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FAQ

Below are the “Most Frequently Asked Questions” about the Alliance MS/MBA Program for Physicians. Should you have any other questions or would like to talk to us about the Program, please contact us by:

As a physician, why do I need a graduate business degree?

Graduate training in leadership and management is essential for physicians who have—or desire to have—a responsible administrative or leadership role in their organization. Examples include:

  • group practice chairman, president or medical director
  • clinical medical director
  • hospital or academic department chair
  • medical chief of staff
  • chief medical officer
  • chief medical information officer
  • hospital or health system board member

The clinical skills of physician leaders are assumed. Their success as leaders, however, invariably depends upon their understanding of modern cost, financial and information management practices and their ability to plan, organize and influence their colleagues.  These are the critical skills that form the basis of the Alliance program.

Why should I choose this program?

The Alliance is the nation’s first educational partnership between a major school of management and school of medicine to offer a fully accredited graduate program in healthcare leadership and management designed exclusively for physicians.  Since 1997 the program has attracted physician leaders from throughout the U.S.  Its graduates occupy senior leadership positions in many of the nation’s hospitals, health systems, group practices, managed care organizations and academic medical centers.  The program is case based and highly interactive. Classes are led by nationally recognized business and medical school faculty with outstanding academic credentials and real-world healthcare experience.

Can I fit the program into my clinical schedule?

The program is specifically designed to accommodate physicians’ busy schedules.  Classes meet in Dallas in focused 4-day sessions—Saturday through Tuesday—to minimize time away from practice.  A different class is offered every two months.  Classes may be started at any time and taken in any order.  Tuition is paid one class at a time.  No up-front financial commitment is required.

Which degree is right for me?

Both the Master of Science in Healthcare Leadership & Management and the Healthcare Management Executive MBA are fully accredited, nationally recognized graduate business degrees authorized by the Board of Regents of the University of Texas System.  The Master of Science is the degree of choice for most physician leaders.  It provides the critical knowledge and credentials for doctors who have moved—or aspire to move—into a leadership role in their hospital, health system, group practice or professional organization.  The Master of Science requires completion of nine 4-day residential classes or any eight classes plus a self-directed field study. The Healthcare Management Executive MBA is a general business degree preferred by physicians who wish to transition into an executive management role in their organization or health system.  It requires completion of the nine residential classes plus an additional six online general business classes.  The online general business classes are customized specifically for physicians and require no campus visits.  Participants are free to choose which degree they wish to pursue at any time during the program.  No up-front commitment is required.

Where are the residential classes held? What about hotel accommodations?

The 4-day residential classes are held in Dallas on the campus of the University of Texas at Dallas, with the exception of the healthcare policy class which is held in Washington, DC.  Nearby hotel accommodations are available for program participants at special discounted rates.

When can I begin the online classes required for the MBA?

The online general business classes may be started at any time after beginning the residential classes.

How do I apply? When can I start?

Contact us for program information and application.  The process is easy, and there’s no application fee.  A different 4-day class is offered every two months.  Classes may be started at any time and taken in any order, allowing you to progress at your own pace.  Admission is restricted to MDs, DOs and DPMs with a current license to practice medicine in the U.S.