategic business analysis

5. Develop ethical and professional solutions to healthcare business challenges

Testimonials

"I think I am most proud of my capstone project and implementation. The MBA program for NMC gave me phenomenal tools, resources, and support for creating, building, and actually implementing my project in my organization and the real world. My capstone accomplishment goes beyond an academic achievement and into a real-life professional endeavor that has allowed me to evoke real change in my company."

- Amber H., 2021 NMC Graduate

"I found the faculty at NMC to be extremely knowledgeable and very invested in helping students not only to achieve academic success but to be prepared to utilize the knowledge gained in a professional setting. I always felt as though the faculty took a personal interest in my experiences and encouraged me to embrace my own professional and personal history as a part of the learning process."

- Rollie H., 2021 NMC Graduate

"Online classes made work, home and school more manageable because assignments, projects, papers, etc. could be completed on my time. I knew when things were due and could work it around my schedule. However, don't get me wrong, the online program is a lot of work. You have to be willing to devote many hours to each class. There were many late nights, working on discussion posts in the car, writing papers at softball tournaments but it was all worth it in the end."

- April E., 2021 NMC Graduate

MBA Written Statement

Our goal is for Nebraska Methodist College graduate students to articulate and demonstrate growth through written communication, collaboration, and synthesis of knowledge. 

Your written statement should be professionally written including the appropriate formatting and grammar. When drafting your written statement, please cite any sources using APA formatting guidelines. Your answers should each be 2-3 paragraphs in length. 

Also, know that instances of plagiarism within an applicant's written statement will disqualify them from acceptance to Nebraska Methodist College due to the College's commitment to academic integrity and stringent plagiarism policies.  

  1. Describe your personal and/or work experience as it pertains to your motivation for pursuing Nebraska Methodist College's Master of Business Administration in Healthcare program. What do you hope to achieve with your new degree?  
  2. Here at Nebraska Methodist College, we pride ourselves on teaching "The Meaning of Care," and challenge our students to become educated citizens who create positive and sustainable change in our community and beyond. Describe what you believe will be the change you contribute as a result of earning a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare degree at  Nebraska Methodist College.  
  3. How will you prepare yourself to be successful in an online graduate program?

Please submit your document to admissions@methodistcollege.edu.