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Cover Story: FIU’s BHSA and MHSA Programs

Undergoing Changes to Meet Student Needs

Continued from page 1
admissions process, to make sure that al classroom instruction has affected gram is different than some other gradu-
students are adhering to the require- both the undergraduate and graduate ate school offerings at different schools
ments that were always there, but up programs. that have been developed as executive
until now have been more relaxed.” “We’ve observed more of our students programs. “Those programs tend to
Students enrolling in the program opting to complete the BHSA program attract older students who are already
must have a 2.5 GPA or higher, and have online, which seems to coincide with the working in healthcare and are looking to
completed two courses in accounting, program’s move to FIU’s Biscayne Bay earn a master’s degree to be promoted,”
one in economics, one in statistics, and campus,” he said. “We’re seeing less face- he said. “While we do have these kinds
one in computer science. to-face traditional students than we of students, this is not our target mar-
“We’ve noticed that students who have anticipated. ket.”
not completed these prerequisites don’t “To that end, before we reinstituted the FIU’s cohorts tend to be a diverse mix
do as well as the students that have,” said Master’s in Health Services Admin - of students; some of whom have experi-
• News Tips Barbera. “These are legitimate prerequi- istration (MHSA) program, we surveyed ence in the workforce, and some of
sites that definitely impact student out- undergraduates to see what platform whom have just earned undergraduate
• Letters To the Editor comes; they need to be up to speed in would be most attractive to them when degrees.
computer science, for example, because getting their master’s degrees. There was “People ask me whether they should
• Announce New Hires we use it in our program.” a 50-50 split between those who pre- go straight to graduate school, or work
While many students transfer to FIU ferred a traditional teaching platform and for a few years first, and while everyone
and Promotions from local community colleges like those who preferred online education.” is facing different circumstances, I tell
Broward College and Miami Dade To meet student needs, FIU created a them that if there are no barriers, the
• Promote Your Event College, students entering the BHSA hybrid program in which students spend sooner you get your master’s degree, the
track may also come into FIU as fresh- every other week of a 16-week semester better off you are,” said Barbera. “You
• Announce Business-Related Awards men. All of these students must have alternating between face-to-face meet- never know what you will be dealt in life,
completed the required prerequisites in ings in class and online activities and so it’s good to complete your education
• Tout Your Success their first two years before beginning the projects. “This appeals to students who as soon as you can.”
60 hours of specific courses in health like both forms of instruction,” said
services administration to earn their Barbera, adding that students also have
E-mail your submissions to four-year degrees. the option to enroll in a completely To learn more about FIU’s BHSA and
According to Barbera, the shift of stu- online cohort if they so choose. MHSA programs, visit www.fiu.edu
editorial@ dents to online learning versus tradition- Barbera notes that FIU’s master’s pro- or call (305) 348-4463.
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26 August 2019 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News