MC Offers Online Health Services Administration Program

Mississippi College is offering a new online degree catering to professionals in the booming healthcare industry.

Graduate students pursuing the master of health services administration degree will use computers to hear from professors, tap into discussion boards, and get assignments similar to a face-to-face classroom setting.

“Everything is online,” said Mississippi College professor Melanie Fortenberry, who will teach the online classes starting in August. “In theory, students can be anywhere in the world - this will be interactive.”

Fortenberry is already fielding calls from prospects in Mississippi and Louisiana. She expects 20 students will sign up. There are now 45 students in the existing MC graduate program that's been a success story for decades.

Mississippi College is offering “the exact same degree program in an online format to serve a broader constituency where there is obvious need,” says Debbie Norris, the graduate school dean.

Reports show growth in the industry will continue for years to come. The U.S. Labor Department reports 8 of the 20 fastest-growing occupations are in healthcare. The industry was expected to lead in new wage and salary job creation between 2004 and 2010.

MC's master of health services administration program has produced a number of notable graduates over the years. They include Bobbie Ware, chief nursing officer at Baptist Health Systems in Jackson, Norris noted.

Online courses at MC are nothing new. Degree programs in higher education and nursing are presently offered online at the Christian university based in Clinton. Nationwide, online college classes are seeing “an upswing of interest,” Fortenberry said. “This will be very convenient for students.”

By taking six hours each semester, students can earn their master's degree in five semesters.

Graduate students interested in this new MC degree can apply now by visiting the website www.mc.edu/academics/graduate/apply. Once students turn in their transcripts and are admitted, they can begin to register. For more information, contact professor Melanie Fortenberry, administrator of the master of health service program, at Forten00@mc.edu or call 601.925.3982.