Benefits of an MSHAL Degree

Terry Moore, President of the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance, served as CEO of MidMichigan Health for 31 years and is also the former executive-in-residence at SVSU and member of the faculty for the Masters of Science Health Leadership program.  In these roles, Terry saw firsthand the need for and value of a healthcare leadership program in an industry that continues to surge in terms of largest and fastest job growth areas, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.  And in his new role as CEO of the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance, Terry’s observations go beyond his medical and higher education experiences – now he looks at things through a wider, regional lens.  What he sees is the critical need for this program in a region that has become a major medical/healthcare hub.

Terry knows how difficult it can be to pursue education while working; he earned the last two of his three master’s degrees when he held a full-time job.   “People are either sacrificing today for a better tomorrow or sacrificing tomorrow for today,” he says.

From experience, Terry says a master’s degree is “an essential credential” for future success in health care.  “The leadership and management roles in the industry are numerous, but they’re increasingly competitive.  A master’s degree is now the standard in many areas.”

Of SVSU’s health leadership program, Terry says it “provides a broad range of educational experience and builds leadership ability.  Students will strengthen their abilities in health care finance, law, human resources and communication.”

Terry adds that the SVSU program offers additional benefits.  “Classes are generally small, allowing for excellent student-instructor interaction.

The major business we are all in --- or at least should be in --- is to improve ourselves, and this program is a unique opportunity for health care professionals to do that.”

An MSHAL Degree is in Demand:

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the employment outlook for Medical and Health Service Managers is projected to grow 22% through 2020.
• Employment will grow fast in offices of health practitioners. Many services previously provided in hospitals will continue to shift to these settings, especially as medical technologies improve. Demand in medical group practice management will grow as medical group practices become larger and more complex.
• Medical and health services managers also will be employed by healthcare management companies that provide management services to hospitals and other organizations and to specific departments such as emergency, information management systems, managed care contract negotiations, and physician recruiting.
• Applicants with work experience in healthcare and strong business and management skills will have especially good opportunities available to them
• A master's degree is the standard credential for most positions in this field.

Earnings:

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median earnings in May 2010 for Medical and Health Service Managers was $84,270.  Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition , Medical and Health Services Managers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Management/Medical-and-health-services-managers.htm (visited January 30, 2013 ).