The Neeley School of Business and the School of Public Health at the University of North Texas Health Science Center Fort Worth have teamed up to allow students in both programs to take courses in the two schools to help prepare for a leadership career in the health services industry.

According to a press release from the university, TCU MBA students will be able to take courses in health management and policy at North Texas, and health students in the UNTHSC will be able to take select MBA courses at the Neeley School of Business.

O. Homer Erekson, John V. Roach Dean of the Neeley School of Business, said the agreement between the two universities came about out after demand for courses in health administration.
“We had some students who were getting an MBA, but also wanted to get some work with health care,” Erekson said.

Erekson said he was excited about the opportunities the partnership could bring for both TCU and UNT students.

“When you have business students working with health administration students, they’re going to learn from each other,” Erekson said. “And I think that’s a really positive element of this program. Obviously, the people teaching the classes will bring expertise to it, but you have the peer effects which are really important, not only are they…learning from each other, but they’re also building a network that as they advance in their careers, they’ll have people that they can rely upon.

The partnership between the two schools will begin with the current summer school session, according to the release.

Richard Kurz, PhD, dean of the School of Public Health at the UNT Health Science Center, said in the press release he was honored to partner with the university.

“TCU’s Neeley School is renowned for its business education,” Kurz said in the release. “This cross-town education enhances the learning experience for students in both schools and adds value to their degrees. It’s a definite win/win for both schools and our students.”

William Cron, associate dean of graduate programs and research for the Neeley School, was out of the office and could not be reached for comment.