The Indiana University Kelley School of Business in Indianapolis is launching a Business of Medicine MBA program for practicing physicians. The degree is designed to prepare physicians for leadership roles.

The specialized two-year program will begin in September 2013, and will combine online courses with weekends in residence. The school said the hybrid approach will provide physicians with professional interaction while making the program accessible anywhere in the U.S.

Increasingly, physician executives are navigating the shifting boundaries among research, clinical practice, industry, government and public policy. To help them with this challenge, the program will focus on healthcare and life sciences, Lean Six Sigma, consumer health behavior, supply chain, teaming and leadership. Curriculum will center on six healthcare themes—collaboration, innovation, analytics, transformation, optimization and sustainability—that address new types of clinical leadership and new business models.

The Business of Medicine MBA program will incorporate a curriculum similar to the full- and part-time MBA programs (economics, operations, supply chain management, statistical analysis/analytics, strategy, marketing, organizational development, accounting and finance), with the addition of specialized courses and electives.

The application deadline for the first class is July 1.

For more information on professional education trends, please read “MD/MBAs: Fixing Hearts & Healthcare” in the March/April issue of Cardiovascular Business.