Master Health Management

The healthcare sector is one of the most important growth markets of the future. It is not a uniform area, but a diverse sector: it ranges from outpatient and inpatient medical care to health insurance and the healthcare industry (e.g. pharmaceuticals, medical technology and e-health) through to wellness services. The Master's degree course "Health Care Management" focuses on the core area of medical care and at the same time takes into account developments in related areas.

The degree programs are research-oriented and interdisciplinary. The focus is on issues relating to the management and further development of medical care. The aim is to address the current structural changes in the healthcare system and to train students to become specialists in healthcare management.

In terms of content, the focus is on health economic evaluation, health services research and network management. The range of courses is supplemented by practical topics such as management and organization in the healthcare sector as well as legal framework conditions. Another central component is the development of methodological skills. Education staff with their own research and practical experience closely accompany students in project work, seminars and final theses.

Graduates are qualified to design, evaluate and control care services and processes in the healthcare sector and to manage care providers. Career prospects open up at both specialist and management level, in particular with service providers, health insurance companies, management companies, scientific institutions, associations, administrations, companies in the healthcare industry (especially pharmaceuticals, medical technology and e-health) and consulting firms. In addition, the degree programs prepares students for a subsequent doctorate.

The specialization in Health Care Management provides the majority of graduates with jobs in the healthcare/pharmaceutical sector in positions with further development potential.

Where do our Master's graduates work? Here are a few examples:

• In specialist and management positions at hospitals, health insurance companies and healthcare networks, e.g. in quality and process management, finance & controlling, care analytics or human resources.
• Strategy and innovation management at health insurance companies, pharmaceutical/medical technology companies, consulting firms and hospitals.
• Market access management at companies in the pharmaceutical and medical technology sector.
• As eHealth experts, they work on the development, introduction and sale of digital health products, among other things. These include, for example, health apps or digitally supported care processes. Jobs can be found at health insurance companies, pharmaceutical/medical technology companies, consulting firms, hospitals or start-ups in the field of digital health.
• As area and department managers at large health insurance companies.
• As a technical expert at associations, e.g. GKV-Spitzenverband.
• At scientific institutes to complete a doctorate.
• In many other functions at companies from all areas of the healthcare industry, e.g. Angio Consult, Edwards Lifesciences, Microsoft, Roche, Heidelberg University Hospital, Zeiss.

Numerous events and excursions are offered in the field of Health Care Management. You can find an overview here.

Practical relevance: The combination of theoretical knowledge at the university and practical experience in the company gives students a comprehensive insight into their future career in healthcare management.

Financial support: Dual students usually receive a salary from the company, which enables them to largely finance their Master's degree themselves and gain professional experience in healthcare management.

Career opportunities: Graduates of dual degree programs are often particularly sought after by employers as they have both in-depth specialist knowledge and practical skills. This results in good career advancement and development opportunities.

The city of Ludwigshafen is located in the middle of the metropolitan area Rhine-Neckar with around 160,000 companies (including 10 of the 100 largest listed companies such as BASF, SAP, Roche, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, HeidelbergCement, KSB or Fuchs Petrolub, many medium-sized companies, hidden champions and innovative start-ups), 800,000 employees and a gross value added of over 62 billion euros. 

There is a large number of research and scientific institutions: 23 universities and colleges and more than 30 renowned research institutes (European Molecular Biology Laboratory, four Max Planck Institutes, German Cancer Research Center, Center for European Economic Research).

In addition to an excellent infrastructure with around 240 long-distance departures daily & good public transport, 8 freeways in the immediate vicinity and only 30 minutes to Frankfurt International Airport, the region also offers a diverse cultural and leisure offering with more than 230 museums, 110 theaters and many concerts and festivals, four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, over 120 castles & palaces and three nature parks.

3-semester on-campus course with 10 compulsory modules and the Master's thesis in the 3rd semester (lectures and examinations usually take place from Thursday to Saturday). It is possible to start the course in the summer and winter semesters.

Specialist focus of the degree programs:

• Research on the theory and practice of health care: Research methodology, health services research, health economic evaluation
• Digitalization: artificial intelligence, data science, technology management
• Management of innovative forms of care: Innovation management, change management, performance and financial management, leadership and public relations
• Legal aspects of innovative forms of care
• Internationalization in the healthcare sector

I would like to know which courses are behind the modules (table with additional information on SWS and ECTS):

• non-dual degree programs
• dual degree programs

I would like to know which contents behind the courses (module handbook). 

Admission to the program is open to those who

a) has a degree in the Bachelor's degree program Health Economics in Practice at the Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society with 210 ECTS and a grade of 2.5 or better

or

b) has obtained a Bachelor's degree with 210 ECTS in another suitable degree program with a final grade of 2.5 or better. With the university degree, proof must be provided of examination achievements in the following areas to the extent specified:

• 10 ECTS from the field of statistics, health economic evaluation or methods of empirical social research
• 5 ECTS from the field of public health/medicine or proof of completed vocational training in a healthcare profession
• 5 ECTS from the area of Fundamentals of the German healthcare system and Social Code V
• 5 ECTS from the field of information systems
• 10 ECTS from the area of Management and Controlling

If you cannot provide full proof of the required examinations or if you have a Bachelor's degree with fewer than 210 ECTS, you can make up the missing credits.

If the required minimum grade of 2.5 was not achieved in the first degree course, it is possible to take an aptitude test and gain admission to the Master's degree course via this route - provided the minimum content requirements of the Bachelor's degree course are met.

As some of the courses are held in English, English language skills at level B2 are recommended.

If you have not yet completed your studies, only a maximum of 30 ECTS may still be open at the application deadline. Further information can be foundat here.

In order to be able to study the Master's degree in the dual study program, a qualification contract between the applicant and the cooperation company for the duration of the standard period of study must be provided as a further admisson requirements. The contract must be submitted to the university no later than six weeks after the start of lectures.

Before starting the Master's degree program, you should take advantage of a study consultation, especially if you have not previously completed the Health Economics degree program in the GiP practice network at the Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society. The course of study, e.g. the preliminary semester to be completed, will also be discussed during the consultation.

Advice can be obtained by telephone (0621/5203-182), in person or via Zoom from the Program Manager, Ms. Christine Preis.

Application for the winter semester:
August 1 of the current year
Application for the summer semester:
February 1 of the current year