Healthcare and Advanced Practice Management - master studies

The Master’s academic study program Healthcare and Advanced Practice Management was accredited in 2019 at the Faculty of Health and Business Studies, Singidunum University, as a response to the need for modern and professional personnel in the field of healthcare management. The program focuses on developing advanced managerial and analytical skills necessary for the effective leadership of healthcare institutions, as well as for decision-making in line with the principles of modern health policy and practice.

The program lasts one academic year and carries a total of 60 ECTS credits, upon completion of which the academic title Master Manager in the Health Care System is awarded. The program belongs to the IMT field and is considered interdisciplinary, as it falls within the field of social-humanistic and medical sciences, specifically within the area of management, with a particular focus on application in the healthcare system.

Eligible candidates for enrollment are those who have completed undergraduate academic studies with at least 240 ECTS credits in the fields of nursing, health care, public health, management, economics, or other related disciplines. Transfers from related programs are regulated in accordance with the valid regulations of the University and the Law on Higher Education.

The curriculum includes:

• 5 compulsory courses, totaling 34 ECTS credits, covering key areas of healthcare management (clinical management, quality and safety, health economics, law and ethics, human resource management, etc.) and incorporating study-research work;
• 2 elective courses, selected by the student from two elective groups, with a total value of 16 ECTS credits;
• Professional internship, worth 3 ECTS credits;
• Final thesis and the corresponding course, worth 7 ECTS credits, with the thesis being publicly defended before a committee.

The program is implemented in accordance with modern teaching methods, which include:

• Interactive lectures and visual presentations with active student participation;
• Small group work, discussions, and experience exchange;
• Case studies based on real scenarios from healthcare practice, allowing students to analyze specific problems and develop critical thinking;
• Preparation and presentation of essays/seminar papers, serving as a means to assess students’ analytical, research, and expressive abilities;
• Oral and electronic consultations as support for individual and team learning.

The program is designed to provide students with interdisciplinary knowledge, practical skills, and a foundation for further academic and professional development. The content and structure of the program are aligned with national and European standards in higher education, including the National Qualifications Framework of the Republic of Serbia and the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).

Such a structure enables students not only to acquire the necessary knowledge but also to be competitive in the labor market and prepared for the challenges of modern healthcare management.

The purpose of the Healthcare and Advanced Practice Management master’s academic study program is to educate professionals with interdisciplinary knowledge and skills essential for successfully managing and improving the healthcare system. The program is implemented in collaboration with the Institute of Public Health of Serbia “Dr Milan Jovanović Batut,” which enhances the program’s practical orientation and its relevance to the real needs of the sector.

The objective of the program is to equip students for roles in management, planning, organization, control, and development of healthcare services at all levels of healthcare provision—primary, secondary, and tertiary. In addition to acquiring classical managerial skills, students also develop specific competencies in health economics, public health, human resource management, and the ethical and legal frameworks of healthcare operations.

The program responds to the growing demand for highly qualified professionals in the healthcare system who can apply modern management concepts, advanced clinical practices, and developmental strategies across various types of healthcare institutions, as well as in educational institutions and government bodies responsible for health policy.

The program’s purpose is fully aligned with the mission and vision of the Faculty of Health and Business Studies at Singidunum University, which aims to develop application-oriented academic programs, provide a high level of practical training, and prepare professionals for the labor market in accordance with national and international standards. By integrating medicine and management, the program promotes knowledge and technology transfer between sectors and enables the implementation of innovations within a healthcare context.

This clearly defined purpose enables students to acquire knowledge and skills that are socially relevant, applicable, and directed toward improving the quality of healthcare services. Modern healthcare systems require professionals capable of addressing complex challenges such as resource optimization, patient safety improvement, implementation of digital tools in management, and public health strategies.

The study program is intended for ambitious and socially engaged individuals who wish to take an active role in transforming the healthcare sector and who recognize the importance of a managerial approach in improving the accessibility, efficiency, and sustainability of healthcare.

The objective of the Master’s academic study program Healthcare and Advanced Practice Management is to educate professionals capable of applying modern management concepts in the healthcare system, with an emphasis on developing analytical, communication, and organizational skills, as well as acquiring specific practical competencies necessary for work in healthcare institutions in Serbia, the region, and the European Union.

The program is designed to achieve the following goals:

1. Acquisition of Academic Competencies and Practical Skills
   Through innovative teaching methods, case studies, and individual and team work, the program enables students to gain in-depth theoretical and professional knowledge, as well as mastery of modern managerial techniques in the healthcare field. Special emphasis is placed on the development of critical thinking, deductive and inductive reasoning, and the application of research methods and procedures in a healthcare context.
2. Development of Autonomy in the Educational Process
   Students are encouraged to shape their own educational paths by choosing elective courses aligned with their personal interests and professional goals. This fosters individualized study and the development of personal responsibility for learning.
3. Strengthening Communication and Intercultural Competence
   The program builds students’ ability to communicate professionally, collaborate in multidisciplinary teams, and exchange knowledge with both domestic and international partners. This is particularly important given the increasingly international and networked nature of healthcare systems.
4. Preparation for the Labor Market and Further Education
   The program prepares students for immediate entry into the workforce as well as for further academic advancement at the doctoral level. It aligns with labor market needs and the National Qualifications Framework, thus enhancing graduates’ competitiveness both locally and internationally.
5. Creating Leaders in the Healthcare System
   The program aims to educate future healthcare managers capable of planning, organizing, leading, and managing changes in the complex healthcare system. These professionals will be trained in strategic thinking, improving productivity, efficient resource management, and contributing to the overall enhancement of healthcare service quality.

