Curriculum

The MS in Healthcare Leadership and Management degree offers flexible class offerings, including AI topics and a stand-alone AI course in a healthcare setting, to ensure students can complete their master’s in a reasonable time frame and acquire key skill sets for a changing job market. Classes are offered on-campus in the evening (many are available online) and are especially suitable for students working full-time or part-time jobs. Work or educational experience in healthcare is desirable but not required. Students are encouraged to review the UT Dallas Graduate Catalog for the most updated curriculum details.

Degree Plan Highlights

“SCH” indicates “Semester Credit Hours.”

27SCH

Core Courses*

27 semester credit hours

27 semester credit hours in healthcare-focused core business classes

9 SCH

Elective Courses*

9 semester credit hours

Prerequisite*

MAS 6102 Professional Development

4Tracks

Tracks are for informational and guidance purposes only and do not appear on your degree. You may switch from one track to another as long as you follow our degree plan. When you are not able to strictly follow one of the first (4) specialty tracks listed below, you should make sure that you, at a minimum, meet the criteria of the Healthcare Leadership and Management degree. All tracks include nine core courses and three electives. Contact the program manager for customized degree plans.

4 Specialty Tracks

Core Courses – 27 semester credit hours
Elective Courses – 9 semester credit hours

  • HMGT 6323 MIS 6317 Healthcare Informatics
  • HMGT 6327 MIS 6381 Electronic Health Records Applications
  • HMGT 6334 MIS 6324 Healthcare Analytics
  • OPRE 6301 SYSM 6303 Statistics and Data Analysis (Pre-Req for Healthcare Analytics)
Click here for Fall 2025 Semester-by-Semester sample plan with highlighted courses denoting certificate courses.

Students desiring an internal auditing career with a healthcare provider organization should consider the following courses:

Core Courses – 27 semester credit hours
Elective Courses – 9 semester credit hours

Click here for Fall 2025 Semester-by-Semester sample plan.

Core Courses – 27 semester credit hours
Elective Courses – 9 semester credit hours

Earn Academic Certificate in Six Sigma and Beyond Yellow Belt

  • HMGT 6320 The American Healthcare System
  • HMGT 6321 Strategic Leadership of Healthcare Organizations
  • HMGT 6323 Healthcare Informatics
  • HMGT 6332 Quality Improvement in Healthcare – Six Sigma and Beyond

Earn Professional Certificate in Six Sigma and Beyond Green Belt

  • OPRE 6332 Spreadsheet Modeling and Analytics
Click here for Fall 2025 Semester-by-Semester sample plan with highlighted courses denoting certificate courses.

For students desiring a career in supply chain management.

Core Courses – 27 semester credit hours
Elective Courses – 9 semester credit hours

  • HMGT 6325 Healthcare Operations Management
  • OPRE 6301 Statistics and Data Analysis
  • OPRE 6332 Spreadsheet Modeling and Analytics
  • OPRE 6362 Project Management in Engineering and Operations
  • OPRE 6371 Purchasing, Sourcing and Contract Management
Click here for Fall 2025 Semester-by-Semester sample plan.

Certificates

The graduate certificate in Healthcare IT emphasizes practical concepts and hands-on experience, essential to professional careers in the Healthcare IT industry. Technical skills, such as the utilization of electronic medical records (EMR) software such as Epic, are built into the certificate program. The learning outcomes for the program include the following:

  1. Identify and evaluate the types of information systems prevalent in healthcare organizations.
  2. Utilize hands-on, practice-oriented opportunities to learn the core components of clinical information systems used by major healthcare providers in the United States.
  3. Formulate a conceptual understanding of healthcare analytics and decision-making, in addition to developing technical skills in business intelligence and prescriptive analytics using decision analysis.

Requirements

Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA to be in good academic standing with the university AND also a minimum 3.0 GPA in Basic Core Courses (check degree plan for list), for the degree, and overall in order to graduate with certificates. All courses for a certificate must be completed within 72 months.

