Frequently Asked Questions

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General

Who can apply to Health Sector Management (HSM)?  
Individuals who are seeking a Duke MBA and who are working in, or are interested in, all areas of the business of health care. Please see Admissions for more specific requirements.
Must I apply separately to HSM?  

No, prospective HSM students must apply through The Duke MBA – Daytime, Cross Continent, Weekend Executive or Global Executive admissions process. Applications contain a section in which applicants may indicate their desire to pursue the HSM concentration or certificate. 

Students applying to the Cross Continent, Weekend Executive or Global Executive MBA programs are required to write an additional admission essay explaining their experience in and commitment to the health sector.

Will applying to HSM affect my chances for admissions?  

Students must meet all Duke MBA admissions requirements and must be accepted into the Daytime, Cross Continent, Weekend Executive or Global Executive program prior to being able to pursue an HSM concentration or certificate.

Consideration for the HSM program does not affect one’s candidacy in the application process for the daytime program.  The criteria for admission is the same.

May I meet with an HSM representative? 

Students with interest in the Daytime program should contact our office at 919.660.1934 if they plan on a campus visit and would like to schedule an appointment to meet with an HSM representative.

Students interested in the Weekend Executive, Global Executive or Cross Continent programs should call 919.660.7895 to schedule a time to meet or talk with an HSM representative.

What is the difference between an HSM concentration and an HSM certificate? 

The Health Sector Management program allows students in the Cross Continent and the Weekend Executive programs to complete a concentration in HSM during their MBA education at Fuqua.  In addition, if desired, the student will be allowed to further enhance their focus on the health sector, by earning a formal  HSM Certificate.

The HSM concentration requires the completion of the HSM Fundamentals course, another HSM core course, one healthcare-specific elective, and an HSM Project course; the certificate requires completion of the HSM concentration requirements plus two additional electives.

The Daytime and Global Executive MBA program offer only a certificate. Daytime students must complete three required HSM courses and three additional electives. For the Global Executive student, the certificate requires the completion of the HSM Fundamentals course, another HSM core course, and two healthcare-specific electives.

For specific curriculum details, see HSM – Daytime, HSM – Cross Continent, HSM - Weekend Executive or HSM - Global Executive.

Will I study with HSM students exclusively? 

Daytime MBA HSM students join the larger cohort for the core MBA classes.  HSM-specific classes consist mostly of HSM students and include, Fuqua Students and those from other Duke programs, including engineering, basic science, public policy, medicine, law, clinical research and global health.

Weekend Executive, Global Executive and Cross Continent MBA HSM students join the larger cohort of MBA students for the core classes.  In contrast, HSM-specific classes consist only of HSM students, including returning Fuqua alumni pursuing the HSM Certificate.

How much does the HSM program cost? 
For those currently enrolled in an MBA program, there is no additional cost to pursue an HSM certificate or concentration.  Returning Fuqua alumni who wish to complete the HSM Certificate are charged $2000.00 per course tuition.
What are the backgrounds of HSM students?  

HSM students come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Many are pharmaceutical, biotechnology and insurance professionals, as well as physicians and other clinicians with management responsibilities. HSM also draws professionals serving the health sector or seeking to move into the sector.

While most students have health care backgrounds, this is not a requirement. We look for a strong commitment to the health care field.

The five MBA programs that incorporate HSM - Daytime, Cross Continent, Weekend Executive, Global Executive and the HSM Alumni Certificate - are designed to meet the needs and interests of professionals at different stages of their careers, and regardless of where in the world they are based.

What types of careers do HSM students typically pursue? 
 Our students generally pursue careers within biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, health care consulting, medical devices, and provider systems; they tend assume positions in marketing, finance, operations, strategic planning, and business development.
Do HSM students still take the MBA core curriculum? 

Yes. Health Sector Management is offered as part of The Duke MBA program; therefore, students must meet all the MBA requirements. To satisfy the HSM requirements, students must complete the required HSM courses and health care electives.

In the Daytime program, HSM courses count as elective credit toward the general MBA degree.

How many students are in the program?  

There are over 150 HSM students represented in The Duke MBA program. The HSM cohort constitutes approximately 20 percent of the entire Daytime student population, making HSM the largest health care program affiliated with a top-tier business school.

On average, 20-25 % of the enrolling Weekend Executive and Global Executive classes opt to participate in the HSM program.

Are there separate requirements for joint degree students?  
Joint degree Daytime students within HSM must complete the HSM course requirements; however, these students are required to complete only one health-related elective.
Are there scholarships available to HSM students? 
Yes.  There are named scholarships at Fuqua specifically for Daytime students pursuing the HSM certificate.  Recipients are selected by The Fuqua School of Business Financial Aid Committee at the time of admission as a merit scholarship; no special application is required.
As a physician, I feel that a more medically related degree such as a Master's of Health Administration would be more beneficial. Why should I study for an MBA? 
Degrees such as the MHA are very different from the MBA. The MHA is primarily a health care qualification taught by schools of public health that focuses on the operational aspects of running hospitals. In contrast, The Duke MBA Health Sector Management program focuses on the marketing, accounting and decision sciences required to design and implement hospital strategy.

On a broader level, Duke’s HSM program provides the skills necessary to navigate the complex world of health care, including managed care, government regulation, and the continuous introduction of new technologies. The program also provides interaction with executives throughout the health care industry, offering a broad understanding of the health care market and a deeper understanding of how companies in these sectors affect individual physicians.
I work in the pharmaceutical industry and only need to consider pharmaceutical issues. Your program is general, so will it address my needs?  
HSM focuses on the most pertinent issues facing today’s pharmaceutical industry, including the re-importation of drugs into the United States, the expense of developing new drugs and obtaining patents, and changes to Medicare. By also interacting with our top-ranked faculty and health care leaders across the health sector, students gain greater insight into how organizations in other arenas affect the pharmaceutical industry.
What experience does your faculty have in understanding the business of health care? 

The Fuqua School of Business has offered a Health Sector Management curriculum for 16 years, and it is now the largest, most comprehensive program of its kind among top-tier business schools. In the process, Fuqua has built a world-renowned faculty that offers students an interdisciplinary learning experience. Please see faculty profiles for more information.

In addition, Fuqua continues to enjoy strong links with the world-renowned Duke University Medical Center, as well as the Duke schools of law, engineering and public policy. Fuqua draws upon these links and other ties to bring top faculty to HSM.

When do HSM courses begin? 

Health Care in the 21st Century course, also known as the “HSM Boot Camp,” is a required three-credit graded course for Daytime students and starts the week before new student orientation in the summer.

This course is also open to students in Cross Continent, Weekend Executive, Global Executive and the Alumni Certificate programs.

Students in the Weekend Executive, Cross Continent and Global Executive programs begin their HSM coursework in October following the start of the Cross Continent Program.