MHA in Health Systems Management
Secretariat email: mha@biu.ac.il
Master’s Degree in Health Systems Management – MHA
Master’s Degree in Health System Management with a specialization track in Public Health – MHA
Head of the program: Prof. Tova Rosenbloom tovarosenbloom@gmail.com
Background
For over a decade, the Department of Management has been leading the Master’s Degree study program in Health Systems Management – MHA.
In the opinion of many, and in light of strict admission requirements, great demand opposite limited supply and the population of students: doctors (approximately 40%), nursing personnel, various medical administration personnel and more – this is one of the most attractive and sought-after programs that may currently be studied under the framework of Israeli universities.
The healthcare industry is one of the most important out of any country’s critical industries, and it is currently experiencing the effects of tremendously accelerated social, economic, demographic, technological, ecological and biological changes. The COVID-19 pandemic simultaneously presented the world, the country and society at large with a new, complex reality that will challenge healthcare systems and guide the directions in which they develop, creating increased demand for quality talent in the fields of management. It would be prudent to speculate that Master’s Degree studies in Health Systems Management and Public Health Management would greatly increase the chances of the program’s graduates to integrate, develop and build many diverse and fascinating careers in the future.
At the Department of Management, we are aware of these changes and do our best to maintain a constant process of learning and improvement, expressed through updates to the study programs’ structure, content, teaching methods, as well as their academic and practical fields of knowledge.
As of the academic year 2020/21, a new program has been opened under the framework of the Health Systems Management degree – Master’s Degree in Health Systems Management with a Public Health Orientation.
As of the academic year 2020/21, students may choose, in accordance with the contents and suitability to their personal inclinations and needs, between two study programs – a Master’s Degree studies program (MHA) in Health Systems Management, and a Master’s Degree studies program (MHA) in Health Systems Management with a Public Health Orientation.
The study programs combine academic, practical and research knowledge alongside qualitative and quantitative tools in the field of management, adapted to the characteristics of the Israeli health system, compared to health systems worldwide. The study programs are fascinating and enriching, and are studied in a pleasant and friendly atmosphere on behalf of both the academic and administrative personnel. Both these programs are structured, take place over one year (Semester A + Semester B + an online summer semester) and are particularly suitable to the target population and the characteristics of its occupation – and thus permit on-the-job learning.
What do the programs contain?
Both programs are intended for various healthcare practitioners and students with other appropriate (academic and occupational) backgrounds, who wish to integrate into and develop in the field of Health Systems Management or Public Health Management. In both programs, courses are divided into subdivisions as detailed in the following table:
|
Study Subdivisions |
Subjects |
Attribute |
Weekly Hours |
|
Health Management Subjects Subdivision
Shared between both programs |
Epidemiology in Health Management |
Mandatory |
1 |
|
Healthcare Systems in Israel and Worldwide |
Mandatory |
1 |
|
|
Selected Issues in Healthcare Policy |
Mandatory |
1 |
|
|
Methods and Advanced Management Tools |
Mandatory |
2 |
|
|
Healthcare Economy |
Mandatory |
1 |
|
|
Leadership in People Management |
Mandatory |
1 |
|
|
Groundbreaking Technologies in Health Management |
Mandatory |
1 |
|
|
Quality and Risk Management in Health Systems |
Mandatory |
1 |
|
|
Decision-Making in Health Systems Management |
Optional for Non-thesis track |
1 |
|
|
Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Management |
Optional for Non-thesis track |
1 |
|
|
Advanced Research Tools |
Mandatory for thesis |
1 |
|
|
Thesis Workshop |
Mandatory for thesis |
1 |
|
|
Master’s Degree Thesis – Year 2 |
Mandatory for thesis |
5 |
|
|
Health Systems Management-Specific Subjects Subdivision |
Management and Operation of Hospitals |
Mandatory |
1 |
|
Management of Funds in Health Systems |
Mandatory |
1 |
|
|
Innovation and Technology Management in Health Systems |
Mandatory |
1 |
|
|
Health Systems Management Seminar |
Mandatory |
4 |
|
|
Public Health Management-Specific Subjects Subdivision |
Epidemiology and Public Health – Advanced Issues |
Mandatory |
1 |
|
Public Health Management in Times of Crisis |
Mandatory |
1 |
|
|
Promotion of Health |
Optional for Non-thesis track |
1 |
|
|
Public Health Management Seminar |
Mandatory |
4 |
|
|
Total for Master’s Degree in Track A or B |
18 |
||
For whom are these programs meant?
Health Systems Management Program
The program concerns general health management subjects, subjects specific to Health System Management and the guided writing of a dedicated research seminar regarding theoretical and practical issues of Health System Management.
The purpose of the program is to train its graduates to engage in an ensemble of management fields, such as strategic planning and work program management, managerial economics, quality management, standardization and performance measurement, informed management of resources (funds, manpower, logistics, technological innovation and information systems), decision-making, process analysis and method improvement, logistics and supply-chain management in healthcare, management and operation of hospitals, institutions and medical facilities, financial management as well as innovation and technology management.
This program is particularly suitable for those engaged in management and operations positions within the Health System: in the Ministry of Health, health maintenance organizations, healthcare industries and authorities, as well as for Health System personnel who are not engaged in management, or those who are not a part of the Health System and wish to integrate into it and develop within it, in the field of Health Systems Management.
