The need for quality healthcare in South Africa has never been greater. This is especially true for public hospitals. Our country needs more qualified Healthcare Managers to improve healthcare delivery and systems.
REGENT offers an MBA in Healthcare Management that equips healthcare professionals with specialised business management skills and advanced healthcare knowledge to manage teams and organisations effectively.
In this article, we look at what an MBA in Healthcare Management is, what degrees you can study to pursue a career in healthcare management, career opportunities, and more.
What is an MBA in Healthcare Management?
A Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management is an advanced degree that provides trained and experienced healthcare professionals with core business administration skills and specialised knowledge of healthcare systems and policies.
Depending on the institution you choose, the core curriculum of this degree includes:
- Finances
- Marketing
- Accounting
- Organisational Behaviour
- Strategic Management
- Operations Management
- Healthcare Policy and Economics
- Healthcare Informatics
- Health Services Management
- Public Health Systems
- Health Law and Ethics
The goal of this degree is to provide students with the following:
- Leadership skills so they can manage teams and organisations effectively.
- Analytical skills to improve decision-making through looking at data and evidence.
- Strategic planning skills so they can learn how to implement strategies to improve the healthcare system and delivery.
- Ethical decision-making to understand and apply ethical principles.
- Enhanced communication skills specifically catered to the healthcare environment.
- A thorough understanding of the healthcare system, including patient care processes, financial planning, and healthcare delivery.
There are several ways to study this course depending on your unique needs and career aspirations:
- Full-time: Traditional on-campus learning.
- Part-time: Best for working professionals who must balance work and study.
- Distance learning: Students can mainly study independently and join classes online. Learn more about distance learning here. It is great for students who have other commitments outside of study.
- Online: Purely online-based learning.
- Executive: A study option designed for mid-career professionals with significant work experience.
What degrees are best for healthcare management in South Africa?
The quality of healthcare management in South Africa has declined significantly. Therefore, good healthcare managers are now more necessary than ever.
You can pursue several degrees if you want a career in healthcare management. Here are the top four most popular degrees.
1. Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Management
- Focus: Combines general business administration with healthcare-specific management.
- Skills: Leadership, strategic planning, finance, operations management.
- Careers: Hospital administrator, healthcare consultant, health services manager.
2. Master of Health Administration (MHA)
- Focus: Specialised in healthcare administration and management.
- Skills: Healthcare policy, health informatics, ethics, quality improvement.
- Careers: Health services manager, hospital executive, healthcare policy analyst.
3. Master of Public Health (MPH)
- Focus: Emphasises public health practices and management.
- Skills: Epidemiology, public health policy, community health, health education.
- Careers: Public health administrator, community health manager, health programme director.
4. Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management or Healthcare Administration
- Focus: Undergraduate degree with foundational knowledge in healthcare management.
- Skills: Healthcare systems, health services administration, health law and ethics.
- Careers: Medical office manager, assistant health services manager, healthcare coordinator.
When choosing a degree, you must match the degree to your desired career path and consider the programme format (full-time, part-time, distance learning) to suit your life and schedule.
Learn more about Regent’s Masters in Healthcare Management, offered in a distance learning format.
Job opportunities with an MBA in Healthcare Management
After completing your MBA, you can pursue several career paths, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Corporate Development Manager
- Hospital Administrator
- Healthcare Consultant
- Healthcare Marketing Manager
- Healthcare Policy Analyst
- Healthcare Sales Manager
- Health Insurance Operations Director
- Health Services Manager
- Hospital Administrator
- Manager of a long-term care facility
- Practice Manager for a physician group
- Pharmaceutical Project Manager
- Policy Researcher
- Public Health Policy Analyst
Look at the MBA course page here for the complete list of career opportunities.
FAQ
How long does it take to study health administration?
The duration will depend on your level of education and the specific programme. For example, while an undergraduate degree takes around four years, a master’s degree typically takes 1-2 years of full-time study.
Can I skip honours and do a Master’s degree?
Typically, you need an honours degree to pursue a master’s degree. However, you can take some other paths to skip an honours degree. For example, you can do a bridge programme to help you gain the necessary knowledge to be eligible for a master’s degree.
You can also pursue a programme that does not require an honours degree, such as Regent’s Master’s in Healthcare Management, which can be pursued with a postgraduate diploma or professional bachelor’s degree.
How long does an MBA take in South Africa?
The duration of your MBA programme depends on your mode of study, programme structure, and accreditation. Full-time programmes typically take 1-2 years to complete, part-time and online programmes take 2-3 years, and distance learning programmes take just over a year and a half.
What are the minimum requirements for a master’s degree?
To apply for a master’s degree, you must meet specific minimum requirements. These typically include a relevant bachelor’s or honour’s degree, a certain GPA, and work experience in a specific field.
Enrol in Regent’s Masters in Healthcare Management
Studying for an MBA can open the door to many high-paying and rewarding careers in the healthcare industry. If you want to pursue your degree through distance learning, look at Regent’s MBA in Healthcare Management.