Master of Health Service Management

Program Overview

The Master of Health Service Management (MHSM) from Massey University is a research-led and industry-focused program that equips students with advanced skills in managing contemporary health issues. Delivered online and part-time, the program offers a flexible structure and a focus on professional practice, research, and communication skills. Graduates are well-prepared for diverse management and clinical leadership roles in the health and disability sectors.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Objective: To equip students with advanced skills in managing contemporary health issues, leading to career advancement in the health or disability sector.
• Description: This internationally recognized program focuses on developing expertise in relevant health service management issues, providing tools to mitigate or address them.
It delves into areas like health systems management, policy, economics, information management, and communication skills.
• Relevance: All courses potentially contribute to requirements for continuing competence for medical and nursing professionals as mandated by the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.
• Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA)
• Australasian College of Health Informatics (ACHI) (dependent on proportion of health informatics taken)
• Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH) (dependent on proportion of health informatics/digital health taken)
• Research Focus: The program boasts research-led and industry-focused curriculum, with lecturers and staff actively engaged in diverse research areas across medical, nursing, health informatics, management, and policy development.
• Professional Practice Focus: Students undertake a professional practice applied research project relevant to their chosen area, acquiring invaluable research skills applicable to any health environment.
• Communication Focus: Emphasis is placed on developing effective communication and teamwork skills, enabling graduates to interact effectively with colleagues, clients, and other professionals.
• Global Perspective: The acquired knowledge and skills are relevant to the global health sector.

Outline:

• Structure:
• Full-time: 15-18 months (180 credits)
• Part-time: Up to 5 years (flexible)
• Delivery: Distance and online
• Part One:
• Compulsory Courses (60 credits):
• Health Systems Management (30 credits)
• Health Information Management (30 credits)
• Subject Courses (60 credits): Choose from a range of options like Leading and Changing Organisations, Health Law and Policy, Contemporary Issues in Health Service Management, Health Research Design and Method, Health Economics.
• Part Two:
• Choose one option (60 credits):
• Professional Practice: Individual or group investigation in chosen area.
• Assessment criteria: Likely to focus on demonstrating knowledge, understanding, and application of concepts, skills, and research methodologies relevant to health service management.
• Potential assessment methods: Written assignments, presentations, reports, examinations, and possibly individual or group projects.

Teaching:

• Teaching methods: Focus on interactive and engaging approaches, likely including lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, online discussions, and individual supervision.
• Faculty: Experienced and qualified lecturers and staff with active research interests in various health service management areas.
• Unique approaches: The program seems to integrate industry-focused curriculum with professional practice and research, aiming to equip graduates with practical skills and theoretical knowledge.
Additionally, the flexible distance and online delivery format caters to diverse student needs.

Careers:

• Career paths: Graduates can pursue diverse management or clinical leadership roles within the health or disability sectors.
• Potential positions: General management, human resources, operations management and logistics, digital health, information technology, clinical leads in medical, nursing, pharmacy, or other allied health areas in District Health Boards (DHBs), Primary Health Organisations, and non-government organisations (NGOs).
• Earnings potential: Compared to national median, young master's graduates in New Zealand earn 1.5 times more five years after study.
• Demand: Employers increasingly value postgraduate qualifications, with demand for graduates steadily rising.

Other:

• Student Experience: 2020 survey highlights student satisfaction with teaching, approachability of staff, and excellent development of written communication skills.
• Insights: Between 2020 and 2021, the program enrolled an average of 43 students, with 90% of courses successfully completed in 2020.
• Suitability: The MHSM is ideal for managers, clinical leaders seeking career advancement, individuals interested in an applied qualification with a professional practice project, and those with significant management experience in non-health sectors.
• Entry requirements: Specific requirements include a relevant bachelor's degree with a B- grade average in the highest level courses, or a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Service Management with a B- grade average.

Conclusion:

Based on the information provided, the MHSM appears to be a comprehensive and well-designed program that can equip graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary for successful careers in health service management.