Preceptors’ Conference
The annual Preceptors’ Conference kicks off the administrative residency search process for UAB MSHA second-year students. It provides a unique three-day opportunity for preceptors, students, alumni, and faculty to network. The first day includes a Preceptors' Reception where second-year students, faculty and alumni network with preceptors from across the United States.
The intensity picks up with an all-day roundtable event during the second day. Designed like speed dating, each student spends a few minutes at each organization’s table answering and asking questions. More than 40 organizations from around the country participated at the 2018 event. At the end of the second day, preceptors and students each submit their top interests. A sophisticated computer system matches the preceptors and students for longer format interviews on Friday. On that day, students have several individual interviews with preceptors in an effort to gain an on-site interview for an administrative residency.
Student Workforce Program
The Student Workforce program provides part-time (10 hours per week), paid work for first-year MSHA students at the UAB Health System (UABHS). It is a mutually beneficial program with students participating in a variety of value-added and meaningful projects at UABHS. Examples of projects from the students include planning for rural emergency medicine support via telemedicine and creating a strategic marketing plan for a new patient navigation program. It truly adds to our department’s mission of “Developing leaders to shape tomorrow’s health care through an exceptional master’s level educational experience.”
Case Competitions
The UAB Health Administration Case Competition, held annually in Birmingham provides graduate students from CAHME-accredited programs an opportunity to put what they have learned into practice with a real-life, real-time case. Teams present their recommendations before a national panel of judges in this event that is designed to be a capstone experience for graduate students across the United States and Canada.
In addition to the UAB Health Administration Case Competition, our students have participated in the NAHSE and Cleveland Clinic Case Competitions and have won first place in both the Ohio State and Baylor University Case Competitions. In 2019, our team placed 2nd in the UAB Health Administration Case Competition.
ACHE Congress
First-year students are encouraged to attend the American College of Healthcare Executive’s Congress on Healthcare Leadership. The conference serves as both a great learning and networking opportunity and provides a valuable experience for students.
Summer Internships
All students are encouraged to complete a 9-12 week summer internship between their first and second year. This is currently required of single-degree MSHA students. Dual-degree students are not required to complete a summer internship; however, the majority of students do. View our most recent list of internship placements.
Disaster Week
The MSHA Program hosts a disaster preparedness week each year in the fall semester. Activities during that week have included a guest panel of health care administrators that shared their experiences responding to anything from natural disasters to mass-shooting incidents. Each class is dedicated to a different aspect of disaster preparedness and management. The week typically concludes with a simulation that models a disaster event a health system could face at any time.
Professional Development
Each Monday during the school year, UAB MSHA invites executives from local and national healthcare organizations to discuss their career path and tell students about their current role and institution. This also serves as a great networking opportunity for students in their internship and residency searches.
MSHA Golf Classic
Every year, our Residential Master of Science in Health Administration students host the MSHA Classic. Visit the MSHA Classic website to learn about the next event.
In addition to being a wonderful day of networking, the event provides leadership opportunities for students and raises money for local charities.
New Student Orientation Retreat
Incoming first-year students participate in a three-day retreat designed for students to get to know their cohort, their professors, and prepare for the school year. The first two days take place at The Alabama 4-H Center in Columbiana, AL and the third day takes place on campus. Traditionally, the retreat takes place the Monday – Wednesday the week before classes begin.
Additional Professional Development Opportunities
The MSHA Program offers a number of other professional development opportunities for students:
- Innohack: a two-day team competition at Innovation Depot designed to solve the biggest health care crises facing Alabama.
- Excel: Action in Application: a one-day Excel boot camp hosted by alumni. This crash course teaches students Excel tricks and skills to master one of the most crucial tools in healthcare.
- Ps & Qs: a one-day etiquette workshop to help instill professional manners before sending students off on their internships and residency searches.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificates: First-year students receive Green Belt training.
- Many other unique experiences.