Master of Health Sector Management

Frequently-Asked Questions

How does the MHSM differ from the MPH?

The MHSM is the traditional degree in health administration.  It has different names in different institutions (Master in Health Administration, Master in Health Services Administration), but the recent trend is toward Master in Health Sector Management, emphasizing the broad scope of the degree and its emphasis on managerial training.  The MHSM is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Management Education (CAHME).The MHSM degree places greater emphasis on teaching core management skills than the traditional MPH. Career trajectories for MHSM graduates are more likely to involve management positions – a number of graduates of our former MHSA program are now CEOs of health care corporations.

What are the job prospects for MHSM graduates?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment of medical and health services managers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012, as the health services industry continues to expand and diversify. Opportunities will be especially good in offices of physicians and other health practitioners, home healthcare services, and outpatient care centers. Applicants with work experience in the healthcare field and strong business and management skills should have the best opportunities.”  Business Week article "Health-Care MBAs See Brighter Future"

Recent graduates of the School of Health Management and Policy have found jobs with Aetna, Arizona Department of Health Services, Banner Health Systems, Cigna Corporation, Eli-Lilly and Co., Kaiser Permanente, Pacificare Health Systems, United Healthcare, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Miami Childrens’ Hospital, and the National Institutes of Health, for example. Other graduates have gone on to form their own successful companies or consulting businesses in the health care sector.

After completing the MHSM, could I decide to continue on for a W. P. Carey MBA?

Yes, You will need to apply and be accepted to the MBA program. The MBA requires applicants to submit a GMAT score. If accepted, you can continue with the second-year curriculum in any of our MBA programs and earn both degrees in three years or less. For more information, click here

I already have an MBA. Can I count my MBA courses for the first year of the MHSM?

No, the Graduate College will not allow us to count credit hours that have been used for a previously awarded graduate degree. We will waive the required business courses in the first year of the MHSM program for applicants who hold the MBA degree from an accredited university. These students may substitute approved electives for the 18 hours of business courses. In general, students may transfer in nine credit hours of graduate course work from other accredited schools, so long as that coursework was not used toward another graduate degree, and the courses are no more than 3 years old.