Fairmont State University announced today that a Master of Science in Healthcare Management (MSHM) is now being offered in the School of Business and Aviation. The online program is designed to help healthcare professionals attain the education they need to become leaders in the industry.

The online degree program is designed to give working professionals the experience and skills they need to assume leadership positions in healthcare. With a curriculum that goes beyond theory and designed by professionals, everything learned is directly applicable and impactful for day-to-day leadership decision-making.

“This is a tremendous need as articulated by the healthcare industry and it’s totally online,” Fairmont State President Dr. Mirta Martin said. “This highlights exceptional leadership, incredible curriculum and it also exemplifies how nimble Fairmont State University is to address the needs of our community partners to be able to launch programs that benefit North Central West Virginia, West Virginia, and the United States.”

Dr. Raymond Alvarez serves as coordinator for the program. He has a doctorate in healthcare administration from Central Michigan University and over 40 years experience in nearly all aspects of the healthcare continuum.

“Fairmont State University’s Master’s Degree in Healthcare Management is more than a degree—it’s an opportunity for leadership,” Alvarez said. “The 36-credit program presents a practitioner-focused curriculum that includes critical knowledge, competencies, and skills, tools and resources necessary to lead and work effectively in the healthcare industry.”

The demand for graduates of the program was documented through a review of employment opportunities including the Bureau of Labor statistics for West Virginia and the Nation. Alvarez said with a 20 percent growth rate in careers for healthcare management at all levels is expected to continue through 2026 and that is why Fairmont State now offers the online program.

“The MSHM gets all ‘A’s as it is accessible – online and weekend seminar format is not condensed but designed for optimum learning, mostly convenient to demands on your workday or personal time. It’s appropriate – the curriculum is designed for modern tools, techniques and traits that healthcare leaders need, taught by academic practitioners,” he said. “It’s affordable – Fairmont State has one of the lowest online tuition rates in the region and it is awesome – the learning outcomes are practical and cutting edge, what you need to advance your career in healthcare management.”

Students will be able to choose from two distinct concentrations. The Master of Science that will prepare and qualify them for career advancement in the field of administration and management with an emphasis on post-acute leadership and preparation for the nursing home administrator licensing exam. A certificate in healthcare management where 15 hours of the program are completed through specific courses; these credits earned can be applied toward the completion of the degree.

At the November 2019 board meeting of the West Virginia Nursing Home Administrator’s Licensing Board, the planned internship component of the program was accepted as meeting the criteria for hours received in order to become a licensed nursing home administrator in the state of West Virginia. This enables a candidate to waive the remaining 500 hours normally required for licensure application. No other master’s program in the region and few in the country offer this avenue for those interested in post-acute care.

More information can be found by visiting www.fairmontstate.edu/mshm.