School of Business Offers New Hybrid-Model MBA in Healthcare Management

Gonzaga News Service 

SPOKANE, Wash. — The Gonzaga University Graduate School of Business Administration has developed a new hybrid model for its MBA in Healthcare Management Program, which takes effect fall 2011.

The new model will include courses with both online and weekend components. Each course will be delivered 50 percent online and 50 percent in the classroom. To complete the classroom portion, students will come to campus two weekends per semester.

Originally launched in 2007, the Healthcare Management Program was designed to serve an unmet need for professionals trained to manage area healthcare businesses. A task force of local healthcare professionals met with representatives of Gonzaga's Graduate School of Business Administration for six months to create this program to meet the needs of the healthcare community.

"The Inland Northwest has a tradition of excellent healthcare services. The graduate programs we offer complement very well this high-quality industry we serve," said Bud Barnes, dean of the Gonzaga School of Business Administration.

The hybrid model will better accommodate the complex work schedules of healthcare professionals and will make the program accessible to students throughout Eastern and Central Washington, North Idaho, and Western Montana.

Those accepted to the program must meet the standard entrance requirements for the MBA unless they hold a professional doctoral degree. Another admission requirement is at least two years of professional experience, with at least six months in the healthcare industry.