  • HMGT 6323 Healthcare Informatics
  • HMGT 6327 Electronic Health Records Applications
  • HMGT 6334 Healthcare Analytics*
    • **OPRE 6301 Statistics and Data Analysis is not required for the certificate but is a prerequisite for HMGT 6334. Certificate-seeking students can request a waiver for OPRE 6301 if previous graduate coursework was taken that demonstrates an equivalent level of proficiency.

Please see the current graduate course catalog for course descriptions, course prerequisites and other information.

Degree-Seeking Students and Certificate-Seeking Students

Current degree-seeking graduate students are eligible but still must formally apply to the Healthcare IT Certificate Program. Academic certificate programs follow the same application and admission processes as graduate degree programs. All dates and deadlines can be located in the UTD Academic Calendar.

Non-degree seeking students can apply as a new student to the Healthcare IT Certificate Program using the JSOM admission website. Please note that non-degree seeking students are not typically eligible for financial aid. Please see the UTD Bursar webpage for information regarding tuition and fees.

Application Process

Current UTD Students

  • Even if you are currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program at UTD, you must submit a separate UTD graduate application for the certificate program. Regular deadlines apply. For application instructions and to apply, visit the UT Dallas Steps to Graduate page.
  • Note that current UTD students are exempt from the following parts of the graduate application:
    • Application fee
    • Recommendation letters
    • GRE/GMAT test scores
  • Once you are offered admission, you must accept your admission to the certificate program in Galaxy.

Not Currently Enrolled at UT Dallas

Cost

  • Texas residents can expect to pay approximately $11,750 in tuition and fees (assuming 2 courses per term for 2 terms) to complete four classes. Please see the UTD Bursar webpage for information regarding tuition and fees.
  • Please note that non-degree seeking students are typically not eligible for financial aid.

Graduation

  • At the beginning of the semester in when a student intends to graduate from the certificate program, they should email Amye.Broyles@utdallas.edu or Keith.Thurgood@utdallas.edu with this information to be made eligible to apply for graduation. Students should then submit their application for graduation within the regular deadlines.
  • Once the semester is complete, the registrar will audit on the student record. If all requirements have been met, the student will receive the certificate in the mail 6-8 weeks after the semester concludes.
  • Please note, if you apply to graduate from the certificate program during a semester in which you are not enrolled in any classes, you will be charged a $100 absentia fee at the end of the semester.

Forms and Deadlines

Forms

Apply Now

Intent to graduate students – apply for graduation in Galaxy with the information found above under the Graduation portion and email Amye.Broyles@utdallas.edu or Keith.Thurgood@utdallas.edu with your intent graduate the program.

Deadlines

Graduate Certificate Deadlines for U.S. Citizens and International Applicants are available on the UT Dallas Deadlines page.

Lean Six Sigma is a framework used to improve quality by focusing on re-engineering the processes involved in delivering a product or service. The Six Sigma concept was introduced in the mid-1980s to improve manufacturing processes, and it has evolved over many decades. Lean Six Sigma has become popular in the service sector and has increasingly been applied to improve the quality of healthcare processes and reduce overall costs.

Admission Requirement

Students currently enrolled in the Master of Science in Healthcare Leadership and Management program are eligible but still must formally apply to the Yellow Belt Certificate Program. Academic certificate programs follow the same application and admission processes as graduate degree programs. All dates and deadlines can be located in the UTD Academic Calendar.

Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA to be in good academic standing with the university AND also a minimum 3.0 GPA in Basic Core Courses (check degree plan for list), for the degree, and overall in order to graduate with certificates. All courses for a certificate must be completed within 72 months.

  • HMGT 6320 The American Healthcare System
  • HMGT 6321 Strategic Leadership of Healthcare Organizations
  • HMGT 6323 Healthcare Informatics
  • HMGT 6332 Quality Improvement in Healthcare – Six Sigma and Beyond

Please see the current graduate course catalog for course descriptions, course prerequisites and other information.

