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 who elect to enroll in the certificate program will take a 10.5-credit sequence of MBA core and elective courses to develop a strong foundational understanding of theoretical and applied aspects of the healthcare industry.
Core Requirements: 3 overlapping core credits
- Structure of Global Industries (BADM 5500, 3 credits): This is the first course in the MBA program for all students, offered in an intensive format using multiple instructors, teams, and projects, and an immediate immersion into international business. The first objective of the course is to develop skills in critical thinking and business decision-making. This entails learning how to analyze problems with the use of theory and evidence, synthesize findings into recommendations, and communicate persuasively and effectively. The second objective is to learn the foundations of international business and economics that are necessary for managerial success and to incorporate ethical considerations into business decisions. The third objective is to learn how to function effectively in teams and make persuasive professional presentations.
The core discipline and intellectual framework for the course is international economics enriched by global strategy. Ethical considerations are introduced formally and experientially. Teamwork and presentation skills are learned in the context of the projects.
Elective Requirements: 1.5 elective credits
- 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 elective credits
You must take 6.0 elective credits of which at least 3 credits must be from list A (Healthcare-focused courses offered by the McDonough School of Business). The remaining 3 elective credits can be from either list A or list B.
Any future additions/alterations to the list of courses will be approved by the academic director.
List A (Must take at least 3 credits from this list)
McDonough electives with a clear focus on the Business of Health:
- Mental Health in the Workplace (BADM 6056, 1.5 credits)
- Healthcare Entrepreneurship (FINC 6578, 1.5 credits)
- Healthcare Data and Analytics (BADM 6034, 1.5 credits)
- Healthcare, Nonprofit, Government Accounting (ACCT 6556, 1.5 credits)
List B (No more than 3 credits from this list)
Below is a list of MBA elective courses pre-approved for the certificate within the McDonough School of Business:
- Business Processes & Enterprise Technology (ACCT 6575, 1.5 credits)
- Valuation (FINC 6531, 1.5 credits)
- Entrepreneurial Finance & Venture Capital (FINC 6576, 1.5 credits)
- Customer Data Mining for Segmentation (MARK 6561)
- Consumer Analytics (MARK 6580)
- Consulting Methods & Models (MGMT 6581)
- Consulting Strategic Analysis (MGMT 6582)
- Data Science for Business Decisions (OPAN 6552)
- Analytics Advantage (OPAN 6555)
- Infrastructure Finance (BADM 6001)
Below is a list of Georgetown University courses that focus on business of healthcare that are pre-approved for the certificate. NOTE: Students will need to request cross-registration for these courses through the MBA Program Office so enrollment can be confirmed by both programs. Some courses carry a nontraditional number of credits (for example, 2 instead of 1.5). It is your responsibility to make sure you reach 7.5 certificate elective credits and 54 credits for the MBA degree.
- Introduction to Biotech Industry (BIOT 5009, 3 credits)
- Entrepreneurial Biotechnology (BIOT 5100, 3 credits)
- Intellectual Property & Negotiation (BIOT 5230, 2 credits)
- Drug Discovery to Post Approval (BIOT 5660, 1 credit)
- Commercialization for the Biotech Industry (BIOT 5510, 1 credit)
- Healthcare Strategic Planning & Marketing (HESY 6005, 2 credits)
- Health Economics (HAPI 6004, 2 credits; cross-listed with HESY 660)
- Health Law and Regulation (LAWJ 2076, 3 credits)
- Regulating Private Health Insurance and Health Care Prices: Legal and Policy Disputes (LAWJ 2080, 3 credits)
- Health Policy & Politics (PPOL 6501, 3 credits)
- Health Care Demand (PPOL 6502, 3 credits)
- Healthcare Supply (PPOL 6503, 3 credits)
*Off-list courses, including non-MBA courses added with the approval of the certificate academic director, will meet requirements ONLY for list B courses. To request a course not on the approved list for consideration, please complete the off-list course request form.
**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 who are interested in pursuing the certificate are responsible for registering for certificate electives during each MBA registration period on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Program Office will provide full details about the registration process. Participants will be able to track their progress toward completion of the certificate through the MyDegree audit ‘what-if’ feature in GU Experience. 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. If you have questions, please contact the MBA Program Office.
Faculty
Akkaway Professor of Entrepreneurship
Adjunct Faculty
CEO, Morgan Health
Adjunct Faculty
Professor of the Practice (Marketing and Business Analytics) and Senior Associate Dean of MBA Programs
Teaching Professor