The program’s objectives are aligned with the mission and strategic goals of the Faculty of Health and Business Studies at Singidunum University, as well as with societal needs, healthcare sector demands, and European educational standards.

By completing the study program Healthcare and Advanced Practice Management, the student acquires a broad range of general competencies that enable successful work and advancement in the field of health management and advanced clinical practice:

• Analysis, synthesis, and prediction of solutions and consequences: The student will be capable of independently analyzing and synthesizing complex situations in the field of health care, understanding the potential consequences of different solutions, and predicting the short- and long-term effects of decisions made.
• Mastery of research methods, procedures, and processes: Students will master fundamental methodological approaches and research methods, enabling them to conduct research in health care and apply the findings in practice.
• Development of critical and self-critical thinking: Students will learn to independently evaluate their work procedures and outcomes and to conduct critical analyses aimed at continuous improvement.
• Application of knowledge in practice: Students will be able to apply theoretical knowledge to real-life situations by solving specific problems in the healthcare sector.
• Development of communication and collaboration skills: Students will develop the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and to collaborate with diverse social and international partners, which is key to the functioning of the healthcare system.
• Professional ethics: Students will be trained to act in accordance with ethical principles in the healthcare field, respecting patients’ rights and all other professional standards.

By completing this study program, the student also acquires subject-specific competencies essential for successful work in health care management:

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the discipline: Students will gain deep knowledge of the field of healthcare, both theory and practice, as well as the fundamental principles of health management.
• Solving specific problems using scientific methods: Students will be able to resolve specific healthcare issues by applying scientific methods and procedures.
• Connecting foundational knowledge from various fields: Students will be capable of integrating knowledge from multiple disciplines, such as medicine, social sciences, and management, to improve the healthcare system.
• Monitoring and applying advancements in the profession: Students will learn to keep up with new trends and technological innovations in healthcare and to implement new approaches and practices in their work.
• Development of skills and dexterity in applying knowledge: Students will develop practical skills that will allow them to successfully handle challenges arising in everyday work in the healthcare sector.
• Use of information and communication technologies: Students will master ICT tools used in data analysis, healthcare service management, and quality improvement of healthcare services.

The learning outcomes of this study program align with the National Qualifications Framework of Serbia (NOKS) and include competencies at the master academic level, implying a high degree of expertise and independence in solving complex problems in healthcare. Students will be prepared to work in a dynamic healthcare environment and to influence improvements in the healthcare system through strategic planning, effective resource management, and innovation.

Students will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills for managing change, developing healthcare institutions, financing within the health system, teamwork, and continuous quality improvement. They will master strategic management skills for complex healthcare systems and institutions in conditions of change, limited resources, and high expectations, as well as the essential tenets of management—leadership, assessment, communication, evaluation, planning, analytical approach—and their practical application.

A graduate student of academic studies, with the title of a graduate medical nurse, is qualified to work in healthcare institutions, private practice, or with other employers who, according to the law, are authorized to perform certain healthcare activities.

Upon completion of the master academic studies, students are awarded the title Master Manager in the Healthcare System. Students will be qualified to efficiently perform advanced clinical practice using innovative knowledge and approaches and to integrate more effectively into interdisciplinary teams within healthcare institutions.

The study programme consists of subjects contained in the curriculum. For each subject, the total time for an average student to complete all pre-exam obligations and pass the exam is planned, expressed in ECTS credits. At the beginning of the school year, the student enrolls in mandatory and elective subjects so that the sum of the points for enrolled subjects in the school year amounts to 60. The studies are conducted in a way that all forms of teaching (receptive and active teaching, as well as teamwork and independent student work) in the subject are harmonized, allowing the student systematic and continuous mastery of the subject. Suitable equipment and teaching aids are used for teaching (including computers, projectors, models, etc.). In professional subjects, students have mandatory professional practice with a significant number of hours, as envisaged by the subject curriculum, and for the purposes of conducting this part of the teaching, the Institution has provided appropriate teaching bases.

When enrolling in this study programme, a student should:

1. Fill out the application form LINK;
2. Submit the necessary documentation and apply for recognition of foreign qualifications;
3. Submit the payment for the entrance exam;
4. Complete the entrance exam (test and interview);
5. Sign the study contract for the academic year of 2024/25;

Decision on official fees of studies in English language [2024]