9.2. Master of Health Studies
The Master of Health Studies (MHS) program contains two streams: Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice (ANP).
Leadership: The Leadership stream prepares health professionals to assume leadership positions in the health system. The rapid pace of change in health services requires health professionals to be leaders, equipped to address new challenges. The program provides professionals from various health backgrounds with skills enabling them to discern emerging trends and anticipate future directions in health services; to provide leadership in planning, implementation, evaluation; change management; and policy development.
Advanced Nursing Practice (ANP): The ANP stream prepares nurses to assume a broader role in the provision of health services to clients of all ages. It provides theoretical and clinical preparation for nurses whose role will focus on advanced nursing practice. Graduates will be prepared for nurse practitioner functions in accordance with jurisdictional legislation. Students in the ANP stream are required to write a comprehensive exam upon completion of ANP courses.
The courses in both streams of the Master of Health Studies program are delivered online using asynchronous conferencing. Students should be familiar with using a computer with a Windows 95 (minimum) environment, electronic mail, the Internet, and computer conferencing. Learners are expected to connect to an Internet service provider at their own expense.
Applicants for admission to the MHS program must be graduates of a health-related baccalaureate program from an accredited university.
Applications must consist of a completed MHS application form along with a non-refundable application fee; three letters of reference, one of which should come from someone familiar with the applicant's academic skills; an up-to-date résumé; official transcripts of university studies; and evidence of a minimum of two years health service experience.
In addition, applicants to the MHS (ANP) stream must submit proof of a baccalaureate degree in nursing; a minimum of two years of professional nursing experience; nursing registration; certification in BLS (Basic Life Support); and immunization status. Some courses have a practicum component. The participating health authority/institution/agency may request a student undertake a criminal record check before being accepted for a practicum.
Program Status
To maintain program status, students must complete 6 credits of course work during each academic year (September 1 to August 31). Students must present a minimum average grade of 70% in all courses in order to graduate. A minimum grade of 60% is required to pass an individual course in the MHS.
Non-Program Students
Individuals who are not enrolled in the Master of Health Studies program will be permitted to register in a maximum total of two MHS courses on a first-come, first-served basis, space permitting. Courses taken as non-program students may be applied toward the MHS degree requirements, if and when a student becomes a program student. However, the University is under no obligation to admit non-program students into the MHS program.
Program Withdrawal
Students may withdraw from the program by submitting their request in writing to the program coordinator. Students who withdraw may be re-enrolled in the program by following regular application procedures outlined above. Students requesting re-admission to the MHS program will be competing against all other applicants and will not receive special consideration. Failures in two courses will result in the automatic removal of the student from the program.
Delivery
Courses are offered during three semesters each year. The fall semester begins the day after the Labour Day holiday in September and lasts for fifteen weeks. The winter semester begins the second non-holiday Monday in January and lasts for fifteen weeks. The spring session begins on the first Monday in May and lasts for fifteen weeks. All courses are delivered online using asynchronous conferencing.
| 2000 |
| May 31 |
Last day for students to register in 2000 fall session courses.
Registration fees are due. |
| Sept. 4 |
Labour Day. University closed. |
| Sept. 5 |
First day of fall session. |
| Oct. 2 |
Last day for students to register in 2001 winter session courses.
Registration fees are due. |
| Oct. 5 |
Last day for early withdrawal from fall session courses. No record of
the course will appear on the transcript. |
| Oct. 9 |
Thanksgiving Day. University closed. |
| Nov. 13 |
University closed in lieu of Remembrance Day. |
| Nov. 15 |
Last day for late withdrawal from fall session courses.
Transcripts will reflect a withdrawal in good standing. |
| Dec. 15 |
Last day of fall session courses. |
Dec. 23/00-
Jan. 2/2001 |
University closed. |
| |
| 2001 |
| Jan. 8 |
First day of winter session courses. |
| Feb. 8 |
Last day for early withdrawal from winter session courses. No record of
the course will appear on the transcript. |
| Feb. 9 |
Last day for students to register in 2001 spring session courses.
