About the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Management Program

Given the challenges facing today’s healthcare industry, employers are seeking individuals with a broad array of advanced skills who can affect organizational change and commercialize healthcare products and services in a resource-constrained environment. Designed and led by seasoned practitioners and full-time faculty members, Columbia Business School’s Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Management Program equips students to become well-rounded leaders prepared to handle the growing complexities of the healthcare sector.

A Flexible, Comprehensive and Pragmatic Curriculum

The Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Management Program allows students to tailor their healthcare business education to their interests and career goals. The healthcare courses — all electives and distinctly experiential — integrate such disciplines as strategy, management, economics, finance, and marketing, providing students with skills applicable to multiple areas in the healthcare sector. Further details on each course are provided in the Courses section.

A Career-Focused Approach to Learning and Professional Development

Helping students gain the knowledge and connections to identify and secure attractive career opportunities is an essential part of the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Management Program. The program connects students to mentors from the industry and career-services professionals at the School. For more information on networking and career opportunities, see the Recruiting section.

A Powerful Network of Alumni and Other Healthcare Business Professionals

Our alumni can be found at the highest level of business leadership in the healthcare industry and are actively involved in the student experience. Students interact regularly with leading industry practitioners through experiential learning opportunities in the classroom and at events organized with the Healthcare Industry Association (HCIA), the student-run healthcare club, throughout the year. Information about the range of events organized by the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Management Program and the HCIA can be found in Events.

A Global Perspective

Columbia Business School is well known for its international perspective, which allows students to apply what they have learned to business challenges around the world. International topics are covered in the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Management Program electives.

An Entrepreneurial Mindset

Entrepreneurial thinking is fully integrated throughout Columbia’s MBA curriculum. The Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Management Program encourages students to take an entrepreneurial role in curriculum design and industry-outreach activities.

An Attractive New York City Location

New York City and the surrounding region are home to some of the world’s largest healthcare corporations, as well as major industry investors and advisers. The Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Management Program and the student body benefit from this proximity to eminent industry practitioners.

Access to the World-Class Columbia Healthcare Community

Other leading professional schools at Columbia University — such as the Mailman School of Public Health and the College of Physicians and Surgeons — provide MBA students with access to multidisciplinary healthcare-management research and education. Some students pursue dual degrees in conjunction with these schools.