Master of Science (Health Administration)

Across the world, the health and aged care sectors are experiencing substantial reform and are growing rapidly. These courses enable individuals from any professional background working in health-related areas to deepen the knowledge base on which their practice is based.

Professional recognition

The course prepares graduates for entry to the Australasian College of Health Service Management and assists medical practitioners to enter the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators.

Career objectives

Potential occupations include management and executive positions in health and aged care for:

• doctors
• nurses
• allied health professionals
• other professionals involved in these industries – eg accountants, data and IT specialists, policy workers.

Higher education

Applicants must normally hold a bachelor degree or equivalent qualification; or hold the Graduate Diploma in Health Administration from Flinders University or equivalent qualification and must have achieved a Flinders equivalent grade of Credit or better in each topic; or have completed one year of full-time equivalent coursework study in the Master of Health Administration from Flinders University or equivalent qualification and must have achieved a Flinders equivalent grade of Credit or better in each topic.

All applicants must have a minimum of four years' full-time equivalent post-degree professional work experience in the health or aged care sector following completion of the degree and must also provide a research proposal.

Applicants must provide as part of their application, a CV as evidence they meet the relevant work experience requirements, and an 800-1000 word research proposal.

English Proficiency Requirements

Flinders University conducts an English Language proficiency check on applications submitted for consideration to its courses.
This will be met in a number of ways, including if the applicants:

• first language is English (i.e. citizenship is held for a country where English is the official language)
• completed secondary schooling in Australia
• completed prior study in English (e.g. a Certificate IV or higher from a recognised Australian training institution)
• completed one semester of full-time equivalent tertiary study at a higher education institution
• completed a recognised Foundation Studies or bridging program
• performance in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test  (STAT) meets the University's admissions requirements
• registered with an Australian professional registration body relevant to the applicant's proposed course (e.g. applicant holds current registration as a Registered Nurse, General Practitioner, Teacher, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker and such in Australia)
• achieved a score within an international English language proficiency test such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or Cambridge CAE that meets the minimum proficiency for the university
• completed an approved English language course from a registered English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) Provider

In some instances, applicants may be asked to provide evidence they meet the requirements if the information required is not available in their application. 

On campus requirements

Majority of the topics within this degree require students to attend intensive workshops on-campus.
 

Credit transfer may be granted, on application, for prior study completed in a relevant Honours, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters degree; accredited professional development; or relevant work experience.
Applications for credit transfer are assessed on a case by case basis according to Flinders University policies. Students must be made an offer for entry into a degree before lodging their completed credit transfer application, along with all necessary documentation for formal assessment. More information is available at www.flinders.edu.au/credit

Develop an understanding of management theories and principles and how they apply in health and aged care management. You will strengthen your practical management skills and develop the critical analytical skills needed to prepare you for future developments in health and aged care services. The courses will enhance your understanding of health and aged care systems including leadership, financial management, operations management, safety and quality, health law, ethics, informatics and digital health. You will have opportunities to apply these skills to your own work settings and policy environment.

Majority of topics within this degree require students to attend intensive workshops on-campus.

It is 2 years in length on a full-time basis and can also be undertaken part-time.

Recommended Study Pattern

Students complete six core (compulsory) topics, a thesis in health service management and two topics of approved graduate-level research methods topics to be chosen in consultation with the Course Coordinator. 

These topics aim to provide students with the opportunity to undertake thesis research on an issue of importance to their industry. This is accomplished by utilising the expertise of our teaching staff (who are also experienced mangers) and of health and aged care leaders in both the public and private sectors who lecture in the degree.

The thesis will call for a close collaboration with the industry, and will involve the student in the identification of industry experts who may be prepared to provide field supervision.

Students must achieve a grade point average of 5.0 or better in the core (compulsory) topics before being able to undertake the thesis.

Students who have completed the Graduate Diploma in Health Administration or the coursework topics (one year of full-time equivalent study) in the Master of Health Administration are normally only required to complete the thesis component of the degree.

As a guide, full-time students generally undertake four subjects per semester and part-time students undertake two subjects per semester. 

Award Requirements

To complete the requirements of the Master of Science (Health Administration), students complete six core (compulsory) topics, a thesis in health service management and two topics of approved graduate-level research methods topics. 

Exit Points

If the core and option requirements of the Graduate Diploma in Health Administration have been satisfied, it is available as an exit award from the Master of Health Administration and the Master of Science (Health Administration).