Registration fees are due. |
| Feb. 19 |
Family Day. University closed. |
| Mar. 1 |
Last day for receipt of application materials for admission to the
program, starting in September 2001. |
| Mar. 20 |
Last day for late withdrawal from winter session courses.
Transcripts will reflect a withdrawal in good standing. |
April 13-16
(inclusive) |
Easter break. University closed. |
| April 20 |
Last day of winter session courses. |
| May 1 |
First day of spring/summer session. |
In order to participate in the program, each student must own or have ready access to the following minimum computer hardware and software. Students are advised that PCs are the primary equipment supported by Athabasca University's Helpdesk. Only limited assistance for other hardware and software platforms is offered. Students are responsible for their own communication costs such as long distance telephone charges and subscriptions to an Internet node, or any other communications service requirements.
Minimum
- Pentium 100 or higher
- 32 MB RAM
- 50 MB free disk space
- 3.5 inch floppy disk device
- Mouse
- 28.8 baud modem
- Windows 95
- Current operational anti-virus software
Optimum
- Pentium 200 MMX or higher
- 64 MB memory
- CD-ROM
- 100 MB free disk space
- Mouse
- 33.6 baud modem or faster
- Laser or inkjet printer
- Backup device
- Access to fax
Software
- The required word processing system is either Microsoft Word (version 6.0 or
higher) or Microsoft Works.
- Netscape or Internet Explorer
- Current operational anti-virus software
Course Registration Procedure
Complete the course registration form and submit it by the deadline date to the
MHS Program Office. Course registrations may be mailed, faxed or e-mailed.
Course Withdrawal
Students may withdraw from a course up until one month before the end of the
semester (see Academic Schedule) by submitting a Withdrawal Request Form. The
date of withdrawal will be the postmark on the request, or if the notice is hand
delivered or faxed, the University date stamp. Students may also request a
withdrawal from a course by e-mail provided the request is later confirmed by
submitting the Withdrawal Request Form by fax or regular mail.
If a student withdraws from a course within the first month, the record of
registration will be deleted from his/her official transcript and the student
will receive a refund of course fees less a course withdrawal processing fee. If
a student withdraws from a course after the first month of the course and before
the last month of the course, the official record and transcript will show that
the student withdrew without credit and without prejudice or academic penalty.
After 30 days of the course start date there will be no refund.
Course Re-registration
Students may re-register in a course only if they have received a final grade of 59% or less, or have withdrawn from the course in good standing. In re-registering students must complete all course requirements and pay the full course fee. Students are permitted only one re-registration in each course.
Transfer Credit
Students enrolled in the MHS program may take courses from other post-secondary institutions in fulfilment of the program requirements, provided such courses are applicable to the Athabasca University MHS program. Students wishing to take courses from other institutions must submit a Letter of Permission, a written request, detailed course outlines and the appropriate fees to the MHS program office for review. If approved, a Letter of Permission will be issued by the Office of the Registrar. To allow for mailing time, requests for a Letter of Permission should be made at least one month before the registration deadline at
the institution where the student will be taking the course. Upon completion of the course, the student must submit an official transcript to the MHS program coordinator in order to receive credit for the course.
Advanced Standing
Some students may have completed work at other post-secondary institutions, that is applicable to the MHS program. Students seeking advanced standing are required to submit to the MHS program office, official transcripts (if these were not submitted in support of their application for admission), detailed course descriptions for such courses and appropriate fees.
Course Refunds
Students will receive a refund of the course fees minus the course withdrawal processing fee (see MHS program fees) if they withdraw from the course within 30 days of the course start date. Students should not return their course materials.
