Healthcare reform creates opportunity for joint MBA degree grads

Healthcare reform creates opportunity for joint MBA degree grads

In addition to helping millions of uninsured, the recently passed set of healthcare reform rules is also opening up a new range of opportunities for business professionals looking to jump into the healthcare industry.

Experts say the new laws changed the way the healthcare industry operates, which means administrative jobs are being created.

MBA programs are taking advantage of the new playing field by offering degrees that combine the business experience of traditional business degrees with training in healthcare issues.

Richard Hamermesh, head of Harvard Business School's joint MBA/MD initiative, told the New York Times that training from programs like this will allow students to shape the shifting face of healthcare.

“We train them to start innovative companies, design new delivery systems and become entrepreneurs who can think of new ways to impact the system,” he told the news source. “Our goal for MBA students was to examine multiple health care models and understand a range of systems against which to evaluate the new U.S. plan.”

Many other campus-based and online schools are offering MBA degrees that combine healthcare training, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Columbia and Tufts.