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Institute of Public Administration - IPA

Healthcare Management

The MA Healthcare Management is a two-year, part-time programme that focuses on the issues that affect health and hospital services. It seeks to raise the level of analysis in healthcare management in Ireland and to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage effectively.

On completing the first year of the programme, students receive the interim award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management. The second year of the course is divided into two semesters. In the first of these, students study four key subjects in healthcare management. In the second, students write a dissertation on a specific healthcare management issue. If you do not wish to take all three subjects in any particular semester, you may choose to study one or two on a phased basis.

IS THIS PROGRAMME FOR YOU?
This programme will be of particular interest to those who work in health and hospital services. By placing healthcare issues within the broader public management field, it gives students an understanding of how healthcare management relates to other economic and organisational questions. The programme is delivered through a blend of distance education and intensive weekend seminars and workshops at the IPA. Students can, therefore, pursue this programme no matter where they live and can remain in full-time employment.

Entry requirements

Applicants for Postgraduate Diplomas, Postgraduate Certificates, MA, MEconSc and MSc programmes must have a primary degree or equivalent qualification.

This programme will be of particular interest to those who work in health and hospital services, whether as healthcare professionals or as administrators and managers.

Duration

2 years
Distance education supported by weekend seminars

Further enquiries

Postgraduate Office,
Whitaker School of Government and Management,
Institute of Public Administration,
57 - 61 Lansdowne Road,
Dublin 4,
Ireland.

Tel +353 (0) 1 240 3600
LoCall 1890 20 26 26
Fax +353 (0) 1 668 9135
Email postgrad@ipa.ie

Subjects taught

YEAR ONE
Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management
Interim Award
The first year of the MA programme is divided into two
semesters and each semester is devoted to the study of three
key subjects in public management.

Semester One
- Economics
- Managing Human Resources
- Finance

Semester Two
- Organisation and Strategy
- Research Methods
- Managing Service Delivery/Managing in Europe

YEAR TWO
Semester One
Health Strategy and Policy
The concept of strategy, strategic management and planning, strategy formulation, service planning, the national health strategy and its implementation, funding and resource allocation, primary healthcare, community health, hospital services, statutory and voluntary provision of services, strategic issues in Irish health policy and services for target groups.

Comparative Healthcare
Health systems classification, healthcare developments in Europe and elsewhere, international perspectives on health funding and expenditure, role of the State, quality and management of professional practice and health service reform initiatives in other countries.

Quality in Healthcare
Organisational structure of the health services, patient safety, quality assessment, clinical and organisational governance, clinical audit and evidence-based medicine.

Health Economics and Finance
The healthcare market, the demand for healthcare, issues in pricing health services, economic evaluation of healthcare, supply-side efficiency, case-mix and diagnostic related groups, programme budgeting, management accounting and control accountability.

Semester Two
In the second semester of year two students write a dissertation on a specific healthcare management issue.

Comment

Accreditation
The IPA is a recognised college of University College Dublin (UCD). From 2012, any student entering an accredited IPA Programme will graduate with a UCD award. The IPA and UCD are part of the wider National University of Ireland (NUI) network. The MA (Healthcare Management) is at Level 9 (Major Award) on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

INTERIM AWARD:
Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management

Assessment method

Students are assessed by means of assignments, examinations and a dissertation.

Application date

Please complete the application form at the end of the prospectus (or view link below) and return it to the IPA, together with:
- One copy of your degree or relevant qualification
- One passport-type photograph
- The semester fee
or
- A letter from your employer confirming that fees will be paid directly to the IPA

Places on the programmes are limited and demand for places is likely to exceed the number available. Consequently, you are strongly advised to apply as early as possible. Successful applicants will receive further details prior to the commencement of the programmes

Course fee

The cost of the programme is 5,000 per annum (includes all matriculation and examination fees, all seminars, textbooks and course material), payable in two instalments.

Application Weblink

Course web page

Key information

Qualification letters:

Qualifications:

Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ)

Attendance Types:

Weekend

Counties:

Dublin

Apply to:

Course provider

Application Weblink

Course web page

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