Need Help Finding MBA in Healthcare Admin/Management

[reeko0830]

Hi,

I need some help finding a program for an MBA in Healthcare Admin/Management, I decided against a MHA in case I need a different job in a different country.  My Bachelor of Science GPA is 3.91 from a big ten school but I am in the second half of my career and this is more of a check the box degree.  I still would like the best school that fits my criteria as much as possible but my time commitments are extremely full at the present time. I can afford up to 10k a year which opens up the school choices. I do not need a university for networking etc as I am established where I am.

Some schools I have looked at are U of I Springfield but I believe they proctor.  Eastern University which I believe does not proctor but my concentration brings it to 42 credits total.  U of W Consortium which does not proctor but is very rigid with their schedule and they said 2.5-3 years as the workload is high.  I am leaning towards U of I Springfield but have not found anyone who attended there to let me know how rigorous the program is.  My preference would be something less rigorous at this point.  I would really appreciate suggestions.

1. Preferably no Proctored exams as I cannot use those programs while on my work computer, at home I have a chromebook. My preference is writing papers etc.
2. Go at your own pace as much as possible at least
3. Fastest to completion
4. Preferably AASCB or at least ACBSP

[bjcheung77]

@reeko0830, Welcome to the board, great initial post to get the ball rolling, but it's missing some of the info on the addendum and template here: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Area-works

I would highly advise doing a search of programs in this grad sub forum and make short list in addition to what you currently have. Then check their webpage of info and see which ones will fit your needs, cost, ease, speed to finish.

[Stonybeach]

I recommend getting a general MBA. Heck, I would do the Hellenic $3000 MBA if still offered which is RA accredited but not AASCB. Then, I would get a post-masters certificate in healthcare management and/or apply for one of the many healthcare administrative fellowships offered at hospitals nationwide. In my opinion, getting a paid fellowship or internship in healthcare administration far outweighs any college degree because it provides you with actual experience/validation and the connections to move into that sector. Too many people overestimate the "power" of the degree and underestimate "real-world" experience. The cheap accredited MBA checks the box, but the fellowship, internship, or even entry-level healthcare administrative experience is the key. Of course, an MBA from Harvard or Johns Hopkins wouldn't hurt! Otherwise, don't waste your time or money. As a matter of fact, I would leverage my bachelor's for an entry-level healthcare administrative position right now while working on a cheap MBA. Experience is everything in the healthcare sector!

Liberty has a post-bachelor "graduate" certificate. First responders and veterans get a good discount. Don't forget these graduate credits may transfer to a masters program. If able, I would take the healthcare informatics course to start, which should boost your resume immediately:
https://www.liberty.edu/online/business/...anagement/
https://www.liberty.edu/registrar/wp-con...-CTG-D.pdf

[reeko0830]

I recommend getting a general MBA. Heck, I would do the Hellenic $3000 MBA if still offered which is RA accredited but not AASCB. Then, I would get a post-masters certificate in healthcare management and/or apply for one of the many healthcare administrative fellowships offered at hospitals nationwide. In my opinion, getting a paid fellowship or internship in healthcare administration far outweighs any college degree because it provides you with actual experience/validation and the connections to move into that sector. Too many people overestimate the "power" of the degree and underestimate the real power of "real-world" experience. The cheap accredited MBA checks the box, but the fellowship, internship, or even entry-level healthcare administrative experience is the key. Of course, an MBA from Harvard or Johns Hopkins wouldn't hurt!

Thank you for your response.  I am currently in a leadership role so requiring a mentorship would not be necessary.  I have around 25 years of healthcare experience and about 10 years of leadership.  I have two possible promotions left in my career path and both require leadership experience which I already possess and a Master's.  I did look at the HAU degree but I do want the accreditation I previously mentioned.  In my case, I just need the piece of paper as I have established everything else in my career path.  The problem is that they do look at University name so I am trying to find the best University which fits my needs.  Most of my colleagues have MBA/MHA from the likes of local Big Ten schools, Cornell, Creighton, UNC etc.

[Stonybeach]

https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/due/_...-flyer.pdf

I went to Stony Brook, and it really is top-notch but a little pricey.

Another well-known school in the healthcare sector is Univ of Utah: https://eccles.utah.edu/programs/mba/mba-online/

If you are a Southerner, I would look into UAB:
https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/mc...ealthcare/

Also, Troy is a good, solid school overall:
https://www.troy.edu/academics/academic-...ement.html

[sanantone]

WGU certainly isn't the best school, but it's one of the few self-paced options out there. I don't know if their MBA requires proctored exams. I would invest in a fully capable laptop.

https://www.wgu.edu/online-business-degr...ogram.html

More MBA programs with healthcare concentrations.

https://www.geteducated.com/online-colle...-online/#/

[reeko0830]

https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/due/_...-flyer.pdf

I went to Stony Brook, and it really is top-notch but a little pricey.

Another well-known school in the healthcare sector is Univ of Utah: https://eccles.utah.edu/programs/mba/mba-online/

If you are a Southerner, I would look into UAB:
https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/mc...ealthcare/

I appreciate your help and thank you for the response.  I did look at those programs but they do proctor and are pretty rigorous.  At my point of my career, I am trying to find the sweet spot of a mid tier school and a less rigorous workload that is needed.  I will have around 15 years left in the workforce once I obtain the MBA.  At this point in my career, it is about ROI and effort.  I need the MBA but want to find a program that simplifies the process making it easy to obtain in the fastest way possible. I would love to get this degree in a year or less if possible.

[bjcheung77]

And here's a sticky thread in the grad sub forum with the MBA options you should also review: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...der-1-Year

[Stonybeach]

How do you beat Eastern at $9900? https://www.eastern.edu/academics/gradua...management
add a Healthcare concentration! https://www.eastern.edu/academics/gradua...nistration

[reeko0830]

How do you beat Eastern at $9900? https://www.eastern.edu/academics/gradua...management
add a Healthcare concentration! https://www.eastern.edu/academics/gradua...nistration

I was just on the phone with them.  The way to beat them is to offer this program in 30 hours vs 42.  With 42 credit hours, it is 15,500 per the academic advisor I just spoke with.  The fastest track for this program would be around 14-16 months.  He also said that the program underwent some changes and now it is about 15 hours of studying per week per class.

This is why U of I springfield is interesting but they stated they proctor. I just found Youngstown State, I have reached out awaiting a call.