Overview of Master Degree Programs in Clinical Management
Majors Overview March 29, 2018Akin to many medical professions, clinical management is projected to witness faster-than-average growth. Management, medical and nursing schools and colleges offer these programs as Master of Medical Management (M.M.M.) programs. The program may also be available as a Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.), or as a specialization in a Master of Science in Health Sciences (M.S.H.S.) program.
Master’s Programs in Clinical Management
All programs mainly emphasize the development of leadership and management skills that healthcare institutions may find useful. These programs are interdisciplinary in character and often feature faculty and classes from numerous medical professions. Program coursework may cover topic areas such as insurance, billing and coding, human resources, emergency care, and family practice. Business competencies of students – extending to budgeting, finance, public relations, marketing, and economics – also find development along with methods of their application in the medical industry. Akin to the majority of graduate degree programs, this program calls for significant research. A thesis that an advisement committee oversees marks the culmination of programs.
Educational Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to submit letters of recommendation, standardized test scores, and a personal statement; some schools expect the submission of a resume while some require applicants to have prior work experience. Aptitudes in medicine, business, and statistics are likely to be held by the strongest applicants.
Coursework
Mathematical, medical and business classes are both in the program coursework. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Medical statistics
•Human resources management
•Research methodologies
•Administrative decision-making
•Population care management
•Clinical program development
•Collaborative management
•Pathophysiology
•Healthcare delivery systems
•Pharmacotherapeutics
Job and Wage Outlook
Health services and medical managers are expected to see a faster-than-average job growth of 20%, over the 2016-2026 decade (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The growth is mainly due to an aging baby boomer population who are likely to demand greater medical attention. In May 2016, these professionals brought in an average annual wage of $96,540, ranging between $172,240 at the high end and $56,970 at the low.
