Video: ‘W’ to Offer New Health Management Degree

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[PRESS RELEASE]

COLUMBUS, Miss. — With the demand for skilled and educated employees in the health field increasing, Mississippi University for Women will begin offering health care management education opportunities, starting fall of 2015.

“We evaluated programs from all across the country. We researched best practices and wanted to build the best quality program we could,” said Dr. Scott Tollison, dean of the College of Business and Professional Studies.

The new health care management program will provide students with the option to enter the field or further their education in health care. Upon completion of the degree, students will be suited to work in administrative settings within hospitals, medical clinics, health departments, nonprofits and long term care.

A bachelor of science degree will be offered to current W students, freshmen and transfer students upon the completion of 124 hours. A minor in health care management will also be offered to current students, freshmen and transfer students. A bachelor of technology in health care management will be offered to those students who have earned a technical associates degree from a community college. The W continues to be one of the few schools nationally to accept technical transfer credits. After the completion of 12 hours in the program, current workers in the health care field will receive an executive certificate in health care management.

Seven new courses were created by Tollison and colleagues that will combine the currently offered curriculum to explore the advantages and disadvantages of the different approaches to health care delivery focusing on the health status of women, rural communities and resource-poor populations.

“We want students to view the seven classes as an operating system instead of seven distinct classes,” added Tollison.

Along with the seven new classes, students will complete a capstone project. The capstone experience will include projects and papers that will be submitted as a portfolio at the conclusion of their academic career.

“There is a need for people to work in specialized areas in health care,” said Dr. Marty Brock, chair of the Department of Business. “The program is a natural fit, with us having a reputation for producing excellent graduates in the field of health care.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, medical and health services manager requiring a bachelor’s degree for entry to the profession and the field has a projected growth of 23 percent by 2022, a much higher rate than average. The growth would create 73,000 jobs nationally.

The W is now accepting applications for fall enrollment. For more information about the program or applying to The W, contact the Office of Admissions at (662) 329-7106 or visit muw.edu.