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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

195604 v.6 Master of Health Administration

MHA(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 006110A
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 2 Years


Course Overview

Master degrees (coursework) prepare students to apply advanced knowledge for professional practice, scholarship and further learning corresponding to AQF level 9 qualifications.


In this course students choose from a range of specialist topics in health planning, health management, leadership, health policy, quality and safety and economics. They can select from one of two study options, research and thesis, or coursework and project. The project component of the course involves an approved six-month project and the submission of a report.


Career Opportunities

Graduates in health administration are prepared for roles in the public and private sectors in health management, administration and clinical management.


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au. Subject to the duration of the course applicants usually require a bachelor degree or equivalent (and may require relevant work experience), bachelor honours degree, graduate certificate or graduate diploma.


Specifically, applicants require a bachelor degree or its equivalent in an appropriate profession together with work experience in health administration. If applicants' qualifications and work experience do not fall within these guidelines, provision may be made for candidates to undertake bridging units in order to obtain the required admissions background.


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Those with the Graduate Diploma in Health Administration may be eligible to receive credit for recognised learning for the first two semesters.


Intermediate Awards

A student who has successfully completed the requirements of an approved intermediate award may apply for graduation in that award subject to approval of Head of School/Department. Fees apply. Intermediate awards approved for this course:


Graduate Certificate in Health Policy and Management; Graduate Diploma in Health Administration


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to doctoral degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.



Course Organisation

Master degrees (coursework) contain a series of units in a specialised area of study which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may also contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from.


The first year of study is usually equivalent to the Graduate Diploma in Health Administration course, or its equivalent, following which students may apply to enter the master degree program. Students accepted directly into the master degree complete appropriate additional units to those of the graduate diploma and select one of two study options, research and thesis, or coursework and project. Students who enrol in the thesis option will be required to conduct an applied research project. The second option, coursework and project, will allow the student to complete further study at the postgraduate level. The project component of the course involves an approved six-month project and the submission of a report.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. apply extensive knowledge in the area of health service management. The ability to contribute to evidence based practice through research

2. think creatively, critically and reflectively to generate innovative solutions for decision making in health service organizations

3. access and critically analyse effectively, information drawn from multiple sources

4. communicate effectively in ways appropriate to the audience or situation

5. use current technologies applicable to health care organizations effectively

6. demonstrate effective self-management skills

7. provide ethical and professional standards of health service management with sensitivity to political, social, cultural, geographical, technological and global influences

8. work and collaborate effectively in a team and develop leadership skills


Duration and Availability

The course is two years full-time or equivalent part-time study. It is also available by distance learning.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1 Y        
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 2 Y        

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
13154 v.3   Health Policy 681 3.0 25.0
311873 v.2   Organisation of Health Care Systems 682 3.0 25.0
311874 v.2   Leadership in Health Care 682 3.0 25.0
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   25.0
  100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
4860 v.6   Introduction to Health Economics 584 3.0 25.0
13367 v.2   Health Services Quality Development 583 3.0 25.0
11099 v.2   Health Planning and Evaluation 582 3.0 25.0
13152 v.3   Health Research Methods 681 4.0 25.0
  OR  
306308 v.2   Health Research Methods 781 4.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
13179 v.3   Research Project 650 8.0 50.0
  OR  
13151 v.4   Research Dissertation 600 16.0 50.0
13368 v.3   Health Services Financial Management 585 3.0 25.0
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
6115 v.9   Health Services Management 584 3.0 25.0
13359 v.3   Research Dissertation 601 16.0 50.0
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   25.0
  100.0
Optional Units (No Year Level Specified) Hrs/Wk Credit
13230 v.3   Foundations of Public Health 681 3.0 25.0
310578 v.1   Accident Prevention and Safety Management 581 5.0 25.0
Optional Units to Select from in Year 2 Semester 2 Hrs/Wk Credit
309594 v.5   Health Partnerships, Politics and Power 681 3.0 25.0
6103 v.9   Epidemiology and Biostatistics 682 4.0 25.0
308419 v.1   Environmental Health Management 683 3.0 25.0
305042 v.2   Health Impact Assessment 680 5.0 25.0
13152 v.3   Health Research Methods 681 4.0 25.0
306308 v.2   Health Research Methods 781 4.0 25.0



Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Health Sciences on telephone (08) 9266 1000, email futurestudents@health.curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://healthsciences.curtin.edu.au


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.