MBA courses in healthcare management, hospital administration growing popular

NEW DELHI: In a growing trend across India, young professionals are increasingly turning to healthcare and public health management programmes, seeing them as pathways to meaningful careers that have social impact.

Saikat Chatterjee, who secured rank 7 in West Bengal’s Joint Entrance Test for Medical and Allied Science Postgraduate Courses or JEMAS-PG, is currently pursuing a master's in healthcare management at DSMS College of Healthcare Management, Durgapur.

Despite his background in English, Chatterjee has set ambitious goals for himself in healthcare.

"I want to work in the hospital sector and eventually set up a hospital of my own," he stated. He has a five-year plan to gain cross-state experience and understand the various aspects of hospital administration.

Similarly, Monali, a recent master's graduate in public health from DY Patil Institute, Navi Mumbai, is focusing on cancer research. Her internship experience at Tata Memorial Hospital, where she worked with cervical and oral cancer patients, has strengthened her commitment to the field. "A lot of research still needs to be done, especially on diseases like cancer. I'd like to be part of that research and help people who are suffering from cancer," she explained.

Emphasising the importance of grassroots healthcare, Monali highlighted her programme's comprehensive coverage of healthcare management – from primary care to sub-centre management. "Working at the PHC level is a priority for me because that's where we can connect with the community," she noted.

Also read CAT 2024: ‘Exam brought diversity hurdles to FMS but tweaks in MBA admissions helped balance engineering

Hospital and healthcare management

Educational institutions across India are stepping up to meet this rising demand for healthcare management professionals, offering specialised programmes tailored to industry needs.

DSMS College of Healthcare Management in Durgapur, a 34-year-old institution established in 1990, has been offering such programmes since 2009.

"Our college offers a master's programme in hospital administration. We have 30 seats available and students are admitted after they clear the JEMAS-PG entrance exam," said Shubhodip Choudhury, assistant professor and teacher-in-charge at DSMS College. The institution boasts a 100% placement rate, with graduates typically securing assistant superintendent positions in hospitals.

The curriculum at DSMS is designed to provide comprehensive training in hospital operations, medical staff coordination, and patient services. Chatterjee expressed his motivation: "I want to understand every aspect of running a hospital, from finance to social impact, so that I can contribute to bringing back quality healthcare for the people of West Bengal."

The programme is specifically structured to address local healthcare needs in West Bengal while preparing students for nationwide opportunities.

"After completing their programme, graduates can work in government roles, the developmental sector with NGOs, or international organisations, like UNICEF," explained Suma Nair, dean of DY Patil School of Public Health.

The school maintains strong industry connections, offering internship opportunities that frequently convert to full-time positions through their placement programme.

Also read How online MBA courses at top management schools are enabling career transitions

Public health vs healthcare management

K Srinath Reddy, professor at the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) emphasised the need for a skilled healthcare workforce. "The growing demand for healthcare management professionals reflects the need for strategic, systemic responses to India’s diverse health requirements”. According to him, professionals trained in health informatics, operations, and public health administration are crucial for addressing both urban and rural health challenges.

Nair explained the key differences between healthcare management and public health management programmes.

"Healthcare management tends to be hospital-based. Graduates might go on to work in hospitals, managing administrative tasks and ensuring smooth operations," she said. "Public health, on the other hand, is a broader field that equips students to work not only in hospitals but also in government agencies, NGOs, and other sectors focused on community health."

The master's in public health programmes are attracting professionals from diverse backgrounds, including dentistry, nursing, and social sciences. Monali praised the comprehensive nature of her education: "Our curriculum was comprehensive, covering primary healthcare management, sub-centre operations, and even healthcare communication."

According to Nair, public health graduates can pursue careers in policy-making, health system management, and community health advocacy. She emphasised the particular importance of public health professionals in rural communities, where they play a vital role in addressing local healthcare issues.

Online MBA in healthcare

Unlike traditional healthcare management programmes that primarily target hospital administration, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) prepares students for roles in health tech and allied healthcare startups.

Manojkumar Nagasampige, director of online education at MAHE, said, “Our programme’s objective is to train students in core management and healthcare management. We’re not just preparing students to work in hospitals but also to explore opportunities in health tech and allied sectors.”

MAHE’s curriculum is divided into general management subjects, like finance and human resources, and healthcare-specific topics, including healthcare operations, health insurance, and hospital planning.

In their final semester, students complete a capstone project, allowing them to apply their learning to real-world healthcare challenges. According to Nagasampige, graduates from the programme are equipped to work as medical superintendents, health tech consultants, and health IT specialists.

Also read Low fee, no CAT, flexible learning: Why DU’s distance MBA is popular

Skilled health professionals

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), and Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) consistently rank among the top choices for students who look to specialise in healthcare or hospital administration.

Programmes like TISS’s master's in hospital administration or AIIMS’s MPH equip graduates with both technical expertise and industry connections essential for career growth.

“Unlike other online healthcare programmes, MAHE’s online MBA in healthcare management aims to prepare students beyond hospitals to work in areas like health tech and startup ecosystems,” said Nagasampige. This shift reflects the industry’s needs as digital healthcare solutions become integral to expanding India’s healthcare reach.

Different career paths

While both public health and healthcare management programmes equip graduates with essential skills, the career outcomes and job environments they target can differ.

Public health graduates typically gravitate toward community health initiatives and preventive care, finding opportunities with NGOs, government organisations, and international bodies.

In contrast, healthcare management professionals usually pursue careers in hospital administration, where they oversee operations, patient management, and organisational efficiency within healthcare facilities.

Reddy feels both areas are crucial in addressing India’s healthcare needs. “Effective health management at both the community and hospital levels is essential to meet the dual challenges of resource distribution and patient care. Whether graduates are supporting government initiatives or managing hospital operations, their roles are integral to public health.”

Future of healthcare management

Educational institutes across the country are modernising their healthcare management curricula to align with the evolving industry needs. The programmes now incorporate emerging fields such as digital health, data analysis, and health information systems. This will prepare students for an increasingly technology-driven healthcare sector, Reddy said.

“As we advance, interdisciplinary skills will be paramount in addressing the public health challenges of our country, whether that’s through preventive care, health tech, or efficient hospital management,” he concluded.