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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
115962  Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management 
ORIGINATOR
Regent Business School (Pty) Ltd 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2020-01-08  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
24375  Masters of Business Administration: Health Care Management  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 08  360  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management is to equip learners with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities at an advanced level to deal effectively with the challenges facing business management in the healthcare sector including public and private organisations.

Upon successful completion of this qualification, learners should be able to:
  • Contribute towards the extension of knowledge of business management and administration in a healthcare context.
  • Demonstrate a critical knowledge of the specific fields and sub-disciplines of healthcare management.
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify, analyse and solve management and commercial problems in a systematic, critical and creative way.
  • Acquire a critical understanding of how to manage people, resources and processes in a healthcare context.
  • Contribute to the socio-economic challenges of developing Southern Africa ethically and responsibly.
  • Display ethical behaviour in a healthcare organisational context.

    Rationale:
    Healthcare is a universal need, and the healthcare industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the global economy. Rising income level, greater health awareness, increased precedence of lifestyle diseases and improved access to insurance are the key contributors to the sector's growth. South Africa is no exception. According to a study (2013) conducted by Econex on behalf of the South African Private Practitioners Forum and Health Management, the country's healthcare contribution is 8.2 per cent of the GDP and is almost equivalent to that of the healthcare contribution of the average of the majority of OECD countries (8.9 per cent). In South Africa, private and public health systems exist in parallel. The public system serves the vast majority of the population but is chronically underfunded and understaffed. The wealthiest 20% of the population use the private system and better served.

    As healthcare service delivery becomes complex because of changing population, disease profile and medical technology, so have the requirement for qualified healthcare managers increased. There is a pressing need for trained and skilled healthcare executives in healthcare management to lead and manage healthcare service delivery into the future. Additionally, the growth in middle class, the need to provide state of art healthcare for patients, improvements in medical technology, expansion of private health care and a growing realisation by the state of the need to get value for money from its health spending means that there will be significant opportunities for career advancement in health care management.

    Besides, with the introduction of the South African National Health Insurance (NHI) in 2011, the need for qualified health care managers became even more urgent than ever. This transformation in the health care sector poses an enormous challenge which requires exceptional skills from those in positions of health care management. Improvement in the efficiency and effectiveness regarding the implementation and execution of healthcare strategies, along with the newly introduced NHI require competent, skilled and highly motivated managers.

    To fulfil this growing demand for highly skilled healthcare managers, the institution plans to offer this qualification.

    The qualification aims to provide knowledge about and develop skills for, to lead and to manage health systems and services, health professionals, and managing self as a leader and manager in contemporary and sophisticated healthcare. Healthcare managers and leaders lead the way from public health and preventive services in the community, to primary healthcare, emergency health services, hospital services, and rehabilitation and palliative care. The core curriculum of the qualification which is trans-disciplinary will include management disciplines of human resources, financial management and research skills in the interest of empowering modern health services managers with knowledge and skills to competently lead health services in an era of globalisation and mass disruptions.

    The added thrust on the healthcare management qualification is to be able to develop a greater depth of highly skilled professional managers in this complex sector. As the industry ultimately targets the well-being of people, it requires coordinated participation of hospitals and healthcare institutions, pharmaceutical firms and diagnostic services, healthcare technologies, informatics, insurance providers, entrepreneurs and finally, the community of healthcare recipients.
    Because of the above, the core modules of the qualification aims to skills managers at all levels who work in public and private healthcare sectors or related industries. The main objective will be to provide learners with a high level of analytical and conceptual skills, as well as practical knowledge so that they can succeed in today's complex healthcare environment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution recognises the importance of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in ensuring that learners that possess skills acquired through life or work experience and non-formal education. The RPL assessment will focus on ways of evaluating a person's lifelong experiences (formal and informal) against a set of pre-determined criteria.

    Recognition of Prior Learning takes account of:
  • Formal study.
  • Age.
  • Work experience.
  • Studies undertaken for personal gain/interest.
  • Company-based training.
  • Industry-based training.
  • Working with experts in the field.
  • Internships, and life experience.

    Credit is granted for RPL when in the assessment of the institution's selection committee, the learner's knowledge and skills correspond to the learning outcomes of the course or specific module for related to the credit application. It is important to remember that the selection committee will focus on the quality and not the quantity of prior learning and experience, the extent to which the applicant can provide evidence of the threshold skills and knowledge for the qualification.

    A Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) will be obtained from the applicant and evaluated by a qualified RPL assessor.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirements for this qualification are:
  • An appropriate Honours Degree, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • A relevant Postgraduate Diploma, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Any professional Bachelor's Degree, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following Compulsory and Elective Modules at Level 9 totalling 200 Credits.

