9.2. Master of Health Studies
Curriculum Streams
The Master of Health Studies (MHS) program contains two streams: Leadership (L) and Advanced Nursing Practice (ANP).
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 that will enable them to discern emerging trends and anticipate future directions in health services; and to provide leadership in planning, implementation, evaluation, and policy development.
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 competent in using a computer with a Windows 95 (minimum) environment, e-mail, the Internet, and computer conferencing. Students are expected to connect to an Internet service provider at their own expense.
Program Information
The MHS program is composed of 11, three-credit courses for a total of 33 credits. There are three core courses, six courses for each curriculum stream and two electives.
Program Requirements
MHS Core Courses (both streams)
MHST 601 Philosophical Foundations of Health Systems (3)
MHST 603 Facilitating Inquiry (3)
MHST 611 Dissemination Strategies (3)
Leadership Stream
MHST 602 Transforming Health Care through Informatics (3)
MHST 604 Leadership Roles in Health (3)
MHST 605 Demystifying Policy Analysis and Development (3)
MHST 606 Health Systems and Services Evaluation (3)
MHST 607 Developing Successful Project and Program Proposals (3)
MHST 610 Contemporary Issues in Research (3)
Advanced Nursing Practice Stream
NURS 520 Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice (3)
NURS 522 Advanced Nursing Practice: Women (3)
NURS 524 Advanced Nursing Practice: Children (3)
NURS 526 Advanced Nursing Practice: Adults (3)
NURS 528 Advanced Nursing Practice: Older Adults (3)
NURS 530 Comprehensive Advanced Nursing Practice (3)
Elective Courses
Course-based Route: For the course-based route in either stream, two electives are required. These electives must be completed before or concurrent with MHST 611.
These courses may be:
- NURS 529 Community Health Development (3)
- MHST courses:
- Other Athabasca University graduate-level courses.
- Negotiated independent study.
- Pre-approved graduate courses from other universities.
Project-based Route: For the project-based route in either stream, implementation of the project replaces the electives with two project course equivalents: MHST 698 and MHST 699.
Program Delivery
All courses are delivered online using asynchronous conferencing. The courses are offered by the grouped-study method, meaning there is a specific start and end date. Students will interact with the professors and complete assignments and exams according to the course schedule. MHST courses are offered during three sessions each year, while NURS courses are offered only once per year. Refer to Course Offerings for detailed session information.
The fall session begins the day after the Labour Day holiday in September; the winter session begins the second non-holiday Monday in January; and the spring session begins on the first Monday in May. Each session is 15 weeks in length. In most courses, students will be mailed a course materials package. Additional course materials will be found online.
Residency Requirements
In keeping with Athabasca University's mandate of open access, residency requirements are satisfied when the student has successfully completed 15 credits from the required MHST/NURS courses through Athabasca University. The remaining credits may be transferred from other institutions, if they are applicable to Athabasca University's MHS degree program.
Program Completion Time Limits
Students must complete the MHS degree requirements within seven years of their initial admission to the program.
Admission Requirements
Applicants for admission to the MHS Leadership Stream must be graduates of a health-related Canadian baccalaureate degree program from an accredited university or the equivalent and have a minimum of two years professional health care experience.
Applicants for admission to the MHS Advanced Nursing Practice Stream must be graduates of a Canadian baccalaureate degree in nursing program or the equivalent and have a minimum of two years of professional nursing experience.
Program-related Procedures
Application Procedure
Refer to the Centre for Nursing and Health Studies (CNHS) for online forms.
- Complete and submit the MHS Application Form.
- Complete and submit the Application Fee Payment Form along with the non-refundable application fee.
- Complete and submit the Application Status Sheet.
- Submit official transcripts*, to be sent directly from the issuing institution to the Centre for Nursing and Health Studies (CNHS), showing the granting of a baccalaureate degree in nursing (ANP Stream) or health-related discipline (Leadership Stream).
* 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 Canada or the US, documentation that attests to its equivalence to a Canadian baccalaureate degree is required. Such documentation may be obtained from
International Qualifications Assessment Services
Ministry of Learning, Government of Alberta
4th Floor, Sterling Place
9940-106 Street
Edmonton, AB T5K 2N2
780.427.2655
iqas@gov.ab.ca
- Submit three Letter of Reference forms*, including one from someone familiar with the applicant's academic skills.
