Master's program combines business and healthcare

Master's program combines business and healthcare

Over the next eight years, the demand for health and medical services managers is expected to increase by 16 percent due to the growth and diversification of the healthcare industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As a result, many campus-based and online schools are updating their graduate-level offerings to ensure that students are prepared to work in this sector.

Some of these institutions are giving degree seekers exposure to subjects that might be helpful in the healthcare industry, such as business. In fact, the Washington University in St. Louis recently created a dual degree program that is intended to give students expertise in both business and public health.

School officials said that this course of study will give students a solid background in business, economics and policy so that they may effectively manage their teams as the healthcare industry continues to change. Graduates will earn both MBA and master's of public health degrees.

Individuals who complete similar programs may be qualified to work for hospitals, pharmaceutical firms, healthcare consultants, policy think tanks or public agencies.