    Compulsory modules, Level 9: 190 Credits:
  • Strategic and Change Management, 15 Credits.
  • Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour, 15 Credits.
  • Healthcare Operations Management, 15 Credits.
  • Financial Management, 15 Credits.
  • Health Economics, 15 Credits.
  • Contemporary Health Systems, 15 Credits.
  • Managing Healthcare Projects and Risks, 15 Credits.
  • Emerging Issues in Healthcare Management, 15 Credits.
  • Research and Statistical Methods, 15 Credits.
  • Knowledge and Information Systems, 10 Credits.
  • Dissertation, 45 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 9, 10 Credits (Select 1):
  • Ethics and Law in Healthcare, 10 Credits.
  • Health Policy, 10 Credits.
  • Managerial Epidemiology, 10 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Contribute towards the extension of knowledge of business management and administration in a healthcare context.
    2. Demonstrate a critical knowledge of the specific fields and sub-disciplines of healthcare management.
    3. Demonstrate the ability to identify, analyse and solve management and commercial problems in a systematic, critical and creative way.
    4. Acquire a critical understanding of how to manage people, resources and processes in a healthcare context.
    5. Contribute to the socio-economic challenges of developing Southern Africa ethically and responsibly.
    6. Display ethical behaviour in a healthcare organisational context. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Apply quantitative methodologies in making work-based decisions.
  • Critically and objectively interpret and evaluate evidence for decision making.
  • Collect data to contribute towards the extension of knowledge of business management and administration.
  • Display specialised management and advanced research skills in management science or related discipline.
  • Utilise technology to solve work-based problems.
  • Apply scientific enquiry and research methods in solving problems.
  • Apply technology and research skills in solving work-related problems in the management of organisations.
  • Apply the extension of knowledge towards the management of sciences through projects and seminar presentations.
  • Utilise appropriate technology in various communication modes.
  • Articulate and promote ideas and interests through effective communication in oral and written modes.
  • Identify, analyse and solve highly complex management and commercial problems in a systematic, critical and creative way.
  • Propose solutions to complex problems is demonstrated.
  • Display understanding of how to manage people, resources and processes in a business context.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment methods measure the extent to which the learner has achieved competence in the different areas of study.
    These assessment methods include:
  • Case studies.
  • Report writing.
  • Interpretative and analytical problem-solving.
  • Work-based assignments.

    Formative assessment implies being supportive to learning, non-judgemental and focused on providing constructive feedback or criticism to the learner, takes place during the learning process and informs planning of future learning activities: Summative assessment implies assessment to be mainly concerned with summing up the learning process and therefore usually takes place at the end of the relevant learning process.

    Integrated assessment is used extensively across the qualification, particularly in the case studies. Self- and formative assessment takes place through case studies, assignments, including the writing of proposals and financial plans. Summative assessments are integrated into the learning in that they take place at the end of each of the constituent modules of the qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The MBA Healthcare Management was compared against similar qualifications internationally. The results of this benchmarking exercise indicate that the MBA in Healthcare Management compares favourably with the same international qualifications. The institutions utilised for the benchmarking exercise were:
  • George Washington University (School of Business).
  • Ottawa University (School of Business).
  • Morehead State University.
  • University of Texas (Tyler College of Business and Technology).
  • Edinburgh Napier University.
  • Brunel University London.
  • Deakin University.

    The salient details emerging out this comparative exercise are as follows:
    1. All the qualifications have a 'general management' component relating to the functional areas of managing organisations, with an emphasis on healthcare organisations. This focus compares well with the first theme in the proposed institution Business School MBA in Healthcare Management relating to the management of healthcare organisations. Strategic Management is a core component in this regard in all the qualifications.
    2. All the qualifications reviewed have components relating to the qualifier (health care management) in the form of particular modules covering, among other things Health Economics, Health Policy, Leadership of Healthcare organisations and Ethics. Again the proposed institution qualification compares very favourably concerning these and other areas, emphasising the specialist nature of the MBA.
    3. Most of the qualifications reviewed have a research component, which is a dominant feature of the proposed institution MBA qualification.
    4. The components relating to the qualifier in all the qualifications reviewed cover more than 50% of the total credits, as is the case with the proposed institution MBA qualification.

    Institution: The George Washington University School of Business.
    Country: USA.
    Qualification: Healthcare MBA Business Administration for Healthcare Management.
    Admission requirement: Bachelors Degree 3 years of professional working experience.
    Content:
  • Financial Accounting.
  • Managerial Accounting.
  • Decision Making and Data Analysis.
  • Operations Management.
  • Finance.
  • Global Perspectives.
  • Microeconomics for the Global Economy.
  • Organisations and Human Capital.
  • Marketing.
  • Business Ethics and Public Policy.
  • Strategic Management.
  • Healthcare quality analysis.
  • Clinical management.
  • Healthcare IT Security.
  • Knowledge Management.
  • Foundational Management Topics in Health Care.

