Although many areas of the current economy in North Carolina have seen limited growth, healthcare is the one notable exception. With a predicted growth of more than 23 percent for healthcare service managers, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts healthcare managers will be in demand well into the year 2020. Although some careers have typically required a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management, more and more are now requiring a master’s degree in healthcare administration to earn top salaries and the highest level of responsibility. With the ability to choose from many accredited colleges and universities in North Carolina, Healthcare Management and Administration professionals will have a significant competitive edge.
Lenoir–Rhyne University
College of Health Sciences, School of Health, Exercise and Sports Science
Founded in 1891, Lenoir-Rhyne University is a private coed institution affiliated with the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Located in Hickory, North Carolina, current enrollment for the university is more than 2283 students. The university offers 50 different undergraduate majors and 19 master’s degree programs. The 2015 edition of US News and World Reports Best Colleges ranked Lenoir-Rhyne as the 20th Best Regional Southern College. The university is committed to a “liberal arts and sciences foundation for a variety of careers and as a guide to a meaningful life and wholeness of personality, true vocation, and useful service to God and the world from the perspective of Christian faith”.
Master of Public Health
The Master of Public Health (MPH) program is offered through the School of Health, Exercise and Sport Science in the College of Health Sciences. The goal of the program is to educate students to protect and improve the health of communities by means of education, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and sustained environmental change, through assessing and monitoring health, developing policy, and assuring that all people have access to appropriate and cost-effective care. The MPH requires 42 credit hours for completion and is designed to provide graduates the skills and knowledge necessary to apply the public health core competencies, including biostatistics, environmental health sciences, epidemiology, health policy and administration with competency in social and behavioral sciences, communication and informatics, diversity and culture, leadership, professionalism, program planning, and systems thinking to public health practice. A 6-credit practical and capstone experience is required for program completion. Graduates of this program are prepared for careers in local, state, or federal health departments, non-profit community organizations, managed care organizations, pharmaceutical and hospital supply companies, advocacy organizations, public and private foundations, health insurance companies, academia, healthcare delivery systems, professional organizations and research agencies and firms
Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration
The Healthcare Administration MBA program offers students the opportunity to enhance their career opportunities by offering a curriculum based with a management emphasis in creative problem solving skills, global business perspective and ethical conduct in management. The 36-credit MBA program is designed to be flexible for the working professional with online, evening, and hybrid courses. The business administration program is available in Hickory and Asheville and also as a distance program. It can be completed in as little as 14 months and students can choose a specific areas of concentration including: General MBA, Business Analytics and Information Technology, Innovation and Change Management, Global Business, Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Leadership Development and Healthcare Administration. The Concentration in Healthcare Administration includes the following courses: Human Resource Management for Healthcare Administration, Operations Management, Ethical & Legal Issues in Healthcare Administration and Accounting & Finance.
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC)
Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
Contact
Lenoir–Rhyne University
College of Health Sciences
School of Health, Exercise and Sports Science
625 7th Avenue Northeast
Hickory, North Carolina 28601
(828) 328-7300
North Carolina State University
College of Health and Human Services
Founded in 1887, North Carolina State University (also known as NC State) is part of the University of North Carolina System and is located in Raleigh, North Carolina. NC State is a public institution offering over 160 master’s degrees and more than 60 doctoral degrees through 65 departments. With a current enrollment of over 34,000 students, NC State is the largest four-year college in the state. The 2015 edition of US News and World Reports Best Colleges ranked North Carolina State University as the 95th Best National University. The College of Health and Human Services is one of seven colleges at NC State offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs leading to careers in the health professions and human services. Undergraduate programs are available in athletic training, exercise science, nursing, public health, respiratory therapy and social work. Graduate degree programs are available in clinical exercise physiology, health administration, nursing, public health, and social work and a doctoral degree (PhD) program in health services research.
