Need Help Finding MBA in Healthcare Admin/Management

[reeko0830]

How difficult would you guys say this program appears, I just cannot find much about it anywhere. It is ranked 12th in online mba's and is part of the same school system that I went to. I was told there is no proctoring, but it takes 2.5 years or so part time.

https://www.wisconsinonlinemba.org/progr...view.phtml. You can view the prior year syllabus under the mba in Healthcare.

[ss20ts]

I apparently missed the part where the OP doesn't have a computer? Did I read that right? All online programs are going to require a computer/laptop of some sort. Chromebooks don't cut it for most programs because you'll be using things like MS Office and other software that can't be installed on a Chromebook. Grad programs looooooove PowerPoints with voiceovers. Feels like I've done them at every college I've attend since 2020.

[reeko0830]

I apparently missed the part where the OP doesn't have a computer? Did I read that right? All online programs are going to require a computer/laptop of some sort. Chromebooks don't cut it for most programs because you'll be using things like MS Office and other software that can't be installed on a Chromebook. Grad programs looooooove PowerPoints with voiceovers. Feels like I've done them at every college I've attend since 2020.

I have a windows laptop but it is provided by my employer.  Due to that fact, I cannot download any applications for proctoring, which is the main concern with proctoring.  I have not purchased an actual computer in about 15 years, never needed to have a desktop or laptop that was windows based. I do have access to the full Microsoft suite of products on my laptop.

[ss20ts]

Please don't let a computer be the reason you select a school. Instead, buy a computer. Laptops can be pretty inexpensive. Some of the programs you've looked at are costly. Definitely plan on getting a laptop. It will make your life easier.

[Duneranger]

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.

What do healthcare admins do? In my 15 years of being a medical provider, I haven't figured that one out.

Beggars cant be choosers, you arent going to get some cheap MBA/MHA that is CBE with no proctors, less credits and no group work from some top school. Your list of wants is a have your cake and eat it too type of situation.

Sort of bizarre that a Chromebook is holding you back from choosing schools that have proctoring. That makes zero sense. I would think a healthcare leader could just get a cheap 200-300 dollar PC laptop and write it off. What's the real reason?

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How difficult would you guys say this program appears, I just cannot find much about it anywhere. It is ranked 12th in online mba's and is part of the same school system that I went to. I was told there is no proctoring, but it takes 2.5 years or so part time.

https://www.wisconsinonlinemba.org/progr...view.phtml. You can view the prior year syllabus under the mba in Healthcare.

I wouldn't believe that ranking, its not UW-Madison which is the only notable school in the system

[sanantone]

Online degree rankings don't matter. Your degree will be judged by whether people recognize the university as having a good business school. The online degree rankings are there to help students choose programs that are good at delivering online education, but employers don't care about that. Your transcript won't say "online."

[reeko0830]

Online degree rankings don't matter. Your degree will be judged by whether people recognize the university as having a good business school. The online degree rankings are there to help students choose programs that are good at delivering online education, but employers don't care about that. Your transcript won't say "online."

Very good point, I appreciate your help. I will likely attend UIS starting this fall. It will be 36 hours due to needing foundational work. Exams are proctored, and it's a bit more than the 30 hours I was looking for, but the university of illinois name is recognizable even though it is Springfield.

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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.

What do healthcare admins do? In my 15 years of being a medical provider, I haven't figured that one out.

Beggars cant be choosers, you arent going to get some cheap MBA/MHA that is CBE with no proctors, less credits and no group work from some top school. Your list of wants is a have your cake and eat it too type of situation.

Sort of bizarre that a Chromebook is holding you back from choosing schools that have proctoring. That makes zero sense. I would think a healthcare leader could just get a cheap 200-300 dollar PC laptop and write it off. What's the real reason?

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How difficult would you guys say this program appears, I just cannot find much about it anywhere. It is ranked 12th in online mba's and is part of the same school system that I went to. I was told there is no proctoring, but it takes 2.5 years or so part time.

https://www.wisconsinonlinemba.org/progr...view.phtml. You can view the prior year syllabus under the mba in Healthcare.

I wouldn't believe that ranking, its not UW-Madison which is the only notable school in the system

Great point about the ranking vs what Madison is known for. It definitely isn't worth 2x the price of similar programs. 

I think everyone focused in on the Chromebook comment more than what the biggest obstacle was. I want to be able to do the majority of this mba at work. In order to do so, no matter what program I use, I just cannot download new software onto the computer. I used canvas before and UIS used canvas and proctors through there like my prior University did. That system in fact works and I am happy with that. I submitted my application there about an hour ago.

[freeloader]

Good for you! Will you keep us posted about your experience at Illinois-Springfield? Always good to hear people’s experience. I would like to hear about your online experience personally, and I suspect others as well, because that university offers one of the cheapest AACSB accredited master’s degrees in finance.

[Duneranger]

Good for you!  Will you keep us posted about your experience at Illinois-Springfield?  Always good to hear people’s experience.  I would like to hear about your online experience personally, and I suspect others as well, because that university offers one of the cheapest AACSB accredited master’s degrees in finance.

I am in IL currently, its a pretty minor school here, similar to UMPI in Maine probably. Personally, I would just go to U of I on Coursera....

[freeloader]

Good for you!  Will you keep us posted about your experience at Illinois-Springfield?  Always good to hear people’s experience.  I would like to hear about your online experience personally, and I suspect others as well, because that university offers one of the cheapest AACSB accredited master’s degrees in finance.

I am in IL currently, it’s a pretty minor school here, similar to UMPI in Maine probably. Personally, I would just go to U of I on Coursera....

UIUC doesn’t offer an online master’s degree in finance, Coursera or not. Their MS in Finance is a $72,000 on-campus program. I’ll pass, thanks. 

I am acquiring my MBA currently, so I am not looking for another MBA and UIUC probably wouldn’t admit me for a second MBA anyway. 

Also, I briefly attended Illinois Springfield not long after it acquired its current name. I liked the school then and would be proud to have a degree from it, particularly given that they have a degree that I want (online masters in finance form an AACSB university) at a reasonable price.