    Electives:
  • Medicines Development.
  • The Clinical Research Industry.
  • Health Information, Quality and Outcomes.
  • HCQ Analysis.
  • Patient Safety Systems.
  • Issues and Trends in Health Systems.
  • Epidemiology.
  • Introduction to Global Regulatory Affairs.
  • Regulatory Strategy in the Development of Drugs and Biologics.

    Institution: Ottawa University, School of Business.
    Country: Canada.
    Qualification: Master of Health Administration.
    Admission requirement: Bachelors Degree, a minimum of 3 years of full-time work experience.
    Content:
  • Organisational Behaviour.
  • Value Systems and Professional Ethics.
  • Strategic Marketing.
  • Managerial Economics.
  • Managerial Finance.
  • Management of Information Systems.
  • Management Accounting.
  • Business Policy and Strategy.
  • Legal, Ethical and
  • Political Aspects of Health Care Management.
  • Regulatory Systems and Qualitative Assessment in Health Care.
  • Product Line and Profitability in Health Care.

    Institution: Morehead State University.
    Country: USA.
    Qualification: Master of Business Administration (Health Systems Management Track).
    Admission requirement: An Undergraduate Degree with a 2.5 GPA.
    Content:
  • Accounting Analysis for Decision Making.
  • Managing Information Technology.
  • Managerial Economics.
  • Financial Management.
  • Marketing Administration.
  • Leadership and Ethics.
  • Business Policies and Procedures.
  • Healthcare Leadership and Ethics.
  • Health Information Technology and Clinical Transformation.

    Institution: University of Texas-Tyler College of Business and Technology.
    Country: USA.
    Qualification: Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management.
    Admission requirement: A Bachelors Degree from an accredited institution.
    Content:
  • Advanced Financial Management.
  • Decision Making in Operations Management.
  • Organisational Behaviour.
  • Strategic Leadership Processes.
  • Strategic Human Resources Management.
  • Advanced Marketing Fundamentals.
  • Leading and Managing People.
  • Formulating and Implementing Strategy.
  • Public Budgeting and Finance.
  • Special Topics in Health Management.
  • Health Care Marketing in Contemporary Society.
  • Introduction to the American Health Care System.
    Electives:
  • Healthcare Public Policy.
  • Healthcare Financial Management.
  • Trends in the Healthcare Industry.
  • Management of Healthcare Information Systems.
  • Health Economics.
  • Directed Research in Health Systems Management.
  • Community Partner Clinical Placements.
  • Ethics in Public Administration.

    Institution: Edinburgh Napier University.
    Country: UK.
    Qualification: MBA (Health Management).
    Admission requirement:
  • Bachelor (Honours) Degree plus two years of work experience.
    Content:
  • Governance and Accountability in Healthcare.
  • Health Policy and Public Involvement.
  • Building High-Performance Organisations.
  • Marketing within the Global Economy.
  • Management and Organisational Change.
  • Leading Strategic Decision Making.
  • Research Skills for Managers.
  • MBA Project.

    Institution: Brunel University London.
    Country: UK.
    Qualification: Healthcare Management specialised MBA.
    Admission requirement: A UK Honours degree, or international equivalent, and a minimum of three years' full-time work experience.
    Content:
  • Operations Management.
  • Corporate and Competitive Strategy.
  • Business Economics.
  • Leading People and Managing Organisations.
  • Corporate and Business Finance.
  • Strategic Marketing Management.
  • International Business.
  • Business Project and Professional Portfolio.
  • Healthcare Policy.
  • Managing Service Operations and Change in Healthcare.
    Electives:
  • Information Systems in Organisations.
  • Managing for the Future.

    Institution: Deakin University.
    Country: Australia.
    Qualification: Master of Business Administration (Healthcare Management).
    Admission requirement: Bachelors Degree in any discipline and three years of relevant work experience.

    Content:
  • Business Process Management.
  • Accounting and Analysis for Managers.
  • Economics for Managers.
  • Marketing Management.
  • Finance.
  • People Management.
  • Principles of Leadership.
  • Strategy Capstone.
  • Introduction to Health Informatics Management.
  • Health Law and Ethics.
  • Healthcare Operations.
  • Clinical Governance.
    Electives:
  • Clinical Leadership 2: The Organisation.
  • Health Management Practicum.
  • Economic Evaluation.
  • Epidemiology.
  • Resource Allocation and Priority Setting.
  • Economics and Health Policy Analysis. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Arts, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Business Administration, Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Regent Business School (Pty) Ltd t/a Regent Business School 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.