Degree-Seeking Students

Current degree-seeking graduate students are eligible but still must formally apply for the Lean Six Sigma in Healthcare Quality Yellow Belt Certificate. Academic certificate programs follow the same application and admission processes as graduate degree programs. All dates and deadlines can be located in the UTD Academic Calendar.

Application Process

Current UTD Students

  • Even if you are currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program at UTD, you must submit a separate UTD graduate application for the certificate program. Regular deadlines apply. For application instructions and to apply, visit the UT Dallas Steps to Graduate page.
  • Note that current UTD students are exempt from the following parts of the graduate application:
    • Application fee
    • Recommendation letters
    • GRE/GMAT test scores
  • Once you are offered admission, you must accept your admission to the certificate program in Galaxy.

Cost

Texas residents can expect to pay approximately $11,750 in tuition and fees (assuming two courses per term for two terms) to complete four classes. Please see the UTD Bursar webpage for information regarding tuition and fees.

Graduation

  • At the beginning of the semester in when a student intends to graduate from the certificate program, they should email Amye.Broyles@utdallas.edu or Keith.Thurgood@utdallas.edu with this information to be made eligible to apply for graduation. Students should then submit their application for graduation within the regular deadlines.
  • Once the semester is complete, the registrar will audit the student record. If all requirements have been met, the student will receive the certificate in the mail 6-8 weeks after the semester concludes.
  • Please note that if you apply to graduate from the certificate program during a semester in which you are not enrolled in any classes, you will be charged a $100 absentia fee at the end of the semester.

Forms and Deadlines

Forms

Apply Now

Intent to graduate students – apply for graduation in Galaxy with the information found above under the “Graduation” portion and email Amye.Broyles@utdallas.edu or Keith.Thurgood@utdallas.edu with your intent to graduate from the program.

Deadlines

Graduate Certificate Deadlines for U.S. Citizens and International Applicants are available on the UT Dallas Deadlines page.

After completing an Academic Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certificate from 4 core courses in the master’s program, use an elective for the Professional Green Belt certificate. UT Dallas also offers Professional Certificates in the Brown and Black belt training. The Green Belt Professional certificate includes one course (OPRE 6364) and an industry project. The project will likely span two terms. Connect with Dr. Kannan Ramanathan to declare your interest in the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Professional Certificate.

Admission Requirement

Students currently enrolled in the Master of Science in Healthcare Leadership and Management program are eligible but still must formally apply to the Green Belt Certificate Program. Professional certificate programs follow the same application and admission processes as graduate degree programs. All dates and deadlines can be located in the UTD Academic Calendar.

Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA to be in good academic standing with the university AND also a minimum 3.0 GPA in Basic Core Courses (check degree plan for list), for the degree, and overall in order to graduate with certificates. All courses for a certificate must be completed within 72 months.

Please see the current graduate course catalog for course descriptions, course prerequisites and other information.

Degree-Seeking Students

Current degree-seeking graduate students are eligible but still must formally apply for the Lean Six Sigma in Healthcare Quality Green Belt Certificate. Professional certificate programs follow the same application and admission processes as graduate degree programs. All dates and deadlines can be located in the UTD Academic Calendar.

Application Process

Current UTD Students

  • Even if you are currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program at UTD, you must submit a separate UTD graduate application for the certificate program. Regular deadlines apply. For application instructions and to apply, visit the UT Dallas Steps to Graduate page.
  • Note that current UTD students are exempt from the following parts of the graduate application:
    • Application fee
    • Recommendation letters
    • GRE/GMAT test scores
  • Once you are offered admission, you must accept your admission to the certificate program in Galaxy.

Cost

Texas residents can expect to pay approximately $2,938 in tuition and fees (assuming 1 courses per term for 1 terms) to complete two classes. Please see the UTD Bursar webpage for information regarding tuition and fees.

