Marking a quarter-century of innovation, accessibility, and excellence in health education, program empowers graduates to realize their highest potential as health professionals and leaders
When Athabasca University launched its Master of Health Studies (MHS) program in 1999, it did more than offer a new graduate credential; it pioneered a flexible, online model that would redefine health education in Canada.
Today, 25 years later, the program continues to support health professionals across the country and around the world—empowering them to lead, innovate, and improve health systems in ways like no other.
“One of the hallmarks of the Master of Health Studies program is that it was designed to meet the practical needs of health-care leaders,” said Dr. Margaret Edwards, who helped launch the program and now serves as program director. “I think that’s been the draw of the program for students, that they are able to apply what they are learning to their workplace.”
A bold vision for accessible graduate education
The MHS program was one of the first of its kind in Canada to offer a fully online, graduate-level pathway for mid-career professionals in nursing, public health, and related fields.
Some 118 students were among the first to sign up for the program when it launched and by September of the following year, an additional 165 program students began studying for their degree. With more than 1,000 alumni to date, the MHS program has shaped health-care leaders who now work across government, education, research, and community health.
“The Master of Health Studies program gave health-care professionals the opportunity to pursue graduate studies and advance their careers without requiring them to leave their workplace or homes,” said. Edwards. “At the time, this program was like no other.”
Along with the flexibility that the program offers, it’s the focus on practical application that makes it stand out, she added. To complete assignments, students are asked to use their workplaces as case studies to learn about organizational change, for example. Built to support real-world leadership and evidence-informed practice, the program continues to evolve to complement the emerging trends in health care.
Making a difference
Kathy Howe (Bachelor of Nursing ’01, Master of Health Studies ’12) had always known she wanted to pursue a career in health-care leadership. After working and moving up in the nursing field to a manager position in the emergency department at the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary, Alta., she recognized she’d need a master’s degree to continue growing and advancing. She’s now the executive director of the Alberta Association of Nurses.
After completing her bachelor’s degree at AU, she chose the MHS program because it directly focused on health-care leadership and the course material complemented her full-time work.
“The MHS gave me deeper insight and understanding into health care,” said Howe.
Even now, years after graduating, she still goes back to concepts learned in her courses. She recalled a course where much of the content was focused on thinking about a specific problem while learning to take time to consider different perspectives, and outcomes.
“Sometimes as leaders, we don’t stop and think,” she said. “My brain’s just always going.”
When reflecting on her career, she considers thinking her most powerful leadership tool.
“It opened the doors but also gave me the skills to be successful once the door opened as well,” she said.
Celebrating 25 years
To mark 25 years of education innovation and health care excellence, the program hosted a celebration on June 4. The evening reception allowed MHS alumni and faculty and staff to reflect on the program and how it’s shaped health care.
“It was celebration of the people who made the program what it is—our learners, alumni, faculty, and staff,” said Dr. Steve Johnson, dean of the Faculty of Health Disciplines. “It’s also a moment to look forward to how we will continue to lead in health education.
Looking to the future
As health care continues to evolve, along with skill demands, the MHS program is poised to meet future challenges. Rooted in the values of flexibility, accessibility, and excellence, the program remains committed to preparing graduates who are ready to lead change in health systems locally and globally.
“At AU, we don’t just respond to change,” said Johnson. “We prepare our learners to lead it. That’s what makes our health programs—and our university—like no other.”
Learn more about AU's Master of Health Studies program.