Incompletes
In exceptional circumstances and where the course instructor concurs, a student may be assigned a grade of Incomplete (IN). This allows the student to take an additional two months to complete and submit the course work. Two months after the original course completion date, a grade will be assigned to the course. Where the student has not submitted the required course work, a failing grade (F) will be automatically assigned.
Course Grading System
All courses will be graded using a percentage system: 60% is required to pass
any course, however, students are required to have a 70% overall average to
graduate. Late assignments may be penalized 5% per day and will not be accepted
after five days unless there has been extenuating circumstances that have been
discussed with the instructor before the deadline. MHST 610 and MHST 611 are graded on a pass/fail basis.
Time Limits for Completion
Students must complete the MHS degree requirements within seven years of their
initial enrolment in the program.
| All fees are quoted in Canadian dollars and are subject to change. |
Program application fee (non-refundable) required with each application: $50
Admission fee (payable upon acceptance into the program): $100
Course Tuition Fee (includes all required materials)
Students living in Canada: $925
Canadians living outside of Canada: $1,025
International students living outside of Canada: $1,125
Other Fees
Course extension fee: $250
Transfer credit evaluation fee: $250
Letter of Permission fee: $20
Non-program application fee (required only once and waived if previously an
Athabasca University student): $50
Transcript request fee: $10
Withdrawal processing fee: $300
Course challenge fee: $300
Comprehensive exam fee (required for all ANP students only): $250
Program extension fee (equal to course registration fees. See above.)
| The withdrawal processing fee includes the cost of course materials and an administrative fee for processing the request. Do not return the course materials as there will be no refund. |
Students who choose to complete the AGD:ANP before applying to the MHS, must, upon application to the MHS, pay the required MHS application fees.
| The following schedule is as of the date of printing. Athabasca University reserves the right to modify the list of available courses at any time. |
Fall Session - September 2000
ANP Stream
NURS 520 Foundations of Advanced Community Nursing Practice
NURS 524 Advanced Nursing Practice: Children: Infants to School-Age
NURS 528 Advanced Nursing Practice: Older Adults
NURS 530 Comprehensive Advanced Nursing Practice
Leadership Stream
MHST 601 Philosophical Foundations of Health Systems
MHST 602 Transforming Health Care through Informatics
MHST 603 Facilitating Inquiry
MHST 604 Leadership Roles in Health Care
MHST 605 Demystifying Policy Analysis and Development
MHST 606 Health Systems and Services Evaluation
MHST 607 Developing Successful Project and Program Proposals
Winter Session - January 2001
ANP Stream
NURS 522 Advanced Nursing Practice: Women's Health: Pregnancy/Newborn
NURS 526 Advanced Nursing Practice: Adolescents and Adults
NURS 530 Comprehensive Advanced Nursing Practice
MHST 611 Dissemination Strategies
Leadership Stream
MHST 601 Philosophical Foundations of Health Systems
MHST 602 Transforming Health Care through Informatics
MHST 603 Facilitating Inquiry
MHST 604 The Leadership Role in Health Care
MHST 605 Demystifying Policy Analysis and Development
MHST 606 Health Systems and Services Evaluation
MHST 607 Developing Successful Project and Program Proposals
MHST 610 Contemporary Issues in Research
MHST 611 Dissemination Strategies
Spring and Summer Session - May 2001
MHST 601 Philosophical Foundations of Health Systems
MHST 602 Transforming Health Care through Informatics
MHST 603 Facilitating Inquiry
MHST 604 Leadership Roles in Health Care
MHST 605 Demystifying Policy Analysis and Development
MHST 606 Health Systems and Services Evaluation
MHST 607 Developing Successful Project and Program Proposals
MHST 610 Contemporary Issues in Research
MHST 611 Dissemination Strategies
MHS Core Courses (both streams)
MHST 601 Philosophical Foundations of Health Systems
MHST 603 Facilitating Inquiry
MHST 611 Dissemination Strategies
Leadership Stream
MHST 602 Transforming Health Care through Information
MHST 604 Leadership Roles in Health Care
MHST 605 Demystifying Policy Analysis and Development
MHST 606 Health Systems and Services Evaluation
MHST 607 Developing Successful Project and Program Proposals
MHST 610 Contemporary Issues in Research
Advanced Nursing Practice Stream
NURS 520 Foundations of Advanced Community Nursing Practice
NURS 522 Advanced Nursing Practice: Women's Health: Pregnancy/Newborn
NURS 524 Advanced Nursing Practice: Infants to School-Age Child
NURS 526 Advanced Nursing Practice: Adolescents and Adults
NURS 528 Advanced Nursing Practice: Older Adults
NURS 530 Comprehensive Advanced Nursing Practice
Elective Courses
Two electives are required in each stream. These courses may be selected from MHST/ANP courses; drawn from other Athabasca University graduate programs; independent study; or pre-approved graduate courses from other universities.
