Georgetown McDonough MBA students have the unique opportunity to earn a Certificate in the Business of Healthcare. The certificate equips students with the knowledge and skills to lead at the intersection of business and healthcare and understand the changing dynamics and pressures of the U.S. healthcare system.
Rising medical expenses and costs of prescription drugs, federal regulations, and technological disruptions underscore the unique challenges faced by business leaders in the healthcare industry. Among a growing list of reforms, there is a need for compassionate and principled leaders who can understand the complexities of the healthcare industry and identify new pathways for positive change.
In a highly regulated field such as healthcare and medicine, the Certificate in the Business of Healthcare allows MBA students to immerse themselves in the government landscape of Washington, D.C., to examine how business and policy interact within the companies, products, and services that operate local and national healthcare markets. Within this specialization, students will learn the key subsectors of health – hospitals, physicians, insurance companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, medical device technicians, healthcare IT firms, and medical startups – and analyze the interdisciplinary nature of the industry and how it impacts both businesses and consumers.
With an understanding of how interconnected health and well-being are to the prosperity of the U.S. economy and our communities, students will view healthcare through a Jesuit lens and propose solutions for how we can improve the healthcare system for the betterment of all.
Contact Sandeep Dahiya, academic director, at Sandeep.Dahiya@georgetown.edu, with questions.
Coursework
Students focus a portion of their MBA electives to develop a strong foundational understanding of theoretical and applied aspects of the healthcare industry. Upon graduation from the MBA Program, students will receive a notation on their official university transcript along with a certificate of completion.
Required Elective
- Business of Healthcare (STRT 6525, 1.5 credits): This course introduces students to the structure, function, ideals, and realities of the U.S. healthcare system. Students will be introduced to the primary commercial segments in the healthcare system, including medical technology, providers, distribution, health plans, and services. They also will review major government organizations and programs involved in healthcare, and how key policy issues such as COVID-19, insurance expansion under the Affordable Care Act, Medicare reform, drug pricing policy changes, and opioid addiction affect corporate interests.
Elective Choice: 6 credits
List A (Must take at least two of these Healthcare-focused courses offered by the McDonough School of Business)
- Mental Health in the Workplace
- Healthcare Entrepreneurship
- Healthcare Data and Analytics
- Healthcare, Nonprofit, Government Accounting
List B (Up to 3 credits from these lists)
MBA elective courses from a list that includes topics such as:
- Business Processes & Enterprise Technology
- Valuation
- Entrepreneurial Finance & Venture Capital
- Consulting Methods & Models
- Consulting Strategic Analysis
- Data Science for Business Decisions
- Analytics Advantage
- Infrastructure Finance
List B Georgetown University courses in biotechnology, health education, law, and public policy. Pre-approved courses include:
- Introduction to Biotech Industry
- Entrepreneurial Biotechnology
- Drug Discovery to Post Approval
- Healthcare Strategic Planning & Marketing
- Health Economics
- Regulating Private Health Insurance and Health Care Prices: Legal and Policy Disputes
- Health Policy & Politics
- Healthcare Supply
**This list of MBA electives serves as a guide. It is subject to change and does not represent a guarantee that specific courses will be offered in specific academic years.
Participation
The certificate program is designed for and limited to enrolled McDonough MBA students. Students are responsible for registering for certificate electives during each MBA registration period on a first-come, first-serve basis. Completing certificates requires in-person class attendance and careful course planning. Flex Online students are not eligible to complete a certificate unless they are able to enroll in and attend classes in Washington, D.C. Current students should view MyHoyaMBA for full details.