Programme Overview
The Master of Science in Health Services Administration (MHSA) is a new programme offered by the University of Nicosia Medical School. This modern programme aims to rigorously prepare students for leadership positions in the rapidly growing field of health services. It serves to advance professionals’ careers within the health service industry locally and internationally.
A primary goal of the MHSA is to equip professionals and managers in hospitals, clinics, pharmaceuticals, insurance firms, biotechnology firms, and other health-related settings, with the crucial skills to manage and lead profitable healthcare organizations while, at the same time, delivering high quality services with patient safety at the forefront.
Leadership in Healthcare
Students acquire managerial and leadership skills in key areas such as operations management, legal and ethical decision making, finance, epidemiology, biostatistics, human resource management, health economics, clinical systems management, managerial accounting, quality management, patient safety and more.
All offered courses have been designed specifically for the health services sector. Through utilization of theory, in a research project, field project, or elective pathway, this coursework allows students to analyse complex workplace management.
Entrepreneurship in Healthcare
This dynamic programme emphasizes entrepreneurship in the health care industry. It challenges students to pursue advanced initiatives and address existing problems in their current work environments through the development of business plans and the implementation of field projects.
For instance, students could pursue the implementation of new systems and processes in order to reduce patient waiting times in their hospital/clinic. Another example in this course pathway would be to prepare a business plan for establishing an integrated practice unit in a hospital.
Managing a Crisis such as a Pandemic
Students of the MHSA will acquire crisis management skills enabling them to respond effectively to adverse situations. For instance, in the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, essential elements of the program include: knowledge on how pandemics spread within a population, evaluation of measures which could limit such spread, an understanding of how hospital settings and facilities should be structured to increase effectiveness and ensure the safety of both patients and healthcare personnel, as well as an understanding of how new technologies (e.g. telemedicine and big data analytics) could be of assistance. Moreover, students will explore the redistribution of resources in setting up crisis management plans.
Student Outcomes
Our multidisciplinary curriculum focuses on current and emerging issues in the global healthcare industry and prepares graduates to tackle real world challenges in leadership positions at the local, national and international level. Upon graduation, they will be able to pursue or further their career in a multitude of settings, such as hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, insurance firms, health departments, biotechnology firms, start-ups and more. Specifically, graduates can manage and lead healthcare organisations and units through critical evaluation of the industry, efficient operational management, prudent financial planning and effective human resource management. Within our international medical programmes, our graduates have a 99% career placement rate. The strong emphasis on innovation and technological advancements enables graduates to provide vision and initiate strategic change in healthcare organisations.
Innovative and Modern Curriculum
Flexible Learning Tailored to Your Needs
This dynamic programme is tailored to the needs of fulltime working professionals and new graduates. The MHSA is delivered over 3 semesters (18 months full-time, or up to 4 years part-time) and features 3 core courses in each of Semesters 1 and 2. Semester 3 provides students with the opportunity to choose one of the three elective paths, depending on their own professional development goals.
Students determine their time schedule, study pace and workload by choosing the number of courses per semester. In addition, the distance learning mode, comprising online interactive lectures, tutorials, activities and assignments, allows study outside normal working hours, as well as autonomy and control.
Internationally Renowned Faculty
To realise our vision of serving as a centre of excellence in health services administration education, we have brought together experts from around the world. Our faculty have extensive experience of teaching, working and conducting research in this exciting field and each course is taught by a leader in their field.
E-Learning Excellence
The University of Nicosia (UNIC) is a regional leader in distance learning education at the Bachelor and Master level. We use the most up-to-date technologies and state-of-theart learning design theories to deliver our courses and we are the first university in Europe to have received a triple recognition (5 QS Stars, EADTU, EFQUEL) for excellence in online education.
As a testament to the quality of our online programmes, our University has been awarded the highest accolades for e-learning and distance learning education excellence.
UNIC continues to strive for excellence globally. The 2020 Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings, ranked the University of Nicosia (UNIC) as the number 42 university in the world in the core area of Quality Education, and among the top 301-400 universities globally in terms of its overall social and economic impact.
Admission Requirements
- A Bachelor’s degree from an institution recognised in the country where it operates. A degree in a health or business related field is an advantage
- Two reference letters: Either academic or professional
- English proficiency: If English is not your first language and you have not earned a degree taught in English, an IELTS score of 6.5 overall and no less than 6.0 in each of the subtest components, or an equivalent test and scores
- A personal statement describing your educational and, if applicable, professional background and explaining how this degree would support your career ambitions