The Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management
- Complete in 10 Months
- Right Next to the Texas Medical Center
- Up to 9 Credits May Transfer to the Rice MBA
Request More Info Today
Gain the Skills To Lead in Healthcare at Rice University
Rice Business’ Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management is a 10-month, in-person program designed for working professionals who want to lead with confidence in healthcare today. You’ll gain practical skills in strategy, operations, cost analysis and customer-focused decision-making — with learnings you can apply immediately to your work. Based in Houston just steps away from the Texas Medical Center, the program connects you to top faculty, an accomplished peer cohort, and one of the strongest healthcare ecosystems in the world. Plus, some of the credits you earn can count toward a Rice MBA, giving you a powerful head start toward a credential that opens doors to higher-level leadership roles.
Build Your Network at a Top-Ranked Business School
Want To Know More?
Whether you’re ready to apply or just exploring your next step in healthcare, we’re here to help. Get more info about the Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management, program format, courses, and what to expect in the application.
What You Will Gain
- Build your expertise. You’ll benefit from a proven healthcare-focused curriculum, taught by industry experts and faculty, covering essential areas like leadership, strategy, operations and marketing.
- Industry access. Located next to the nation’s largest and most dynamic healthcare community, students gain unparalleled access to top hospitals, clinics and healthcare leaders.
- Powerful networking. Build relationships with alumni, mentors and peers who share your goals and take elective courses alongside our MBA students.
- Real-world application. Tackle a workplace-related challenge through your coursework — turning classroom learning into practical impact you can bring back to your organization.
- Flexible & future-focused. Complete your specialized certificate in under a year, with the option to apply earned credits toward one of our on-campus MBA programs.
Curriculum Schedule Overview
Please note that the schedule and courses outlined above are subject to change.
Explore Our Top Healthcare Electives
Customize your learning to match your goals in healthcare, learning alongside MBA students. Here are a few of our most popular healthcare electives.
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The basics that all executives, especially those working in the healthcare industry, need to know about health insurance programs, public and private markets, pricing, risk management and how insurance companies think about their business. The course also examines the rapid shifts occurring in the healthcare landscape due to regulatory, legislative and market changes.
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Develops a critical understanding of the nature of costs in healthcare delivery, their measurement across a variety of decision contexts, and strategies for managing and improving them. Emphasis is placed on applying key cost management tools, including breakeven analysis, cost allocation, activity-based costing (ABC), time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC), and cost control methods.
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Designed to teach the concepts of customer-focused strategy in a healthcare context. The course should be useful to middle/upper-level administrators, physicians and other professionals in the healthcare sector and includes marketing strategy and implementation in healthcare, understanding client needs, and monitoring metrics.
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Provides a comprehensive overview of healthcare systems, their challenges and opportunities, and strategies for improvement. Students will learn about the current U.S. healthcare system, its structure, financing and delivery, as well as emerging trends and policy issues. They will also develop skills in systems analysis, design and improvement, and learn how to apply these skills to real-world healthcare challenges.
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An opportunity to work closely with a hospital’s senior leadership, medical staff leaders, and board to develop an understanding of the hospital’s priorities and strategic growth initiatives, its decision structure and finances including budgets and capital, and finally day-to-day operations management. Students will get exposure to many performance improvement groups across operations, quality, service, employee engagement and growth.
Learn Steps Away From the Texas Medical Center
Personally Speaking
I was drawn to Rice Business because of the number of classes focused on the healthcare industry. These classes give me the opportunity to align my experience with the business side of healthcare.
Michael Hart
Current Student
Before Rice, I had no formal business background. I loved my time at Rice Business. A whole new world was opened up to me. It was a great experience — a growth opportunity that I cherished so much.
Jillian Levovitz
CEO, Rua Diagnostics
Working with scientists on incredible innovations, then building the strategy to get those technologies to the market — I found that skill set at Rice. I also found an incredible community of leaders that continue to serve as a sounding board for me.
Joanna Nathan
CEO and Co-Founder, Prana Surgical
Apply by June 15
Build the strategic and operational skills to lead in today's healthcare environment. Learn alongside experienced professionals and walk away with tools you can apply immediately. Take the next step today.
Want to Go Beyond the Healthcare Certificate?
The Rice MBA is the ideal next step for healthcare professionals ready to lead at a higher level — and for those looking to pivot into the healthcare industry from other fields. While our healthcare certificate delivers immediate, practical skills, the MBA expands your expertise with a broader business foundation and deeper strategic perspective. Students can choose from 10 specializations, including healthcare, allowing you to tailor your degree to your career goals while gaining the leadership skills, industry exposure and network needed to advance into senior roles or transition confidently into healthcare.
Be Among the First to Experience Our New State-of-the-Art Facility
Step into our brand-new, 112,000-square-foot facility, located next to the iconic McNair Hall. Featuring state-of-the-art classrooms and collaborative spaces, this expansion enhances our campus experience. As a healthcare certificate participant, you could be among the first to fully experience this innovative space, designed for the next generation of leaders.