Western Governors University (WGU) is now accepting applications for a new online master's degree program aimed at preparing professionals for senior leadership roles in healthcare. Developed in collaboration with a distinguished group of leaders in U.S. healthcare management and policy, the M.S. in Integrated Healthcare Management is competency-based, which allows students to study and learn at their own pace, completing courses as soon as they demonstrate mastery of the subject matter through tests, papers, simulations, and projects.
This new program focuses on the knowledge and skills needed to lead healthcare organizations today, including rapidly changing policy areas such as affordable care, patient protection, and quality assurance. In addition, curriculum includes healthcare finance, collaborative leadership, community health, risk management, information technology, and innovation. Students will complete the program online with individualized faculty support and guidance, with a final capstone project based on a real-world situation in the healthcare industry.
The new program was designed and developed with guidance from a council of experts in healthcare and healthcare policy. Members of the council include:
- The Honorable Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2005-2009); Utah Governor (1993-2003); Founder and Chairman, Leavitt Partners
- Dr. Kenneth Sharigian, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, American Medical Association
- Dr. Arnold Milstein, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Director, Clinical Excellence Research Center, Stanford University
- Dr. Paul B. Handel, M.D., Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Health Care Service Corporation
- Shirley A. Weis, Former Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Mayo Clinic; President, Weis Associates
- Dr. Paul Keckley, Managing Director, Navigant Healthcare
- Dr. Craig Vanderwagen, M.D., RADM, USPHS, Senior Partner (Retired), Martin-Blanck and Associates; Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2006-2009); Rear Admiral and Chief Medical Officer
- Dr. Brent James, M.D., Executive Director, Institute for Health Care Delivery Research; Vice President, Medical Research and Continuing Medical Education, Intermountain Healthcare
- Craig Miller, Principal Director, IT Strategy, Accenture
"This degree is organized to prepare students for the 21st century, to prepare them for massive changes in healthcare policy and administration, and to put themselves in a position to not just make a living, but to lead," said Mike Leavitt, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and Governor of Utah.
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