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    Online Healthcare MBA Degree Program

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    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 program equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to make a positive impact within the health care industry.

    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. The program is tailored to meet the needs of health care providers such as RNs and other clinical professionals.

    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. The growth and demand within the healthcare industry highlight the value of an MBA in healthcare administration.

    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. The healthcare management program focuses on real-world leadership, strategic analysis, and hands-on learning. 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 29% from 2023 to 2033. Although salary ranges vary by state, the BLS lists the median salary for such managers in May 2023 as $110,680 per year. The online healthcare MBA program allows customization to align with career goals and expand healthcare management expertise.

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

    Online Healthcare MBA 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 online healthcare MBA programs offer flexibility for working professionals.

    • Our flexible elective portion of the curriculum allows students to customize their educational experience. The healthcare management online program focuses on preparing graduates for various healthcare settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, and medical offices.

    • Most courses are eight weeks long. The online MBA format provides convenient and customizable options for healthcare professionals seeking to advance their careers.

    • Opportunity to earn Lean Six Sigma Yellow/Green/Black Belt certification at no additional cost. Healthcare business-related professional certifications may qualify as transfer credit in the program.

    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 postal mail, email or phone.

    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

    Cost of Attendance

    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

    *MBH 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.

    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 750
    HEALTHCARE FINANCE
    DETAILS
    This course focuses on the fundamentals of healthcare finance and its relationship to financial and managerial accounting practices. Through examination of the basic foundations of health care finance, students gain practical knowledge and apply financial management theory and principles in facilitating decision-making that promotes the financial well-being of organizations.

    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 health care systems and organizations. Within this overview, research, health policy, regulation, and law are examined from the perspective of how these factors shape health care 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 health care industry and becoming a leader in patient-centered care.

    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 756
    ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE & ACCOUNTABILITY
    DETAILS
    This course introduces strategies for transforming organizations. Students will explore concepts including organizational awareness, relationship building, and issues around accountability in organizational settings. The course explores how to generate creative ideas using mindsets and practices exhibited by successful innovators. Students will develop a good working knowledge of various models, frameworks, and theories that explain how organizational change occurs.

    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 make evidence-based recommendations for interventions based on data. Students will develop skills to design a comprehensive plan for quality improvement and organizational sustainability.

    HPM 660
    LIFESTYLE MEDICINE & HEALTH BEHAVIORs
    DETAILS
    This course examines evidence-based lifestyle medicine recommendations and interventions to prevent, treat, and possibly reverse chronic diseases. Students analyze the key components of health behavior change theories and their application in research and practice in support of adopting healthy behaviors. Students will apply motivational interviewing techniques to assist clients/patients in strengthening motivation and readiness to change. Recommendations and interventions focus on nutrition, exercise, stress management, sleep, tobacco & alcohol addictions, and healthy relationships.

    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 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 676
    Healthcare Operations Management
    DETAILS
    The successful healthcare operations manager possesses a holistic view of the role evidence-based medicine, value-based purchasing, technology, and continuous quality improvement play in efficient delivery of services. This course emphasizes the application of key concepts in operations management and prepares students to oversee the daily and longer-term operational performance of a healthcare organization.

    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. Develop effective communication processes to provide clear messages to stakeholders

    2. Analyze real world business problems in healthcare organizations

    3. Incorporate diversity 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

    Program Handbook

    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