our faculty
"What's most exciting about this field is the opportunity to effect positive change to improve the health and well-being of our communities."
read her storyAcquire the credential you need to join the rapidly growing healthcare field with an MS in Health Services Administration from D’Youville.
Overview and Distinctions
Overview
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that demand for qualified managers and administrators is growing "much faster than average for all occupations." And for good reason: rapid changes in the health insurance industry coupled with an aging population in the US has created an unprecedented demand for healthcare services, services which require qualified administrators and managers who have the skills and knowledge they need to improve both quality and efficiency of services.
An MS degree in Health Services Administration can give you the credential you need to succeed whether you’re currently an administrator or aspire to be one.
Our flexible, affordable program is designed to accommodate the demands of working professionals while providing the real-world skills you’ll need to sharpen your skills in management, finance, decision-making, research, and leadership whether you're attending part or full-time.
What You'll Learn
You'll learn from a diverse range of professionals who bring their expertise in research, leadership, administration, and management to the classroom, combining their own deep knowledge with their extensive experience to help you not only acquire the knowledge you'll need but also apply it to real-world issues.
Once you graduate with your master's degree in Health Services Administration from D'Youville you'll:
- Understand the complex dynamics of the US healthcare system and its implications for management and administration.
- Possess advanced skills in written and verbal communication that will allow you to collaborate with other professionals, manage health services employees, and lead a wide range of healthcare organizations.
- Be adept at applying business skills in a healthcare environment.
- Apply basic research techniques to assess and evaluate key performance indicators in a healthcare setting.
- Understand and be skilled at applying the key components of ethics, law, and privacy in a health services environment.
- Demonstrate your competency, responsibility, accountability, and growth in your chosen field.
- Be comfortable engaging in both scholarly and professional settings.
Distinctions
- Flexibility: Our program can be completed part-time or full-time, ideal for working professionals who want to give their career a boost.
- Opportunity: Many of our graduates currently hold leadership positions in healthcare facilities across North America.
- Comprehensiveness: Our faculty bring a diverse range of research, education, and professional experience to the classroom, providing you with a comprehensive education informed by real-world experience.
- Connectivity: Through close interactions with faculty and collaboration with your classmates, you’ll develop the kinds of professional and personal networks that will support you as you progress through your career.
Affordability
We offer numerous scholarship and financial aid opportunities for graduate students,
including a 20% discount for Canadian citizens and opportunities for tuition waivers
and discounts for military veterans.
Careers
Careers
Graduates of D'Youville's MS in Health Services Administration program have found employment in a wide range of industries in an equally-wide variety of roles. D'Youville graduates can be found in:
- Acute Care Hospitals
- Physician Practice Management
- Long term care
- Commercial Health Insurance
- Public Health Organization
- Consulting Firms
- Health Information Technology
- Durable Medical Equipment
- Pharmaceutical Firms
- Health Association Management
- Government and non-governmental regulatory bodies
- Health Care Management Education
- Executive search firms
Health Services Career Paths
While a bachelor's degree may be sufficient to find an entry-level position, most mid-to-upper level healthcare administration and management positions now require a master's degree, preferably one that incorporates instruction in management, business practices, finance, leadership, communication, ethics, healthcare law, and patient privacy practices. With an MS in Health Services Administration you’ll be prepared with knowledge on all these topics and more, ready to enter into a management or more senior administrative roles such as:
Health Services Managers
Health services managers include people who supervise, direct, plan, and coordinate healthcare. Generalist manager positions supervise entire systems and facilities while specialist positions focus on the management of particular services or clinical departments.
The world of healthcare is changing fast and health services managers must navigate a complex environment with a growing focus on preventative care. The fast-paced nature of the industry is driven by healthcare facilities restructuring to meet new demands, ever-evolving healthcare delivery systems, and the ongoing pace of technological innovation. As an essential element of this environment, managers are responsible for improving the efficiency and quality of healthcare delivery as well as developing strategies and policies to optimize the efficiency of healthcare delivery.
Health Services Administrators
In large facilities, the top administrator generally works with several assistant administrators in order to assist with a wide variety of critical areas such as medical records, surgery, health information, nursing, therapy, and billing. In smaller facilities, top administrators often perform a variety of functions themselves with some administrative support.
