Master of Health Service Management

The MHSM is designed for those interested in pursuing a significant management or administrative role in the private or public health sectors. Successful completion of the MHSM provides graduates with a substantial background in relevant health service management theory, research and practice that should enhance their ability to plan and manage successfully in an increasingly complex national and international sector, and within the framework of societal values.

Professional recognition

The Master of Health Service Management is recognised by the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA).

Higher education

For admission to this degree you need to have:

• an Australian Bachelor degree or equivalent level standard in any other institution majoring in a management and/or health related discipline and employment within the health sector; OR
• an Australian post-Bachelor degree (Honours, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master, or Doctorate) or equivalent level standard in any other institution in any discipline and employment in the health sector; OR
• an Australian Bachelor degree or equivalent level standard in any other institution in an unrelated discipline and a minimum of two years relevant work experience in the health sector.

Work and Life

Other requirements at the discretion of the Executive Dean of the College of Business and Economics. Refer application to UTAS

The University of Tasmania grants credit and recognition of prior learning that may include formal and/or informal prior learning. More information is available here. Successfully completed equivalent postgraduate subjects in other courses at the University of Tasmania or another approved tertiary institution may be credited towards the degree. Credit is also available for some qualifications attained through professional bodies such as Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, where these have been assessed as equivalent to postgraduate study. Application for credit should be made at the time of application for admission. 

The Master of Health Service Management is an advanced course of study designed to provide management professionals from both the public and private health sectors with training focused on issues of contemporary professional management practice. Some of Australia's leading senior health service executives teach into the subjects. Students are therefore exposed to a level of unparalleled experience and real-world case-studies.

This degree is offered only on a part-time basis (12 subjects over 2 to 3 years). The course is full fee-paying, which means that you will be charged at the full fee-paying rate listed for each subject.

All subjects are delivered primarily off campus (by distance), with non-mandatory, supporting intensive seminars in Sydney (approximately 6-10 days of intensives per year).

Recommended Study Pattern

The Master of Health Service Management consists of eight core subjects, plus four subjects in your chosen area of specialisation.

Core Subjects

• TAS-BAA722 Research Methods in Health Management
• TAS-BAA737 Health Management Research Plan
• TAS-BAA738 Health Management Research Thesis
• TAS-BAA751 Evidence Informed Decision Making
• TAS-BAA753 Health Ethics, Law and Governance
• TAS-BAA754 Health Finance, Economics and Accounting
• TAS-BAA756 Healthcare Systems, Safety and Quality
• TAS-BAA758 Leading and Managing Healthcare Organisations

Specialisations (choose one)

Information Management

Healthcare organisations require leaders with knowledge and abilities to effectively govern administrative, service and patient information management systems. This specialisation equips health professionals to understand and manage information systems, including the legal, technical and administration requirements.

• TAS-BAA760 Health Ontologies, Terminologies, and Classifications
• TAS-BEA674 Data and Business Decision Making
• TAS-CRH602 E-Health
• TAS-CRH608 Health Information Systems

Organisational Development

The effective management and ongoing development of healthcare organisations is recognised as critical to continual deliver high quality care. This specialisation develops knowledge, capacity and skills to enable health professionals to lead and manage complex adaptive health care organisations.

• TAS-BAA755 Healthcare Organisational Behaviour
• TAS-BMA583 People, Work and Wellbeing
• TAS-BMA799 Strategic Management  
• TAS-HSP505 Crisis Management

Integrated Care

The strategic coordination and delivery across services presents unique opportunities for healthcare organisations to provide high quality, safe care. The purpose of this specialisation is to examine and evaluate integrated care models, including access, quality, satisfaction, efficiency, and their suitability for different healthcare contexts.

• TAS-BAA750 Delivering Integrated Care
• TAS-BAA752 Foundations of Integrated Care
• TAS-BMA583 People, Work and Wellbeing
• TAS-CRH602 E-Health

Safety and Quality

Delivering safe and high-quality services and care for patients, consumers and staff requires healthcare organisations to continuously improve governance, systems and processes. The purpose of this specialisation is to examine strategies for improved patient outcomes, enhanced consumer and staff experience, and improved system efficiencies.

• TAS-BAA755 Healthcare Organisational Behaviour
• TAS-BAA770 Safety in Health Service Management
• TAS-BMA799 Strategic Management  
• TAS-CAM618 Evaluating Health Interventions

Award Requirements

To successfully complete this degree, students complete a total of 12 subjects - eight core subjects and four subjects in a chosen area of specialisation.