Master of Healthcare Administration
The Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program at NC State is designed to prepare students for careers as administrators in a rapidly changing healthcare environment. The MHA program addresses the academic needs of students currently employed in careers for career advancement as well as students pursuing future careers in the healthcare field. Upon completion of the program, graduates will have the skills and knowledge to show competency in the six domains including:
- Leadership
- Critical thinking
- Health administration sciences and quantitative analysis
- Management
- Political and community stakeholders development
- Communication
The program prepares students for careers of leadership in public service. Curriculum for the MHA program allows students to become public administration professionals with the skills and knowledge of the policy and theory, and explore their practical implications, while continuing to work full or part time. The programs mission (as stated by the University) is “to develop principled and skilled public service professionals who fulfill leadership roles within governmental and nonprofit organizations. Focus is based on practical and problem-solving skills and emphasizes public service values including efficiency, effectiveness, equity, and accountability.”
Master of Public Administration
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program requires 40 credit hours of course work, including 8 core courses totaling 18 hours, and passing a comprehensive examination. Pre-service students must include an internship as part of the 40 credit hour requirement. Electives may include graduate courses in the PA department, other NC State departments, or inter-institutional locations. Students consult with their advisor to choose electives as part of a specialty or to create an individualized program. Full-time students typically complete the degree in two years; part-time students take from three to five years depending on work and personal obligations. Most classes are taught in the evening to permit full-time students to participate in internships and to accommodate the schedules of part-time students. Students should be familiar with the policies and procedures handbook, which covers in detail the responsibilities of program staff, including advisors, course requirements, the comprehensive examination, and program and university academic policies
Master of Science in Public Health
The Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) program arms graduate students with the skills in core principles of public health education to advance the public health profession. By using a research and professional practice perspective, students develop the needed skills in assessing health behavior to design, deliver, and evaluate health promotion and risk prevention and risk reduction services. The MSPH program consists of core coursework with the opportunity for research and practical experiences through a capstone project and a required internship. Students are prepared to assume leadership positions in a variety of public health settings including: public health related agencies and organizations, hospitals, local and state public health departments, academic research centers and institutes, corporate disease management and wellness programs, non-profits and healthcare industries. Graduates of the program have the following competencies:
- Understand core disciplines of public health and evidence-based practice
- Be prepared to participate in independent and collaborative health research programs
- Develop the oral and written communication skills required in distribute public health information to diverse audiences.
The curriculum for the Master of Science in Public Health degree requires a minimum of 45 semester hours of graduate course work including 21 hours of core courses, an internship experience (3 credit hours), a capstone thesis (6 credit hours) or project (3 credit hours), the completion of a specialty area (9 credit hours) and electives (6-9 credit hours)
Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration
North Carolina State University and the Campbell Law School offer a dual degree in public administration and law. Students in the dual program will earn a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Campbell Law School and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from North Carolina State. It would take five years if pursuing each degree separately and the dual degree option allows students to earn both degrees in four years of full-time study. Candidates in the dual program must apply to and be granted separate admission into both programs. Students admitted into the dual degree program will take their first year at Campbell University’s Wiggins School of Law (students already in their first year of the MPA program may reverse this admissions procedure if they are admitted into the School of Law for the subsequent year). Students enrolled in their first year of law school may apply for admission into the MPA program. During the third and fourth year of study, students will divide their studies between the two programs to maximize course availability and choice. The JD requires completion of 90 credits (81 of which must be taken at the law school) and the MPA requires 40 credits, 25 of which must be in Public Administration courses.
Accreditation
Association of Accredited Public Health Programs (AAPHP)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC)
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
Contact
North Carolina State University
College of Health and Human Services
Graduate Admissions
1000 Main Campus Drive,
Room 2300A
Campus Box 7102
Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7102
(919) 515-2872
Email Link: http://www.ncsu.edu/grad/applygrad.htm
Program Website
Pfeiffer University
Division of Applied Health Sciences
Founded in 1885, Pfeiffer University is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the United Methodist Church. With campus locations in Charlotte, Raleigh Durham and Misenheimer near Richfield North Carolina, Pfeiffer’s mission is to “prepare servant leaders for lifelong learning.” Pfeiffer has a current enrollment of 951 students, its setting is rural, and the campus size is 321 acres. Students at Pfeiffer University have the opportunity to earn a master’s degree at the Misenheimer campus in the 3/2 program allowing completion of a bachelor and a master’s degree in five years. Pfeiffer’s master’s programs and certificates are offered primarily on the Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham campuses as well as online. The 2015 edition of US News and World Reports Best Colleges ranked Pfeiffer University as the 62nd best Regional Southern Universities.
