Online Healthcare Management Programs

Total credit hours: 48
Total number of courses: 26
Program completion: 2.5 years
Residency requirements: There are two residencies required over separate weekends, and the program culminates with a finalized manuscript ready for submission to a peer review journal.

Gain a mastery of the design, implementation and evaluation of health care programs, lead interprofessional teams, and evaluate evidence to advance health care. The program prepares those in clinical health positions from a range of backgrounds who seek to build competencies in advanced professional practice, whether that be in the clinical or academic environments.

Design programs to advance the practice of health professionals in academic and clinical settings:

• Clinical Practice Leadership Track
• Educational Practice Leadership Track

Who is the Ideal Student for this Program?
Professionals with clinical backgrounds who are interested in pursuing a career as a clinical manager or as an educator in higher education. Professionals who are interested in pursuing a career in a leadership position, either in a clinical or educational role, to improve outcomes in health care. The program delivers the advanced skills and credentialing needed to meet expectations associated with higher-level positions.

Program Highlights:

• 100% online, no campus visits are required
• Both degrees are conferred sequentially
• Transfer up to 60 total credits from a regionally accredited institution into the undergraduate portion of the program
• Nine credits of the MSHS in Health Care Quality are completed in the undergraduate portion of the program and charged at the undergraduate per credit cost

In this program, you can become a leader in high-quality, value-based health care organizations. You'll study the delivery of health care services while focusing on key operational activities such as clinical decision-making, finance, human resources, informatics, marketing, policy, qualify, and safety. You can also study for several professional certifications that can enhance your career.

What you will learn:

• Communicate effectively to optimize interprofessional practice.
• Find solutions that influence strategic change.
• Adopt and adapt marketing concepts, plans, and activities to optimize operations.
• Apply human resources best practices to build strong teams.
• Understand health equity and how it fits into health care management and operations.
• Learn effective tools to help execute complex projects.
• Distinguish quality improvement, patient safety, leadership, organizational, and research theories/standards applicable to health care.
• Implement quality and patient safety improvement initiatives.
• Utilize information technology systems to support quality assurance.
• Lead organizational change to sustain a quality-focused culture.

Classes are filling for the next term. Please complete the form to speak with an online admissions advisor today!

Program Highlights:

• 100% online, no campus visits required
• Complete your degree in as few as 24 months
• Learn the skills and knowledge necessary to sit for the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam
• Evaluate healthcare systems to enhance ethical, efficient, and financially sound operations

What you will learn:

• Communicate effectively across a variety of platforms to optimize interprofessional practice and operations
• Evaluate healthcare systems to enhance ethical, efficient, and financially sound operations
• Conduct effective data analyses for operational and strategic development in the healthcare setting continuum
• Lead efforts to continuously improve the quality and value across healthcare operations
• Improve organizational performance in healthcare organizations by successfully implementing change management
• Apply the knowledge and skill necessary to sit for the Project Management Professional exam

Who is the ideal student for this program?

The online MSHS in Clinical Operations and Healthcare Management program is ideal for healthcare professionals looking to take the next step in their healthcare leadership career through learning the skills of day-to-day operations in today's complex, health-service delivery. You will learn what it takes to lead a healthcare delivery system that is clinically effective, cost-efficient, and improves overall patient care and safety. With a focus on population healthcare, you'll learn ways to improve your own communication skills for optimal interprofessional practice, lead efforts in quality improvement, and understand the technological tools needed to conduct effective data analyses for strategic development. Additionally, the program also prepares students to sit for their Project Management Professional (PMP) exam, provides mentorship with leaders in the field of healthcare operations, and offers unique practicum experiences.

Program Highlights:

• One of four founding HCQ programs certified by CAHME
• 100% online, complete your degree in 24 months
• Created in partnership with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)
• The program is ideal for healthcare professionals looking to advance into leadership roles in health care quality, patient safety or research

What you will learn:

• Develop, implement and evaluate quality and patient safety improvement initiatives.
• Lead healthcare management organizations in developing a patient-centered, quality-driven culture.
• Translate national quality expectations into daily operations.
• Apply quality improvement processes and tools to measure, analyze and interpret healthcare data.
• Design and implement information technology systems to support quality assurance.
• Conduct research to drive clinical and operational decision-making.

Who is the ideal student for this program?

The online MSHS in Health Care Quality program is ideal for healthcare professionals looking to advance to leadership roles in health care quality, patient safety or research in health care. Designed to meet the growing demand for patient-centered, quality health care, GW's MSHS in Health Care Quality program prepares students with a comprehensive base of skills including data management and analysis to clinical research and organizational leadership.

Program Highlights:

• 100% online, no campus visits required
• 20 total courses are required to complete your degree
• Graduate in about two years by transferring up to 60 credit hours from a regionally accredited institution
• Learn to optimize health care operations by seeing the big picture of health care delivery
• Earn a degree from GW and join a proud group of alumni residing both nationally and internationally

What you will learn:

• Communicate effectively to optimize interprofessional practice.
• Find solutions that influence strategic change.
• Adopt and adapt marketing concepts, plans, and activities to optimize operations.
• Apply human resources best practices to build strong teams.
• Understand health equity and how it fits into health care management and operations.
• Learn the effective tools to help execute complex projects.

Who is the ideal student for this program?

