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Why should I choose a career in Health Services Administration?
Health services administration offers some of the most rewarding and challenging career opportunities available today. Health services administrators are employed at the top, mid and entry levels of various types of healthcare organizations. Although health administrators do not personally prevent or cure illness, they play a key role in establishing an environment in which healthcare services can be provided in a professional and caring manner.
In addition, the healthcare industry continues to expand and there are a wide variety of career paths available. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of growth in new jobs in healthcare occupations is projected to be around 16% between 2006 and 2016. Healthcare occupations are expected to grow faster than average as compared to other occupations.
If you are interested in a dynamic field, are motivated, have good interpersonal communication and analytical skills, you already have some of the qualities necessary to be a competent health administrator. If you also are committed to learning how to manage health-related organizations in an effective, efficient, and compassionate manner, then health administration may be the career for you.
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What types of career opportunities are available after graduation?
The healthcare field offers a wide variety of job opportunities. Positions are available in health delivery settings such as hospitals; ambulatory care centers, mental health facilities, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, home care agencies, hospice organizations and physician group practices. Examples of other settings include insurance companies, managed care systems, consulting firms, government regulatory agencies, and professional associations.
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Why should I choose FIU’s MHSA program?
FIU provides a multi-cultural environment in one of the most diverse and culturally rich cities in the U.S. and the programs in the Department of Health Policy and Management recognize the challenges and opportunities of this unique community environment. Miami and Southeast Florida provide an urban laboratory characterized by expanding cultural pluralism and rapid urban transformation. The area is on the leading edge of healthcare services delivery for a variety of populations including the elderly, homeless, migrants of many ethnic origins, persons with AIDS, and children.
The MHSA Program provides educational opportunity with a special commitment to minority, multi-cultural, and working students. The educational mission is to provide students with professional knowledge and with conceptual, analytical, technical and ethical skills to manage healthcare systems with caring, competence and integrity in a changing environment.
Our students are trained to be proficient in all fundamental aspects of business and management, and apply these business principles to healthcare settings. Students' coursework requires group work, projects, and presentations, which prepare students to function effectively and professionally with others. Finally, FIU's MHSA program offers a choice between an administrative residency in a health-related organization or a master’s project suited for full-time workers and people who already work in the healthcare industry.
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How long does it take to complete the degree?
The 48-credit hour curriculum is presented in a structured, course sequence -- permitting students to complete the didactic part of the curriculum in 24 months of uninterrupted study. At the start of the Fall and Spring semesters, students join a cohort of approximately 5 students in size; and remain in the same cohort, taking three classes per semester by attending alternating weekends on campus class sessions*. This cohort-based approach allows students to support one another and participate in collaborative learning experiences.
At the conclusion of the didactic part of the curriculum, students may elect to complete an administrative residency or master's project.
*To deliver the didactic part of the curriculum, the program uses a nontraditional delivery system. On campus classes are held on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings on alternating weekends. During the period the student is not on campus, his/her learning is supported by online activities via Blackboard.
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Do I have to follow specific course sequencing?
It is recommended that students follow the specific course sequencing so they can graduate as scheduled. To accomplish this goal, the 48-credit hour curriculum is presented in a structured, course sequence -- permitting students to complete the didactic part of the curriculum in 24 months of uninterrupted study. At the conclusion of the didactic part of the curriculum, students may elective to complete an administrative residency or research project.
Please see the attached samples of course sequencing for Fall or Spring admissions.
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What is the administrative residency? How long is it? Do I receive credit for the residency?
The administrative residency is supervised fieldwork and is an opportunity to apply concepts and skills learned in the classroom in a health-related organization. The residency is completed during the final semester of the program. The residency is 3 credit hours and requires 150 working hours per credit hour earned. Possible settings include health delivery organizations, managed care organizations, governmental agencies, consulting firms and charitable organizations.
