Health Care Organization Management and Leadership Program

The Health Care Organization Management and Leadership Program at the University of Rochester is a comprehensive graduate degree designed to equip healthcare professionals with the essential skills and knowledge needed to lead and manage complex healthcare organizations effectively. This program emphasizes the development of strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and a deep understanding of healthcare delivery systems, policy, and management principles. It prepares students to navigate the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, driving improvements in patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and organizational performance.

Throughout the program, students engage with a diverse curriculum that covers key topics such as healthcare finance, law and ethics, health policy, organizational behavior, quality improvement, and health information systems. The coursework integrates theoretical frameworks with practical applications, enabling students to address real-world challenges faced by healthcare providers, administrators, and policymakers. The program encourages a multidisciplinary approach, fostering collaboration among professionals from various healthcare backgrounds to promote innovative solutions and best practices.

Students benefit from the University of Rochester’s distinguished faculty, who are experts in healthcare management, policy, and leadership. The program also offers opportunities for networking, internships, and projects with healthcare organizations, providing valuable professional experience and facilitating connections within the healthcare industry. Flexible scheduling options are available to accommodate working professionals, including part-time study pathways and online coursework for remote learning.

Graduates of the program are well-prepared to assume leadership roles across a broad spectrum of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, governmental agencies, and consulting firms. They possess the strategic vision and operational expertise necessary to optimize healthcare delivery and improve population health outcomes. The program’s strong emphasis on leadership, ethics, and evidence-based management ensures that graduates are capable of making informed, ethical decisions that positively impact the organizations they serve. Overall, the University of Rochester’s Health Care Organization Management and Leadership Program is dedicated to cultivating innovative healthcare leaders committed to excellence and transformation in the healthcare industry.

Before beginning the program, students are required to take the online Writing Workshop (NUR 401) prerequisite.

Coursework

The 30-credit program features hybrid coursework – a blend of in-person classes as well as online education using the Blackboard course management system. Tutorials and self-study help students master Blackboard basics in a few weeks.

In-person classes in the late afternoon/evening consist of several team projects to build your skills for systems thinking and working in teams. Most students work full time during the program.

The coursework provides you with the necessary grounding to be an effective and innovative leader, including:

• human resource management
• performance improvement and informatics
• health care finance
• health care economics
• population health
• program design
• program evaluation
• organizational leadership

Final capstone

After the foundational coursework, you will complete a 168-hour field placement with an executive of a health care organization. In contrast to classroom-based courses where you’re placed at the center of the learning, the capstone project learning is focused externally as students direct organizational projects. Learning from leaders who are experts in their fields enables students to gain real-world experience and forge invaluable professional relationships.

Courses

Requirements

• a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• cumulative GPA of 3.0 preferred
• statistics course with a grade C or above
• professional goal statement outlining reasons for seeking admission to the program
• two references that address professional and/or academic and leadership ability.  It is desirable that one of the letters be from a professional in health care
• personal interview(s) with program faculty members
• there is no minimum work requirement
• submission of a writing sample
• for international students, TOEFL with a minimum score of 560 (paper-based), 230 (computer-based) or 88 (iBT)
• $50 application fee

The University of Rochester offers a comprehensive approach to financing studies for students enrolled in the Health Care Organization Management and Leadership Program. Funding options include federal and state financial aid programs, institutional scholarships, and private funding sources. Federal student aid is accessible through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), allowing eligible students to receive grants, loans, or work-study opportunities. Institutional scholarships are awarded based on merit, need, or specific criteria established by the university; prospective students are encouraged to complete the scholarship application process early to maximize their chances of receiving financial assistance. The university also provides information about private and external funding sources, such as healthcare industry partnerships or grants designed for graduate healthcare professionals.

For students enrolled in a master's program, tuition rates are published annually and are subject to change. The university offers payment plans to help manage tuition costs over the academic year, spreading payments into manageable installments. Additionally, the university’s financial aid office provides personalized advising to assist students in understanding their options and navigating the application process for various funding sources. Certain students may qualify for fellowships or assistantships, which may provide stipends or tuition remission in exchange for research or teaching responsibilities.

The university emphasizes transparency regarding expenses associated with the program, including tuition fees, health insurance, and other mandatory fees. Students are encouraged to explore all financing avenues early in their academic planning to ensure they can fully afford the program without undue financial burden. In collaboration with the university’s Office of Financial Aid, students can receive guidance on budgeting, loan options, repayment plans, and maintaining good financial standing throughout their studies. The university strives to support students financially so they can focus on acquiring the necessary leadership and management skills to improve healthcare organization performance and patient outcomes in diverse settings.

The Health Care Organization Management and Leadership Program at the University of Rochester is designed to prepare students for leadership roles within the healthcare industry. The program emphasizes the development of strategic management skills, understanding of healthcare policies, financial acumen, and ethical considerations in healthcare delivery. Students engage in coursework that covers topics such as healthcare systems, organizational behavior, healthcare finance, and policy analysis. The curriculum integrates theoretical knowledge with practical applications, including case studies, simulations, and projects tailored to real-world healthcare challenges.

Students have access to experienced faculty members who are experts in healthcare administration, policy, and leadership. The program also offers networking opportunities with healthcare professionals, internships, and collaborative projects to enhance experiential learning. It aims to equip graduates with the ability to lead complex healthcare organizations, implement innovative solutions, and improve patient outcomes. The program may also include leadership development components, mentoring, and workshops on communication, change management, and ethics in healthcare.

The coursework is typically delivered through a combination of on-campus classes, online modules, and part-time study options to accommodate working professionals. The program culminates in a capstone project where students apply their knowledge to address a current issue in healthcare management. Graduates of the program are well-positioned to pursue leadership positions in hospitals, clinics, health insurance companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations dedicated to health services.

The University of Rochester's reputation in health sciences and its robust connections within the healthcare industry provide students with valuable resources and career support. The program is suited for those seeking to advance their careers or transition into healthcare leadership roles. Overall, the program aims to foster innovative, ethical, and effective healthcare leaders committed to improving health systems and patient care outcomes in a rapidly evolving industry.