Healthcare administrators and managers are responsible for ensuring that all of the daily operations of various healthcare facilities run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Healthcare managers are involved in planning, coordinating, and supervising medical services to ensure their facility complies with all state and federal health regulations. Since the entire nation is collectively working to improve healthcare outcomes, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has predicted rapid growth in employment for medical and health service administrators by 22 percent from 2010 to 2020. For graduate students who are interested in assuming a leadership position in a booming in-demand industry, the following are the best programs for earning a master’s degree in healthcare management.
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
Just 45 minutes outside of Detroit, the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor is considered to be one of the best colleges in the United States. Not only has UM Ann Arbor been ranked as the 28th best college and 4th top public school, the U.S. News and World Report has distinguished its graduate healthcare management program as the 1st in the nation. Within the School of Public Health in the Department of Health Management and Policy, students can pursue a Masters of Health Services Administration (MHSA) degree. Through 60 credit hours, students in the two-year program gain expertise in financing, marketing, organization, and quality management in health services. At UM Ann Arbor, each student obtains valuable experience and professional connections as well through a 10 to 12 week internship.
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Among the largest public research universities in the United States, the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul is home to world-renowned health centers. In addition to being ranked as the 69th best college and 25th top public school, the U.S. News and World Report survey has named the UMTC Division of Health Policy and Management as offering the 2nd best graduate healthcare management program in the nation. The 44-credit Master of Public Health Administration and Policy (PHAP) program is specifically designed for recent baccalaureate graduates who are interested in federal, state, and local population health services.
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
With its shining reputation as one of the best universities in the world and strongest diverse student bodies in the country, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has been ranked as the 30th best college and 5th top public school in the United States. Even more importantly, the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health hosts the 3rd best graduate healthcare management problem according to the U.S. News and World Report. Either online or on-campus, UNC students can pursue a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree within two years. The MHA program is specially designed to help students improve their decision making abilities and leadership skills to excel in the delivery of healthcare.
While these have been nationally recognized as the best of the best for obtaining a master’s degree in healthcare management, there are countless others that are offered in traditional and online formats across the nation. The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) provides a detailed list of all the graduate programs in health administration that have been accredited for excellence. With a master’s degree from any of these accredited institutions, graduates can move on to fulfill leadership roles in clinics, hospitals, physician practices, rehabilitation centers, nursing facilities, health insurance organizations, and more for a bright future in the healthcare management field.