GSM and SONHS Partner to Deliver MBA in Healthcare Management
Saint Xavier University's (SXU) Graham School of Management (GSM) and School of Nursing and Health Sciences (SONHS) are partnering to deliver a newly-merged degree that addresses the need for leadership roles with business acumen within the health care industry. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Management is designed to immerse students into actual employer practice, including experience in updating strategic plans, performing market analyses, evaluating managed care contracts and refocusing goals to meet pediatric, adult and geriatric patient populations' health needs.
The concentration requires nine core MBA courses provided by GSM and four health care electives delivered by SONHS. Courses aim to transition graduate students into health care leaders who can effectively oversee team delivery of outstanding care across all outpatient, health system and community treatment centers. The program is offered online and can be completed at the student's own pace.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 18 percent over the next 10 years, as the aging population continues to grow and the nation continues to address the health and safety of the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Healthcare remains an in-demand area for employment," said Mark Rosenbaum, Ph.D., dean of GSM. "The combination of an MBA from GSM with a focus on health care administration and operation from SONHS provides our students with skills they will need to succeed as hospital administrators as well as in managing facilities for aging adults."
This will be a first step for engaging SXU nursing and business students in courses together. The expanse of the health care field makes the joint venture between GSM and SONHS a natural fit. Health care courses will be cross-listed in each school, with faculty from SONHS teaching the courses. Students will develop leadership competencies and learn to direct thinking from theory to actionable results through engaging instructional methods.
Gwendolyn George, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, dean of SONHS, expects that many nursing students will have high interest in business courses focused on health care. Nursing students in other graduate programs may also choose to take these courses as electives.
"This is one example of how our deans want to explore interprofessional and interdisciplinary courses and degrees to give SXU students career options in the rapidly changing health care landscape," said George.
"GSM prepares managers with analytical and organizational leadership skills while SONHS focuses exclusively on health care administration. The two together will enable students to succeed in a thriving industry," added Rosenbaum.