As the baby-boom population ages and requires more healthcare services, healthcare employers will seek to hire more managers to organize and oversee medical information and staff. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data reflect this trend, projecting 28 percent growth in new medical and health services manager jobs between 2022 and 2032.
Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management offers an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Management degree to help professionals take advantage of these emerging professional opportunities. This online healthcare MBA provides an accessible path to earning an in-demand advanced degree without having to relocate or put your professional development on hold.
If the prospect of an online healthcare management MBA intrigues you, you may want to learn more about how online learning works at the Weatherhead School. Continue reading to learn about distance learning and the in-person residency requirements for students pursuing their online MBAs at CWRU.
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Why Earn Your MBA Online?
Online learning is becoming increasingly popular, and it’s easy to see why. Key benefits of studying online include:
- Flexibility. Online learning allows you to study anywhere at any time, making it much easier to balance your studies with your professional and personal commitments.
- Accessibility. A broader range of students can access online courses, including those with geographical constraints and physical disabilities.
- Interactive learning. Studying online does not mean you have to compromise on engagement. Many online programs include real-time virtual classes, allowing you to collaborate with peers and faculty.
The Weatherhead School’s online MBA in Healthcare Management offers all these benefits plus access to some of the nation’s top hospitals and medical facilities. Students have the rare opportunity to develop their management skills while interacting with senior leaders at four large healthcare networks.
A Healthcare Leadership MBA Designed for Working Professionals
CWRU’s online MBA in Healthcare Management is designed for early- to mid-career professionals who want to manage healthcare teams and projects. It features an industry-aligned curriculum—including MBA core and healthcare core courses—to equip students with evidence-based business management skills relevant to the healthcare industry.
The program includes synchronous and asynchronous online coursework and a pair of three-and-a-half-day residency experiences at Cleveland’s top hospitals. The mix of live lessons and self-paced work grants the flexibility to study on a schedule that suits your needs.
Read on to learn more about the unique benefits of learning online at the Weatherhead School.
Collaborative Online Classes
CWRU’s online MBA experience is flexible and convenient. Coursework consists of a 50/50 blend of self-paced learning and face-to-face virtual classes where students can collaborate with faculty and peers. Online office hours, peer networking, discussion boards and group work are also available to students in real time.
Commenting on the online learning experience at CWRU, MBA student Kelly Papenfus observed: “The education I’m getting is no different than if I were in the classroom. I’m still building connections with my classmates and professors despite being in a virtual space.”
In-Person Residency Experience
CWRU’s online MBA in Healthcare Management includes two unique in-person residency experiences connecting students with leaders at world-renowned institutions such as the Cleveland Clinic, the Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, MetroHealth Medical Center and University Hospitals.
The first residency focuses on culture and mission; the second involves project-based learning. Students exchange ideas, develop new perspectives and relationships, and gain insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of healthcare leaders. They can also benefit from the diverse experiences and fresh perspectives of their classmates. “Being able to go to the hospital systems and speak directly with senior leadership and really diving into the things that we have been learning was valuable and an awesome experience,” says online MBA student Joshua Ohman.
MBA Student Support Services
The Weatherhead School offers online learners extensive support services. All online students can access 24/7 tech support and are assigned a Student Success Coach. Coaches help with planning and setting goals each semester so students can better balance work, life, and academic commitments.
The Weatherhead School also offers students career counseling services, networking opportunities, and virtual career events and workshops to help them connect with employers.
“Don’t doubt your abilities to complete an online program,” Kelly Papenfus advises. “Your program director and your student success coach will support you along the way. If there are doubts that you can do it, there’s absolutely no reason to lean into those doubts because you have a built-in support network at Weatherhead that won’t let you fail.”
Pursue a Healthcare MBA That Fits Your Lifestyle
At CWRU, you can earn your MBA in Healthcare Management in a way that works for you. The program covers foundational knowledge in marketing, finance, operations, analytics and business strategy in a healthcare context so you can advance your career. It also features a flexible mixture of live and asynchronous coursework and immersive residency opportunities where you can apply what you’ve learned while you grow your network and build your confidence.
Connect with an enrollment advisor to learn more about the CWRU online MBA in Healthcare Management and review the admissions criteria. If you feel ready to take the next step, start your application today.