Core Courses
MHST 601
3—Philosophical Foundations of Health Systems
This course begins with an examination of the historical foundations of Canada's medicare system and the value base of the Canada Health Act. Students compare this to systems in other parts of the world. Current influences on the health care system are studied and environmental scanning is explored. The scan leads into discussion of possible futures for this system.
MHST 603
3—Facilitating Inquiry
Prerequisite: An undergraduate research course.
This course will focus on the application of research in the health system, exploring ways and means of enabling research in their practice settings. Students will investigate values that drive the research questions and identify the appropriate methods of facilitating inquiry in their particular fields of practice.
MHST 611
3—Dissemination Strategies
Prerequisite/Corequisite: NURS 530 or MHST 610.
Health professionals possess a wealth of information and experience. In this course, students will learn to use a variety of dissemination strategies.
Leadership Stream
MHST 602
3—Transforming Health Care through Informatics
Information technology and informatics have the potential to transform health care. This course provides the student with an understanding of the breadth of applications and technologies available to support health services delivery. Discussion of the resulting issues, including consumer informatics, data protection, coding, standards and access, forms the majority of the course. Students work individually and in groups to explore these issues.
MHST 604
3—Leadership Roles in Health Care
This course is designed to provide the students with an overview of contemporary thought on the leadership role and to explore application to the health care environment. Through a variety of resources stemming from health care and other disciplines, students will interact with other course participants to extrapolate competencies required for effective leadership. The framework for the course addresses leadership from three interrelated and dynamic aspects:
context, structures, and leadership capabilities. Opportunity is provided for self-assessment of personal assets and liabilities in relation to the competencies required for effectiveness in the leadership role.
MHST 605
3—Demystifying Policy Analysis and Development
This course will focus on analysis and development of policy, a process
necessary before moving to the next steps of planning, management, and
evaluation of actions for change. The interface between policy and
decision-making, the implications of policies formed at different levels, and
the relationship of accountability to the policy process, will constitute the
content of this course.
MHST 606
3—Health Systems and Services Evaluation
This course will examine a variety of evaluation approaches used in health services. Discussion will include designing and negotiating an evaluation plan, collecting and analysing data, social context and codes of behaviour for evaluators. Opportunity is provided for students to design an evaluation for a system or service in their own practice setting.
MHST 607
3—Developing Successful Project and Program Proposals
Prerequisite: MHST 603.
As students write their own detailed project proposal, they will review ethical, design, methodological, and analytic principles studied in previous courses. Presenting and defending their proposal to peers will allow students to gain competence in presentation and analytical skills. Various approaches to securing funding for projects and proposals in the health care sector will be examined.
MHST 610
Contemporary Issues in Research
Prerequisite: completion of all program courses.
In this course, students will explore a variety of issues related to research.
Advanced Nursing Practice Stream
NURS 520
3—Foundations of Advanced Community Nursing Practice
Precluded course: NURS 500.
