Design and implementation of an online graduate program in health administration: an academic director's lessons from the field.
The rapid growth of technology-mediated distance learning has prompted a number of health management programs to consider an online degree program as part of their portfolio. As online distance learning degree components figure more prominently into the strategic future of some programs, it becomes increasingly important for those who are guiding this process to understand certain common design and implementation issues. From inception to design to implementation, the program's academic leadership faces a sequence of decisions and issues that can have profound effects on the quality and marketability of the program. Technology-mediated learning has enormous potential in providing students who ordinarily might not be able to earn a graduate degree the opportunity to pursue a graduate education. However, the unique nature of technology-mediated learning presents a number of different strategic academic design and implementation issues. This article describes one program's experience in steering through the uncharted design and implementation waters of a new Internet-based graduate health management degree program and provides insights that could be helpful to colleagues considering similar initiatives.
DiSalvio
P S
PS
Seton Hall University, Room 565, Kozlowski Hall, 400 South Orange Avenue, South Orange, New Jersey 07079, USA. disalvph@shu.edu
D000328:Adult; D003657:Decision Making; D020375:Education, Distance; D004500:Education, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D006270:Health Facility Administrators / Q000193:education*; D006298:Health Services Administration; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007857:Leadership; D008875:Middle Aged; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D016730:Program Development; D014481:United States