Masters of Science in Health Care Policy & Management
Advanced Certificates in Health Care Management
and Dietetic Internship

• What You Will Learn - Master's Degree Program
• What You Will Learn - Advanced Certificate Program
• What You Will Gain

Although most health care professionals begin their careers in clinical roles, many advance to equally rewarding, high-level positions in health care management and community health. The requirements for these jobs, and the constantly changing face of health care, often lead graduates to augment their education with advanced certificates or advanced degrees. Health care professionals also find this additional education useful as they strive to run efficient practices and agencies in light of managed care and ever-changing government regulations. If you are a health care professional who is interested in expanding your horizons, improving your proficiency, and making yourself more competitive, our graduate programs might be a smart move for you.

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What You Will Learn - Master's Degree Program

Stony Brook University's School of Health Technology and Management has offered a Master of Science degree in Health Care Policy and Management since the mid-'70s. This 36-credit degree provides students with extensive, hands-on instruction in cutting-edge management principles and community practices. The difference is that our curriculum is designed for professionals who work in, and wish to continue working in, the health care field. Since most of our students are full-time professionals, fall and spring courses are offered in the evenings, from 5 to 8 pm; classes meet once a week. (Summer sessions meet twice a week for approximately six weeks, from 5:00 to 8:40 pm.) This enables students to balance work, family, and education. In addition, students have up to five years to complete their course work, allowing them to pace their education at the rate that is most comfortable for them. All students take the curriculum's core courses, which include statistics and data analysis, health economics, communication and group dynamics, and research design and proposal writing.

In addition, they declare a concentration in health care management, health policy, nutrition, or gerontology. Under the management concentration, we offer a sales and marketing sub-concentration.

• Health Care Management students take courses that will give them the managerial skills and knowledge to effectively and efficiently manage in today's health care marketplace.
• Health Policy students are provided course work on crucial, timely health policies. They will explore course work that will enable them to develop and analyze health policies.
• Nutrition students will enhance their own professional practices by gaining knowledge and skills in various areas of nutrition.
• Gerontology students will prepare to meet the needs of an aging population. Emphasis is placed on providing proactive solutions to the many challenges of growing older in today’s health care environment.
• Sales and Marketing students take courses which will provide solutions to the many challenges of selling, marketing, providing services, and managing resources in the clinical laboratory environment.

All concentrations require students to complete a practicum or internship.

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What You Will Learn - Advanced Certificate Program

Since many of our graduate-level students already have advanced degrees or simply wish to expand their skills and knowledge without the time commitment of a master's degree, the School of Health Technology and Management offers an Advanced Certificate in Health Care Management.

This 18-credit program offers a selection of the same courses studied by master's degree candidates with the same user-friendly hours. Course work must be completed within three years of admission, and credit hours may be used toward our Master of Science in Health Care Policy and Management degree, provided a student has a grade point average of 3.0 or better. Students must meet with their advisors on a regular basis to ensure correct courses are selected.

The Advanced Certificate Program in Health Care Management is a joint program of the School of Health Technology and Management and The College of Business. The 18-credit curriculum requires that all courses have a management orientation with a minimum of four courses specific (12 credits) to health care. This certificate program is intended for health care practitioners who require management training or for managers who require specific management training in the health care field.

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What You Will Gain

Many professionals find that advanced studies or advanced degrees open the door to better jobs, compensation, and control of their professional destinies. Graduates hold prestigious jobs in hospitals, community agencies, managed-care companies, and private industry. Of course, some find advanced studies rewarding simply because they love to learn, keep their skills current, and stay at the top of their fields.