This course provides the foundation for subsequent courses in the program. Students are introduced to nursing practice, study various types of health data and planning frameworks useful in advanced community nursing practice, and begin to develop a vision for the future of advanced community nursing practice. Students make initial contact with settings in which they will complete practica designed to provide experience in extended health service skills and community assessment and development.
NURS 522
3—Advanced Nursing Practice: Women's Health: Pregnancy/Newborn
Precluded course: NURS 502.
Selected concepts of primary health care, extended health services, and community health are examined with respect to health concerns of individual and community clients in the pregnancy/newborn lifestage. Practicum experiences provide students the opportunity to develop extended health service skills and to assess a community's health needs and resources with respect to clients in this lifestage.
NURS 524
3—Advanced Nursing Practice: Children: Infants to School-Age
Precluded courses: NURS 504 and NURS 506.
Selected concepts of primary health care, extended health services, and community health are examined with respect to health concerns of individual and community clients in the infant/preschooler/school-age lifestage. Practicum experiences provide students the opportunity to develop extended health service skills and to assess a community's health needs and resources with respect to clients in this lifestage.
NURS 526
3—Advanced Nursing Practice: Adolescents and Adults
Precluded courses: NURS 508 and NURS 510.
Selected concepts of primary health care, extended health services, and community health are examined with respect to health concerns of individual and community clients in the adolescent and adult lifestage. Practicum experiences provide students the opportunity to develop extended health service skills and to assess a community's health needs and resources with respect to clients in this lifestage.
NURS 528
3—Advanced Nursing Practice: Older Adults
Prerequisite: MHST 603 (For MHST program students only).
Precluded course: NURS
512.
Selected concepts of primary health care, extended health services, and community health are examined with respect to health concerns of individual and community clients in the older adult lifestage. Practicum experiences provide students the opportunity to develop extended health service skills and to assess a community's health needs and resources with respect to clients in this lifestage.
NURS 530
3—Comprehensive Advanced Nursing Practice
Precluded course: NURS 514.
The final course in the program synthesizes students' learning from previous courses within the context of improving the health of communities. The focus of the course is on community development based on students' understandings of community health concerns acquired through the theoretical content and practicum experiences of NURS 520 through NURS 528. Students also study management of an advanced community nursing practice and complete a comprehensive nurse
practitioner examination.
Library
Athabasca University Library also serves the needs of graduate students. See Section 10.8.
Income Tax Deductions
Application and tuition fees can be used to reduce income tax. Only fees paid and expended during the calendar year can be reflected in the tax receipt. Canada Customs and Revenue Agency regulations permit the University to issue an education tax credit receipt only for amounts greater than $100. Tax receipts are automatically mailed to the address on record in February. Full-time students may be eligible for the education tax credit for each month of
full-time registration. T2202 tax forms for the educational tax deduction along with the tuition tax receipts are automatically mailed to the address on record in February.
Appeals
All students at Athabasca University, whether undergraduate or graduate, are bound by the same policies and regulations governing academic conduct and appeals. Refer to Section 12 Student Code of Conduct and Right to Appeal.
Transcripts and Confidential Information
Graduate students, like undergraduate students, are bound by the institution's policies, regulations, and procedures governing the release of transcripts and confidential information.
International Transcripts
Applicants submitting any official documents (e.g., transcripts) in a language other than English must provide an official translation of such documents. If the credential being submitted has been earned outside North America, documentation attesting to its equivalence to a North American baccalaureate is required. Such documentation can be provided through the International Qualifications Assurance Services (IQAS) at the following address.
International Qualifications Assurance Services
4th Floor, Sterling Place
9940-106 Street
Edmonton, AB T5K 2V1
E-mail: iquas@gov.ab.ca
Centre for Nursing and Health Studies
Athabasca University
1 University Drive
Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3
Canada
(800) 788-9041 (ext. 6300) or (780) 675-6300
Fax: (780) 675-6468
E-mail: mhs@athabascau.ca
http://www.athabascau.ca/cnhs/
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