The areas of occupation include management and operations roles in various fields of governance and authorities, health maintenance organizations in hospital wings and in the community, government and private hospitals, the IDF, business and industrial organization and product or service supply chains for the Health System.
Health Systems Management Program with a Public Health Orientation
The program concerns general health management subjects, subjects specific to Public Health Management and the guided writing of a dedicated research seminar regarding theoretical and practical issues of Public Health Management.
The purpose of the program is to train its graduates to engage in an ensemble of public health management fields, dedicated for health promotion and disease prevention, in the fields of personal, community and environmental preventive healthcare. The program focuses on advanced issues in epidemiology, Health Systems in Israel and worldwide, decision-making and risk management in health policy, development, implementation and evaluation of public health programs, health economy, exposure to groundbreaking health technologies, public health management in times of crisis and the social and behavioral aspects of public health.
This program is particularly suitable for those currently engaged in management and research positions, coordinating and professional administrative positions in the fields of public health, from the health station level to the national level, for those engaged in the identification of diseases patterns – description, detection and response, for those engaged in the assessment and operation of health programs on a national and community scale, and for those whose scope of occupation is predominantly clinical, and wish to have administrative training in this field. It is also suitable for those who are not a part of the Health System and wish to integrate into it and develop within it, in the field of Public Health Management.
The areas of occupation include positions starting with family health stations, health services for school students, district and sub-district health bureaus and up to the professional administrative headquarters on the national level, government agencies, health departments and clinics, military and community organizations, health and environment organizations, nursing arrays engaged in public health as well as education and health promotion.
Admission requirements
Applicants to the study program must have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited academic institution with an average grade of at least 85% (across their entire bachelor’s degree studies. For candidates with a two-major degree, the average would be derived from the final grades in both majors).
Graduates of a medical degree require an MD Diploma only.
Candidates who present an approval of eligibility for a bachelor’s degree and proven experience of several years in the Health System following the completion of their bachelor’s degree studies shall be prioritized.
The number of vacancies is limited, and therefore only the highest-ranked candidates shall be accepted. The Department of Management does not guarantee to accept all candidates that meet the admission requirements noted above. Final screening of candidates shall be conducted at the Department’s discretion. More about the admission requirements.
Attention: each MHA program has a limited quota of applicants. Therefore, when submitting your application (online application permits applying to both programs) the two programs should be prioritized at the candidate’s discretion.
Study tracks
Track A – Includes the conduct of a study (thesis). Successful completion of the thesis permits admission to doctoral studies. The instructions for writing a thesis – can be found in the Master’s Degree Committee Code. More on composing a thesis can be found in the following links: Thesis procedure, Criteria for thesis evaluation.
The study program includes (scope in hours): 13 weekly hours of mandatory courses + 5 weekly hours of Master’s thesis work = total of 18 weekly hours (36 credits)
Track B – Without a study (thesis). This track is intended for those who wish to broaden their knowledge in the fields being studied, but do not intend to continue studying for a doctorate.
The study program includes (scope in hours): 11 weekly hours of mandatory courses + 3 weekly hours of optional courses + 4 weekly hours of seminar = total of 18 weekly hours (36 credits)
Transferring from Track B to Track A
A student who wishes to transfer to Track A must register to the courses “Advanced Study Tools” and “Thesis Workshop”. Only after a study proposal is approved can one transfer to Track A.
Study arrangements
Studies take place during consecutive semesters (Semesters A, B and summer) on Thursdays, 16-22, and Fridays 8-14, and an online summer semester.
Prerequisite courses and tests may take place on other days.
The study program is a structured program.
Students are obligated to complete their studies in Track A (with a study) within 2 years, and in Track B (without a study) within three consecutive semesters. The Committee permits an extension for a third study year in justified cases and with the recommendation of the Head of the Department and the student’s advisor, only for students in Track A (with a study).
Prerequisite studies
55-910 Research Methods for Master’s Degree – Shall be determined per each candidate, in accordance with their academic background.
Students who lack the appropriate academic background and are admitted to Master’s Degree studies in the Department of Management will be obligated to take this prerequisite course. Students must register for and complete the course by the end of Semester A with a grade of at least 80%.
Common requirements and guidelines for both tracks (A and B)
Jewish Studies
In accordance with the general requirements for a Master’s Degree, Regulations enclosed.
Exemption from specialization courses
- A student that started their Master’s Degree studies in an accredited academic institution but did not complete them, and studied a course that is either identical or equivalent in both content and scope to one required by a Master’s Degree study program within the past 4 years, and obtained a passing grade, may submit an application for an exemption from that course.
- The option for an exemption from courses due to previous studies extends to a total of 8 weekly hours (16 credits) in Track B and 4 weekly hours (8 credits) in Track A.
- Applications for exemption from or receiving credit for equivalent courses in another institution should be filed with the Department of Management’s Advanced Degrees Secretariat. The authority to approve an exemption or receiving of credit from courses is in the hands of the University’s Master’s Degree Committee. The application is to be submitted via an appropriate inquiry form.
Changes and updates to the study programs.
The study programs presented in this document are in accordance with the approved programs and the proposed amendments ahead of the academic year.
Under the framework of academic activities for approval of the study programs, these programs may be amended or updated.
Ongoing updates concerning the study programs can be found on the Department’s website.
For additional information, please contact the Department:
Email: mha@biu.ac.il
Telephone: 03-5318276
Details of the above information are subject to change.
