Is a Master’s in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Healthcare Operational Excellence (HOPEX) Worth It?

It’s not a secret: higher education is an investment of both time and money. According to recent surveys, return-on-investment ROI is overwhelmingly high for online degrees. Even so, you may be curious if a specific program at the University of Cincinnati is worth pursuing, such as the Master’s in Pharmaceutical Sciences Healthcare Operational Excellence program (HOPEX).

If you are interested in a career in healthcare administration, then the HOPEX degree is the perfect next step! Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of earning this degree 100% online. From a flexible curriculum to numerous career opportunities, we’re confident that HOPEX is worth it.

Key Takeaways

• • A master’s in healthcare operational excellence (HOPEX) is worth it due to offering high-value skills and strong career growth in the field of healthcare administration.
  • The HOPEX curriculum emphasizes Pharmacy 5.0 principles of patient-centric care and the Lean Six Sigma methodology, both of which prepare students for the workforce and boost their earning potential.
  • Graduates can pursue a variety of high-paying jobs with a HOPEX degree, particularly those in healthcare management, operations management, and quality improvement.

What Is Healthcare Operational Excellence?

Success in the healthcare industry is directly tied to increasing efficiency and reducing waste. Smoother processes result in a more streamlined experience for patients. Reduced spending means that hospitals and other healthcare organizations will have increased resources to put toward patient care and maintaining the strength of the organization. Healthcare operational excellence is a commitment to this constant growth.

Automation, new technologies, data management, and operational efficiency methodologies can all play a role in achieving operational excellence. Most importantly, these improvements aren’t carried out by one person. After making these organizational changes, the entire team contributes to a vision of higher efficiency and therefore better patient outcomes.

What is a Master’s in Healthcare Operational Excellence (HOPEX)?

Now that you know what healthcare operational excellence is, you may be wondering what makes a degree in HOPEX so beneficial. Through UC’s online master’s in HOPEX, students become visionaries of operational excellence. They gain an extensive knowledge of healthcare administration, data analytics, business, and more. By utilizing their expertise in these areas, HOPEX graduates enhance healthcare operations at every level.

This degree program explores operational methodologies, such as Lean Six Sigma, and the ways in which they can improve healthcare organizations. Emphasis is also given to Pharmacy 5.0, a patient-centric framework that is revolutionizing the industry. Coursework for the degree covers a broad range of topics, including biostatistics, public health, and pharmacoeconomics. Electives also offer students the ability to specialize, whether that’s in machine learning, pharmacy management, or artificial intelligence.

With a graduate degree in HOPEX, you will be prepared to:

• Evaluate how organizations operate
• Identify problem areas
• Implement process improvements

Best of all, the online graduate program in HOPEX is designed for flexible, part-time enrollment. With the University of Cincinnati’s online programs, you don’t have to sacrifice your career to further your education. Instead, you can use your graduate education to take your career to new heights while still enjoying your life.

Is a Master’s in Healthcare Operational Excellence Worth It?

Pursuing a master’s degree can be daunting to consider. You may not know what jobs will fit your skillset, especially if you’re entering the healthcare industry for the first time. However, a master’s in healthcare operational excellence (HOPEX) can lead to high benefits in career advancement, earning potential, and job market growth.

Career Outlook

In the healthcare industry, career opportunities for HOPEX graduates are in no short supply. Due to the adaptable, cross-functional nature of the degree, you will be prepared for many fulfilling roles. Several jobs you can secure as a HOPEX graduate include:

• Healthcare Operations Manager: This type of health services manager oversees the day-to-day operations of a healthcare organization. With an emphasis on leadership responsibilities, financial management, and process improvements, it’s an excellent chance to utilize a varied skill set.
• Quality Improvement Specialist: These specialists are concerned with collecting data and identifying areas of improvement in a healthcare setting. As a quality improvement specialist, HOPEX graduates are well-equipped to implement operational improvements and educate others on best practices.
• Healthcare Consultant: Graduates of the HOPEX program will thrive in this role that combines healthcare expertise with business acumen. Healthcare consultants aren’t limited to one type of organization either. They provide guidance on ways to improve workflow and eliminate waste in hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and government agencies.
• Healthcare Executive: A leadership position like this one provides HOPEX graduates the opportunity to spearhead their organization’s strategic and financial management. If you are passionate about collaborating with others to refine patient care, consider a career as a healthcare executive.

Salary Potential

The range of salaries for graduates of the HOPEX program will vary based on factors like location, sector, and role. The average salary for a quality improvement specialist in the U.S. is $76,037, with some earning as much as $147,000 annually. For medical and health service managers, the 2023 range of annual wages was $97,490 to $128,740.

Another important factor to consider is how additional credentials, such as Six Sigma certifications, can increase your earning potential. Given the HOPEX curriculum’s emphasis on Lean Six Sigma methodologies, you will have a leg-up in acquiring these certifications! These will build your management skills and show employers what you bring to the table.

A Growing Field

With the baby boomer generation reaching an older age, the need for optimized healthcare continues to climb. This creates an abundance of job openings in the healthcare industry, many of which can be filled by graduates of the HOPEX program. They are the perfect individuals to confront the challenges that healthcare organizations face today and provide solutions. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical and health service managers is projected to grow 29% by 2033. Even better, after earning your master’s in healthcare operational excellence, you will be a top competitor for these and other high-paying, high-impact roles.

Who Is This Degree Right For?

Students from an assortment of backgrounds succeed in the HOPEX program. If you have a passion for continuous improvement and hold a bachelor’s degree in any field, you can apply for the HOPEX program. That’s right—you don’t have to have an undergraduate degree in healthcare!

A degree in HOPEX will open doors for you in healthcare. Unlike many master’s programs, prior experience in healthcare administration is not necessary to be admitted to the program. Your keys to success are your interest in problem-solving, project management, and revolutionizing the way healthcare organizations operate.

Want to Learn More? Let UC Help You Earn Your Master’s Online

We’re confident that a degree in HOPEX is more than worth the investment. There’s never been a better time to take your healthcare career to the next level. If you want to see what we mean, complete your HOPEX application today!

Still have questions? We have answers. Contact your Enrollment Advisor and get the answers you need—from tuition and fees to how HOPEX will match your personalized goals. The UC Online staff is here to help.

The demand for healthcare administrators isn’t going anywhere, so it’s time for you to become one of the best. A master’s in HOPEX will help you do that.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does someone in operational excellence do?

Operational excellence professionals examine the ways in which organizations can automate manual processes and pin down areas of waste. In a healthcare setting, this could mean eliminating excessive testing or unnecessary services.

What is an example of Healthcare Operations Management?

Healthcare operations management may involve performing data analysis and evaluating an organization’s budget for inefficiencies. Due to funding constraints and high-cost medical equipment, operation management ensures that healthcare organizations are offering quality patient care.