5 Highly Rated EMBA Programs That Focus on the Healthcare Industry

5 Highly Rated EMBA Programs That Focus on the Healthcare Industry

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Healthcare is a fast-growing field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in healthcare is projected to grow 18% from 2016 to 2026, much faster than average for all occupations. In fact, healthcare is projected to add more jobs—2.4 million—than any other occupation, mainly due to an aging population in the U.S.

For that reason, many EMBA programs around the country provide specialized opportunities for a career in healthcare—for both business professionals and practitioners. Whether students are looking for a career in an academic medical center, single-specialty practice, or community hospital, the top programs prepare their graduates for leadership roles and business growth.

Here’s what that process looks like at the top five EMBA programs in the healthcare industry.

5 Executive MBA Programs With a Focus on Healthcare

Weill Cornell Executive MBA/MS in Healthcare Leadership

Leading the charge on our list of top EMBA programs in healthcare is Weill Cornell’s Executive MBA/MS in Healthcare Leadership. It stands out as the only program on our list where 100% of the cohort has a background in the medical field; about 50% of students are clinical practitioners, and 50% work in an administrative capacity.

At 20 months in length, the curriculum offers a robust mix of business courses and healthcare expertise. Students learn how to lead an organization while also coordinating with stakeholders, physicians, insurance companies, and policymakers. Courses are taught using the case study method to solve key challenges that are shaping the professional landscape today, and students provide immediate value to their current workplace by applying the coursework to real-world scenarios.

The dual-degree program takes a balanced approach to the industry by including faculty from the Johnson Graduate School of Management and the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences. This means students learn from healthcare industry leaders, physicians, nonphysicians, and well-known business leaders.

Ohio State University Fisher Executive MBA

Second on our list is the Fisher Executive MBA, where 30% of its cohort works in the healthcare industry. This high percentage is thanks in part to the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, which is a world-renowned institution ranked as one of the Best Hospitals in the U.S. by the U.S. News & World Report.

It should be no surprise, then, that many Fisher EMBA graduates work for a variety of regional and international organizations in the healthcare field, including:

  • The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
  • Cardinal Health
  • Erie Insurance Group
  • Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
  • OhioHealth
  • Procter & Gamble

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The Rutgers Executive MBA Program

About 22% of the cohort at the Rutgers Executive MBA program work in a position that’s related to pharmaceuticals, biotech, or healthcare. One reason people in the industry are attracted to the Rutgers Executive MBA program is because they can take electives in other areas, including Pharmaceutical Management or Healthcare Management. This provides a unique opportunity for physicians, healthcare administrators, and other professionals to tailor their academic experience to their industry.

Other course offerings that are relevant to the healthcare industry include:

  • Ethics in the Pharmaceutical Industry
  • The U.S. Healthcare System
  • Pharmaceutical-Managed Markets

Rutgers also stands out for their exceptional faculty. For example, Gary Branning is an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, as well as the president of Managed Market Resources (MMR), a medical communications and healthcare consulting company. He offers keen insight into the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors.

Rutgers University is also uniquely positioned to help students in the healthcare field because of their location. More than half of the largest 20 pharmaceutical companies in the world—including Johnson & Johnson, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck & Co., and Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals—call New Jersey home and have connections to the Rutgers Business School.

Chapman University EMBA

EMBA healthcareOverall, healthcare is a strong presence at Chapman University. The university is home to the Rinker Health Science Campus, which includes the School of Pharmacy as well as the Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, located just 15 minutes away from the Argyros School of Business and Economics. These colleges offer specialized courses that relate to healthcare regulation, ethics, policymaking, and pharmaceutical development, many of which are available to EMBA students as electives.

About 25% of the Chapman University EMBA cohort works in healthcare or insurance, and every incoming class has an average of only 25 students. Because of the small cohort size and the university’s individualized approach, students can tailor the program to meet the demands of their industry focus, while also finding opportunities for interdisciplinary study. Additionally, there numerous opportunities to travel and learn abroad during the 21-month program, which helps expose students to other cultures and ways of approaching healthcare.

University of Connecticut Executive MBA

About 20% percent of the University of Connecticut Executive MBA cohort is in the healthcare field. This can be attributed to the fact that the 20-month EMBA program has close ties with UConn Health, a well-respected research, academic, and clinical care center that’s been in operation since 1961.

The University of Connecticut Executive MBA emphasizes practical applications and immediate value. Every course invites students to integrate their lecture material into the work they perform at their current role. This interactive approach allows students to adapt the curriculum to their needs, as they evolve in real time, and begin to advance their careers early in their tenure. About 15% of the program includes experiential learning, which gives students opportunities to bridge the gap between theory and hands-on practice.

There’s no doubt that a career in healthcare is a lucrative choice in the current economy. The good news is that the five Executive MBA programs we outlined above offer many unique opportunities for students learning more about the industry. Whether you’re a physician looking to expand your business knowledge or a current hospital administrator, there’s a program to help you accelerate your career.


Learn more about advancing your career through education by reading Ivy Exec’s 2019 Executive MBA Rankings.


 

Kelly Vo
About the Author
Kelly Vo

Kelly Vo is a full-time freelance writer specializing in digital marketing, personal development, and content creation. A social media and brand development expert, you can find Kelly at http://kevowriting.com/ where she helps businesses and executives develop their authentic voice.

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