New Program Offers Dose of Innovation
The Manning School of Business and the School of Health and Environment have teamed up to offer a graduate degree for professionals who want to bring innovation to the health-care industry.
03/29/2013
By Jill Gambon
The Manning School of Business and the School of Health and Environment are teaming up to offer a new graduate program aimed at doctors, hospital administrators and other professionals who want to advance their careers while bringing an entrepreneurial approach to the health-care industry.
Beginning in the fall, the Manning School will offer its master of science in innovation and technological entrepreneurship (MS ITE) degree with a concentration in health care. The program will combine courses from SHE’s master’s programs in health care management and health informatics with MS ITE classes.
“The health-care industry is ripe for innovation and entrepreneurship,” says MSB Dean Kathryn Carter. “The collaboration will address the growing need to prepare professionals who can bring new ways of thinking and greater creativity to an industry that impacts everyone.”
Health-care industry analysts say pressures for cost reductions across the system make it imperative that innovative ways for health-care delivery and management be developed. The $2.8 trillion U.S. health-care industry now accounts for more than 17 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
“The School of Health and Environment (SHE) has an extensive course offering in health information and management, which combined with the MS ITE offerings, makes this a strong and unique program,” says SHE Dean Shortie McKinney.
The program is expected to begin enrolling students in the Fall of 2013, says Ashwin Mehta, an MSB lecturer and coordinator of the MS ITE program. The program includes six MSB courses such as managing entrepreneurial teams, new product development and financing innovation and technology ventures along with three SHE graduate courses including health-care project management and health informatics. Students will also have to complete a three-credit practicum focusing on innovation in health care. It is expected students attending part-time will be able to complete the program in 18 to 24 months.
“The focus will be on innovation in reducing costs and improving the quality of care,” Mehta says. “We’ll provide students with the skill set and knowledge to take their ideas and make them happen.”