Dual Degree MBA/MHA vs MBA and Grad Certs?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by fritzy202, Feb 12, 2010.

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  1. fritzy202

    fritzy202 New Member

    Ok, I was all set to enroll at NCU (Northcentral Univ) for their dual degree MBA/MHA, only to find out after asking specifically how this is listed on the transcript and diploma it isn't a dual degree at all, but an MBA with an area of specialization in Healthcare Management. So now I have a real dilemma. Is it better to seek out a true dual degree MBA/MHA program or just get an MBA or and MBA with an area of specialization then add some graduate certificates or extra classes? I currently teach in the community college arena in medical coding and will be teaching in a new AS level healthcare management program that will be transferable to a four year degree. I thought about going for a straight MS in healthcare management, but I like the idea of having the business back up for other teaching opportunities or in case I decide to leave teaching for a job in a hospital or insurance company, not my current plan, but trying to give myself the most opportunities. At 46, I can't spend another 5+ yrs in school. Whatever I choose it has to be an online program, so that does limit me a little. This is why the online NCU program appealed to me since I could finish it in 18 months and it splits my credits as 18 in MBA and 18 in HCA, but after talking to them I have many reservations. Now I'm looking at the UMUC or Florida Tech program. If anyone can offer any advice or direction I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!
     
  2. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    How many credits did they say the dual program was? An 18 credit masters degree would be a tip that something was misunderstood. TUI has a dual program (MBA / MSHS) that is 64 credits.

    Joint Degree Program
    The College of Business Administration and the College of Health Sciences have joined forces to offer a
    Dual MS-MBA program that result in conferral of a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and
    a Master of Science in Health Sciences with a concentration in Health Care Management (MSHS) degree.
    Admission Requirements
    • The student needs to apply specifically to the dual degree program when applying to the
    university.
    • The MS/MBA degree requires total of 64 credit hours, 32 credits from each program. The
    student may choose which program he/she completes first.
    • Dual degree students must satisfy the curriculum and graduation requirements of both the MBA
    and MSHS programs, and follow their degree plan. CAP599, the Integrated Capstone course,
    must be the last course taken after the required courses in both the MSHS – Concentration in
    Health Care Management and the MBA program have been taken.
    • Students withdrawing from the dual degree program before completing both degrees will only
    receive credit toward graduation for such courses that qualify toward a single degree program.
    In this situation students will take the capstone course for the single degree program they wish
    to complete (MHM599 for the MSHS or BUS599 for the MBA). The CAP599 integrated capstone
    is only applicable for the Dual Degree.
    • The MBA and MS degrees will be awarded upon successful completion of the requirements of
    the entire dual degree program.

    Dual Degree Requirements
    MBA – Masters in Business Administration (8 Courses, 32 Credits)
    ACC501 – Accounting for Decision Making 4 Credits Description
    ETH501 – Business Ethics 4 Credits Description
    FIN501 – Strategic Corporate Finance 4 Credits Description
    ITM501 – Management Information Systems and Business Strategy 4 Credits Description
    MGT501 – Management and Organizational Behavior 4 Credits Description
    MGT599 – Strategic Management 4 Credits Description
    MKT501 – Strategic Marketing 4 Credits Description
    OPM500 – Operation Management for Managers 4 Credits Description


    MSHS – Concentration in Health Care Management (8 Courses, 32 Credits)
    MHM505 – Introduction to Quality Assurance 4 Credits Description
    MHM506 – Health Systems Administration 4 Credits Description
    MHM522 – Legal Aspects of Health Administration 4 Credits Description
    MHM535 – Hospital Administration 4 Credits Description
    MIH521 – Health Program Evaluation 4 Credits Description
    MIH527 – Environmental Health Assessment 4 Credits Description
    MIH548 – Theory-Based Research 4 Credits Description
    CAP599 – Integrative Capstone Course in Health Care Business Management
     
  3. major56

    major56 Active Member

    Per Randell “How many credits did they say the dual program was? An 18 credit master’s degree would be a tip that something was misunderstood. TUI has a dual program (MBA / MSHS) that is 64 credits.”

    Randell is absolutely correct regarding ANY dual-master degree offerings for merely an 18-hour requirement – no way! And according to the Claremont Graduate School’s website … there are currently 10 MBA /MPH dual degree offerings in the U.S. I'm not sure how many of the 10 (excepting TUI) can be completed via a web-based format (Claremont can't).
    http://www.cgu.edu/pages/4546.asp?item=2987
     
  4. fritzy202

    fritzy202 New Member

    It is a 36 credit program, 18 credits in each area (MBA/MHA), at least that is how it is listed online, but when you start asking questions it became a 36 credit MBA with an area of specialization in healthcare admin. They also refuse to allow you to talk to any former students through their alumni group or career placement center to see how the program has served them. They also won't allow you to view any syllabi for the courses. It was a very strange conversation and sent a ton of red flags flying for me! It is inexpensive and can be completed in 18 months which really appealed to me. I guess you get what you pay for! Now I'm back to the drawing board and more confused than ever.
     
  5. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Wait a minute, you have to know what you are reading and read all the words. MBA/IT would not mean an MBA and a degree in IT. The website states,
    Requirements
    A MBA in Business Administration requires 36 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. The MBA program includes 18 credit hours of fundamentals, 18 credit hours within a specialization (Specializations are not required and Learners may elect any 18 credit hours of cross-discipline business courses). Courses taken to satisfy the fundamental requirements may not be counted toward the specialization.


    I don't even see the school offering an MHA. Maybe I am looking past it.

    Wouldn't it be a violation of the students privacy for the school to give out names and numbers? Have you tried to contact the ambassadors? http://www.ncu.edu/learners/ambassadors.aspx

    I don't think there is a career placement center.

    They won't allow you to view any syllabi for the courses because they say the courses may change and they do not want to be responsible if you order an old book or do the wrong work (I think this is a big crock too!)

    I guess you get what you pay for! - this comment does not make any sense in the context of what you are stating.
     
  6. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Based on what you've said I'd suggest that you pay very close attention to those red flags.
     

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