Master of Management in Health Care FAQs
Program Information
- Who should attend this program?
This program is designed for working clinicians, physicians, and nurse managers who are in—or will be moving into—management roles within a private or public health care delivery organization. It is also suited for non-clinicians who are tasked with managing clinical employees. With few exceptions, we expect these individuals to be sponsored by their current employers. Candidates should have at least five years of relevant work experience and a demonstrated track record within the organization to fully benefit from this program.
- How does this program differ from the Executive MBA program at Owen?
While the core management modules of the MM Health Care program focus on broad business fundamentals, more than half of the curriculum content is focused specifically on health care in a way that ensures that the program addresses application of business concepts and disciplines to this industry. In addition, the one-year duration of the program ensures that rising managers can get the skills they need to enter and succeed in management positions quickly.
The Vanderbilt Executive MBA focuses more on developing the strategic and leadership skills needed for those who aspire to senior positions within a company, regardless of industry. (Approximately 20% of Executive MBA students are from the health care industry.) It is a two-year, rigorous program that requires a commitment of two weekends a month and one full-week of “residency” each year. In addition, the Executive MBA has stricter admissions requirements—the equivalent of the traditional Vanderbilt MBA program. The students may be fully or partially sponsored by their companies or they may sponsor themselves.
- Does Owen offer career or job placement assistance for students who are enrolled in the Vanderbilt MM Health Care program?
For sponsored students: Due to the nature of this program, a commitment by students to their sponsoring organizations is expected. For this reason, we do not offer career assistance to these individuals.
For non-sponsored students: The MM Health Care is designed exclusively for those who aspire to rise within clinical environments in health care delivery organizations. Students who wish to earn a degree for purposes of changing career functions or industries should consider other Owen programs including the weekday or Executive MBA. With that understanding, our Associate Director of Executive and Alumni Career Services is available to assist you to discuss issues of promotability and portability within clinical environments.
- Can students apply the Vanderbilt MM Health Care credit hours to the MBA or Executive MBA degree?
No. The curriculum has been designed specifically for this program and for those employed in health care delivery.
- What is the class size for the MM Health Care program?
The MM Health Care program admits between 30 to 35 students per year.
- Does the schedule allow for breaks and holidays?
Yes.
- Does the MM Health Care program offer CME credit?
No. This is a degree program; as such, Continuing Medical Education credit is not awarded.
- How much time will students need to devote to the program?
Classes will be held 3½ hours on Thursday nights and roughly 14 hours over one weekend (Friday and Saturday) per month. In addition, students should expect to spend an additional 10 hours per week outside of class on self study and work related to the Capstone Project.
Admissions Criteria
- Why does the program require five years of work experience and a demonstrated track record?
The program is designed for working professionals who seek to advance their careers within the sponsoring organizations; admission standards are designed to ensure a student’s success while in—as well as after—the program. Having demonstrated promotion or résumé progression or supervisory responsibility reflects a student’s likelihood of influence and upward mobility within the organization as well as their ability to contribute to the classroom interaction and project team.
How to Apply
- If I’m sponsored, do I still need to meet admission requirements?
Yes. All applicants—sponsored or unsponsored-will be reviewed by an admissions committee, and considered individually.
Sponsorship
- What is meant by sponsorship?
The Vanderbilt Master of Management in Health Care was designed in collaboration with health care delivery organizations looking for ways to help their physicians and other clinical managers bridge the management gap and, in doing so, equip them to manage people, processes and initiatives for the company. As a sponsor, the organization identifies the appropriate candidates for the program, pays all or part of the cost of the program for these employees, and supports these individuals as they balance their organizational workload with the requirements of the program.
- What’s the benefit in sponsoring employees?
This program encourages students to intelligently and immediately apply their new-found knowledge and skills to improve on the job performance in ways that benefit their employers. In addition, the program helps multiple employees within the same organization hone their teamwork skills while addressing a strategic, real-world problem facing the sponsoring organization during the Capstone Project. As a result, this program is ideally suited for organizations that wish to sponsor multiple students.
- Do I need a sponsor?
We will consider a limited number of health care professionals who are not sponsored on a space available basis. They will need to meet admission requirements and—unless self employed—have the endorsement—e.g., a recommendation to attend as well as support for fulfilling course requirements such as scheduled class time—from their employer.
- If I am not sponsored, how will I be assigned to a Capstone Project?
Accepted students who are not sponsored may be grouped with others to work on a project of the faculty’s choosing rather than on a strategic initiative for their own organizations. Every effort will be made to assign a project in the student’s area of interest, but we cannot guarantee the outcome.
- Are pricing incentives offered for organizations that sponsor multiple students?
No. Vanderbilt University policy does not allow discounts for degreed programs.
Tuition and Financing
- How much does it cost to attend the Vanderbilt MM Health Care program?
Total cost for the MM Health Care Academic Year 2012-13 is $48,900. This includes $45,000 in tuition for the 30-credit hour program as well as $3,900 in fees for books, meals and other incidental expenses.
- Are scholarships available?
Not at this time.
