The program is an integrative, four-year degree which combines 10 business courses (30 semester hours) with the MD curricula. Students start their business classes the summer before medical school. The remaining courses are offered at key times after the second year of classes and after finishing the USMLE Step 1 exam.

Degree plans are also available for students who decide to pursue the MBA after beginning their MD courses.

The UAB Heersink School of Medicine opens a new website and Collat School of Business offer a dual MD/MBA degree in medicine and management to high-achieving healthcare leaders. A dual MD/MBA degree can open opportunities for physicians and lead to greater management responsibilities within their organizations.

Why an MBA?

The industry is increasingly characterized by uncertainty and ambiguity. Combining a business degree with a medical degree can help future healthcare leaders learn to manage through rapid change and traverse the uncertainties of management with flexibility.

Students who choose the MD/MBA option often plan careers with both clinical and administrative responsibilities. MD/MBA holders can operate their clinics more efficiently, manage a healthcare organization, head a research project, or advocate for their patients and work to improve the healthcare system. Successful students should understand how to use innovation and strategic thinking to solve healthcare problems and become fluent in the languages of science and business — putting them on the fast track to career advancement.

Program Specifics

The dual degree is a unique offering designed specifically for busy medical professionals. Structured around the MD curricula, the dual program includes a concierge approach by sequencing and integrating the MBA requirements to fit within the medical program. As a UAB School of Medicine student, all dual degree participants will receive a wide array of added benefits, including:

• Automatic MBA course registration
• Professional development seminars
• Access to faculty mentors
• On-site tutoring
• Opportunities for hands-on learning

Class Schedule

How to Apply

Students interested in pursuing the dual MD/MBA degree must complete an application through the UAB Graduate School.

Program Contacts

The DMD/MBA program is an integrative, four-year degree that combines business courses with the DMD curricula. Students start their business classes the summer before dentistry school. The remaining courses are offered at key times during the remaining four years.

The UAB School of Dentistry opens a new website and the Collat School of Business offer a dual Doctor of Dental Medicine/Master of Business Administration (DMD/MBA) dual-degree that exposes students to a truly interdisciplinary approach to learning. Here, both fundamental and advanced principles of dentistry and business converge to provide a greater understanding of the business of dentistry.

Why an MBA?

Some of the greatest challenges in healthcare today are business related. As dentists find themselves in an increasingly complex business environment, many choose to pursue a business education in order to navigate the healthcare system with efficiency and effectiveness.

Students who choose the DMD/MBA option often plan careers with both clinical and administrative responsibilities, perhaps opening their own practice. DMD/MBA graduates can manage group practices and clinics more effectively. Successful students should understand how to use innovation and strategic thinking to solve healthcare problems and become fluent in the languages of science and business — putting them on the fast track to career advancement.

Program Specifics

The dual degree is a unique offering designed for the busy dentistry student, including a comprehensive all-services-included approach from start to finish. The dual program is structured around the DMD curricula and includes a concierge approach to integration and completion of the MBA dual degree requirements. Collat School of Business MBA students will benefit from an array of services to manage all enrollment requirements, including:

• Administrative registration for all required MBA courses
• Professional development seminars
• Access to faculty mentors
• On-site tutoring
• Opportunities for hands-on learning

How to Apply

Students interested in pursuing the dual DMD/MBA degree must complete an application through the UAB Graduate School. 

Related News

Hear from one of the first students to graduate from UAB's DMD/MBA Dual Degree program

Program Contact

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  Graduate Recruiter

  Brandon Cox MBA

  205-270-5833

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  Director of Student Recruitment & Engagement, UAB School of Dentistry

  Wendy Scripps MPA

  (205) 934-3387

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The UAB Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA) was founded on the premise that the future of academic health systems will be led and managed by clinicians and executives who operate at the frontiers of medicine and possess the leadership skills required to guide their organization into an increasingly complex future.

Program Overview

HLA is a cohesive and comprehensive program offering training opportunities and help in developing essential skills for leaders in the 21^st century. It helps present and future leaders gain a broader understanding of their responsibilities as leaders, new perspectives on critical leadership and managerial issues, and deeper understanding and awareness of concepts and techniques relevant to management. It includes classroom sessions, team projects, and experiential learning activities designed to identify and strengthen leadership skills and capabilities.

The program begins in October with an opening session of 1.5 days, followed by monthly classroom sessions (one day per month, November-April) and group projects, and concludes with a closing session and graduation (one day). Approximately 80 hours of classroom participation is required, including a team project pertinent to the medical center/health system (performed as part of the coursework).

