Healthcare Marketplace Specialization

• What is the refund policy?

  If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.

• Can I just enroll in a single course?

  Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate, or you can audit it to view the course materials for free. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

• Is financial aid available?

  Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You'll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. You'll need to complete this step for each course in the Specialization, including the Capstone Project. Learn more.

• Can I take the course for free?

  When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.

• Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?

  This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

• How long does it take to complete the Specialization?

  There are four courses and one capstone course. Each course course will last approximately 4 to 5 weeks. The capstone is expected to be between 6 to 8 weeks.

• How often is each course in the Specialization offered?

  Courses will run with cohorts starting approximately every two weeks.

• What background knowledge is necessary?

  This course covers the fundamentals of the healthcare marketplace at a beginners level. It is beginners level because no prior experience or courses in the healthcare marketplace are necessary, but it is a college-level course in which learners are expected to think carefully about conceptual and practical issues.

  The ideal learner will have at least two years of college experience, but college experience is not required.

• Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?

  Taking the courses in sequence is strongly recommended.

• Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?

  No. (Not at this time).

• What will I be able to do upon completing the Specialization?

  The specialization will help the learner understand the vast career opportunities in the multi-trillion dollar health care sector. Often, people understand a tiny piece of the healthcare market - most likely as patient. This specialization will give learners a holistic view of a complex and wealthy industry with literally hundreds of thousands of career openings every year. In terms of careers, better positions are available to those with a more strategic sense of the industry and what career arc they hope to achieve.

• How is this learning experience different from other similar learning experiences?

  Online courses on health care management are not unique. However, this Specialization with its different components is different from other courses currently available for three reasons. First, no competing course provides as holistic a view of all the major sub-sectors of the healthcare market. Many focus exclusively on hospital or physician administration. Some talk of the mechanics of healthcare payment by insurers. Second, no other health care management course is so skilled oriented. The focus on market sizing and cost-benefit analysis - two very strategic abilities - is rare if not singular only to this offering. Finally, no program offers a capstone in valuing new medical innovation. New medical innovation drives the industry and is the clear expectation of any advanced society of what the medical industry should achieve at its best.

• Is work experience necessary?

  Yes, though relevant work experience is beneficial. The course material is most directly relevant to managers either working in or aspiring to work in the healthcare market. This industry has many components. The course is designed to give a landscape view of many critical parts ranging from health care delivery to financing and technology development. The context of the material is not limited to any particular occupations, industries, or regions.

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