Which is better - MBA, MHCDS or MBA in Healthcare Management?

There are two types of MBA programs – General MBA and Specialized MBA program. If you have read F1GMAT’s article - MBA Specialize or Generalize, you will understand that the choice of General or Specialized MBA program depends on your background, career goals and practical application of the program.

MHCDS (MASTER OF HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SCIENCE) is a new Master's Program designed for clinicians, administrators, and professionals in health care and related industries. If your career goal is to develop your expertise in Health Care Industry, a Master’s program would be more appropriate for you. 

With healthcare reforms, United States need professionals who can manage resources efficiently while maintaining the cost and quality of healthcare. There is a demand for specialized expertise to manage the resources in Healthcare industry. A General MBA cannot give you the focus that a Master of Health Care Delivery Service or MBA in Healthcare management can offer. 

Dartmouth’s MHCDS program
Now if you look at the top Universities that offer MHCDS or MBA in healthcare management, there are a few schools that have caught our attention.  Dartmouth’s MHCDS program is a program that we recommend. The 18-month program will be the first distance learning – residential hybrid program that Dartmouth is offering. The reputation of the university, the nature of the program (action-oriented) and the eco-system (Dartmouth Center for Health Care Delivery Science, the Tuck School of Business and The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice (TDI)) will provide students with the necessary support for their residential learning experience.

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MBA in Healthcare Management – Wharton 
MBA in Healthcare Management at Wharton works closely with the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (LDI) (founded in 1967 for research and education in health services financing and delivery). LDI has the facilities, support staff and expertise from various departments in the University. Students have to choose the major at the time of application. The University will then integrate the learning experience with the MBA program and guide students with mentor programs, summer internships and permanent positions in health care sectors

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Duke MBA Health Sector Management (HSM) program
The Duke MBA Health Sector Management (HSM) program offers the most comprehensive set of programs in healthcare management. Students will get the chance to work closely on current issues in healthcare: mainly financing, patient relationships, organizational processes and service delivery models. In addition to the MBA program, Duke Fuqua also offers HSM certificate program with The Duke MBA—Daytime Health Sector Management, The Duke MBA—Cross Continent Health Sector Management , The Duke MBA—Weekend Executive Health Sector Management and The Duke MBA—Global Executive Health Sector Management. 

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MBA in Healthcare Management for Executive
For professionals in leadership roles, Yale’s Leadership in Healthcare executive MBA program is a good choice. The program is designed for senior professional with 35% of the 2011-12 class comprising of 10+ years experienced candidates. After quickly building the basics in management topics (2-4 weeks), the first year program focuses on Statistical modelling, Managing teams, Customer and Investor management and Managing Funds. During the spring semester in Second year, the program provides courses in Healthcare Policy, Managing and Innovating in Healthcare Organizations, Healthcare Operations and Information Technology for Healthcare.

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Healthcare Initiative – Harvard Business School
MBA graduates interested in pursuing a career in healthcare should consider the Healthcare initiative from Harvard Business School. Students are encouraged to pick courses and extracurricular activities for Healthcare management and innovation. Support is also provided through Alumni healthcare network and recruitment opportunities in this industry.

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Marketing Healthcare Products – Kellogg Executive Degree Program
For professionals who are interested in developing the marketing skills required for promoting healthcare products, the Kellogg Executive program for Marketing health care products is a good option. The program helps professionals with brand building, strategic partnerships and new product creation.

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MBA in Healthcare Management – Asia
For candidates who are looking for specialized training in Asia, NUS Business School in Singapore in partnership with Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health is offering a MPH program in Healthcare Management.  This is a specialization program and students have to get admission to the NUS MBA program. For graduation, students have to complete 10 MBA Core Courses, 1 MBA Elective Module, 4 Healthcare Management and 2 Healthcare Elective modules.
 
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Association or accreditation doesn’t give you a final say on the actual quality of the program but if you are interested in finding out programs that come under Business School Alliance for Healthcare Management – visit Bahm-alliance.org