- Submit an up-to-date résumé including
- proof of a minimum of two years professional health care experience (Leadership Stream).
**It is the applicant's responsibility to notify his or her referees, that, in accordance with the Province of Alberta's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the information contained in the letter of reference is not considered to be confidential and it may be viewed by the applicant upon request. Contact Centre for Nursing for more information.
For ANP Stream Applicants Only
- Submit proof of a minimum of two years of professional nursing experience; current nursing registration; certification in Basic Life Support Level C (BLS-C); and immunization records.
ANP Stream courses have a practicum component. The participating health authority, institution, or agency may request a criminal record check, at the student's expense, before he or she is accepted as a practicum student.
Program Application DeadlineCNHS must receive all application materials by March 1 for consideration for admission to the program starting in September of the same year.
Program Status
To maintain program status, students must complete six credits of course work during each academic year (September 1 to August 31). In order to graduate, students must present a minimum average grade of 70 percent over all courses. A minimum grade of 60 percent is required to pass an individual courses in the MHS program. Two failures in one or more courses will result in the automatic removal of the student from the program.
Non-program Students
Individuals who are not admitted to the MHS program will be permitted to register in up to two MHST courses on a first-come, first-served basis, space permitting. Courses taken as non-program students may be applied toward the MHS program 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 CNHS office. Students who withdraw may be re-enrolled in the program by following the 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. Two failures in one or more courses will result in the automatic removal of the student from the program.
Graduation Requirements
To be awarded the MHS degree, a graduate student must
- successfully complete the program requirements. Student must present a minimum grade of 70 percent over all courses;
- complete and submit an Application for Graduation Form to CNHS, and
- meet all other regulations and requirements.
In addition, students must have paid all necessary fees owed to the University and have returned all library resources.
Computer System Requirements
Required System
- Pentium 200 or higher / 64MB memory / 100 MB free disk space
- 56 k baud modem or greater / Laser or inkjet printer / Access to Fax
- Internet Service at 56k baud (or greater)
Software
- Netscape or Internet Explorer 4.
Recommended: Internet Explorer 5.01 or Netscape Navigator 4.08- Word Processing: The required word processing system is Microsoft Word (version 6.0 or higher).
Recommended: Microsoft Office 2000 Suite is preferred because of its ability to convert documents from a variety of platforms and the addition of both Word and Powerpoint.- Current operational anti-virus software
Recommended: Norton Antivirus
PCs are the primary equipment supported by Athabasca University's Help Desk. 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.
Course-Related Procedures
Course RegistrationComplete and submit the Course Registration Form and the course tuition fee by the deadline date to CNHS. Forms may be mailed or faxed. Refer to CNHS for online forms and credit card information. Non-program students must also submit the Non-program Approval Form and General Application Fee form and the application fee if applicable.
Students must provide evidence of completion of or current registration in an undergraduate research methods course before registering in MHST 603.
Students may register in a course's prerequisite (for example, NURS 328 is one possible prerequisite for MHST 603), however, they must successfully complete NURS 328 before MHST 603's start date. If the prerequisite is not completed before the course's start date, students are required to withdraw from the course.
Course Withdrawal
Students may withdraw from a course up until one month before the end of the session (refer to Academic Schedule) by submitting a Course 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 withdrawal from a course by e-mail provided the request is later confirmed by submitting the Course Withdrawal Request Form by fax or regular mail. Refer to CNHS for online forms.
If a student withdraws from a course within the first month of the course start date, the record of registration will be deleted from his or her official transcript. Students withdrawing within the first month of a course will be refunded the course tuition minus $300. Do not return the course materials as there will be no additional refund.
If a student withdraws from a course after the first month of the course start date 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. If a student withdraws within the final month of a course, the official record and transcript will show withdrawal failure (WF). No fees will be refunded for students withdrawing after the first month of a course. Do not return the course materials as there will be no refund.
Course Reregistration
Students may reregister in a course only if they have received a final grade of 59 percent or less, or have withdrawn from the course in good standing. When reregistering, students must pay the full course fee.
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 obtain and submit a Letter of Permission, detailed course outlines, and the appropriate Letter of Permission fee to the CNHS office for review. If approved, the Office of the Registrar will issue a Letter of Permission. 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 CNHS office 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 CNHS office a written request including supporting rationale, official transcripts (if these were not submitted in support of their application for admission), detailed course descriptions and outlines for such courses, and appropriate fees.