Clinical Manager
Clinical managers usually receive specialized training in a particular clinical area
such as medical records, nursing, or physical therapy. As part of an integrated healthcare
team, clinical managers often are responsible for coordinating activities with managers
in other clinical or administrative areas, evaluating patient outcomes and staff performance,
developing budgets, analyzing business practices, and communicating those analyses
with other managers and administrators in the facility.
Group Medical Practice Manager
Group Medical Practice Managers work with physicians to manage the business affairs
of the practice. In small medical groups, physicians often make most of the business
decisions and rely on the office managers for day-to-day operational support and management
of the office staff. In larger group practices, Group Medical Practice Managers often
function like senior administrators in hospitals, delegating tasks, managing financial
affairs, making policy decisions, evaluating staff, and assessing patient outcomes.
Managed Care Facility Health Services Manager
Managers in managed care facilities often have similar responsibilities to administrators
of larger medical group practices, but often are required to extend their responsibilities
to promoting and implementing preventative care protocols and engaging in community
outreach.
Internships / Practicum
Internships/Practicum
The three credit practicum portion of the graduate curriculum gives you the opportunity to put what you've learned into practice in real-world situations with support and supervision from faculty and your preceptor.
One of the most important benefits of a graduate education in Health Services Administration at D'Youville is that we have a long and successful history of building relationships with regional health providers and other health-related businesses. These relationships allow us to provide you with a seamless transition into the practicum portion of your degree and the confidence that comes from knowing that your experience will be a valuable part of your education.
Practicum Locations
- Roswell Park Cancer Institute
- UB Neurosurgery
- Assisted Living facilities
Kaleida Health Systems
- Buffalo General Medical Center
- Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital
- DeGraff Memorial Hospital
- Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo
Catholic Health System
Health Centers
Managed Care Organizations
Nonprofit Organizations
- American Red Cross
- United Way of Buffalo & Erie County
- American Heart Association (Buffalo)
- Clean Air Coalition of WNY
- Morlock Foundation, Inc.
- Compass House
Long Term Care Facilities
Government Agencies
Curriculum
Required Core Courses
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HSA 615 | Health Systems Organization and Management | 3 |
| HSA 616 | Human Resource Management in Health Care Organizations | 3 |
| HSA 648 | Financial Management in Health Care Organizations | 3 |
| HSA 649 | Financial Analysis and Strategic Management of Health Care Organizations | 3 |
| HSA 653 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care Organizations | 3 |
| HSA 669 | Improving Performance of Health Systems | 3 |
| HSA 652 | Health Care Economics and Public Policy Making | 3 |
| HSA 671 | Health Informatics | 3 |
| HSA 682 | Managerial Epidemiology | 3 |
| *HSA 672 | Practicum Placement | 3 |
| TOTAL | 30 | |
Electives
Select one
| Course # | Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| HSA 605 | Aging in American Society | |
| HSA 656 | Introducing Drugs in the Human Population | |
| HSA 657 | Advanced Decision Analysis | |
| HSA 668 | Nursing Home Administration | |
| HSA 670 | Health Services Consulting | |
| HSA 679 | Special Topics | |
| Total | 3 | |
Required Research Component
| Course # | Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| HSA 608 | Research Methodology and Design | 3 |
| HSA 610 | Thesis Seminar | 3 |
| HSA 629 | Thesis Advisement (minimum) | 3 |
| TOTAL | 9 | |
Practicum
| Course # | Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| HSA 672 | Practicum | 3 |
| TOTAL | 3 |
Total Minimum Required for M.S.: 42 credits
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
Admission to the HSA master's degree program is based on the qualifications of each individual student. A GPA of 3.0 (equivalent to a B) or better is the minimum requirement for acceptance into the program. Students with a lower GPA may be considered for provisional acceptance into the program based upon personal and professional qualifications. In addition to the general admission requirements, applicants must present the following:
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree.
- Two years full-time employment experience in a health-related facility if baccalaureate degree is not in a health-related or business-related area.
- Two letters of recommendation
- 250 word statement of purpose (effective for fall 2013 applicants)
Prerequisites
- Applied statistical analysis (GRA602 – computer-based laboratory course, 1 credit)
- Health care or management experience
Learn More
We welcome you to join us for an information session or meeting about our graduate programs. For dates and locations please learn more here.
our faculty
"I try to stay in touch with the realities of patient care and share those stories with students."
read her story