What We Believe

Curricular Philosophy

We believe that the management of health services is among the most complex and most consequential management role in our society. Health services are unlike any other enterprise in terms of mission, structure and organization. There is no other management position that encompasses the fields of medicine, public health, public policy and ethics while requiring the application of management competencies such as law, finance, marketing, human resources, and strategic planning.

The role of management in health services is consequential because the decisions and behaviors of health services managers have a direct impact upon the quality of life in the community. Virtually every decision and action has implications for the quality of health care, the cost of care, and access to appropriate care.

We believe that Georgetown University's Jesuit Catholic tradition significantly influences the content and administration of the program. It shapes the program's supportive collaboration among students, faculty and administration, and it places the highest priority for faculty effort on learning and teaching.

Our Beliefs Shape Our Curriculum

We believe that education for the health services administration profession should encompass both the technical competencies of management and the social and technical contexts in which these competencies are applied. Because professional health services administrators bring specialized knowledge, skills and values to the organization, our curriculum is highly practice-based. Highly qualified health services administrators who occupy key health services positions and bring in-depth operational experience teach many of our courses and are active participants in program development. This is why every graduate student will have a professional mentor, a successful practicing executive, throughout their time in the Georgetown program.

What You Will Experience As a Georgetown Student

We believe that to attain optimum success in any health-related management position it is essential for every student to have an in-depth understanding of the role and management of the hospital. The hospital is one of the most complex institutions in our society and it contains the most intensive concentration of health care management challenges.

Our graduates are valuable to any organization that provides health services, or that provides services to the health sector because they understand patient care, financing, performance improvement, professional roles and relations, labor relations, public relations, and all of the other functions that are inherent to the daily life of managing the hospital.

Health Services Administration Is a Profession

We believe that health services administration is a distinct profession, with a 75-year history, and a distinct body of knowledge, code of ethics, and identity. Professionals who are prepared in graduate programs dedicated to health services administration are recognized in the field of health services delivery, financing, policy and supporting services for their competence, values and knowledge.

Our program has strong management content, but is distinguished from the MBA, which includes few health care specific courses, and from the MPH, which broadly covers those factors that influence population health with emphasis upon medical care and applied management skills.

We believe that the profession of health services administration is a calling for individuals who are committed to public service, have clear and strong values, and are driven by the value of making a positive contribution to the public good.