Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership

The Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership at MSU offers a comprehensive approach to equip students with business-centered healthcare knowledge and skills. It focuses on leadership theories, essential management skills, strategic decision-making, competitive advantage, market analysis, value-based healthcare marketing plans, and strategic negotiations. Students develop a diverse skill set encompassing collaboration, communication, analysis, conflict resolution, adaptability, and a global mindset. This certificate prepares individuals for leadership roles in the healthcare industry.

Who Should Enroll

The demand for professionals with healthcare and business leadership knowledge is high. The job growth for medical and health services managers nationwide is projected to grow by 28% between 2021 and 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.*

The Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership program is designed to help transform healthcare workers into tomorrow’s innovators and provide a path for career advancement. Professionals throughout the industry may consider enrolling, including:

• Healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their leadership skills and strategic decision-making abilities.
• Managers and supervisors who want to develop their leadership capabilities specifically within the healthcare context.
• Healthcare professionals looking to transition into leadership roles or advance their careers in healthcare management.
• Consultants and advisors specializing in healthcare who want to broaden their knowledge of leadership, decision-making, market analysis, and negotiations.
• Individuals interested in pursuing a career in healthcare leadership or healthcare consulting.
• Professionals working in related fields, such as healthcare marketing or healthcare planning, who want to expand their skill set and understanding of the broader healthcare landscape.
• Individuals who want to acquire foundational knowledge in leadership, strategic decision-making, market analysis and negotiations within healthcare.

* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical and Health Services Managers (June 20, 2023). https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm

National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth. [Degree or Certificate] program options do not guarantee career or salary outcomes. Students should conduct independent research for specific employment information

What You’ll Learn

This multifaceted approach to healthcare leadership can help to equip students with business-centered healthcare knowledge and skills. You can prepare to:

• Understand various leadership theories and practices as they apply specifically to healthcare organizations.
• Develop essential leadership skills for effective management and decision-making in the healthcare industry.
• Learn key concepts and processes for strategic decision-making, both individually and within a management team.
• Gain insights into developing and implementing long-term strategies that create a competitive advantage for healthcare organizations.
• Understand the factors that influence individual and group decision-making processes and learn techniques to improve overall strategic decision-making.
• Identify and avoid common decision-making errors that can hinder success in the competitive healthcare marketplace.
• Explore techniques, systems and formats for comprehending healthcare market forces and conducting market analysis.
• Learn how to develop value-based healthcare marketing plans to effectively position healthcare services in the market.
• Gain knowledge and skills related to strategic negotiations, including negotiation preparation, assessing buyer-supplier relationships, international negotiations and negotiation simulations.
• Develop a range of skills such as collaboration, communication, decision-making, analysis, conflict resolution, adaptability and a global mindset through the study of negotiations.

These courses provide a comprehensive foundation in strategic decision-making, market analysis, and negotiations, helping to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge to excel in leadership roles within the healthcare industry.

Admission Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college
• The requirements for admission to the graduate certificates are a minimum GPA of 2.5 or a graduate GPA of 3.0.

Applicants must submit the following items:

• A completed application
• A one-time, nonrefundable $100 application fee
• Official undergraduate transcripts from a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited college or university and official transcripts of other programs or courses of study from any accredited college or university attended prior to Michigan State University. Transcripts from Michigan State are not required.
• If an applicant selects they are a Service member or a Veteran of the military an official military transcript will be required
• Current resume detailing professional work experience, academic credentials and related accomplishments, and pertinent biographical information.
• Three letters of recommendation from professional, work-related references, preferably supervisors. Letters that attest to your ability to work within and lead teams, as well as to your contribution to a professional business environment, are strongly recommended.
• A statement of intention essay, no more than two pages, including details of your direct supervisory and/or project/program management experience, as well as a statement on how you intend to leverage the degree in your career.
• GMAT scores may be submitted if your bachelor’s degree GPA was below 3.0 in your last two years of undergraduate work*

Transfer Credit Policy

• As a rule, the Program does not accept transfer credits and will only review and consider a request to transfer credits in rare and exceptional circumstances.