Prepare for leadership roles across today’s health care systems
The Master of Health Care Leadership (MHCL) at Friends University prepares professionals for administrative and leadership roles across the modern health care environment. Developed with input from industry leaders, the curriculum covers all phases of health care leadership, including hospitals, clinics, long-term care, home health, hospice and emerging care models.
Students complete core business and leadership courses through flexible online or on-campus formats, while specialized health system sciences courses are taken in person through a partnership with the Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KansasCOM) in Wichita.
Health Care Leadership
Earn your degree in Health Care Leadership.
Program Highlights
Real-world knowledge. Supportive learning.
The master of health care leadership (MHCL), offered in Wichita and online, was the first master’s degree specifically directed at leadership in health care administration in Wichita.
Learn in a Medical School Environment
Through a partnership with Kansas Health Science University’s Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, students complete Health System Sciences courses alongside medical students, gaining real-world insight into clinical systems and patient-focused care.
Flexible Course Formats
Core business and leadership courses are offered online or on campus, giving working professionals the flexibility to balance school, work and life.
Developed by Health Care Leaders
Coursework was created with input from regional and national health care professionals to reflect the realities of today’s complex health systems.
Experienced Faculty
Courses are taught by both academic faculty and practicing professionals from across the health care industry.
Growing Career Field
Health care leadership is consistently ranked among the fastest-growing career sectors, with increasing demand for managers who combine clinical understanding with business and leadership skills.
Capstone Experience
Students complete a capstone project or internship that allows them to apply their learning to a real-world health care leadership challenge.
“I was very worried about the ability to keep up with my classes while being a full time professional, frontline physician and a medical director. The staff and professors were very supportive and accommodating. They were always available to answer any questions, even after hours or on weekends!”
Dr. Chady Sarraf, Physician Read More
“Friends University encouraged me to explore gaps of service in the healthcare sector and prepared me with the skills to help lead change. Due to my research at Friends, Via Christi Health has implemented our nation’s first human trafficking education program and protocol for healthcare professionals.”
Nicole Ensminger, Health Care Leadership Graduate 2014
Costs & Value
Earning a graduate degree can significantly increase your long-term earning potential and career opportunities. According to national data, professionals with graduate degrees earn substantially more over their lifetimes than those with only a bachelor’s degree. Read more reasons why it pays to get a graduate degree.
Topic of Study
Capstone Options
Capstone course
The capstone course for MHCL is HLCL 690, “Managing Complex Healthcare Systems.” This course provides leadership concepts for the oversight of a full-service health system that has created a “cradle to grave” approach in its service offerings. Systems include acute care hospitals, specialty hospitals, physician clinics, minor emergency centers, home health, hospice, long-term care, durable medical equipment, and some additional ancillary providers.
International internships
In conjunction with other master degree programs, MHCL participates in international internships. In the past they have included visits to China, England and South Africa. These international internships include cultural experiences as well as tours and lectures with health care providers that educate you on the architecture of the health care system in that country. The experience culminates with a research paper contrasting U.S. health care with the health care system experienced on the study abroad internship.
Individualized internship
Occasionally you may find an internship opportunity with your current employer or another provider that interests you. You would submit an internship proposal to the program director for review. If approved, the program director will work with you and the provider to establish an internship experience that benefits both you and the employer, but also meets university requirements for capstone course completion.
Preparing for Leadership in the Health Care world
The MHCL will prepare students for responsible positions of professional leadership in the health care environment. The coursework was developed by leaders in the health care industry and specifically designed to encompass all phases of health care leadership, including acute and long-term care, clinic and hospital management, and home health and hospice agencies.
Information from various sources – including The Wall Street Journal, the American College of Healthcare Executives, the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, the Kansas Job Vacancy Survey, InformationWeek, the Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition and the Wichita Eagle – recognizes health care as a growing industry. Some of the reasons for this growth include advances and changes in technology, managed health plans, issues related to aging, physician and hospital ventures, and other areas. Nationally, health care providers are recognizing the majority of middle- to upper-level managers as highly skilled clinicians, with limited financial, management and leadership skills. The industry as a whole is demanding more efficiency, including increased regulations. The curriculum was constructed with recommendation from many of the region’s health care providers. The instructors include full-time faculty members at Friends University who have health care experience, as well as full-time practitioners in various disciplines in the health care industry.
Participants in the health care leadership program examine the conditions and limitations of health care systems as a cohort of talented professionals. The peer-to-peer learning while working with other health care professionals creates a caring community with rich interactions positioning graduates to lead in the corporate and not-for-profit sectors. The far-reaching knowledge and skills developed empower health care leaders to assemble compassionate and sustainable healthcare organizations.
Program Outcomes
The MHCL will prepare students for responsible positions of professional leadership in the health care environment. The coursework was developed by leaders in the health care industry and specifically designed to encompass all phases of health care leadership, including acute and long-term care, clinic and hospital management, and home health and hospice agencies.
Participants in the health care leadership program examine the conditions and limitations of health care systems as a cohort of talented professionals. The peer-to-peer learning while working with other health care professionals creates a caring community with rich interactions positioning graduates to lead in the corporate and not-for-profit sectors. The far-reaching knowledge and skills developed empower health care leaders to assemble compassionate and sustainable healthcare organizations.
Featured Faculty
Dr. Jerree Forbes
- Executive-in-Residence for the Master of Health Care Leadership Program
- A.A.S, A.A.S., Hutchinson Community College and Area Vocational School; B.B.A., M.S., Friends University; Ed.D., Nova Southeastern University