1) How many credit hours are required for the DO/MBA Combined Degree Completion Pathway for LMU-DCOM students?
The Combined Degree Completion Pathway MBA Program for LMU-DCOM students is comprised of 30 semester hours of coursework. Twelve credit hours of MBA coursework will be complete during the DO/MBA candidate's first summer within the MBA program. The remaining credit hours can be completed during the student's summers and third and fourth rotation years.
2) What is the goal of the Combined Degree Completion Pathway MBA Program for osteopathic medical students at LMU-DCOM?
The program has been designed to provide the student with excellent career options and practice management and administration skills at the same time they are preparing to become a well-trained osteopathic physician. Completion of the professional MBA degree at the time of pursuing the DO Degree should prepare the dual degree graduate with the knowledge and skills to more quickly assume a leadership role in clinical practice in an outpatient or hospital setting. Graduates of this program should have enlarged career options which might include health care finance, quality assurance, hospital or clinic administration, directorship of clinical or educational programs, careers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, and others should be able to apply the principles of business to health care, resulting in improved quality and efficiency of care delivery, improved patient safety and organizational effectiveness and design. A graduate of this program should have a broader frame of reference and horizons as he or she begins his or her career.
3) What is the purpose and structure of the professional MBA degree program for LMU-DCOM students?
The DO/MBA Combined Degree Completion Pathway is designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of business principles that are useful to a physician who participates in the business aspects of medical practice. The program is intended to focus on applying knowledge of business to real situations, often with a health care emphasis, with consistent attention to the role of dynamic and ethical leadership and managerial skills in a changing business and health care environment. The program provides the student with preparation for his or her future role as physician-administrator/manager and enables him or her to make better strategic business decisions in practice and to interact credibly with his or her non-medical business colleagues. The program blends medical and business training to provide a basis for the ability to capably manage and coordinate medical practices and other business endeavors in a highly competitve, heavily regulated and constantly changing environment.
4) How is the professional MBA program integrated into my medical school studies?
The DO/MBA Combined Degree Completion Pathway allows the highly motivated and academically qualified medical student to pursue the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees simultaneously. Both programs can be completed in four academic years, in less time than would ordinarily be required if the degrees were pursued consecutively.
All students complete the first 12 semester hours of coursework in the summer preceding the beginning of their medical studies or between their first and second years of medical school; during that time, classes typically meet four days in the first two years of medical school per week. The remaining MBA coursework may be completed in either classroom or online settings during the next three years. The DO/MBA student is not allowed to pursue business coursework while carrying a full load of medical school courses.
5) Do I lose weekends and vacation time if I decide to pursue the professional MBA degree?
No. The MBA classes are scheduled in a way that keeps weekends free in the summer when foundational coursework is completed. Remaining MBA coursework is offered in a flexible manner that will allow students to have additional free time. However, applicants are advised that a significant commitment of time and effort is required in order to meet requirements of the professional MBA program.
6) Do I have to take the Graduate Management Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)?
No. However, a Peregrine assessment test is required to be completed in the first and last semesters of the program.
7) How much is tuition?
Tuition for the DO/MBA Combined Degree Completion Pathway is at the prevailing rate of graduate tuition for Lincoln Memorial University's traditional MBA program; the tuition rate is per semester hour enrolled and is very reasonable when compared to that charged for comparable programs at other institutions.
8) Is financial aid available?
Yes; financial aid for both medical school and the MBA program is coordinated by LMU-DCOM. Contact Pat Peace, director of financial services (423.869.7107; to set up an appointment to review your financial aid options. Mrs. Peace is able to ensure that MBA-related financial aid decisions and awards are coordinated with your medical school financial aid plan.
9) What if I have never taken any business courses?
That should not be a problem; most DO/MBA Combined Degree Completion Pathway students have not taken business courses prior to enrolling in the professional MBA program; the curriculum of the MBA degree has been designed considering not only that fact but also what physicians need to be successful in a variety of professional work situations.
10) Where are the MBA courses held?
Classes for the DO/MBA Combined Degree Completion Pathway are held, initially, at the School of Business on the Harrogate campus during the summer. Other classes are offered either on the Harrogate campus or in an online format.
11) What computer equipment will I need for the professional MBA program?
The computer that you use for your DO program studies should suffice for the MBA program.
12) What about the background and experience of the faculty of the MBA program?
The faculty of the DO/MBA Combined Degree Completion Pathway blends professional business, academic, and health care expertise to give an excellent balance for the program. Faculty have real world consultative, academic, and corporate experiences that allow them to adequately cover not only the theoretical aspects of business but to also provide sufficient exposure to contemporary analytical skills needed to allow students to use what they learn in real world situations.
13) Can I enroll in the professional MBA program if I am sponsored by the military?
Yes, it is possible. Coordinating the requirements of the dual DO/MBA Combined Degree Completion Pathway will need to be discussed with the LMU-DCOM financial aid office, your branch of the military service and the School of Business.
14) What does "co-terminal" mean?
This means that the student must pursue both the DO/MBA Combined Degree Completion Pathway simultaneously. Students who drop one will be dropped from the co-terminal program.
15) Will my status in one program effect my status in the other one?
Yes; students must remain in good standing in the DO program in order to continue in the co-terminal dual degree program.
16) Can I complete a Healthcare Administration concentration?
Yes! The School of Business launched a Healthcare Administration concentration for DO/MBA Combined Degree Completion Pathway students beginning Fall 2019. Students who pursue this concentration will complete a 36 credit hour MBA, with four electives being specific to the field of Healthcare Administration.
17) How do I apply for the dual DO/MBA Combined Degree Completion Pathway?
a. Applicants must be already accepted and have matriculated at LMU-DCOM and either be set to begin their first year at LMU-DCOM or have just completed their first year of medical studies at LMU-DCOM.
b. Applicants who have not yet begun their medical studies must have cumulative and science grade point averages of at least 3.50 on a 4.00 scale and must have a total MCAT score of at least 25.
c. Applicants who have successfully completed the first year of medical studies at LMU-DCOM must be in good academic standing and must have a grade point average of at least 3.00, with no grade below "C".
d. All applicants must complete the Combined Degree Completion Pathway MBA program application and submit the application fee and a current curriculum vitae. All applicants must also submit at least three letters of reference/recommendation.
e. Applicants must give written permission for the LMU MBA program and School of Business to access transcripts submitted to LMU-DCOM and to the LMU-DCOM transcript.
f. All applicants must be approved on an individual basis by LMU-DCOM to enroll in the professional MBA program.
g. Deadline for receipt of completed applications in the LMU School of Business is April 15 of the summer in which the student intends to begin the program; applicants will be notified by May 15 of their admission decision.
18) Who should I contact if I have additional questions about the DO/MBA Combined Degree Completion Pathway?
Please contact Kelsey Metz at kelsey.metz@lmunet.edu, or by phone at 865.585.3637.
