Master of Health Services Management

Graduates of the Master of Health Services Management will have:

1. advanced and specialist knowledge of clinical leadership and health informatics and knowledge of leading and managing complex health systems and organisations
2. advanced knowledge of contemporary technologies, systems and applications of health system leadership and management approaches that are used nationally and internationally, combined with skills and abilities in regards to the use and application of data and information in research, as well as the power of research outputs and outcomes associated with high performing health organisations
3. knowledge of the principles and methods that underpin research within health services management, service delivery needs and health markets
4. knowledge of the critical nature of health system leadership and management, health policy and planning as well as reform and strategic positioning for health care. 

You will find work in Australia and overseas in various roles in health and social care leadership, policy, governance, quality and safety.

Professional recognition

Students who complete this degree may be eligible for membership to the Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM).

Higher education

To apply for admission into the Master of Health Services Management, a student should:

• hold a suitable Bachelor degree in a related field (Public Health, Health Services Management, Environmental Health, Allied Health, Medicine, Nursing, Psychology, Clinical, Research and Biomedical Health) OR
• hold a suitable Level 8 qualification (Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Bachelor Honours Degree) in a related field (Public Health; Health Services Management; Environmental Health; Allied Health, Medicine, Nursing, Psychology, Clinical, Research and Biomedical Health). Students admitted with one of these qualifications will be admitted to the Master of Health Services Management with Advanced Standing and required to complete an 80 credit points Masters OR
• have completed one of the following Graduate Certificates* offered by the School of Medicine:
• Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics (3336)
• Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management (3082) or Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management (3317)
• Graduate Certificate in Clinical Leadership (3280)

* Students applying for admission via this pathway may be eligible for Advanced Standing or specified credit of up to 40 credit points depending on courses completed in the Griffith Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management program. Credit applications for other Graduate Certificate programs are assessed individually and will require assessment of similarity in learning outcomes.

Work and Life

Applicants with extensive experience in health services management who do not hold qualifications listed in the requirement s above may be admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Health Service Management, Graduate Certificate of Health Informatics or Graduate Certificate in Clinical Leadership, with progress to the Master of Health Services Management being dependent on a minimum pass grade in all courses.

English Proficiency Requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

Students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including:

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE.
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training.
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.

You will study a wide ranging and diverse base of specialist health management courses. If you are a graduate or manager in health, aged or community care services and you want to develop your skills and understanding of contemporary health or social care management issues, these degrees will help you achieve your goals. Through flexible teaching and research options, you will learn about key areas of health sector policy, governance, operations and evidence-based practice management.

You will develop skills and knowledge in current management theory and practice, develop your leadership skills and style and gain an in-depth understanding of health workforce planning. You will also learn about managing human resources, planning and implementing health programs, and managing performance and health budgets from respected industry practitioners and academics. Additionally, you will develop skills in strategic decision making and change management and an understanding of the role of innovation and the application of technology in health services management.

You will develop research and project management skills that will provide a sound basis for your current work role and your future endeavours.

Recommended Study Pattern

The Master of Health Services Management is offered full time and part-time delivered fully-online and at our South Bank campus. . As a student of Health Services Management you can choose your attendance mode according to your personal and work commitments.

You will be classed as a part-time student if you are enrolled in less than 30 credit points per trimester. As a part-time student, you will generally attend 6 hours of scheduled classes per week.

As a full-time student, you will generally attend 12 hours of scheduled classes per week throughout the trimester.

Classes may be scheduled during the day and evening throughout the week to accommodate part-time and working students unavailable to attend classes during the day.

The Master of Health Services Management is offered fully online. You can access course materials, participate in learning activities, lodge assessment items and access support services via the University's teach platform Learning@Griffith. There is no requirement for on-campus attendance and access to a reliable computer with internet connection is essential. Internet-fully on-line, if it suits you, some courses may be taken at the South Bank campus.

Award Requirements

To be eligible for the award of Master of Health Services Management (MHServMgt), a student must acquire 120 credit points as prescribed below:

• Standard pathway:
  • gain 80 credit points for prescribed courses;
  • gain 40 credit points for elective courses (with at least 30 credit points from Elective List A).
• Professional pathway:
  • gain 80 credit points for prescribed courses;
  • gain 40 credit points for work-integrated learning courses.
• Dissertation pathway:
  • gain 60 credit points for prescribed courses;
  • gain 20 credit points for elective courses (with at least 10 credit points from Elective List A);
  • gain 40 credit points for dissertation courses.

To be eligible for the award of Master of Health Services Management (MHServMgt), a student admitted with 40 credit of advanced standing must acquire 80 credit points as prescribed below:

• Standard pathway:
  • gain 40 credit points for prescribed courses;
  • gain 40 credit points for elective courses.
• Professional pathway:
  • gain 40 credit points for prescribed courses;
  • gain 40 credit points for work-integrated learning courses.
• Dissertation pathway:
  • gain 20 credit points for prescribed courses;
  • gain 20 credit points for elective courses;
  • gain 40 credit points for dissertation courses.

This degree may be awarded with Distinction where a student achieves a minimum program GPA of 6.5 with no failed courses. The words 'This award was achieved with Distinction' will be recorded on the testamur.

Exit Points

To be eligible to exit the Master of Health Services Management program, a student must meet the requirements of the Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management (3082) or Graduate Certificate in Digital Health (3336) program. To exit, a student should apply for a program transfer.