West Liberty University has a new online master’s degree that is just what the doctored ordered for health care professionals.
The recently announced MBA tract focuses on health care management and is designed for business professionals seeking advancement in the health care setting. This accelerated degree program can be completed in as few as 12 months, with two courses per seven-week term.
“After looking at the large number of our students working in health care, the Gary E. West College of Business took action. Having a degree that is relevant to the industry will give professionals the knowledge they need to lead in the health care industry,” said Sara A. Sweeney, director of the Office of Graduate Studies.
Sweeney was instrumental in coordinating the curriculum and details of the new master’s program.
“With the growth of careers in the health care industry, this MBA is much needed and because it’s 100 percent online, it’s a convenient choice at a reasonable cost,” said Dr. Rickard Briggs, interim director of the MBA program.
“We also just hired a full-time faculty member who is responsible for both undergraduate and graduate students majoring is health care management. He brings years of experience in the health care industry and has worked in today’s medical settings, making the program even stronger,” Briggs added.
Dr. Sean Ryan is the new professor. He formerly worked in patient financial services in the Midwest, Southeast and Central Atlantic states as well as with quality assurance projects throughout the country.
Ryan is a member of the Health Care Financial Management Association and also served as an adjunct professor of business at WLU.
The MBA in Health Care Management is designed to provide students with an understanding of the business of health care, with an academic and real-world foundation in health care issues, trends and practices. The traditional business administration courses like accounting, finance, leadership, marketing, economics and information technology, round out the program and provide a solid base in business management.
Contemporary issues such as the social, ethical and organizational challenges faced by health care workers, how to manage clinical information systems and their effects on patients and interdisciplinary teams also are addressed.
“We cover all current trends in health care informatics practices and technology, which can improve patient care and is a vital topic for today’s leaders and one that is always changing,” Briggs added.
Networking and career tips, along with student support and dedicated faculty is also a trademark of the 30-credit hour MBA.
For more information on WLU’s MBA or any of its graduate programs, visit westliberty.edu/graduate-programs.