Master of Health Administration
The Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree program is designed for clinicians and healthcare managers seeking career advancement by advancing their skills and knowledge in health services management. The MHA program addresses all areas of healthcare from hospitals to public health, practice management, long-term care and insurance. The curriculum for the program combines essential business practice with health services administration coursework to allow students a study of managerial, financial and legal skills. The program requires 36 semester hours for completion. Graduates of the MHA program have the leadership skills required for a successful health administration career. Students of the MHA program have the opportunity to pursue international studies abroad in Europe, United Kingdom, Liberia and Canada. Student of the MHA program can elect a Leadership Concentration, which has been designed to provide application of the health service and business leadership fields of knowledge. The concentration requires an additional 12 credits (four courses) from the following:
- Health Services Policy
- Health Economics
- Health Services Information Management Health Services
- Financial Management Comparative International Health
- Comparative International Health Study Practicum in Health Administration
- Applied Research in Health Administration Strategic Health Services Management
This concentration is available only on the Charlotte Campus, the Raleigh Campus, online or with special permission of the department Chairperson.
Master of Health Administration/Master of Business Administration
The joint Master of Health Administration/Master of Business Administration (MHA/MBA) program combines key components of the Master of Health Administration and Master of Business Administration programs. The program is designed for clinicians and healthcare managers with career paths requiring advanced competency in quantitative and qualitative aspects of management. Students of the dual degree program have the opportunity to elect an eight to ten day international study traveling to Canada, Germany, Austria, France or other destinations under the direct supervision of Pfeiffer professors. The MHA/MBA joint degree program has a sequential curriculum requiring 54 credits including:
- Eighteen credits of MBA Curriculum Requirements
- Thirty credits of MHA Curriculum Requirement
- Six credits of MBA/MHA Leadership Requirements
Master of Health Administration/Master of Science in Leadership
The joint Master of Health Administration/Master of Science in Leadership (MHA/MSL) program is designed for clinicians and healthcare managers to advance their careers with the competencies in qualitative and quantitative aspects of management. Curriculum of the MHA/MSL program students with a study of essential management, financial, legal and ethical areas of healthcare combined with the skills required for effective management and to successfully implement change initiatives. Graduates of the program are prepared for leadership careers in the current healthcare service environment. This program is available only on the Charlotte Campus, the Raleigh Campus, online or with special permission of the department Chairperson. The program requires 54 Credits for completion including:
- Twenty-seven credits of core MBA curriculum
- Twenty-seven credits of core MSL curriculum
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC)
Association of Accredited Public Health Programs (AAPHP)
Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Contact
Pfeiffer University at Charlotte
4701 Park Road
Charlotte, North Carolina 28209
(704) 945-7356
Email: [email protected]
Program Website
Pfeiffer University Raleigh-Durham
2880 Slater Road
Suite 100
Morrisville, North Carolina 27560
(919) 941-2400
Email: [email protected]
Program Website
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics there were over 303,000 healthcare and other medical service managers employed in the year 2010. With an aging population, changes mandated in the healthcare reform legislation and the expansion in the health care industry, this number is expected to grow more than 23 percent between 2012 and 2022. Healthcare Managers/Administrators will be needed in a variety of roles and those with master’s level degrees in healthcare management will have access to the top-level positions in healthcare management. With the many choices for accredited master’s degree programs in healthcare management in North Carolina, those graduates will look forward to rewarding careers in healthcare.
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