Program Overview

The University of Texas Medical Center Administrative Fellowship

The University of Texas Medical Center Administrative Fellowship offers a dynamic two-year journey for emerging leaders in health care administration to help shape the future of a rapidly expanding academic medical center, anchored by Dell Medical School.

About the Experience

Located in the heart of Austin on the UT campus, the administrative fellowship includes rotational and project-based activities, longitudinal leadership development and independent management experience, incorporating all facets of academic health care operations.

In partnership with the program’s executive sponsor, fellows also participate as members of standing senior leadership teams and committees, contributing to executive-level decision-making across the organization.

Year 1

During the first year of the program, fellows take on a variety of projects designed to expose them to the core functions of the organization, including:

• Strategy and business development
• Clinical operations
• Quality improvement
• Information technology
• Human resources
• Finance operations
• Medical education
• Project planning and management
• Research and innovation
• Community partnerships

Year 2

The second year of the program deepens fellows’ involvement in organizational functions through an interim management role or significant high-profile project aligned with individual professional goals and institutional needs.

Throughout both years, fellows receive continuous mentorship and are embedded within the executive team leading Dell Med in its mission and vision.

Eligibility and Application Process

Eligibility

To participate in the UT Medical Center Administrative Fellowship, prospective applicants must meet the following qualifications:

• The UT Medical Center Administrative Fellowship is intended for postgraduates who have completed their master’s degree in business administration, health care administration, health services administration or another related field within the last 12 months.
• Candidates finishing master’s degree programs requiring an administrative residency after completing classroom curriculum are eligible to apply.
• Through required application materials, candidates must show superior academic performance and relevant experience in health care (e.g., internships, externships, fellowships or applicable employment).
• Accepted candidates are required to complete both years of the administrative fellowship program.

How to Apply

Required Application Materials:

• CV/resume
• Personal statement (limit to one single-spaced page with 11 pt font and address the following questions)
  • Why do you want to pursue a career in health care administration?
  • Why are you choosing an administrative fellowship for your next step?
  • Why are you interested in UT Medical Center specifically?
  • How does this position align with your goals and interests?
• Transcript
• Three letters of recommendation

Important Dates:

• Application opens: June 6, 2025
• Application due date: Sep. 26, 2025
• First-round interviews: September and October 2025
• On-site final-round interviews: October 2025
• Final selection date: November 2025
• Approximate start date: July 1, 2026

Pay and Benefits

Fellows are provided the following:

• Competitive salary and full-time employee benefits with UT Austin
• Paid time off
• Insurance and wellness programs
• Allowance for relocation expenses
• Support for professional development

FAQs

Eligibility and Application Process

• Can students from non-health-care backgrounds apply? A health care-related graduate degree (MHA, MBA, MHSA or other related field) and health care-related experience (e.g., internship, externship, fellowship or applicable employment) are required.
• Are international applicants eligible for consideration? The program is unable to support student visas, nor can it provide any type of visa sponsorship.
• Am I still eligible for consideration for the fellowship if I received my master’s degree more than 12 months before the program’s start date? This program is ideal for early career professionals, particularly recent master’s graduates looking to apply their graduate training in a health care setting. Priority will be given to applicants who have completed their master’s degree within 12 months of the program’s start date. However, all individuals with a master’s degree are welcome to apply.

Fellowship Details

• How many fellows are selected each year? One new fellow is selected each year, such that there will be a junior and senior fellow at any point in time.
• How long is the program, and what is the structure? The program spans two years:
  • Months 1-2 (orientation and immersion): includes tours, shadowing opportunities, one-on-one meetings with leaders across various units, professional development sessions and exposure to the diverse colleges, schools and units that make up the UT system.
  • Months 3-12 (project and operational assignments): includes managing a dynamic portfolio of short- and long-term projects and operational assignments spanning various domains of the medical center
  • Months 13-24: includes an interim management role
  • Throughout the two years: mentorship and professional development opportunities
• What kind of projects or responsibilities will fellows have? Fellows will have the opportunity to lead or be a team member on various projects. Projects will span core business domains and more. Examples of projects include creating a new hospital staffing plan, developing a comprehensive playbook for opening a new clinic and supporting the Ambulatory Surgery Center breakeven project.
• How much flexibility do fellows have in selecting their projects? Projects will be selected in discussion with the fellow, with the ultimate decision made by the program director to ensure that the fellow is exposed to a wide range of clinical and business domains and experiences. Projects assignments are also dependent on availability and need.
• What kind of mentorship or guidance do fellows receive? At the beginning of the fellowship, fellows will be assigned a primary mentor. Fellows will meet regularly with this mentor to discuss topics such as fellowship goals, career goals, desired learning from projects, meetings to be involved in and performance expectations. Fellows will also be assigned preceptors for each project and operational assignment. Preceptors will hold regular meetings with the fellow to discuss assignment progress and expectations. Additionally, the fellow will have recurring meetings with the executive sponsor and program director. As a newer institution, the program’s mentors and preceptors bring a wide range of diverse experiences that provide fellows with a comprehensive view of health care administration.
• Are fellows guaranteed a position within the organization after completing the program? A full-time position at UT Medical Center after completion of the fellowship program is not guaranteed. However, the program fully intends and expects to retain fellows based on position openings and fit at the time. The program will begin employment conversations in the last six months of the fellowship, but there is no formal obligation by either party to offer or accept a full-time position.
• How does the organization support fellows in securing postfellowship positions? The program will do its utmost to find a position for fellows within the organization if it is their desire to stay. If no position is available that fits the fellows’ skills/interests, the organization will leverage networks to help the fellow find a permanent position elsewhere.
• How does the program measure success for its fellows? Throughout the fellowship, the fellow will be regularly assessed using the American College of Healthcare Executives Healthcare Executive Competencies.