Graduation

  • At the beginning of the semester in when a student intends to graduate from the certificate program, they should email Amye.Broyles@utdallas.edu or Keith.Thurgood@utdallas.edu with this information to be made eligible to apply for graduation. Students should then submit their application for graduation within the regular deadlines.
  • Once the semester is complete, the registrar will audit the student record. If all requirements have been met, the student will receive the certificate in the mail 6-8 weeks after the semester concludes.
  • Please note that if you apply to graduate from the certificate program during a semester in which you are not enrolled in any classes, you will be charged a $100 absentia fee at the end of the semester.

Forms and Deadlines

Forms

Apply Now

Intent to graduate students – apply for graduation in Galaxy with the information found above under the “Graduation” portion and email Amye.Broyles@utdallas.edu or Keith.Thurgood@utdallas.edu with your intent to graduate from the program.

Deadlines

Graduate Certificate Deadlines for U.S. Citizens and International Applicants are available on the UT Dallas Deadlines page.

*These details apply to the most recent catalog. Catalogs from previous years are available online at the main UT Dallas Catalog page. Please contact the JSOM Academic Advising Office if you have further questions. See catalog for course requirements.

Visit the graduate catalog for a full list of courses in this concentration.

Healthcare Leadership and Management Course Modalities

Type Course Name Pre-Req Spring Summer Fall
Elective MAS 6102 Professional Development (1 credit)   Multiple Modalities In-Person Multiple Modalities
Core HMGT 6311 Healthcare Financial and Operations Accounting   Online Online Online
Core HMGT 6320 The American Healthcare System   Multiple Modalities Online Multiple Modalities
Core HMGT 6321 Strategic Leadership of Healthcare Organizations HMGT 6320 Online   Multiple Modalities
Core HMGT 6323 Healthcare Informatics   Online   In-Person
Core HMGT 6324 Healthcare Negotiation & Dispute Resolution   Multiple Modalities   Multiple Modalities
Core HMGT 6325 Healthcare Operations Management   In-Person Online In-Person
Core HMGT 6330 Healthcare Law, Policy and Regulation HMGT 6320 Online   In-Person
Core HMGT 6331 Healthcare Economics   Asynchronous In-Person  
Core HMGT 6332 Quality Improvement in Healthcare – Six Sigma   Online   Online
Elective HMGT 6327 Electronic Health Records Applications HMGT 6323 In-Person    
Elective BUAN 6398 Prescriptive Analytics   In-Person In-Person Multiple Modalities
Elective MIS 6356 Business Analytics w/ R   In-Person   In-Person
Elective OB 6331 Power and Politics in Organizations   In-Person   In-Person
Elective OPRE 6362 Project Management in Engineering and Operations   Multiple Modalities   Multiple Modalities
Elective OPRE 6371 Purchasing Sourcing and Contract Management   Online   Multiple Modalities
Elective HMGT 6334 Healthcare Analytics OPRE 6301 / SYSM 6303     Online
Elective HMGT 6335 Spreadsheet Modeling and Analytics   Multiple Modalities In-Person Multiple Modalities
Elective HMGT 6336 Information Technology Audit and Risk Management   In-Person   In-Person
Elective HMGT 6337 Applied AI in a Healthcare Setting HMGT 6320     In-Person
Elective HMGT 6374 Internet of Things   In-Person    
Elective HMGT 6380 Internal Audit   In-Person   In-Person
Elective HMGT 6390 (6v10) Healthcare Capstone Practicum       In-Person
Elective HMGT 6393 Advanced Auditing ACCT 6334 / ACCT 6380 / HMGT 6380   In-Person In-Person
Elective MIS 6324 Business Analytics with SAS OPRE 6301 / OPRE 6359 / BUAN 6359 Online Online Online
Elective OPRE 6301 Statistics and Data Analysis   Multiple Modalities Online Multiple Modalities
Elective OPRE 6332 Spreadsheet Modeling and Analytics   Multiple Modalities In-Person Multiple Modalities

MS Healthcare Leadership and Management Mission

The mission of the MS in Healthcare Leadership and Management program is to conduct relevant industry-related research; prepare students to lead and thrive in a rapidly changing, technology-driven healthcare environment and engage with our business and healthcare communities to deliver high-quality leadership and management education for early and mid-careerists. We do this by developing key business and healthcare competencies that enable our students to make a positive difference.

