The Master of Health Leadership & Policy in Seniors Care is not currently accepting applications.
The Master of Health Leadership & Policy (MHLP) in Seniors Care is entering a period of reflection and evaluation. As of January 2026, the program is paused and not accepting applications. This pause marks a moment of thoughtful consideration on the future direction of the program, with an emphasis on ensuring its relevance and impact in the evolving field of seniors care. The pathway forward for the program remains under contemplation, with discussions ongoing about how best to adapt and possibly reshape its offerings to meet the current and future needs of this healthcare priority.
The Master of Health Leadership and Policy is not administered by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Please check the UBC Applied Science Professional Programs website for admission requirements, deadlines and application procedure.
Overview
The Master of Health Leadership and Policy (MHLP) in Seniors Care is entering a period of reflection and evaluation. As of January 2025, the program is paused and not accepting applications. This pause marks a moment of thoughtful consideration on the future direction of the program, with an emphasis on ensuring its relevance and impact in the evolving field of seniors care. The pathway forward for the program remains under contemplation, with discussions ongoing about how best to adapt and possibly reshape its offerings to meet the current and future needs of the industry.
From its inception in 2016 through 2024, The Master of Health Leadership and Policy (MHLP) in Seniors Care has served as a professional degree for health-care professionals who want to design, deliver and lead comprehensive care and services for seniors in a range of community and organizational settings. This interdisciplinary program distinguished itself by combining graduate-level health-care courses with UBC Sauder’s Robert H. Lee Graduate School courses – giving you the skills and confidence to take your career in new directions.
Demographic trends have created a pressing need for talented health professionals to guide the future of patient-centered seniors care in community and institutional contexts. Organizations are seeking compassionate health-care specialists who can develop innovative services and programs. They’re also looking for individuals with the business perspective and interpersonal skills to successfully lead teams and guide change.
Choose health care and business
The MHLP in Seniors Care program offers a unique combination of health-care and business classes – giving you the strategic skills to play a leading role in this growing health-care sector. Health-care courses offer a holistic exploration of the epidemiology of aging, the influence of health policy on care, evidence-based decision-making and the environmental aspects of seniors care. Business courses offered by the top-ranked UBC Sauder School of Business give you a solid foundation in data analysis, project management and organizational leadership.
A full-time flexible format
In this comprehensive full-time program spanning 12 months, your classes will be scheduled on-campus for two full days each week, between Monday and Friday. Historically, courses have been offered on Mondays and Wednesdays. This structure requires between 12 and 16 hours of in-class time weekly providing a well-rounded and immersive learning experience. This thoughtful design ensures a balance between in-class engagement and independent study, fostering a dynamic education tailored to meet the demands of a rigorous academic curriculum.
In this 12-month program you will:
- be immersed in best practices in seniors care as you develop care strategies, use conceptual and analytical tools, and explore strategies for leading operations and maintaining quality
- enhance your understanding of policy, leadership and business practices relevant to seniors care
- learn within diverse clinical practice sites as part of a curriculum grounded in experiential and community-based learning opportunities
- study with renowned faculty from the UBC School of Nursing, as well as local leaders in public- and private-sector practice sites
- expand your professional network while collaborating with other MHLP students
- gain the fundamental business, project management and interpersonal skills to advance your career and confidently take on positions of increased responsibility
What makes the program unique?
A Master of Health Leadership and Policy (MHLP) degree from UBC gives you the credentials and knowledge to confidently move into positions of greater responsibility or make the shift into a new health-care field.
Explore best practices in Seniors Care
MHLP courses are a rigorous combination of theory and evidence-based practice. You’ll explore philosophies of care, organizational considerations for fostering health, and the elements of the social and built environments that contribute to wellness.
Learn the language of business
Clinical knowledge is not enough. Through courses offered by UBC Sauder’s Robert H. Lee Graduate School, you’ll gain foundational business skills, improving your understanding of broad-based management concepts.
Understand and influence policy
Health-care policies determine how health care is organized and delivered. You’ll explore how health policy informs clinical practice education and learn how to effectively develop and influence policy.
Gain a professional master's degree from a world-class university
UBC is one of the world’s top 40 universities and its programs and professors have a global reputation for excellence. The Faculty of Applied Science is home to one of North America’s premier nursing schools, with notable strengths in the areas of seniors care and clinical education.
UBC Sauder School of Business is ranked first in Canada and 38th in the world for business and management studies, and the school is known for its commitment to rigorous, relevant and experiential teaching.
Expand your network
As a student in the MHLP in Seniors Care program, you will grow your personal and professional network by:
- learning from world-renowned faculty members – health-care educators known for their excellence in research and teaching
- studying alongside motivated peers who bring a diverse range of work experience and perspectives to the program
- taking business courses with students from other professional graduate programs in the Faculty of Applied Science – engaged and ambitious professionals in the MHLP in Clinical Education program
- attending workshops and presentations featuring industry leaders (discover our professional development sessions to see the most recent speakers and topics), offering you opportunities throughout the year to gain insight into the latest issues and trends in your field
Go further
Health-care practitioners who have a deep understanding of best practices in seniors care and are familiar with business concepts are well positioned to lead change in their careers and organizations. Our graduates have the knowledge and expertise to confidently move into sought-after positions and new areas of health-care practice. They are working in the public and private sectors in positions that include director of care, director of lifestyle and therapeutic services, and provincial co-ordinator for advocacy and public policy
Program Structure
STUDY FULL TIME OR PART TIME
Choose from either a full-time (12-month) or part-time (24-month) option. With the 12-month full-time option, you'll complete your studies in one year, expanding your knowledge base and skill set in a concentrated time frame.
The 24-month part-time option offers flexibility for those who want to continue working while building their business and technical knowledge. By balancing work and study, you'll be able to apply your new skills immediately to your workplace, and bring technical and leadership challenges from work into classroom discussion. This part-time version of the MHLP in Seniors Care also an opportunity to build your professional network over two years. Students pursuing this option can expect to be on campus for two weekdays each week (approximately 10 hours total).
Quick Facts
Program Enquiries
Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update contact details for application inquiries, please use this form.
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