Five healthcare management masters programs in West Virginia have been established to fulfill the Mountain State’s medical needs. Lying in the Southern Appalachian region, West Virginia is the 38th most populous state with 1.8 million residents. Although best known for its coal mining, West Virginia’s $55 billion economy has a sizeable health sector. The West Virginia United Health System is currently the state’s second largest private employer. Health administration students have access to nearly 70 hospitals, including the high-performing Charleston Area Medical Center and St. Mary’s Medical Center. Mylan Pharmaceuticals also has a large North American office in Morgantown. In fact, the Weirton-Steubenville Metro has the nation’s fifth highest concentration of healthcare management jobs. West Virginia graduates can expect an average annual wage of $102,780. Maximize your promotion potential by considering these healthcare management masters programs for West Virginians.
Marshall University
Lewis College of Business / College of Health Professions
Authorized by the West Virginia Board of Education in 1938, Marshall University is a public, co-educational research institution carrying a $106 endowment to educate over 13,500 students from its main 100-acre headquarters in Huntington near the Guyandotte River and Ohio border. Ranked fifth nationally in producing family physicians by the ACGME, Marshall is the South’s 45th best college, 34th top school for veterans, and 17th best public university according to the U.S. News. Washington Monthly crowned Marshall the 99th best master’s-level institution in America. Within the Lewis College of Business, students can pursue the 222nd top graduate business degrees nationwide.
Master of Science in Healthcare Administration
Marshall’s Lewis College houses a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration program that zeros in on the professional competencies required to manage complex medical facilities. From a global view, students garner the requisite clinical expertise and leadership skills for assuming executive management in healthcare organizations. Graduates work with their GSM Academic Advisor to customize the 36-credit curriculum. Available electives include medical informatics, labor relations, negotiations, reimbursement planning, and marketing. For capstone, master’s students must complete field research within healthcare management. Provisional admission is possible for applicants carrying an undergraduate GPA below 3.0. Marshall accepts 86 percent of students and maintains a student-faculty ratio of 19:1.
MBA with Emphasis in Healthcare Administration
Conveniently available with evening sessions in Huntington or South Charleston, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) takes Marshall students on an AACSB-accredited journey through the fundamentals of organizational leadership. Graduates begin paving their career advancement by polishing managerial skills in one of five emphasis areas, including Healthcare Administration. This option tailors the 36-credit degree with two electives related to coordinating clinical delivery systems. Coursework is broader than the MSHA above, addressing everything from marketing and profit planning to economic analysis and operations management. Degree-seeking MBA students with a minimum 3.0 GPA could qualify for graduate assistantships with full-time semester stipends of $2,320.
Master of Public Health
The College of Health Professions offers the CEPH-accredited Master of Public Health program to Marshall students enrolling at the main, Cabell, and South Charleston campuses. Tuition rates are frozen to keep preparing for public health leadership affordable. Graduates devote 18 to 24 months to developing the professional skills to coordinate policies and programs that spark improved health system outcomes. MPH students select from two concentrations: Global and Community Health or Research, Evaluation and Policy. The 44-credit curriculum spans all five public health disciplines though. Most required courses are scheduled in evening timeslots to accommodate clinicians. There’s also a Dual MD-MPH program for medical school students.
Accreditations
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
1 John Marshall Drive
Huntington, WV 25755
(304) 746-8964
[email protected]
West Virginia University
School of Public Health / Rockefeller School of Policy & Politics
Having produced 24 Rhodes Scholars, West Virginia University is a premier public, land-grant and space-grant RU/VH research institution attracting a diverse student body above 29,000 upon its beautiful 913-acre downtown campus in bustling Morgantown. As the state’s #5 best value, WVU is ranked the 175th best national university, 139th top college for veterans, and 98th best public school by the U.S. News. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance also recognized Morgantown among the “50 Smartest Places to Live.” The Rockefeller School of Policy and Politics is particularly noted for America’s 115th best graduate public affairs programs.
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Housed in the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree gives WVU the valuable opportunity to customize their CEPH-accredited training. Students lay the groundwork for successful public health leadership by specializing in Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Health Policy, Occupational & Environmental Health, or Social & Behavioral Sciences. The latter concentration can even be completed online by employed healthcare professionals. Within the 45-credit curriculum, MPH students develop the policymaking tools to bolster population health. Clinical practicum is required for 180+ clock hours of off-campus practice. Summer internships are also offered by the NAHSE Baltimore Chapter. A culminating experience paves successful transition into mid-career administration.
MPA with Emphasis in Healthcare Administration
Approved by the NASPAA, the Master of Public Administration (MPA) is West Virginia’s only graduate program devoted to preparing competent leaders for government and nonprofit organizations. The 45-credit curriculum allows declaring an area of Emphasis in Healthcare Administration to focus on running publicly held medical facilities. Due to the Appalachian location, special attention is given to coordinating rural healthcare. Full-time and part-time enrollment is possible at the Morgantown campus. MPA students benefit from small seminar-style classes, group projects, service learning, and career resources. During the final year, students culminate with a 500-hour public service internship. Former placements have included Farimont General Hospital, Genesis Healthcare, and Centers for Disease Control.
Accreditations
Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Contact
1 Medical Center Drive
P.O. Box 9190
Morgantown, WV 26506
(304) 293-2502
[email protected]
http://publichealth.hsc.wvu.edu/academics/
Go-getters who take the extra step for graduate school enjoy the best prospects in healthcare administration. Holding a master’s degree signals to employers that you’ve ambitiously sharpened your leadership, communication, problem-solving, and clinical skills. Even though the field is poised for 10-year growth at 17 percent, competition can be strong for upper-level health management jobs. Graduate education can help you stand out across sectors as strategic planning directors, quality improvement coordinators, risk managers, nursing home administrators, practice managers, and chief executives. Healthcare administration is touted for its lucrative salary, but it also provides prestige and gratification. Satisfy your itch to learn more about the U.S. clinical system by pursuing these healthcare management masters programs in West Virginia.
Another great resource:
Top 20 Graduate Programs in Health Care Management in the West