Study Hospital Case Management: Degrees at a Glance
Case mangers oversee the planning, coordination and evaluation of patient needs through a variety of methods, including cost and quality management. Students in a hospital case management master's degree program receive comprehensive training in business and health topics. Programs like the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Case Management are most common and generally restrict applicants to individuals with a current bachelor's degree in nursing and/or a current nursing license. Alternatively, certificate programs in case management are available to individuals without a nursing degree, including social workers and people without professional experience in the healthcare industry.
Due to an increasing amount of aging baby boomers and a renewed focus on streamlining healthcare services, job prospects should be excellent for qualified case management candidates. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses is expected to experience strong growth, 26%, from 2010 to 2020. Additionally, employment of healthcare social workers is expected to grow by 34% over the same period, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
| Master's | Certificate | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is this degree for? | Current registered nurses who want to specialize in case management and pursue leadership opportunities | Healthcare professionals who want to increase their skill sets or professionals who want to break into the healthcare industry |
| Common Career Paths (with approximate salary) | - Registered nurses ($69,000)* | - Healthcare social workers ($51,000)* - Other healthcare positions (salaries vary with position and experience) |
| Time to Completion | Typically two years (full-time) | Typically several weeks (part-time) |
| Common Graduation Requirements | - Complete coursework - Maintain GPA standards - Satisfy practicum requirements | Complete coursework requirements |
| Prerequisites | - Baccalaureate degree in nursing - GPA standards - Letter(s) of reference - Prerequisite courses in nursing and statistics, if applicable - Personal statement/writing samples - Clinical experience - RN license - CPR certification - Placement test results | - Depending on the program, proof of licensing/academic credentials may or may not be required |
| Online Availability | Limited availability | Limited availability |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2011 mean figures).
Master's Degree Programs in Hospital Case Management
Hospital case management master's degree programs, like the MSN in Case Management, can help students develop their clinical management skills as they study the theory and delivery of healthcare. Because most master's degree programs in case management are post-professional programs, you will need previous experience in nursing. Many schools require applicants to complete several prerequisite requirements, including courses in statistics, proof of clinical experience and official transcripts from a bachelor's degree program in nursing.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- With an advanced nursing degree you can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, public and private insurance programs and long-term care facilities
- Many employers in the healthcare industry offer flexible work schedules, childcare, educational benefits and bonuses to entice qualified applicants and retain top performers*
- Overall, job opportunities for registered nurses are expected to be excellent as hospitals and healthcare service providers struggle to attract and retain qualified nurses*
Cons
- Because of rapidly changing technology and healthcare laws, hospital case managers may need to take professional development or continuing education courses to stay on top of current trends and regulations
- Some employers may require recent graduates to obtain two years of experience as a bedside nurse before they can transition into case management**
- Students can expect strong competition for admission into master's degree programs due to the popularity of the field and promising career opportunities
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **Samuel Merritt University.
Common Courses and Requirements
As a student in a typical hospital case management master's degree program, you will expand upon your nursing knowledge with graduate courses in health systems administration and case management. You will need to complete a clinical practicum and study coursework on the following topics:
- Theoretical foundations for health professionals
- Leadership, management and organizational behavior in healthcare systems
- Healthcare finance
- Program evaluation and quality assurance
- Biostatistics
- Ethics in healthcare delivery
Online Course Options
Although online hospital case management degree programs are available, they are not common. Similar to traditional on-campus programs, online programs may require applicants to have several years of relevant work experience, a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) and a current RN license. If you participate in an online program, you may also need to coordinate your practicum, capstone project and independent study as a graduation requirement.
Getting Ahead with This Degree
Employers may seek out candidates with relevant professional experience and excellent leadership and communication skills. To better position yourself for employment opportunities, consider brushing up on project management competencies or learning some relevant project management software programs. The extra effort can show potential employers your drive and ability to learn new and relevant skills.
Hospital Case Management Certificate Programs
Case management certificate programs are typically intended for both nurses and social workers. Some certificate programs may require educational prerequisites, such as proof of a bachelor's degree in nursing or social work, while others may not.
A typical hospital case management certificate program is offered several times each year in an intensive format that lasts less than one year. Certificate programs often require some homework or additional study time outside of class, but the amount of work and assignments vary with each program.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Individuals who want to obtain the Certified Case Manager (CCM) credential can use certificate programs to prepare for the CCM examination
- Unlike most master's degree programs, you may not need a previous nursing license to enroll in a hospital case management certificate program
- Because of professional experience may not be required, many people complete certificate programs in order to find first time employment as a case manager
Cons
- To obtain certification, you will still need to pass a proctored exam, such as those offered through the Commission for Case Manager Certification, and meet the required amount of work experience and/or education requirements
- Certificate programs may not provide the in-depth focus that master's degree programs offer
- Potential employers may not regard a certificate program to be as prestigious as a master's degree because some certificate programs do not require professional or education prerequisites
Common Courses and Requirements
In hospital case management certificate program, you can expect coursework and independent study requirements, such as case studies, reading assignments and research projects. You may need to spend time outside of class working on projects or completing independent study work. Typical course topics may include case management concepts, insurance and health benefits plans, coordination of services, legal and ethical responsibilities in case management, financial management and disease management.
Online Course Options
Hospital case management certificate programs are available online; however, they are also rare. The convenience of available online programs can particularly useful for working professionals and individuals seeking continuing education options.
Courses are typically aimed at experienced nurses, social workers or others in the healthcare profession; however, programs may not require relevant work experience. The available programs are generally offered 100% online.
Getting Ahead with This Degree
Registered nurses and social workers who meet certain eligibility requirements may consider taking the proctored examination to earn a certified case management credential. Eligibility requirements can include valid RN license and two years professional experiences for nurses and bachelor's/master's degree from accredited social work program plus two years professional experience for social workers. Certification exams cover multiple topics in case management, including patient screening and assessment, care coordination and evaluation. Individuals will need to pay for the exam and application fees and receive a passing score to obtain certification, which is typically valid for four years.