Course Fee Refunds
Students will receive a refund of the course fees less $300 if they withdraw from the course within the first month of the course start date. Students should not return their course materials. Students withdrawing after the first month of the course start date will not receive a refund.
Course Extensions
In exceptional circumstances and where the course instructor concurs, students may be assigned a grade of "Incomplete" (INC). This allows students to take one additional month to complete and submit the course work. Students must receive written permission from the Program Coordinator and submit the course extension fee. One month after the original course completion date, a mark will be assigned to the course. The mark will reflect assignments submitted, or if no assignments have been submitted, a mark of zero will be assigned.
Grading System
Courses will be graded using a percentage system: 60 percent is required to pass any course, however, students are required to have a 70 percent overall average to graduate. Late assignments may be penalized five percent per day. Late assignments will not be accepted after five days unless there are extenuating circumstances that have been discussed with the instructor before the deadline, and the instructor has agreed to extend the deadline. MHST 698 and MHST 699 are graded on a pass/fail basis.
Course Offerings (2002 - 2003)
Athabasca University reserves the right to modify the list of available courses at any time.Fall Session: September 3, 2002 to December 13, 2002.
Registration deadline: June 1, 2002.
NURS 520 Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice (3)
NURS 524 Advanced Nursing Practice: Children (3)
NURS 528 Advanced Nursing Practice: Older Adults (3)
MHST 601 Philosophical Foundations of Health Systems (3)
MHST 602 Transforming Health Care through Informatics (3)
MHST 603 Facilitating Inquiry (3)
MHST 604 Leadership Roles in Health (3)
MHST 605 Demystifying Policy Analysis and Development (3)
MHST 606 Health Systems and Services Evaluation (3)
MHST 607 Developing Successful Project and Program Proposals (3)
MHST 610 Contemporary Issues in Research (3)
MHST 611 Dissemination Strategies (3)
MHST 620 Culture and Health: Critical Perspectives (3)
MHST 621 Coaching and Leading: The Human Side of Organizational Change (3)
Winter Session: January 13, 2003 to April 25, 2003.
Registration deadline: October 1, 2002
NURS 522 Advanced Nursing Practice: Women (3)
NURS 526 Advanced Nursing Practice: Adults (3)
NURS 529 Community Health Development (3)
NURS 530 Comprehensive Advanced Nursing Practice (3)
MHST 601 Philosophical Foundations of Health Systems (3)
MHST 602 Transforming Health Care through Informatics (3)
MHST 603 Facilitating Inquiry (3)
MHST 604 Leadership Roles in Health (3)
MHST 605 Demystifying Policy Analysis and Development (3)
MHST 606 Health Systems and Services Evaluation (3)
MHST 607 Developing Successful Project and Program Proposals (3)
MHST 610 Contemporary Issues in Research (3)
MHST 611 Dissemination Strategies (3)
MHST 620 Culture and Health: Critical Perspectives (3)
MHST 621 Coaching and Leading: The Human Side of Organizational Change (3)
Spring Session: May 5, 2003 to August 15, 2003. Registration deadline: February 1, 2003
MHST 601 Philosophical Foundations of Health Systems (3)
MHST 602 Transforming Health Care through Informatics (3)
MHST 603 Facilitating Inquiry (3)
MHST 604 Leadership Roles in Health (3)
MHST 605 Demystifying Policy Analysis and Development (3)
MHST 606 Health Systems and Services Evaluation (3)
MHST 607 Developing Successful Project and Program Proposals (3)
MHST 610 Contemporary Issues in Research (3)
MHST 611 Dissemination Strategies (3)
MHST 620 Culture and Health: Critical Perspectives (3)
MHST 621 Coaching and Leading: The Human Side of Organizational Change (3)
Fees (for courses beginning after September 1, 2002)
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): $100Course Tuition Fee (includes all required materials)
- Students living in Canada: $950
- Canadians living outside of Canada: $1,050
- International students living outside of Canada: $1,150
Other Fees
- Course extension fee: $250 per course
- Transfer credit evaluation fee: $250 per course
- Letter of Permission fee: $20 per letter
- General application fee for non-program students
(required only once and waived if previously paid: $50
- Transcript request fee: $10 per request
- Program extension fee (equal to course registration fees. See above.)Students who choose to complete the AGD: ANP before applying to the MHS must pay the MHS application fees when applying to the MHS program.
