Ryerson University is proposing to create Canada’s first graduate degree that specifically addresses management of home and community care beginning fall 2018.
Those who enrol in the program can graduate with a Master of Health Administration in Community Care (MHA(CC)), which is designed to allow graduates to obtain senior positions in community care. These services include long-term care, home nursing services, as well as helping those who struggle with mental health issues.
The degree would be offered by the School of Health Services Management (SHSM) in the Ted Rogers School of Management (TRSM), according to a November senate meeting agenda.
James Tiessen, associate professor and director of SHSM, said that despite the growing importance of community care services, those who work there often use it as a stepping stone to eventually work in hospitals and government health. He said he hopes this degree will help people make community care a destination career.
“If everyone says it’s important, it should be a place where people want to work,” said Tiessen.
Tiessen said that Ryerson is the best school to offer this degree because of their roots in the community and focus on innovation and action-oriented education. Rather than a research degree, this program will provide an opportunity for students to improve their skills in community care.
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The degree will include a variety of different streams, focusing on addictions and mental health, family and community medicine, health practitioner teacher education, occupational health care, and wound prevention and care.
“As the population ages and the incidence of chronic disease grows, the demand for home and community care increases,” said Kathryn Ramsay, CEO of Central East Community Care Access Centre in a letter of support to the Ryerson Senate.
Ramsay notes that the home and community care centre needs to develop its leadership and management skills, and the MHA(CC) will be “invaluable in making this happen.”
The current enrolment goal is 20 to 25 students.
Tiessen said that the proposal is being submitted for approval at the provincial level and that a decision should be reached by either the December or January senate meeting.