WGU Missouri Launches Master's in Integrated Healthcare Management

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- WGU Missouri 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.

The new master's 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 master's degree program in integrated healthcare management addresses a workforce need within Missouri's healthcare field," said WGU Missouri Chancellor Angie Besendorfer. "WGU Missouri provides an affordable, competency-based educational format for employees to gain the expertise they need in the rapidly-changing world of healthcare management."

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

For more information about this new degree program, go to missouri.wgu.edu/MSIHCM.

About WGU Missouri

WGU Missouri is a competency-based, online university created to expand access to higher education for Missouri residents. The university offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. WGU Missouri faculty members provide one-on-one guidance, support, and instruction.

Established through a partnership with nationally recognized Western Governors University, WGU Missouri is open to all qualified Missouri residents. The university is nonprofit and self-sustaining on flat-rate tuition of about $6,000 per year for most programs.

Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Teachers College programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE*).

*Western Governors University offers nursing programs that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington DC 20036, 202-877-6791).

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Contact for media inquiries:
Kelly MacNeil 
O: 314-677-2302
[email protected]                                                                                     

Contact for enrollment information:
855-948-8493
missouri.wgu.edu

SOURCE WGU Missouri