Academic Schedule
2002 May 20 Victoria Day. University closed. June 1 Last day for students to register in 2002 fall session courses. Registration fees are due. July 1 Canada Day. University closed. Aug. 5 Civic holiday. University closed. Sept. 2 Labour Day. University closed. Sept. 3 First day of fall session courses. Oct. 1 Last day for students to register in 2003 winter session courses. Registration fees are due. Oct. 3 Last day for early withdrawal from fall session courses. No record of the course will appear on the transcript. Oct. 14 Thanksgiving Day. University closed. Nov. 11 Remembrance Day. University closed. Nov. 13 Last day for late withdrawal from fall session courses. Transcripts will reflect a withdrawal in good standing. Dec. 13 Last day of fall session courses. Dec. 24/02-
Jan. 2/2003The University will close at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002 and will reopen 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, 2003. 2003 Jan. 13 First day of winter session courses. Feb. 1 Last day for students to register in 2003 spring session courses. Registration fees are due Feb. 13 Last day for early withdrawal from winter session courses. No record of the course will appear on the transcript. Feb. 17 Family Day. University closed. Mar. 1 Last day for receipt of application materials for admission to the program, starting in September 2003. Mar. 25 Last day for late withdrawal from winter session courses. Transcripts will reflect a withdrawal in good standing. Apr. 18-21 (inclusive) Easter break. University closed. Apr. 25 Last day of winter session courses. May 5 First day of spring session courses. May 19 Victoria Day. University closed. June 1 Last day for students to register in 2003 fall session courses. Registration fees are due. July 1 Canada Day. University closed.
Course Descriptions
MHST 601
Core Courses
3—Philosophical Foundations of Health SystemsStudents will explore the philosophical considerations and societal values underlying health systems. This foundation course will assist students in interpreting health delivery norms that lead to the formulation of health policy.
MHST 603
3—Facilitating Inquiry
Prerequisite: An undergraduate research methods course.This course will focus on the application of research in the health system and explore ways and means of enabling research in 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: All other courses including electives.Health professionals possess a wealth of information and experience. In this course, students will learn to use a variety of dissemination strategies.
MHST 602
Leadership Stream
3—Transforming Health Care through InformaticsThis course will focus on 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—form the remainder of the course.
MHST 604
3—Leadership Roles in HealthIn this course, students will be encouraged to identify and understand their leadership style through an examination of personal qualities and values. Specific skills that contribute to effective leadership will be examined, stressing the importance of mentoring. Principles underlying change management and decision-making will be studied.
MHST 605
3—Demystifying Policy Analysis and DevelopmentThis 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 be covered.
MHST 606
3—Health Systems and Services EvaluationThis course will examine the strategies of program and project evaluation. Students will analyse a variety of evaluation frameworks. Issues of risk management, communication, and marketing will be addressed.
MHST 607
3—Developing Successful Project and Program Proposals
Prerequisite: MHST 603.
Precluded course: NURS 530.As students write their own project funding proposal, they will review ethical, design, methodological, and analytical principles studied in previous courses. Presenting and defending a proposal to peers will allow students to gain competence in presentation and analytical skills.
MHST 610
3—Contemporary Issues in ResearchStudents will explore a variety of issues related to research, such as ethical considerations, implementation strategies for Best Practices, and the relationship of research to policy development and program evaluation.
Elective Courses
NURS 529
3—Community Health Development
Prerequisite: NURS 520 (for ANP students only).
Precluded courses: NURS 522, 524, 526, 528.This course will examine principles of primary health care and community development. Students will apply these principles in the assessment of a geopolitical community and identify community health concerns that could be addressed through a community health development approach. This course is a required course for transfer credit Advanced Nursing Practice students and an elective course for Leadership students. This course is not available as an elective for ANP students.
MHST 620
3— Culture and Health: Critical PerspectivesThis course will critically examine the relationship between cultural factors and health/health care delivery. Students will explore how ethnicity, gender, social class, and the organization of health disciplines and health systems influence opportunities for health and the delivery of health care to clients, particularly vulnerable or marginalized populations.