Program Objectives

• Identify and develop future leaders of UAB Medicine and the Academic Medical Center.
• Enhance and expand participants' leadership abilities and managerial skills.
• Facilitate development of strategic thinking skills that focus on the opportunities and challenges facing academic medical centers.
• Understand the history and operations of the health system and the academic medical center.
• Allow participants an opportunity to examine their individual aspirations, strengths, weaknesses, and personal commitment to leadership and management.

How Participants Are Chosen

Participants include individuals identified as possessing the potential for more demanding leadership positions within the next two to four years.

Nominations are sought from the deans of Health Professions schools and department chairs and center directors of Joint Health Sciences and the Heersink School of Medicine, including branch campuses. In addition, the University Hospital, Kirklin Clinic, and Health Services Foundation are asked to submit administrative nominees. Request for nominations are sent in late spring/early summer each year.

Participants will be selected by an advisory board in a manner that ensures a wide range of academic specialties, professional backgrounds, demographic profiles, and experiences.

Program Administration and Contacts

The Healthcare Leadership Academy training program is a joint UAB effort of the Heersink School of Medicine and the Collat School of Business. It is funded through generous support from Amy and Duane Donner and Founders Advisors, where Duane is managing partner.

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  Co-Director, HLA; Senior Instructor

  Joel Dobbs PharmD, MPH

  205-975-6959

  CSB 372

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  Director, Professional Education

  Cori Miller Perdue PhD

  205-934-7604

  CSB L02-D

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  Co-Director, HLA

  David Rogers MD, MHPE

  205-731-9799

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At UAB Collat Professional Education, we design custom programs to address unique business challenges and drive measurable results. By understanding your organization’s culture and development needs, we collaboratively create tailored learning experiences aligned with your goals to move your organization ahead.

Our UAB Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA) a flagship custom program, has made a significant impact on both the community and the UAB Academic Medical Center.

Partner with Us for Your Organization’s Success

UAB Collat Professional Education partners with organizations and companies of all industries and sizes to solve business challenges.

Programs can be delivered on-site, off-site, or at our Founders Advisors Professional Education Suite in the UAB Collat School of Business, spanning several days, weeks, or months. While our team of faculty and industry experts curate content specific to your group, current topics in high demand include:

• Leadership
• Alignment & Strategic Thinking
• Engagement & Accountability
• Emotional Intelligence
• Project Management
• Sales Training & Negotiations
• Data Visualization & Storytelling
• Finance & Business Decision Making
• Innovation & Design Thinking

Unlock Your Potential with Specialized Leadership Programs

Are you a scientist or emerging leader seeking to advance your career and make a lasting impact in your field? We are pleased to introduce two groundbreaking leadership programs tailored to meet the needs of professionals like you.

Catalyst Leadership Academy for Scientists:
A specialized leadership program for scientists

This dynamic development program is designed specifically for scientists. Over eight months, from October to June, participants embark on a transformative journey, acquiring essential leadership skills and promoting career growth. Join us to grow professionally, spark innovation, and thrive in your scientific endeavors.

Program highlights:

• Two-day Experiential learning launch at Collat
• Monthly full-day sessions with industry & faculty experts
• Networking opportunities and access to industry leaders
• Individual projects with lightning pitches and poster presentations
• Graduation dinner to celebrate your achievements
• Departmental support required

Get More Information

Elevate Leadership Academy:
A specialized program for emerging leaders

This leadership program is designed for individuals who lead teams or aspire to do so in the near future. Through a transformative eight-month journey, participants cultivate essential leadership skills and forge collaborative relationships. Join us from October to June for an engaging and challenging leadership academy and empower yourself to make a meaningful impact in your organizations and beyond.

Program highlights:

• Two-day Experiential learning retreat at 4H Center
• Monthly sessions with faculty & industry experts
• Curriculum focused on cultivating human connection, communication skills, innovation, and professionalism
• Group project presentations and graduation dinner to celebrate your success
• Departmental support required

Get More Information

"The Collat team developed a first-class project management academy that captured exactly what I wanted to address with customized content for our specific needs. Thanks to their professionalism, support, and great job all around, our team is equipped to provide a high level of service to our clients."

Mike Kemp President/CEO, KMS

“I had always heard about UAB's project management team and contacted them to schedule a training session for our communications team. Cori and her team developed a custom experience that was educational and entertaining. The training continues to help us in our roles at HudsonAlpha and I highly recommend it to others.”

Adam Kelley Director of Communications
HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL

Whether you're a recent graduate looking to gain marketable skills, a seasoned professional wanting to advance or change careers, or someone trying to rejoin the workforce after an absence, UAB Collat Professional Education can help get you where you want to be. Select from the categories listed below to view available Career Advancement Courses. Additional courses are on the way.