Health Sciences

School of Public Health

Health Services Management Program

La Trobe University offers a suite of programs which can meet your development and credentialing needs in health services management. The courses encompass the vital theoretical foundations and technical aspects of management coupled with opportunities to develop and reflect upon the practical skills needed to meet the challenges of management in the public, private and community health sectors. Whether you are a health professional or a manager, and whether you are seeking a comprehensive postgraduate program or a taste of continuing formal education, we offer a staged program of learning and development that will meet your needs:

Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management (HCHSM)

Postgraduate Diploma in Health Services Management (HPHSM)

Master of Health Administration (HMHA)

Master of Business Administration and Master of Health Administration (HZBAHA)

Master of Public Health and Master of Health Administration (HZPHHA)

Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management

The Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management is designed to meet the preliminary postgraduate learning needs of health care managers and clinical and support services professionals who are interested in health policy or management. Managers with experience in other industries who are planning to transfer to the health care sector may also be considered for entry to the program.

The Graduate Certificate units provide an opportunity to acquire foundation health management skills at a postgraduate level. Consistent with identified needs, the course assume no specific prerequisite knowledge in management. The courses is designed to introduce experienced health workers or current health managers to the formal study of health services management. The course aims to assist students to develop key competencies in health management, while exploring broader health policy and management concepts.

The course provides a structure for study of the health sector and health policy context in which the manager works, together with an emphasis on targeted knowledge and skills which effective managers need. A combination of formal coursework and practical learning components is provided.

Admission Requirements

Applicants are required to hold a three-year undergraduate degree and have at least two years' professional experience working in the health system. For those without formal qualifications, but with experience in health services management, there is a special entry category of 'recognition of prior learning', and selection criteria may include work experience and skills. Special entry students may be required to undertake prerequisite studies.

Course Structure

The Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management will normally be undertaken part-time over one year, with provision for full-time study over a shorter period and students are required to complete four units. Each student's program is developed in consultation with the course coordinator, for example focusing on strategic planning or quality. Student can also complete gerontology units to focus on Aged Care Services Management. Generally students are required to successfully complete:

The program timetable is designed to accommodate working students, and offers a combination of evening, block and distance modes.

Students who enrol in the Graduate Certificate may apply to progress to the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Services Management.

Postgraduate Diploma in Health Services Management

The Postgraduate Diploma course provides an opportunity for people working in the health services to develop advanced health management skills through postgraduate study.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Services Management provides a comprehensive study package to ensure current and potential health care managers, in both clinical business management roles, have the full range of competencies required of Australian health managers.

The course provides a structure for the study of the health sector and health service policy context in which the manager works, together with an emphasis on the specific knowledge and competencies effective managers need. Our students have found that the combination of formal coursework and practical learning components is effective in assisting them to develop their competence as managers.

Admission Requirements

Applicants are required to hold a three-year undergraduate degree and have at least two years' professional experience working in the health system. For those without formal qualifcations, but with experience in health services management, there is a special entry category or 'recognition of prior learning', and selection criteria may include work experience and skills. Special entry student may be required to undertake prerequisite studies.

Course Structure

The course is normally undertaken on a part-time basis over two to five years but may be undertaken full-time over one year. The units may be taken in any order but it is advised that the elective be left until the second half. All units are worth 15 credit points. The program timetable is designed to accommodate working students, and offers a combination of evening, block and distance modes.

The units in the course are as follows (if full-time):

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Services Management is structurally integrated into the Master of Health Administration, enabling participants who perform at a high academic level to proceed with further studies to obtain internationally recognised health management qualification.

Master of Health Administration

The Master of Health Administration course has an applied focus and aims to produce graduates with practical expertise in the leadership and management of projects, health agencies, units and programs. Graduates are well equipped to succeed in general management roles, or alternatively to develop as specialists in such areas as project management or management for particular health professions.

The course does not require the completion of a research thesis, but assists students to develop their skills through a major action learning unit. Students design and conduct projects in the work place (their own or another) and prepare reports for publication. This approach develops both practical management and analytical skills while also requiring knowledge of the relevant literature and important theoretical concepts, through a structured and collaborative educational process.

Admission Requirements

Applicants are required to hold a three-year undergraduate degree and have a minimum of four years' professional experience in the health system. Applicants are also required to submit a one-page statement of reasons for study and be supported by two referees. Applicants may be required to participate in an interview. Students who have completed one of the Graduate Certificates or the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Services Management and are seeking to progress to the Masters require a B average.

Course Structure

The course is offered on a part-time or full-time basis and has a two-part structure with Part 1 being the same as the Postgraduate Diploma. The program timetable is designed to accommodate working students, and offers a combination of evening, block and distance modes. Full-time MHA students are required to start their study in second semester.

Part 1: Refer to the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Services Management structure listed above.

Part 2: Consists of 3 units, worth a total of 60 credit points.

Master of Business Administration and Master of Health Administration

This is a two year full-time double degree program delivered jointly by the School of Public Health and the Graduate School of Management. The program is designed for professionals in health service settings, who are seeking to expand their career pathways into senior management roles in public and private sector organisations. The program also provides managers at work in non-health care settings with a pathway into the health sector.

Students will enrol in two semester's full-time study for the Master of Health Administration (MHA) and four terms of full-time study for the Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Admission Requirements

Applicants are required to hold a three-year undergraduate degree and have a minimum of four years' professional experience in the health system. Applicants are also required to submit a one-page statement of reasons for study and be supported by two referees. Applicants may be required to participate in an interview. Students who have completed one of the Graduate Certificates or the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Services Management and are seeking to progress to the Masters require a B average.

Course Structure

Students undertaking the double degree will be required to complete 9 units (135 credit points) from the existing MHA program, and 12 units (180 credit points) from the existing MBA program. The table below outlines alternate units (students must complete one of the pair of alternates), required units (compulsory), and elective units. This structure ensures that essential areas are covered, while allowing some flexibility for students to pursue personal and professional interests.

Master of Business Administration units:

Master of Health Administration units:

Master of Public Health and Master of Health Administration

For course information, course structure, application details on the Master of Public Health and Master Health Administration double degree please see the information on the Please see the Public Health Program website.

Application Process

For 2009 Master of Health Administration applications:
Please note that the closing date for first round Commonwealth Supported Places is 31 October 2008.

Complete and submit an Application form and post to:

Postgraduate Office,

School of Public Health,

La Trobe University,

BUNDOORA, VIC. 3086

Contact Details

Enquiries

Postgraduate Office
Ph: 03 9479 1750
Email: phe.postgrad@latrobe.edu.au

Course Co-ordinator

Professor Sandra Leggat
Ph: 03 9479 1749
Email: s.leggat@latrobe.edu.au