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Master of Business Administration - Health Services Administration
Vermillion, South Dakota
INTAKE: Jan, May & Aug
Program Overview
The MBA in Health Services Administration (MBA/HSAD) at USD provides a core business foundation alongside specialized knowledge in healthcare management. The program emphasizes decision-making and problem-solving within the unique context of the healthcare sector, understanding the roles of business in today's global environment. It caters to individuals seeking leadership roles in hospitals, clinics, public health agencies, and other healthcare organizations. The program is flexible, available in both traditional in-classroom formats and as an online program, accommodating diverse student needs and schedules. The Beacom School of Business is AACSB accredited, ensuring a high standard of business education.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the MBA/HSAD program integrates core MBA coursework with specialized healthcare administration topics. Core business courses typically cover areas such as managerial accounting, financial management, marketing management, organizational dynamics, and strategic management, providing a solid business foundation. The Health Services Administration specialization then delves into critical healthcare-specific areas. This often includes courses on healthcare systems, legal and regulatory issues in healthcare, innovation and problem-solving in healthcare, and current issues affecting the healthcare industry. The program aims to develop competencies in areas like health care systems, legal and ethical considerations in healthcare, and the intricacies of healthcare financial management.
Research Focus: While the MBA in Health Services Administration is primarily a professional, applied degree, the curriculum is informed by the research and scholarly activities of faculty within the Beacom School of Business, particularly those in the Health Services Management division. This ensures that students are exposed to current trends, evidence-based practices, and innovative solutions in healthcare administration. The emphasis is on equipping students with analytical and critical thinking skills to evaluate complex healthcare challenges and apply sound business principles to improve health service delivery. Faculty may engage in research on topics such as healthcare policy, quality improvement, patient safety, and the economics of healthcare.
Industry Engagement: The Beacom School of Business at USD maintains strong ties with the business community, which is highly beneficial for the MBA/HSAD program. Industry engagement may manifest through guest lectures from healthcare executives, case studies based on real-world healthcare scenarios, and networking opportunities with professionals in the field. The program is designed to prepare graduates for direct entry into leadership roles within the healthcare delivery system, indicating a strong alignment with industry needs. The faculty often bring practical experience from the healthcare sector, enriching the classroom experience with real-world insights and connections.
Global Perspective: The MBA in Health Services Administration at USD implicitly incorporates a global perspective by acknowledging the interconnectedness of health issues and healthcare systems worldwide. The program aims to prepare graduates to understand universal healthcare challenges, the impact of global health trends on local healthcare delivery, and the ethical considerations involved in a globalized healthcare landscape. While specific "global immersion" experiences might not be prominently highlighted for this specialization, the AACSB accreditation of the Beacom School of Business ensures a curriculum that meets international standards of excellence, preparing graduates to navigate diverse healthcare environments and contribute to health services improvement on both domestic and potentially international scales.
Location
Vermillion, South Dakota
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 12800
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $38
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
The University of South Dakota (USD) offers a variety of scholarship opportunities specifically designed to support international students in achieving their academic goals. These scholarships help reduce the financial burden of studying abroad and make quality education at USD more accessible to talented students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: USD awards merit-based scholarships to international students based on their academic achievements, leadership potential, and extracurricular involvement. These scholarships recognize outstanding high school or previous college performance and are renewable for multiple years, provided students maintain satisfactory academic progress.
International Student Academic Scholarships: These scholarships are specifically tailored for international undergraduate students and can cover a significant portion of tuition fees. Eligibility is typically based on a combination of academic excellence and the completion of the admission process by specified deadlines. Many of these scholarships are automatically considered upon application, so no separate application is required.
Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships: For international graduate students, USD provides graduate assistantships and fellowships that offer financial support alongside valuable professional experience. These opportunities often include tuition waivers and a stipend in exchange for research, teaching, or administrative work within the university.
Departmental Scholarships: Certain USD academic departments and colleges offer specialized scholarships for international students pursuing specific fields of study, such as business, health sciences, or fine arts. These scholarships often reward exceptional talent and dedication within those disciplines.
Graduates of the University of South Dakota's (USD) Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Health Services Administration are prepared for a variety of leadership and management roles within the rapidly expanding and complex healthcare industry. The program equips them with a strong foundation in business principles combined with specialized knowledge of healthcare systems, operations, and policy. The job outlook for medical and health services managers is projected to grow 29% from 2023 to 2033, significantly faster than the average for all occupations, with around 61,400 openings each year.
Medical and Health Services Manager: This is a broad category encompassing various roles in healthcare organizations. Graduates manage departments, facilities, or entire practices, overseeing daily operations, financial performance, regulatory compliance, and staff to ensure efficient and high-quality patient care.
Hospital Administrator: These professionals manage the overall operations of hospitals, ensuring smooth functioning across departments. Their responsibilities can include strategic planning, financial management, human resources, and ensuring compliance with healthcare policies and regulations.
Clinic Manager/Practice Manager: Similar to hospital administration but on a smaller scale, Clinic Managers oversee the administrative and operational aspects of a medical practice or outpatient clinic, including staffing, scheduling, billing, and patient flow.
Healthcare Consultant: MBA/HSAD graduates can work for consulting firms or independently, advising healthcare organizations on strategies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, enhance patient care, and navigate complex industry changes and regulations.
Nursing Home Administrator: This role involves managing long-term care facilities, overseeing patient care, staff, facility operations, and financial management, while ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations for nursing homes.
Health Information Manager: With the increasing importance of data in healthcare, these managers are responsible for the integrity, security, and accessibility of patient health information. They manage electronic health records (EHR) systems and ensure compliance with privacy regulations like HIPAA.
Pharmaceutical Project Manager: For those interested in the pharmaceutical or medical device industries, an MBA/HSAD prepares graduates to manage projects related to new drug development, clinical trials, or product launches, understanding the regulatory and market complexities.
Healthcare Operations Manager: These managers focus on optimizing the internal processes and workflows within healthcare facilities to improve efficiency, reduce wait times, enhance patient satisfaction, and control operational costs.
Healthcare Financial Manager: Specializing in the financial aspects of healthcare organizations, these professionals manage budgets, financial planning, revenue cycles, and financial reporting, ensuring the fiscal health of hospitals, clinics, or health systems.
Policy Analyst (Healthcare): Graduates can work for government agencies, think tanks, or advocacy groups, analyzing healthcare policies and legislation, identifying their impact, and contributing to the development of new policies that improve healthcare access, quality, and affordability.