MHST 621
3—Coaching and Leading: The Human Side of Organizational ChangeTo be a successful leader, the effect of change on humans within our organizations must be a priority. Through the use of real-life case studies, this course will help students learn how to initiate change, assist employees to move through change, make change "stick" and help to "unstick" constrained change, deal personally with the effects of non-stop change, and create a change environment that resembles an oasis instead of a swamp!
MHST 698
3—Project Seminar I
Prerequisite: MHST 607 and department approval.
This course assists students to develop an acceptable project proposal. Ethical clearance for the project will be commenced during this course. A project supervisory committee for each student will be established during this course.
MHST 699
3—Project Seminar II
Prerequisite: MHST 698 and department approval.
Students should register in MHST 699 in the term in which they anticipate completing their project and scheduling their project defense.
Advanced Nursing Practice Stream
NURS 520
3—Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice
This course introduces concepts and principles on which advanced nursing practice is founded. These include competencies of advanced nursing practice, principles of primary health care and community development, determinants of health, and evidence-based practice.
Students are introduced to practice frameworks for community health development and apply these frameworks in the assessment of a geopolitical community. NURS 520 also introduces extended health practice frameworks that students will use in later courses to diagnose and treat common health concerns of individual clients of all ages. Students identify an individual (family physician or Masters-prepared health professional) who will serve as their preceptor in the extended health clinical experiences of other NURS courses.
NURS 522
3—Advanced Nursing Practice: Women
Prerequisite: NURS 520.Selected concepts of primary health care, extended health-services, and community health are examined with respect to health concerns of women. Clinical experiences provide students with the opportunity to develop extended health service skills and to assess a community's health needs and resources with respect to women.
NURS 524
3—Advanced Nursing Practice: Children
Prerequisite: NURS 520
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, pre-school, school-age, and adolescent life stages. Clinical experiences provide students with the opportunity to develop extended health-service skills and to assess a community's health needs and resources with respect to clients in this life stage.
NURS 526
3—Advanced Nursing Practice: Adults
Prerequisite: NURS 520.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 adult life stage. Clinical experiences provide students with the opportunity to develop extended health-service skills and to assess a community's health needs and resources with respect to clients in this life stage.
NURS 528
3—Advanced Nursing Practice: Older Adults
Prerequisite: NURS 520Selected 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 life stage. Clinical experiences provide students with the opportunity to develop extended health needs and resources with respect to clients in this life stage.
NURS 529
3—Community Health Development
Prerequisite: NURS 520 (for ANP students only)
Precluded courses: NURS 522, 524, 526, 528.This course will examine principles of primary health care and community development. Students will apply these principles in the assessment of a geopolitical community and identify community health concerns that could be addressed through a community health development approach. This course is a required course for transfer credit Advanced Nursing Practice students and an elective course for Leadership students. This course is not available as an elective for ANP students.
NURS 530
3—Comprehensive Advanced Nursing Practice
Prerequisites: NURS 520, 522, 524, 526, 528. MHST 603 (for MHST program students only).The final course in the program reviews the characteristics and competencies of advanced nursing practice and presents issues related to the development of the role of an advanced practice nurse. As well, students develop funding proposals for health projects related to advanced nursing practice. Students finalize their extended-health and community-health development clinical experiences.
At the completion of NURS 530, students write a comprehensive exam that includes content from NURS 520 through NURS 530. Students who complete the AGD: ANP program may apply to the MHS program and will be required to complete the three core MHST courses and two approved electives.
Additional Services
Library ServicesAthabasca University Library also serves the needs of graduate students. Refer to Section 10 Student Support Services.
Tuition and Education Tax Credit Receipt Information
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. In February, T2202 tax forms for the educational tax deduction, along with the tuition tax receipts, are mailed to the address on record. Full-time students may be eligible for the education tax credit for each month of full-time registration.
Regulations and Appeals
Athabasca University policies and regulations governing academic conduct and appeals apply to all students. Refer to Section 12 Student Code of Conduct and Right to Appeal.
Athabasca University's policies, regulations, and procedures governing the release of transcripts and confidential information apply also to graduate students. Refer to Section 5 Admissions, Transfer Credit, and Assessments.
Contact Information
Centre for Nursing and Health Studies
Athabasca University
1 University Drive
Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3
800.788.9041 (ext. 6381) or 780.675.6381
Fax: 780.675.6468
mhs@athabascau.ca
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