Trend analysis of minority student enrollment in graduate health management education programs: implications for the...

The need for broad representation of minorities in healthcare management has been an on-going concern for healthcare administrators and professional organizations such as the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE), and the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Despite the best intentions of healthcare organizations, many have failed to attain a desired racial and ethnic balance in the composition of their senior-level management ranks. This problem will persist unless there is a sustained and collaborative effort between the healthcare professional associations and organizations and the educational programs, especially programs affiliated with the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA). Using enrollment data published in the AUPHA directory, this paper examines the enrollment trends of minority students in graduate programs in health management education. The results of this investigation reveal an upward trend in minority student enrollment and that graduate programs with high minority enrollment are located in geographical areas with high minority populations. Suggestions to further increase and sustain minority student enrollment in graduate health management educational programs are advanced.