Health Care Management, MBA

The Health Care Management major builds on the established strength of the core curriculum to provide expertise in the complex and distinctive features of the dynamic and rapidly changing health care industry.  Wharton Health Care majors are unusually well-qualified for careers in management, consulting, and investing in diverse areas within health care space, including health care delivery, services, managed care, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, information technology, and entrepreneurship. 

Health Care majors draw on a rich variety of electives within the Health Care Management Department, other Wharton Departments, and courses across the university. They also benefit from an interdisciplinary faculty based in Wharton, the Perelman School of Medicine, and other Penn schools and departments, along with adjunct faculty with extensive practical experience.

The Health Care Management major differs from others at Wharton in that:

  1. Students must choose the major at the time of application to Wharton, and
  2. The major integrates academic and professional development, helping students to obtain summer and permanent positions.

The Health Care Management Department also sponsors an alumni mentor program and benefits from strong links to the Wharton Health Care Alumni Association. Students in health care-related dual degree programs, including the MD/MBA,  generally complete the Health Care Management major.

Curriculum

A minimum of 19 course units is required for graduation.

Major electives taken on a pass/fail basis cannot be counted toward the Health Care Management major.

Health Care Management Major Requirements
HCMG 8410Introduction to Health Management and Economics1
HCMG 6530Health Care Management Field Application Project1
Select 3 course units from the following:3
US Payer and Provider Strategy
Financial Management of Health Institutions
Health Care Reform and the Future of the American Health Care System
Health Services Delivery: A Managerial Economic Approach
Management and Strategy in Medical Devices and Technology
Management of Health Care for the Elderly
Healthcare Data and Analytics
Comparative Health Care Systems
Leading Health Care Organizations
Management and Economics of Pharmaceutical and Biotech Industries
The Digital Transformation of Health Care
Health Care Entrepreneurship
Private Sector Role in Global Health
The Business of Behavioral Health
Advanced Study Project: Management of Health Care Service Businesses
INDEPENDENT STUDY
Electives
Select 4.5 course units of electives4.5
MBA Core Requirements9.5
Total Course Units19

MBA Core Requirements

Accounting
Select one of the following:0.5-1
Fundamentals of Financial Accounting
Fundamentals of Financial and Managerial Accounting
Finance 1
Corporate Finance
Select one of the following:0.5-1
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance (Half CU)
Macroeconomics
Select one of the following:0.5-1
Macroeconomics and the Global Economic Environment
Macroeconomics and The Global Economic Environment (Half CU)
Legal Studies
LGST 6110Responsibility in Global Management0.5
or LGST 6120 Responsibility in Business
or LGST 6130 Business, Social Responsibility, and the Environment
Microeconomics
MGEC 6110Microeconomics for Managers: Foundations0.5
MGEC 6120Microeconomics for Managers: Advanced Applications0.5
Management
MGMT 6100Foundations of Teamwork and Leadership0.5
MGMT 6110Managing Established Enterprises1
or MGMT 6120 Management of Emerging Enterprises
Marketing
MKTG 6110Marketing Management0.5
MKTG 6120Dynamic Marketing Strategy0.5
or MKTG 6130 Strategic Marketing Simulation
OIDD
Select one unit of the following:0.5-1
Quality and Productivity
Business Analytics
Online Business Models and the Information-Based Firm
Innovation
Operations Strategy
Enabling Technologies
Managerial Decision Making
Statistics
STAT 6130Regression Analysis for Business 21
or STAT 6210 Accelerated Regression Analysis for Business
Management Communication
WHCP 6110Management Communication0.25
Select one of the following:0.25
Advanced Persuasive Speaking
Communication Challenges for Entrepreneurs:
Persuasive Writing for Business Leaders
Total Course Units9.5
1

Students cannot enroll in both FNCE 6210 and FNCE 6230.

2

STAT 6210 is by placement only.


The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2023 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.