MS in Health Care Management FAQ

The primary objective of the MS in Health Care Management program is to prepare students to assess and act on opportunities, to innovate, and to improve productivity in all areas related to health care. The program equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to manage the current and future challenges of the business of health care.

There are two major differences between the MS in Health Care Management and the MBA with a Health Care concentration.

First, the MBA focuses on the broader content of the traditional business school courses in finance, operations, marketing, and strategy. The MS in Health Care program specifically focuses on the business of health care and covers fewer general business school topics. Second, the MS in Health Care Management is a 36-credit program that can be completed in one year for fulltime students and at least two years for part-time students. The MBA is a 54-credit program requiring two years to complete for fulltime students and at least three years for part-time students.

The MS in Health Care Management is a one-year program that fully prepares students to be managers in the areas of health care finance, new venture formation, entrepreneurship, and to manage the complexity both in the U.S. and globally. The program emphasizes a data-driven and analytical approach to understanding the business of health care beyond the administration of health care facilities. The program offers specialized courses around the ecosystem of health care for providers (clinics, hospitals, healthcare service companies), payers (public insurance, private insurance, social insurance), innovators (biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, device makers, software and hardware makers), and stakeholders (regulators, civil service, civil society, advocacy groups, foundations, and funders). The MS in Health Care Management program does not require an internship or residency to graduate. The Master of Health Administration program is a two-year program that requires one year of instruction and 11 months of field placement.

Yes, many of the Carey Business School faculty members collaborate on research projects with colleagues from the School of Medicine and the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Students have opportunities to attend activities and to hear speakers from other Johns Hopkins schools. There are also happy hour events to bring together students interested in health care across all programs.

Students in the MS in Health Care Management program have interests in various aspects of the health care industry including but not limited to consultancy, international health, management, medical technology, and pharmaceuticals.

No. The MS in Health Care Management is a one-year intensive program and does not require an internship or residency.

No, the MS in Health Care program is not accredited by the CAHME. Johns Hopkins University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The Carey Business School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

No. It is not necessary to have a background in health care or clinical work, or have completed pre-medical studies to be successful in this program.

Prior business or finance experience is not required. However, a background in statistics and economics is helpful. 

The MS in Health Care Management course work covers both the U.S. health care system and health care systems around the world. For example, the course on “Health Care Systems around the World” analyzes differences and similarities in disease management and public health care expenditures globally. Other courses cover the development of medical devices and diagnostics, explore market models in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, and address global health care needs in the context of changing global demographics. 

Graduates from the MS in Health Care Management program have gone on to jobs with consultancy firms, insurance companies, pharmaceuticals, and hospitals in the areas of operations, marketing, project management, strategy, and finance. 

The MS in Health Care Management program is designed to prepare students to work in all aspects of the health care industry. This includes industries that serve health care directly including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, as well as adjacent industries such as information technology, financial business and strategy, consulting, service retail, logistics, and manufacturing. 
To meet the needs of these industries, the MS in Health Care Management prepares students with the following competencies: 

• Understand entrepreneurship and the challenges ranging from launching a medically-related business to developing methods for business growth. 
• Knowledge and skills to manage business enterprises across the health care value chain. 
• Knowledge and skills in risk assessment, decision-making, and planning and execution of business plans and strategic plans in health care organizations across the entire spectrum. 
• Managerial competency in working with physicians, nurses, clinicians, senior health care administrators, from any point in the health care value chain. 

These competencies ensure that our students are prepared for employment in any organization across the full health care spectrum, in such roles as managers, business analysts, consultants, and professional services. 

Most students in the Health Care Management program have more than two years of work experience. The Health Care Management program is a good fit for students looking to work in any organization across the full health care spectrum including adjacent industries like financial business and strategy, consulting, service retail, logistics, and manufacturing. 

Yes, an interview is required for all full-time applicants to the MS in Healthcare Management program. The interviews are conducted after a completed application is received and prior to an admissions committee review of the application. An interview can be completed in-person or by Skype. An admissions recruiter will work with each applicant to schedule the admissions interview. Interviews are not required for part-time admission.

No prerequisite courses are required for admission to the Health Care Management program. Courses within the program are scheduled according to the sequence they are offered. Students take seven core courses followed by seven depth courses and one action-based learning course. 

The MS in Healthcare Management plans to receive 70 to 100 applications for Fall 2019. We anticipate enrolling a class of 20 to 25 new students. 

The Carey Business School Career Development Office offers many programs and resources to help students with career needs. The services provided include one on-one career coaching, cover letter and resume review, mock interviews, self-assessment, networking advice, core competencies development, and salary negotiation tactics. Students have access to regular job postings from potential employers. In addition, the team hosts annual career fairs and provides opportunities for professional development through coaching groups, panel discussions, networking events, and job search boot camps. 

Throughout the academic year the Career Development Office hosts a number of on-campus recruitment and employer events. Some of employers who recently visited campus include: Advisory Board Co, IBM Corporation, Siemens Corporation, KPMG LLP, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, ECG Management, Booz Allen Hamilton, Allegis Group Services, Johnson & Johnson, and McKinsey & Company.

All degrees earned or expected from outside the United States must be evaluated on a course-by-course basis by an authorized credential evaluation agency. Credential evaluation is used to assess a student's coursework against the U.S. grading system and to evaluate courses for possible transfer credit. Applicants should make arrangements with one of the authorized credential evaluation agencies for an evaluation of the degree, an assessment of the overall grade point average, and a course-by-course evaluation. These evaluations must be equivalent to a U.S. degree. Questions about the credential evaluation should be directed to the Admissions Office. 

One letter of recommendation is required as part of the admissions application. Students should request the letter of recommendation from a professional reference, preferably from a supervisor with professional experience. Students without professional experience can provide a letter of recommendation from a faculty member or advisor. Questions about letters of recommendation should be directed to the Admissions Office. 

Yes. The Carey Admissions team is happy to arrange a campus visit, Skype visit, or phone call with current students or faculty.

As students at Johns Hopkins University, MS in Health Care Management students have access to many university resources including libraries, fitness centers, student clubs and organizations, and access to university events and seminars.

Teaching Assistantships provide most on-campus employment opportunities for students. A limited number of opportunities for graduate assistantships are available. 

The Health Care Management program is designed to equip graduates with the knowledge and skillset to manage the current and future challenges of the business of health care. The Carey Business School is equipped with knowledge and expertise to train leaders who can manage the challenges of the business of health care.