University of Chicago

What you'll study

This programme combines core management and healthcare subjects with applied training in data and operations. Typical core topics include healthcare systems and policy, healthcare finance and reimbursement, organisational behaviour and leadership, quality improvement and patient safety, and health law and ethics.

Students also study practical, technical subjects such as healthcare operations management, clinical workflow and logistics, health informatics and electronic health records, and applied data analytics for health services using statistics and common software tools. Elective options allow deeper study in areas such as population health management, revenue cycle management, strategic planning for health systems, and digital health implementation.

The curriculum is usually delivered through a mix of seminars, case studies and project work, and is rounded out by a practicum or capstone placement in a health provider, payer, consultancy or public agency where students apply management tools to real organisational problems.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a good undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. Admissions prefer candidates with some relevant background or experience—this may be prior work in healthcare, clinical practice, or roles in management, policy, IT or research related to health services. Academic transcripts, a CV or résumé, two or three references, and a personal statement outlining professional aims and reasons for pursuing the degree are required.

Standardised test requirements vary by applicant and intake; some applicants may be asked to submit GRE or GMAT scores, while others are considered on a test-optional basis. International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency if their prior education was not in English. Shortlisted candidates are commonly invited to interview.

Career prospects

Graduates move into operational and strategic roles across the healthcare sector. Typical job titles include hospital or clinic manager, operations manager, director of patient services, practice manager, quality improvement lead, and programme manager for health systems. Many graduates also work in healthcare consulting, health information technology implementation, payer and insurance administration, pharmaceutical or biotech commercial/operations functions, or health policy and planning roles in government and non-profit organisations.

The programme’s practicum and industry links help students build professional experience and employer networks, positioning them for leadership roles that require both clinical awareness and administrative expertise.

Why study at University of Chicago

The University of Chicago offers an interdisciplinary environment that links management, policy, medicine and data science—allowing students to combine analytical rigour with practical management skills. Students benefit from access to faculty with expertise across clinical care, health economics, public health policy and informatics, and from collaboration opportunities with the University’s medical centre and affiliated hospitals.

Located in a major metropolitan health ecosystem, the programme provides strong experiential learning through practicum placements and connections to healthcare organisations in Chicago and beyond. The University’s alumni and professional networks, together with resources in analytics and leadership development, help graduates transition into impactful administrative roles across the health sector.