Students complete their educational plans for the residency in conjunction with a Faculty Advisor over a one year period and with the preceptor in the semester prior to the placement. This plan assures the student obtains an educational experience that will further their career goals.
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What is the difference between the administrative residency and the master’s project? Which is best for me?
Both of the integrative experiences seek to expand the student’s knowledge, skills and understanding through integrating these abilities with practical experience. Which one works best for the individual student depends on their prior experience in the field as well as an individual assessment of interests, skills and career goals.
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Is there a specific undergraduate degree I should have to enter into the MHSA program?
No. Our students come from backgrounds of business-related programs (economics, finance, management, marketing) or science-related programs (biological science, clinical disciplines), as well as areas such as art history, English, political science, religion, and sociology.
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What are the prerequisites for the program?
Entering students must demonstrate knowledge and ability in the areas of accounting, micro-economics, quantitative analysis and basic microcomputer skills in formats approved by the Department.
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What are the minimum GPA and/or GRE/GMAT requirements for the MHSA program?
Students who have a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of upper-level coursework in their bacc program and a minimum combined score of 1000 on the GRE (GMAT scores of 500 or above may be submitted in place of the GRE) are eligible for admissions. International students must have a minimum TOEFL score of 500.
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Can I work while I’m in the program?
Yes. FIU’s program is structured for working individuals. Coursework is scheduled around part-time students. . Students take three classes per semester by attending alternating weekend on campus class sessions. .
Many of our students are working in the healthcare field. They bring their experiences into the classroom providing other students with opportunities to network with healthcare professionals in the South Florida healthcare community.
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What is the difference between the Public Health, Health Services Administration and Business Administration programs? Which is best for me?
There are many similarities between health administration and public health. However, the fundamental focus of the HSA program is the organization, marketing, and management of healthcare institutions and the delivery of personal health services, like medical care. It prepares students for a management career in a healthcare environment. Aside from a management position, the program also prepares students for jobs such as planners, policy analysts, or consultants focusing on the financing, organization, quality, and delivery of personal health services in the public and private sectors.
The MPH emphasizes a broader focus on the factors that influence population health. Other factors involved include socioeconomic conditions, cultural beliefs and practices, behavioral risk factors, and environmental exposures. The MPH degree prepares students for work in public health promotion, policy, planning, and advocacy.
The MBA provides a focus on a variety of business organizations, including manufacturing firms, accounting firms, family-owned businesses, etc. However, many MBA programs have a specialization in healthcare organizations.
Which is best for you depends on your interests and the type of work and career you desire.
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What is the admissions process?
Individuals wishing to enroll in FIU’s MHSA program must complete the following:
- Complete the online graduate admissions application available at http://gradschool.fiu.edu
- Have official transcripts of all previously earned college or university credits sent to the University Admissions Office.
- Submit scores on the GRE or GMAT.
In addition, applications for admission should be received by the Department of Health Policy and Management no later than two months preceding the semester in which the student wishes to commence the program. Admissions are accepted for Fall and Spring semesters only.
Admissions will be based on the minimum GRE/GMAT and GPA requirements and prerequisites. Additionally, factors such as relevant work experience, motivation, and the compatibility of the applicant’s career goals with the program’s objectives will also be considered.
International students are encouraged to review the admission requirements and timeline established by the University Admissions Office.
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Is there financial aid available?
The program offers graduate assistantships, scholarships, and military assistance. Awards are made on the basis of recognized scholarship and capability for independent research investigations. Scholarships are awarded independent of admissions decisions; however no student should be hesitant to apply to the program because of financial reasons. More financial aid information is available on the school’s financial aid website at http://www.fiu.edu/~finaid or telephone 305-348-1500. This website also has links for financial aid and scholarship information for international students.
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Can I take electives outside of the MHSA program?
The MHSA program is coursework is designed to assure that the curriculum includes all aspects necessary to assure that students obtain the best quality of education and content recognized by experts in the field. At this time, the program does not include any outside electives.
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