Health Services Management (MHSM)
Length of program
Mode of delivery
Program consists of:
Campus
Intake
Related programs
Program description
The Master of Health Services Management (MHSM) is jointly offered by the Dhillon School of Business and the Faculty of Health Sciences. Development of applied research, critical thinking and decision-making skills is embedded throughout the program, culminating with application in an integrated experience point project.
MHSM is a cohort-based, part-time program that is offered at the Calgary campus of the University of Lethbridge. The program is delivered in a compressed format using a combination of blended learning techniques, distance delivery and residential (face-to-face) sessions. The delivery model allows students to attend graduate school while continuing to work. This is a particularly important feature for students who must maintain practice credentials.
A Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management (GCHSM) is available for students who wish to increase their knowledge level but may be unable to, or are cautious about, committing to a complete master’s degree. A student who successfully completes the graduate certificate will receive course credit towards the master’s degree, making it easy to seamlessly ladder continuing education and professional development goals.
Program ScheduleFaculty and Student Stories
The program prepares students to be independent, strategic thinkers and collaborative colleagues. While the students’ knowledge and skillsets will be shaped within the context of health care, the learning outcomes will be transferable. More specifically, students will:
- Understand the context and complexity of health services and health management in the Canadian healthcare system.
- Develop interdisciplinary, integrated knowledge of, and experience in, the management of health services across five modules: Design; Financial Structure; Leading and Bridging; Political Environment; and Conceptualization.
- Develop foundational knowledge of the functional management areas of public and private health care environments.
- Become effective managers of interdisciplinary environments in the health care sector.
- Acquire enhanced meta-cognitive skills in numeracy, systems thinking, analytic thinking, critical thinking, synthesis, and decision-making.
- Acquire effective team building and team cohesion skills.
- Develop foundational knowledge of a variety of health care systems outside Canada.
- Develop knowledge and acquire competencies in applied research and decision-making.
- Develop research skills to diagnose current challenges in a health care organization and construct a potential solution.
- Organize and pursue an integrated project in a managerial setting in a health care organization.
- Write and present an applied project to an acceptable scholarly level.
In case of discrepancies between this page and the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue, the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue shall prevail.
Career pathways
The overarching objective of the MHSM program is to prepare individuals to function effectively as managers and administrators in a wide range of public and private health care environments. Embedded in the program are global learning objectives which include developing and enhancing:
- Interdisciplinary knowledge
- Advanced numeracy skills
- Systems thinking
- Advanced critical thinking skills
- Advanced analytic and decision-making skills
- Global mindset
Health service careers are growing at a fast pace in North America. This program prepares you for a variety of career options like ambulatory and clinic management, service designing, quality management, patient safety and insurance and cater to some of the highest paying career options. Students who want to be a vital part of the team behind facility operations and functions should definitely enrol in the program. Health Services Management at ULethbridge is fully equipped with intellectual faculty, modern teaching methods, and a warm, welcoming and accessible university family."
~ Dr. Sabahat Nazim, Master of Health Services Management student
Additional information
Baccalaureate Degree Admission Route
Applicants will meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for admission:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree (i.e. undergraduate degree) in Nursing, Health Sciences, or Management, or in a closely related discipline
- Have a minimum grade point average of 3.00 (based on the uLethbridge 4.00 scale) on the last 20 graded university-level term courses OR calculated on the most recently completed master's degree if the applicant is applying for another master's degree
- Evidence of successful experience in the health sector is normally required. Preference is given to applicants who have two or more years of work experience.
- Demonstrate English language proficiency (ELP) for graduate studies
Bachelor of Management/Bachelor of Health Sciences Combined Degree Admission Route
Applicants, who have completed the University of Lethbridge’s Bachelor of Management/Bachelor of Health Sciences Combined degree, will meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for admission:
- A minimum grade point average of 3.00 (based on a 4.00 scale) on the last 20 graded university-level term courses
Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management Admission Route
Applicants, who have completed the University of Lethbridge’s Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management program, will meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for admission:
- A minimum grade point average of 3.00 (based on a 4.00 scale)
Step 1: Prepare Supporting Documents
Please see below for supporting documents for the Master of Health Services Management. If additional documents are required, the Dhillon School of Business Graduate Programs Office will contact you.
Step 2: Submit Online Application by Deadline
Submit your complete application by midnight (MST/MDT) on the deadline date.
Step 3: Arrange for Official Documents
Official documents (e.g., transcripts, English language proficiency test scores) are required prior to registration.
Note: Applicants who have attended or are currently attending an institution participating in ApplyAlberta do not need to arrange for official transcripts to be sent to uLethbridge from the issuing institution. A list of participating institutions is available at www.applyalberta.ca.
Step 4: Admission Decision Process
Applicants may be called for an interview with members of the Dhillon School of Business Graduate Programs Committee. The Dhillon School of Business Graduate Programs Office unofficially informs the applicant of the Program Committee’s decision. Official admission decisions will be sent electronically by the Registrar’s Office. Successful applicants will be advised of registration procedures at that time.
Because the capacity of the program is limited, not all students meeting the general admission requirements may be admitted.
Criteria used for admission include:
- the applicant’s academic record, ELP test scores, if applicable, and references;
- the relevance of undergraduate degree;
- the breadth of undergraduate courses;
- relevant work experience, if applicable; and
- results of the interview, if applicable.
If the previous program undertaken by the student shows gaps or weaknesses, additional course work or other study may be required. Such work will not normally count toward the requirements for the MHSM degree.
Unofficial Transcripts
You will need to upload and submit your unofficial transcripts, including proof of graduation for your completed degree(s) and transcripts of all post-baccalaureate work, if any, via the online application system.
Official Transcripts
You will also need to arrange for your official transcripts to be sent to the Registrar’s Office. Your official transcripts are required to be received prior to course registration.
Applicants who have attended or are currently attending institutions NOT participating in ApplyAlberta must arrange to have official transcripts sent directly from the issuing institution to the Admissions Office. A list of participating institutions is available at applyalberta.ca.
Official transcripts must be mailed directly from the issuing institution in a sealed envelope to:
Registrar’s Office
University of Lethbridge
4401 University Drive West
Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4
Canada
Your transcripts are required to display your up-to-date coursework, including grades/marks received for completed coursework.
Applicants to the Master of Health Services Management program are required to submit three (3) reference letters, two (2) professional and one (1) academic.
| You are: | Who is an acceptable academic referee? |
| A current or recent graduate of an undergraduate program |
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| A current or recent graduate student |
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| Working and completed a degree several years ago |
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The School of Graduate Studies is not able to:
- Accept Letters of Reference submitted via email or regular mail
- Re-use a Letter of Reference submitted in support of a previous application
- Edit/change your referees or send them reminders to submit their Letter of Reference
- Accept Letters of reference from a friend or family member
Your CV is a comprehensive document with a formal structure and academic focus. It should include your background, work experience, awards, scholarships, publications, and other achievements. If you are a current or former University of Lethbridge student, contact Career and Employment Services for additional information on the content and structure of a CV.
Your Letter of Intent for the Master of Health Services Management for most majors program must contain:
- Nature of your interest in the program and the intended career outcome upon completion.
- Maximum length is 500 words.
You should address your letter to the Health Services Management Program Committee.
English is the primary language of instruction and communication at the University of Lethbridge. Prior to registration, all applicants to the School of Graduate Studies must demonstrate English Language Proficiency (ELP) sufficient to meet the demands of classroom instruction, written assignments, research, and participation in tutorials and discussions, regardless of their citizenship or country of origin. Please see the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements for graduate students for detailed information.