Capella University Online MBA in Health Care Management Program

• MBA - Health Care Management

By Sara Navratil Reviewed By Jocelyn Blore Reviewed By School

Updated January 7, 2024

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The School of Business and Technology at Capella University offers an online master of business administration (MBA) in health care management program. Key focus areas include strategic planning; ethics; the assessment of organizations in the areas of operations, finances, and decision-making; and societal and political factors that affect health care.

The MBA in health care management programs are flexible and are offered in two learning paths: GuidedPath and FlexPath. Time-to-completion, start dates, and tuition costs vary depending on the path chosen, and the same degree is granted through both learning paths.

GuidedPath students take one to three courses per quarter. The MBA program may be completed in as little as one year by taking three courses per quarter, and up to three years by taking one course per quarter.

Classes run on a traditional schedule with weekly assignments and assessment deadlines to keep students on track. Students participate in online discussion boards with faculty and peers and apply their learning to real-world situations. GuidedPath is a credit-bearing, graded pathway and is based on a per-credit cost. Start dates land once per quarter. A minimum GPA of 2.3 is required to enter this pathway.

FlexPath is designed for highly motivated, self-guided students who wish to reduce the time and cost of their degree. It is a self-paced pathway in which students are allowed to take two courses at a time. This is a point-earning system rather than credit-bearing, and students do not receive grades. Success is based on the demonstration of competency. Students work with faculty one-on-one to move through courses and complete competency assessments.

FlexPath is billed on a 12-week basis during which students may complete as many courses as possible, beginning a new course upon completion of another. Start dates land once a month. Note that a 3.0 minimum GPA is required for acceptance into FlexPath.

Online Capella students have access to a learner success lab which helps them further advance their health care management skills and fully utilize their time and resources. In addition, MBA students complete an individualized leadership assessment and receive one-on-one leadership coaching. Finally, health care management students build an ePortfolio filled with solutions to case studies created during their courses.

Graduates of the MBA in health care management program may go on to careers in various health care, research, and development organizations. Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and the MBA program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). This online-only institution is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and has two campus centers located in Atlanta and Augusta, Georgia.

Admission Requirements: Applicants to the online MBA in health care management program must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. A minimum GPA of 2.3 is required for GuidedPath applicants and a minimum GPA of 3.0 for FlexPath applicants. No work experience or GMAT/GRE scores are required. The application requires the submission of official transcripts and a non-refundable application fee. Students whose first language is not English must submit proof of English language proficiency and foreign transcript evaluations as necessary.

Study Plan: The Capella University online MBA in health care management consists of 11 courses, which last ten weeks each. GuidedPath students may begin their program each quarter in the fall, winter, spring, or summer and are allowed to take one to three courses per quarter. Part-time students taking one course per quarter can complete the program in three years. Full-time students who complete two courses per quarter can complete the program in just 1.5 years. The program can be completed in one year by taking three courses per quarter.

FlexPath students may begin courses once a month for their first course which means start dates land 12 times per year. Students may take up to two courses at a time and may begin another as soon as one is completed. Subsequent courses may be started at any time. FlexPath students may complete their degree in as little as one year. At an accelerated pace, the program could be completed in just 48 weeks or four 12-week sessions. A typical pace would be to complete the program in eight 12-week sessions or about two years. Courses in either pathway require 10 to 12 hours of work per week.

Curriculum: The Capella University MBA in health care management core courses include MBA leadership; business strategy; accounting methods for leaders; applied business analytics; marketing management; applied managerial finance; and operations management for leaders.

Specialization courses include decision-making in the health care system; analyzing the health care environment; and driving health care results. Students also complete an MBA capstone course.

FlexPath students take the same courses as GuidedPath students; however, they earn program points instead of credits. Two quarter credits equal one program point.

Online Experience: GuidedPath MBA in health care management courses consist of 10 units each which may include faculty/peer discussions, readings, case studies, simulations, and assignments. All course assignments are due on Sundays, and scoring guides are provided for each graded assignment. Grades are administered based upon assignment completion, discussion participation, and demonstration of outcome competence.

FlexPath courses include course assessments rather than assignments. Students work one-on-one with faculty to assess their competence and gain help as needed. Rather than earning credits, FlexPath students receive points for outcome competence in each course and do not receive grades. FlexPath is designed for highly motivated individuals who wish to reduce the time and cost of completing their degree.

Courses may include live web conferencing; however, most delivery is asynchronous. Capella students have access to a wealth of support in the areas of admissions, career development, financial aid, networking, writing support, disability services, military personnel services, and technical support.

On-Site Requirements: The Capella University online MBA in health care management program is fully online with no campus visits or practicums. Capella University is an online-only institution.

Online GuidedPath MBA students pay per credit, plus fees. FlexPath is billed at per 12-week session, with students completing as many courses as possible in this timeframe to lower overall program cost and finish their degree sooner. Prospective students should contact the Capella University School of Business and Technology for complete costs and to inquire about discounts and scholarships.

Capella University online MBA students have access to unsubsidized graduate student loans per the FAFSA. Interested parties can find out more from the Capella University Admissions Office. Capella also offers a Capella Progress Reward scholarship to qualified applicants. Finally, employers may offer tuition reimbursement programs, and students may wish to seek funding from the community and organizational sources.

*Please note that only the GuidedPath options are outlined in the tables below.

Sara Navratil

Writer

Sara Navratil is a freelance writer and a Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer. She's the owner of Sara Liza Life, a company dedicated to helping people rewrite their lives. She enjoys researching and writing about healthcare-related topics, including information on online MHA programs. When not working she likes to read, bake, and spend time with her family.