Program Level Student Learning Outcomes

  • Assess the role of organized efforts in shaping health policy, and evaluate how technology, research, and societal values influence the evolving U.S. healthcare delivery system.
  • Describe the regulatory framework governing healthcare delivery, and analyze the interrelationship between cost, access, and quality in healthcare.
  • Identify and evaluate the various types of information systems commonly used in healthcare organizations.
  • Analyze how healthcare organizations develop and implement sustainable strategies to remain competitive in a dynamic environment.

Competency-Based Curriculum

CAHME Logo

The MS Healthcare Leadership and Management curriculum is developed and updated in relation to the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) which serves the public by advancing the quality of healthcare management education globally, with 158 CAHME programs accredited worldwide. In Fall 2023, UTD’s MS Healthcare Leadership and Management program received official accreditation. Learn particulars about our accredited program.

The purpose of the competency model is to enable you to develop the right knowledge, skills and abilities to make an immediate difference upon graduation. Each competency is tied to specific course objectives in each of our nine core classes. By improving your leadership and technical skills, you will graduate as a valuable resource in the healthcare industry.

Our competency model has five domains, which are shown below, along with their associated competencies. You can find more information in the Competency Booklet, and once enrolled, within a course’s online learning module. Modules provide more practical insights into the competencies within the UTD Blackboard platform (log in with your UTD ID, search organizations and Building Healthcare Competencies).

  • Build collaborative relationships
  • Develop and maintain medical staff relationships
  • Build trusting, collaborative relationships with staff, peers, other disciplines, physicians, vendors, community leaders, legislators, nursing and other educational programs
  • Present data analysis results to decision-makers
  • Mediation, negotiation and dispute-resolution techniques
  • Foster an environment of mutual trust and ethical decision-making
  • Advocate and participate in healthcare policy initiatives
  • Critically analyze organizational issues after a review of the evidence
  • Create a compelling vision and serve as a change agent, assisting others in understanding needed changes, reasons for change and the change process
  • Promote continuous organizational learning and improvement
  • Participate in the legislative process concerning healthcare through membership in professional organizations and personal contact with public officials
  • Healthcare and medical terminology
  • Managed care models, structures and environment (e.g., group, staff, IPA, PPO)
  • Evidence-based management practice
  • Healthcare economics and emerging trends
  • Analyze and evaluate information to support a decision or recommendation
  • Demonstrate critical thinking and analysis
  • Assess organizational perception of systems and departmental effectiveness
  • Financial management and financial analysis principles (e.g., balance sheets, income and cash flow statements, ratio analysis)
  • Outcomes measures and management
  • Define roles, responsibilities and job descriptions
  • Evaluate existing and emerging technologies in planning the technological direction to support organizational strategy and systems architecture
  • Strategic planning processes development and implementation

Customize Your Degree

The nine hours of electives allow students to customize the degree to fulfill their specific career goals, such as proficiency in IT, quality improvement, supply chain or internal audit.

View Elective Courses

Student Testimonials

Kennedy Shaffer

Kennedy Shaffer, MS’20

Patient Coordinator, Identity Eyecare

Upon graduation, I approached one of my professors with my dilemma, and he introduced me to ‘the business of healthcare.’ I have been hooked ever since!
See all Master’s in Healthcare Leadership and Management Student Testimonials
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