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Saint ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ University's online Master of Health Care Management (M.H.C.M.) degree provides a convenient pathway to a graduate degree for working professionals looking to advance their current careers in health care management. This unique degree allows people to transition into the health care field from other industries at all stages of their careers.

Health care is a rapidly growing industry needing highly competent managers with diverse backgrounds and experiences. SLU's M.H.C.M. program is ideal for students who want the flexibility to complete their degree quickly and completely online but may also benefit from gaining additional health care experience or professional development support. Students who complete the M.H.C.M. degree will be prepared to assume management roles in hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, nursing and residential facilities, home health care delivery organizations, pharmaceutical companies, managed care organizations, government agencies and related entities.

Program Highlights

Key features of SLU's 41-credit hour M.H.C.M. program include:Ìý

• All courses are offered completely online in a flexible, asynchronous format, which allows students to study at their own pace and work around busy schedules
• Instructor-designed opportunities for real-time interactions in each course
• Ability to pursue certificate programs in performance excellence, health data analytics, public health and other high-demand areasÌý
• Flexible start dates in spring, summer or fall semesters
• Short time to degree completion: Students can earn the M.H.C.M. degree in approximately 16 months.

Curriculum Overview

SLU's M.H.C.M. program is administered by the Department of Health Management and Policy in the College for Public Health and Social Justice. In addition to the university-level accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the college is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

A total of 41 credit hours (12 core and two elective courses) are required to earn the online M.H.C.M. degree. Students may choose to enroll in an additional 1- to 2-credit hour optional field experience or to pursue a certificate program offered through the college, in addition to completing the required hours. The program provides a flexible format that enables students to complete degree requirements entirely online, in a semi-structured, asynchronous format.

Within this structure, students enroll in one course at a time, offered in an accelerated format over four weeks, with a one-week transition between courses. Students work through the weekly modules at their own pace, which is a convenient format for those who are busy with family and work obligations. In addition to the required coursework, students will also have the option to attend professional development sessions, interact with their instructors and classmates via video conference software, and participate in a field experience with health care or public health organizations near where they live or work.

Fieldwork and ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ Opportunities

A formal internship or fellowship experience is not required for the M.H.C.M. degree. However, M.H.C.M. students may choose to enroll in an optional field experience for 1 to 2 credit hours (depending on the hours spent in the field experience). For students without previous experience working in the health system, the internship or fellowship will enable them to gain the practical field experience needed to launch their careers in health care management successfully.

Students who choose the optional field experience may do so in various settings and will usually complete this option at the end of their M.H.C.M. coursework. Students will work with the HMP professional development coordinator and their faculty advisor to identify an appropriate location for the field experience.

Careers

Graduates of SLU's M.H.C.M. program will be prepared for management positions in:

• Hospitals and health systems
• Physician’s offices and clinics
• Community health centers and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs)
• Community-based organizations
• Managed care and other health insurance payer organizations
• Nursing and residential care facilities
• Home health care agencies
• Public health departments
• Government agencies

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree, preferably with a 3.00 grade point average. The GRE isÌýnotÌýrequired. Applications are reviewed on a holistic and rolling basis.Ìý

Tuition

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

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Scholarships and Financial Aid

The College for Public Health and Social Justice offers several ways to help finance graduate education.ÌýÌýOpportunities include a limited number of merit-based scholarships and graduate research assistantships. ÌýAwards are made to applicants with the highest combinations of GPAs and test scores who complete their applications by the priority deadlines.

For more information, visit the student financial services office online atÌý.

Learning outcomes for the MHCM degree are supported by the principles of competency-based education (CBE). To that end, courses and the corresponding learning objectives are organized to address competencies necessary for success in health care management across the broad health sector.

These learning objectives, organized by five general domains, are outlined below:

1. Leadership: Lead people and teams toÌýprioritize goals and policies thatÌýbalance the mission, vision, andÌývalues of the organization withÌýthe needs and values of theÌýcommunities it serves.

2.ÌýCritical thinking and analysis: Apply appropriate modelsÌýand methods to analyze data,Ìýenvironments, and issues from aÌýsystems perspective.

3. Management: Demonstrate the ability toÌýorganize resources and manageÌýaccountability in health care andÌýpublic health environments.

4. Culture and community engagement: Apply systems-thinking andÌýcommunity-engagedÌýapproaches in partnering withÌýorganizations and communitiesÌýto improve population healthÌýoutcomes.

5. Communication: Create, organize, and conveyÌýideas and information tailoredÌýto the needs of the targetÌýaudience.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollmentÌýunless otherwise noted. Ìý

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

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