Those who are interested in becoming clinical operations and health care managers committed to finding value-based solutions to complex problems that help deliver high-quality care to the patients and populations they serve. These professionals are realistic in their budgets and demands, listen and understand employees' needs, and have the infectious energy to lead teams through changes big and small. This program has been designed to provide learners with the key skills and knowledge needed to manage clinical operations across the continuum of care. Healthcare operations is one of the fastest growing fields in the nation.

Program Highlights:

• 100% online, no campus visits required
• Gain the preparation to lead in challenging situations by integrating principles of medicine, public health, and disaster response and recovery
• Earn your degree in as few as 3.5 years
• Application fee waived for military and veterans within three years of service

What you will learn:

• Compare and adopt leadership approaches for managing complex projects in diverse, interagency environments 
• Manage financial and human resources in emergency and disaster settings 
• Analyze and apply strategies for emergency mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery for any crisis, whether naturally caused or the result of a coordinated attack 
• Coordinate collaboration and effective communication between team members and stakeholders 

Who is the ideal student for this program?

Our online BSHS in Global Leadership in Disaster Response program was originally developed to recognize the work of special operations medics in the U.S. military. If you're a recent military professional, this program can provide a seamless transition from the field to a career in emergency management. For students who have completed their general education requirements, this program can set you on the path to leadership in disaster response roles throughout the corporate and government sectors. Finally, with a 100% online, asynchronous format, you can continue working while you earn your degree, saving time and cost of commuting and keeping the schedule that works best for you.

Program Highlights:

• 100% online, no visits to campus required 
• The program requires 18 total credits and can be finished in 18 months 
• Additionally, all credits can be transferred into the MSHS in Clinical Operations and Healthcare Management program 

What you will learn:

• Communicate effectively across a variety of platforms to optimize interprofessional practice and operations
• Evaluate healthcare systems to enhance ethical, efficient, and financially sound operations
• Conduct effective data analyses for operational and strategic development in healthcare setting continuum
• Lead efforts to continuously improve the quality and value across healthcare operations
• Improve organizational performance by successfully implementing change management

Who is the ideal student for this program?

The online Graduate Certificate in Clinical Operations and Healthcare Management program is ideal for healthcare professionals looking to advance their leadership skills and to improve operations management within the healthcare field. Professionals who are interested in improving their own communication skills for optimal interprofessional practice, lead efforts in quality improvement, and utilize the technological tools needed to conduct effective data analyses for strategic development. Finally, all 18 credit hours are transferable to the MSHS program for seamless enrollment in the Masters in Clinical Operations and Healthcare Management.

Program Highlights:

• 100% online, no visits to campus required 
• The program requires 18 total credits and can be finished in 18 to 24 months 
• Created in partnership with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) 
• All credits can be transferred into the MSHS in Health Care Quality program 

What you will learn:

• Analyze the structure and organization of the U.S. healthcare system
• Implement quality and patient safety initiatives
• Understand political and environmental influences on healthcare
• Apply patient safety theories, models, and methods to healthcare quality and safety improvement

Who is the ideal student for this program?

The Graduate Certificate in Health Care Quality program is ideal for working professionals who are either just entering the field of healthcare or who wish to increase their knowledge and skills to advance to a leadership position. Upon completion of the graduate certificate, students have the opportunity to transfer all 18 credits into the MSHS in Health Care Quality program.

Program Highlights:

• 100% online, no visits to campus required 
• The program requires 18 total credits and can be finished in 18 months 
• Learn research design and advanced quantitative methods such as cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and decision analytics 

What you will learn:

• Critically appraise the rigor of health services research studies using basic statistical concepts and study design principles 
• Evaluate research design models and research team skills needed in various health services research programs 
• Effectively communicate study methods and research findings to meet manuscript and grant application standards in the health services research fields 
• Learn skills in research design and methods, including the foundations of cost-benefit analysis (CBA), decision analytics and advanced quantitative methods

Who is the ideal student for this program?

Clinicians, physicians, nurses, medical students and residents looking to advance their professional career through a deeper understanding of the factors that are influencing the demand and supply of health care services in the United States.

The flexible anytime, anywhere approach to online learning at GW means that you can study and work on assignments when and where it’s convenient for you. Balance your personal and professional commitments. At GW online, you can advance your career without stopping it.

Personalized learning

Many of our online programs have a student-instructor ratio that’s lower than on-campus classes, making it easier to interact with fellow students and get personalized attention from your instructors. Plus, you have access to one-on-one tutoring to help ensure your success.

The prestige of a GW degree

Now you can earn a GW degree without relocating your life, giving you access to the distinguished connections and opportunities we provide. When you earn a degree from an online program at GW, you earn a degree from the George Washington University. Entrusted with its rights, privileges, and honors, you’ll join the ever-expanding GW alumni community who make the world a better place.

Connect to campus from anywhere

GW is your link to leading authorities in policy and health care in Washington, D.C. You’ll be able to research, collaborate, and discuss with classmates and instructors using online learning management systems. Engage with all the resources GW offers, including tutors, the writing center, career services, and libraries—all online.

A dedicated advisor from day one

Each GW online student is assigned an academic advisor who will support your journey to graduation. You’ll get help finding resources, guidance on scheduling classes, answers to your questions, and more. As an online learner at GW, you’re never alone.

Round-the-clock tech support

A late-night software malfunction won’t keep you from getting your assignment in on time. GW provides 24/7 technical support for our online students, ensuring you have complete access to what you need, when you need it.