Request Info
Get started.
Tell us a little about you, and we’ll connect you with the answers you need. Ready to get started at Friends?
Why a Master of Health Care Leadership (MHCL) Is More Essential Than Ever
The health care landscape is changing fast with more tech, more demand, more complexity. And in the middle of all of that? You. Whether you’re a provider, administrator, or public health professional, your role is critical to how patients experience care.
That’s why Friends University launched an enhanced version of its Master of Health Care Leadership (MHCL) program—now offered in collaboration with the Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KansasCOM), part of Kansas Health Science University. This new partnership blends the strengths of a graduate business education with the insight of a clinical environment.
What Makes the Friends + KansasCOM Partnership Unique?
Through this partnership, MHCL students:
- Remain fully enrolled at Friends University
- Take four integrated courses through KansasCOM’s Health System Sciences curriculum
- Gain critical exposure to clinical thinking and interprofessional collaboration while studying in the same environment where future doctors train
These KansasCOM courses count toward key MHCL degree requirements and cover topics such as:
- Strategic planning and performance analytics
- Managing complex health care systems
- Addressing contemporary issues in aging services
Who Is This Degree For?
1. Frontline Health Professionals Ready to Lead
If you’re a nurse, therapist, dentist, or clinician who wants to move from bedside care into systems-level change, MHCL gives you the strategic, financial, and leadership tools to shape patient experiences at the organizational level.
2. Current Administrators Seeking Executive Roles
Already in a leadership role? This degree prepares you to go beyond managing teams and into policy-setting, system oversight, and cross-functional strategy.
3. Nonprofit & Public Health Leaders
Working in community health, government, or nonprofit spaces? MHCL provides managementand operational expertise to lead large-scale initiatives and advocate for sustainable change.
4. Consultants & Policy Professionals
If you’re advising or influencing health systems, this degree helps you speak the language of both medicine and business. It’s a competitive edge that translates across organizations and industries.
5. Biotech & Pharma Professionals
If you’re leading innovation in medical technology or pharmaceutical development, MHCL helps you manage teams, navigate compliance, and scale solutions that improve care.
What You Gain from an MHCL
- Career Mobility & Salary Growth – Open doors to senior roles and increased earning potential.
- Leadership & Strategy Training – Make decisions that drive outcomes and manage crisis.
- Financial & Operational Expertise – Learn to manage budgets, analyze performance, and drive efficiency.
- A Bigger Platform for Impact – Step into roles where you can solve real problems like access, affordability, and care quality.
- A Trusted Network – Connect with health care professionals, faculty, and clinical educators who can support your journey.
Bottom Line
If you’re committed to healthcare and ready to lead with purpose, Friends University’s MHCL program offers the education, partnerships, and perspective to make it happen. This isn’t just a degree, it’s a mission-forward investment in your capacity to lead change.
Learn more about how Friends and KansasCOM are equipping the next generation of health care leaders.