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Why should I choose a career in Health Services Administration?
Health care policy and management offers some of the most rewarding and challenging career opportunities available today. Health services administrators are employed at the top, middle and entry levels of various types of health care 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 health care industry continues to expand and there are a wide variety of career paths available. The rate of growth in new jobs in health care occupations is projected to be around 29% between 2000 and 2010. Health care industry is one of the few areas expected to expand in the next 30 years.
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 good 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 for me after I graduate?
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, Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) and other managed care systems, consulting firms, government regulatory agencies, and professional associations.
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Why should I choose FIU’s 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 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 health care services delivery for a variety of populations including the elderly, homeless, migrants of many ethnic origins, persons with AIDS, and children..
The 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 health care 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 then to apply business principles to healthcare settings. Students' coursework requires group work, projects, and presentations, which prepare students to function effectively and professionally with others. Finally, the FIU Program offers a choice between an internship in a health-related organization or a master’s project suited for full-time workers and people who already work in the health care industry.
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How long does it take to complete the degree?
Students begin coursework in the fall or spring semesters and enroll anywhere from five to ten consecutive semesters, depending on their status as a full-time or part-time student and their level of coursework (undergraduate vs. graduate).
Students in the undergraduate program can complete their coursework in 2 to 3 ½ years and will complete a total of 60 undergraduate upper-division credit hours.
Students in the graduate program can complete their coursework in two to three years and will complete a total of 48 graduate credit hours.
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Do I have to follow specific course sequencing?
Yes. The program is divided into four primary course groups and students must follow this sequence in order to meet prerequisite requirements and to complete the program in the scheduled amount of time. Certain classes are only offered certain semesters, therefore if a student does not complete their coursework in sequence, they may not graduate as scheduled.
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What is the internship/residency? How long is it? Do I receive credit while I’m working?
The internship or residency is supervised fieldwork and is an opportunity to apply concepts and skills learned in the classroom to a health-related organization. The internship or residency is completed during the final semester(s) of the program. The internship can range from 2 to 6 credit hours and it 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 create an educational plan for the internship in conjunction with faculty and a preceptor in the semester prior to the placement. This plan assures the student obtains an internship experience that will further their educational experience through application of their academic knowledge and skills to the practice of management in a health care setting.
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What is the difference between the internship/residency and the master’s project? Which is best for me?
Both of our integrative experiences seek to expand 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 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 Master’s 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?
Students are also expected to have basic microcomputer skills including word processing (Word), spreadsheet (Excel), PowerPoint and Internet applications.
While not required as prerequisites for the master’s program, courses in basic accounting, economics, and statistics courses are recommended.
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What are the minimum GPA and/or GRE requirements for the master’s program?
Students who have a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of upper-level coursework 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 to cater to working individuals. Coursework is scheduled around part-time students and classes are offered in the evenings and on Saturdays to accommodate most working schedules.
Many of our students are working in the health care field. They bring their experiences into the classroom providing other students with opportunities to network with health care professionals active in the South Florida health care 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 health care institutions and the delivery of personal health services, like medical care. It prepares students for a management career in a health care 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 Stempel School of Public Health is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
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 health care organizations. These programs provide similar knowledge and skills to an MHSA degree and are often accredited by the Accrediting Commission on Health Services Education (ACEHSA).
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?
All applicants must take and submit a score for the GRE, regardless of GPA. An admission form can be found on the program’s website at http://www.fiu.edu/orgs/admiss/application.html. Admissions will be based on the minimum GRE 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 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 HSA program?
Undergraduates can take 12 upper division electives from any program with their program advisor’s approval.
The graduate program coursework is designed to assure that the program includes all aspects necessary for accreditation in order to assure that students obtain the best quality education and content recognized by experts in the field. At this time, the program does not include any outside electives.
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