University of North Florida

What you'll study

The programme combines core coursework in health services administration with applied methods training and a practice-based capstone or practicum. Typical modules include:

• Health Systems and Policy: organisation and financing of health care in the US, comparative systems and the regulatory environment.
• Healthcare Finance and Economics: budgeting, reimbursement systems, cost analysis and financial decision-making for health organisations.
• Epidemiology and Biostatistics: fundamentals of population health, data interpretation and basic quantitative methods.
• Research Methods: study design, program evaluation and applied research techniques used in health services research.
• Quality Improvement and Patient Safety: performance measurement, process improvement methodologies and risk management.
• Health Informatics and Data Management: electronic health records, health information systems and the use of data for operational decision-making.
• Leadership and Organisational Behaviour: management, ethics, team leadership and strategic planning in health settings.
• Capstone/Practicum: an applied project or supervised placement with a local health provider, public health department or community organisation to integrate theory and practice.

Students normally follow a mix of classroom, seminar and practicum learning. Electives allow specialisation in areas such as long-term care management, community health, health policy analysis or informatics. Part-time and flexible study options are often available to accommodate working professionals.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised bachelor's degree and demonstrate a strong academic record. Typical application materials include a personal statement, current résumé or CV, and academic transcripts. Applicants may be asked to provide professional references and, in some cases, participate in an interview.

Prerequisites commonly expected are introductory statistics and coursework or experience relevant to health, social services or management. International applicants must meet the university's English language requirements through recognised tests or approved exemptions. Specific admissions criteria, including any required standardized tests, are set by the university and may vary by intake.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for a wide range of roles across hospitals, clinics, public health departments, non-profit organisations, long-term care providers and private sector firms. Common career paths include:

• Healthcare administrator or department manager
• Quality improvement coordinator or patient safety officer
• Health policy analyst or programme evaluator
• Practice manager in primary care or specialty clinics
• Health informatics analyst or data specialist
• Consultant in healthcare operations, strategy or finance

Graduates may also choose to continue to doctoral study or pursue professional certification in areas such as healthcare quality, administration or informatics to advance to senior leadership roles.

Why study at University of North Florida

The University of North Florida houses health-related programmes within its established health college and benefits from strong local and regional healthcare connections. Students gain access to practicum placements and collaborative projects with hospitals, community health organisations and public health agencies in the Jacksonville region.

Faculty bring a mix of academic and practitioner experience, supporting applied learning and professional networking. The university typically offers flexible scheduling and resources for working professionals, plus career services and alumni networks that help graduates transition into management, policy and operational roles across the health sector.