As the debate over what to do about the U.S. health care system rages on in the nation’s capital, the University of Denver is set to launch a new master’s degree in health care leadership.
The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) will be offered in the fall through University College, the college of professional and continuing studies at DU.
The new program is designed to help people currently in the health care field move into leadership roles. It also will address current needs of the burgeoning industry.
“There is this whole emerging area of health care leadership that expresses itself in so many types of organizations and institutions,” says Jim Davis, dean of University College. “It includes not only the obvious hospitals and clinics but insurance companies, other health providers and public policy agencies.”
Davis says University College officials interviewed providers and associations to learn exactly what professionals in the field need to know in order to advance their careers. He notes that a specialized program like this one is rarely found in traditional medical and nursing schools.
“We also tried to address the turbulence that is in the health care marketplace today,” says Davis.
The program will explore the functions of various health care entities, including providers, insurance companies, government agencies and professional associations. Also addressed is the manner in which different technologies, laws, leadership styles and financial models affect the system.
It will have three distinct specialty concentrations: health care policy; law and ethics; medical and health care information technologies; and strategic management of health care systems.
For more information, call 303-871-3155 or visit www.universitycollege.du.edu.