March 28, 2024

Master’s in Healthcare Management Degrees in Virginia, A-S

Several healthcare management masters programs in Virginia occupy the Old Dominion’s higher education landscape. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Shenandoah Valley and Hampton Roads, Virginia houses over 8.3 million residents as America’s 12th most populous state. Ideally positioned in the South Atlantic near Washington, DC, Virginia has a diverse economy generating $452 billion. One-third of Virginia’s 4.1 million civilian employees work in service sectors, including healthcare. Nearly 130 hospital systems are located in Virginia, such as the top-ranked Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, VCU Medical Center, and University of Virginia Medical Center. Budding health administrators benefit from a fast-growing health industry. According to the BLS, the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metropolitan area employs 4,500+ medical services managers alone. Graduates can expect a rewarding average yearly salary of $122,880. If you’re looking to join the hospital hierarchy, these healthcare management masters programs in Virginia are excellent choices.

George Mason University

College of Health and Human Services

Initially founded in 1949 as the Northern Virginia University Center, George Mason University has become the state’s largest public, co-educational RU/VH research institution educating over 33,900 students from its 854-acre suburban campus in Fairfax, Forbes’ #3 “Top Place to Live Well. Ranked 151st globally by the ARWU, George Mason is named the 135th best national university, 68th top public school, and 111th best college for veterans in the U.S. News survey. The Princeton Review also recognized GMU for the country’s 22nd best internship opportunities, especially in Washington DC. The College of Health and Human Services is highly acclaimed for housing the 33rd best healthcare management master’s program in America.

MHA in Health Systems Management

Organized into three domains, the MHA in Health Systems Management program progresses GMU students through leadership development, business strategy, and knowledge of the healthcare environment. The competency-based program is structured to produce executive-level managers with the proficiency to lead public or private health organizations. With CAHME accreditation, the 46-credit program includes courses from organizational behavior and quality management to health insurance and population health. Some courses are offered online, but most include face-to-face evening sessions in Fairfax. Applied learning is integral to the part-time, unpaid capstone practicum placement. Participating organizations include Prince William Hospital, Children’s National Medical Center, and Fairfax County Health Department. On average, 95 percent of graduates are employed within three months of post-degree completion.

Master of Science in Health Informatics

As a CAHIIM candidate, the Master of Science in Health Informatics program at George Mason University expands graduates’ HIT knowledge to manage the creation of health information systems that improve medical communication. Students become familiar with the latest high-tech advancements with emphasis on Big Data. It’s the ideal master’s option for becoming a clinical information manager, compliance auditor, medical records director, database administrator, or even Chief Information Officer. Ranging from 34 to 39 credits, the curriculum includes a capstone practicum or master’s thesis. Coursework can be completed full-time or part-time to master IT systems analysis, data analytics, computational science, database design, and health information management. GMU’s fully equipped labs offer hands-on training with electronic health records and data vocabularies like HL7 CDA.

Master of Science in Health and Medical Policy

Consisting of 42 credits, the Master of Science in Health and Medical Policy at GMU is offered in partnership with the School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs. Students are trained to become effective, ethical health policy decision-makers who resolve community-based problems in the United States. Offered full-time or part-time, the program is traditionally completed in two to three years. Coursework is conveniently available weekly in late afternoons and evenings at the Fairfax campus. Some classes could be accessible online or in Arlington. Cohorts begin the curriculum every Fall and Spring to study health economics, decision analysis, healthcare law, government systems, health services research, and national policy. For the capstone, M.S. majors can complete field practicum or a master’s thesis.

Master of Public Health

Accredited by the CEPH, the Master of Public Health program provides a terminal, professional degree to George Mason students interested in addressing contemporary health issues locally, nationally, or internationally. Following a practitioner approach, the 42-credit curriculum emphasizes the core skills needed to work with vulnerable, multicultural communities. Students can select from five customized concentrations: Community Health Promotion, Epidemiology, Global Health, Health Policy, or Public Health Communication. Tracks satisfy the requirements to take the NBPHE’s Certified in Public Health (CPH) exam. Most classes are conveniently available during evenings, Saturdays, and online. Full-time students can finish the degree in two years, including the 200 hours of field practicum and project-based capstone. There’s also an accelerated MPH for bachelor’s students with 75+ credits.

Master of Science in Global Health

George Mason’s Master of Science in Global Health program examines nutrition, fitness, and epidemiology from cross-cultural perspectives to prepare international health leaders. The 42-credit curriculum surveys courses in migrant health, infectious disease, biostatistics, geospatial science, data analysis, and health geography. Students gain behavioral research skills to analyze and resolve issues affecting the global health arena. The final semester is devoted to a research capstone with PhD-level faculty mentors. Mason’s state-of-the-art Center for Study of Chronic Illness and Disability (CCID) provides the ideal research platform. Global health majors benefit from optional study abroad trips to countries like Jordan, Morocco, Peru, and Bangladesh. Students may also join the Delta Omega National Honor Society’s Gamma Tau Chapter.

