Healthcare Leadership
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Degree title
Master of Healthcare -
Delivery method
Online -
Level
Master's programme -
Language
English -
Scope
90 ECTS -
Education duration
1,5 years -
Entry requirements
In order to meet the eligibility criteria, the applicant must have a suitable bachelor's degree in nursing, midwifery, public health nursing, occupational therapy, emergency care, physiotherapy, sports and physical education or social care, and a minimum of two years (24 months) of relevant work experience gained after the completion of the bachelor's degree.
Are you a healthcare professional, ready to take the next step and respond to the new needs within your field? Do you see yourself as a leader open to digitalisation, innovation and sustainability in healthcare? If so, our online master’s degree programme is perfect for you!
Marjukka Honkanen, Alumna
My UAS master's studies at Arcada equipped me with tools to advance my career in health care, such as research skills, self-leadership and a professional network. One of the best aspects of Arcada’s master’s programme was its adaptability and the opportunity to tailor studies to individual goals. The courses and projects were designed to support each student’s personal interests, with lecturers guiding us to find our own paths.This programme not only provides practical skills for leadership and specialist roles, but also supports students aiming for further academic pursuits. In my case, I received a solid foundation to continue to a PhD phase in health sciences.
Programme
The online master’s degree programme Healthcare Leadership will support you to become a change leader. The healthcare sector faces rapid shifts brought about by digitalisation, privatisation and demographic changes. Especially the development in health technology has with recent implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) evolved rapidly and calls for leaders that can understand and utilize health technology and effectively harness innovation.
In this programme, you will be given the opportunity to explore new leadership techniques, discover your leadership strengths and expand your professional horizon. The programme consists of two main focus areas; Healthcare Leadership and Health Technology.
Within Healthcare Leadership we focus on the broad overview of leadership theories, change and transformational leadership, personal leadership behaviour, team-behaviour, cultural awareness, and systems thinking. You will get a broad overview of leadership theories and learn creative and critical thinking skills required for successful leadership.
The focus on Health Technology provides a broad overview of health technology healthcare and focuses on healthcare leadership in the age of Artificial Intelligence. Within this area, students have the opportunity to build competence in the areas of health technology that interest them the most.
You will analyse, critically evaluate and develop both projects and your own personal leadership style. The programme also makes you eligible for doctoral studies.
The programme in practice
We offer a flexible online study programme which enables you to work alongside your studies. With several years of experience of delivering degrees online, you can rest assured that the online tuition at Arcada is of high quality. Our pedagogics are rooted in problem-based and student-driven learning. We believe that learning happens when you get to be active and ask questions. However, our teachers continuously offer you support, guidance and feedback, ensuring that you are not left alone with your studies.
The programme corresponds to full-time studies and combines expert insights, theoretical learning, collaborative discussions, coaching, assignments, and project work.
Scheduled teaching activities that require real-time participation take place during late afternoons and evenings, with no lectures held during weekends. This structure is designed to make it feasible to combine studies with full-time employment, while benefiting from a flexible online learning environment.
Please note that, in addition to scheduled teaching sessions, the programme includes independent study, assignments, and group work between sessions. No campus visits are required, although students who are in Helsinki are welcome to make use of Arcada’s on-site services.
What you will learn
- Leadership competence
- Change and innovative competence
- Collective sensemaking competence
- Technological and ethical competence
- Applied advanced research competence
As development and digital communication is in focus, you will also strengthen your competencies to:
- Work proactively and multiprofessionally contributing to smart service development and digital communication with the client at the centre
- Compare and evaluate knowledge about digital innovations
- Understand the principles of user-centred service design to be applied in healthcare
Arcada – a window to the Nordics
Arcada, with its wide Nordic network and long experience of leadership in the social and healthcare sector, is a self-evident home for master studies combining healthcare and leadership. The globally respected Nordic social and healthcare sector offers us a dynamic and interesting starting point for learning and exploring different best practices.
Specialise according to your own interests
You do assignments individually and as group work. The master’s thesis project (30 ECTS) is a development and research project with the aim of developing Nordic healthcare. The project gives you the possibility to specialise according to your own interests. Through the thesis project you get to demonstrate your skills to systematically work solutions to a practical problem.
How to apply
Please visit the Master's application pages for all the information on how to apply.
Cost of studies
Students from countries outside the EU/EEA are required to pay tuition fees. No scholarships are available for master's degree studies, but we do have an early-bird offer.
Structure of studies
The curriculum presented reflects the current programme, but individual study paths may vary. For the latest details, please contact the Degree Programme Director.
Contact us about the programme
Admissions Services
We answer anything related to admission and application.
Happening at Arcada
13 Jan
2027
My Future Work 2027
Are you looking for new talent, extra resources, or perhaps the next member of your team? My Future Work is Arcada’s recruitment and networking event, giving employers the opportunity to meet the experts of tomorrow – right here on campus.
15 Jan
2027
Graduation Ceremony
Arcada's graduation ceremony will be held on 15 January 2027, welcoming graduates and invited guests to campus to celebrate those who graduated between 4 June - 18 December 2026.
