How Long Does it Take to Get an Executive MBA in Healthcare Management?

People do not typically select an Executive MBA in Healthcare Management because they want a quick degree program. How long does it take to complete an EMBA in Healthcare? The short answer is 18 months to two years. EMBAs differ from other business master’s degree programs, and the schedule is demanding. The courses follow a prescribed path. And although there are specialization opportunities, you generally must complete the curriculum in a certain order.

How are EMBA Programs Different from Other MBA degrees?

Most MBA programs cater to either students coming directly from earning their undergraduate degrees or to those who have been working for some time. Executive MBA programs are intended for professionals who have five or more years of experience working in their industries.

There are five main classifications of MBA degrees:

  • The full –time MBA, which takes one to two years, or four semesters, to complete
  • the part-time MBA, which can take three or more years to finish
  • the accelerated MBA, which can be completed in 18 months, but which requires students to attend classes with few breaks
  • The dual-major MBA
  • the Executive MBA

Traditional Executive MBA programs typically require campus residency on a Friday and a weekend once a month. However, students can spend as much as much as 17-20 hours a week in preparation for the residency period, according to an article in the U.S. News and World Report /Education.

EMBA programs usually focus on “soft” skills like leadership and management instead of the “hard” skills set like accounting and statistics. The program assumes students have attained proficiency through their job experience. EMBA candidates look for breadth instead of depth in programs. You can also earn an online EMBA. Completion depends upon many factors including the time you have to devote to studies.

Do Healthcare EMBA Programs Follow that Pattern?

They do. Executive MBA programs in healthcare allow for students to specialize through some electives, but generally follow a specific path to completion. Students in these programs have usually been identified as having high potential for leadership in their corporations. Do 80-90 percent of employers often pay all or most tuition. It is an investment the student repays by signing a contract to work for the company for a specified number of years.

Forbes Magazine says students in EMBA programs generally attend class with the same students throughout the program. That means they can network and establish good business connections. An estimated 20 percent of EMBAs are in healthcare. This is due to the number of regulation changes in the National Healthcare program.

Bottom Line

What is the bottom line for the time necessary to complete a healthcare EMBA? The time depends upon the program you choose. Online programs can offer the degree in a year or less, but you should research both the school and the program before committing to the degree path. Other online EMBA degrees may take three or more years to finish, depending upon the amount of your time you can schedule for study. A traditional EMBA can take 18 months to two years to complete, but there are a few programs that require more credit hours and take up to three years. The average seems to be somewhere around two years, or four semesters.

The Healthcare industry is ballooning. Wages are high and opportunities abound. Earning an Executive MBA in Healthcare Management is an investment in time that cam pay off in lifetime earnings.