Accreditations

Commission on Accreditation Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Contact

Robinson Building B Room 423
4400 University Drive MS:1J3
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 993-1736
[email protected]
http://chhs.gmu.edu/admissions/graduate/programs.cfm

Marymount University

School of Business Administration

Affiliated with the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, Marymount University is a private, non-profit Roman Catholic institution educating approximately 3,600 co-ed students from its 21-acre suburban campus in North Arlington across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. Honored among the Templeton Guide’s “Colleges That Encourage Character Development,” Marymount is ranked the South’s 53rd best university and 41st best school for former military by the U.S. News. In particular, Marymount University is the region’s 40th top master’s degree provider. The School of Business Administration proudly hosts the 64th best graduate healthcare management program in the United States.

Health Care Management (M.S.)

Meeting the CAHME’s competencies, the Health Care Management (M.S.) program allows Marymount students to advance into leadership of today’s fast-paced, evolving medical field. The program’s close location to the U.S. Congress lends to an in-depth evaluation of current, relevant health policy issues. Containing 42 credits, the curriculum includes courses in economics, organizational development, health informatics, medical reimbursement, finance, epidemiology, and strategic planning. Case studies from the DC Metro area are integrated for applied executive education. Participating in an approved internship is required. Alumni have interned with Virginia Hospital Center, MedStar Georgetown Hospital, and Inova Fairfax Hospital. M.S. majors are welcome to join the HCM Student Group or Upsilon Phi Delta Honor Society. The program has a three-month placement rate of 83 percent.

Health Care Management/Business Administration (M.S./M.B.A.)

Housed in MU’s Ballston Center, the Dual Health Care Management/Business Administration (M.S./M.B.A.) program blends the above curriculum with broader inquiry into 21st-century global business issues. The 60-credit program involves studying economics, finance, marketing, human resources, business law, and management before industry-specific health topics. Dual degree students pursue middle- and senior-level administrative appointments in health systems worldwide. Completing a global business experience in Asia, Africa, Europe, or South America is required. Students could also join the Peru Eye Health Project for unpaid, service learning in Chulucanas. Coursework culminates with a healthcare case study project and strategic management seminar. SBA admissions at Marymount mandates an accredited bachelor’s degree, at least six graduate credits, and a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Health Care Management/Information Technology (M.S./M.S.)

Another dual-degree option at Marymount is the 60-credit Health Care Management/Information Technology (M.S./M.S.) program. Students study the intersection of technology and healthcare to better understand the field’s latest advancements, including electronic medical records, robotics, and telemedicine. It’s structured for graduate students seeking upper-level health information management jobs in the United States. To coordinate successful IT solutions, the program includes courses in health informatics, data analysis, computer security, enterprise infrastructure, and network administration. Dual degree students typically complete the curriculum in three years, including the capstone master’s project. Graduate certificates in Health Care Informatics or IT Project Management can be added. Internships and summer research institutes are also available through MU’s Cyber Center.

Accreditations

Commission on Accreditation Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Contact

Ballston Center Room 518
4040 North Fairfax Drive
Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 284-5910
[email protected]

South University

College of Business

Since its founding in 1899 as Draughon Practical Business College, South University is a regionally accredited private, for-profit higher learning system to serve around 18,300 non-traditional learners. Although headquartered in Savannah, Georgia, South operates 8 campuses and 3 off-campus instructional sites across the Southeast, including one in Virginia’s capital and another on the Chesapeake Bay. Honored among the top 20 percent of “Military Friendly Schools” nationwide by Victory Media, South won the 2015 Excellence in Campaign Award from United Way. The College of Business maintains ACSBP approval to carry on John Draughon’s commitment to practical, engaging education for management professions.

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Administration

At South’s Richmond and Virginia campuses or wholly online, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Administration program is available for graduates embarking on careers in health services leadership. Students are trained to ensure hospitals and other healthcare organizations have a strategic vision to improve patient outcomes. The 48-credit program develops a business foundation before erecting specialized skills in health management. Sample courses include operations management, marketing, quantitative analysis, organization communication, economics, budgeting, and public health. Virginians are eligible to add an internship or field practicum course for their resume. MBA students are required to pass a case study project before graduation. Around 75 percent of admitted graduates obtain financial aid for affordability.

Accreditations

Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Contact

South University, Richmond
2151 Old Brick Road
Glen Allen, VA 23060
(888) 422-5076
[email protected]
https://www.southuniversity.edu/richmond/areas-of-study/business-administration-and-accounting/business-administration-master-of-business-administration-mba

South University, Virginia Beach
301 Bendix Road Suite 100
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
(877) 206-1845
[email protected]
https://www.southuniversity.edu/virginia-beach/areas-of-study/healthcare-administration-and-management

Don’t stop your college search just yet! Your ideal graduate degree could be among our next installment of healthcare management masters programs in Virginia (T-Z).