Curriculum
The Global Executive MBA for Healthcare and the Life Sciences (GEMBA-HLS) program provides the knowledge and skills to develop and apply effective leadership, strategic decision-making, data analytics, system integration, design-innovation-commercialization, and value creation in the global value chain in the Healthcare and Life Sciences sector.
The program centres in developing leaders with a business and economic perspective for health systems and life-sciences enterprises in Canada and abroad. It is founded on a core MBA curriculum that builds on analytical rigour, strategic decision-making, and problem-solving skills; and by field-specific courses with an intellectual focus in healthcare and life sciences. Similarly, engagement with and exposure to global best practices in health systems, healthcare, and life sciences businesses enrich the students’ experience linking theoretical concepts and practice. Leadership development is supported through specific courses in the curriculum, personal skills awareness, individualized development plans, and career coaching.
Highlights:
- 18 months in duration, offered over five academic terms and structured in six modules
- 23 (+1) courses:
- 14 core MBA curriculum (contextualized to the healthcare and life sciences sector)
- Nine healthcare and life sciences field-specific courses
- One optional extra course with Rotman’s Creative Destruction Lab (CDL), a world-premiere venture-scaling program (requires additional application to CDL)
- Delivered to a distinct cohort:
- All candidates are professionals from the healthcare and life sciences sector
- All candidates progress through the program together as a class from day one
Level 1
- Delivered in a blended model (face-to-face and online learning)
Level 2
- Face-to-face learning (over 80% of the courses)
- Six residency modules: two modules in Toronto; one module in San Francisco and Bay Area; one module in Singapore; one module in Tel Aviv, and one module in London, UK.
- On-site learning from innovative firms and organizations in multiple countries
- Distance-based learning
- Pre- and post-module coursework for residency courses
- Four courses delivered completely online
Note: In case of impossibility of delivering courses face-to-face due to circumstances beyond our control, we have the capabilities to facilitate both synchronous and asynchronous online delivery of courses. Students participating remotely will not be disadvantaged.
GEMBA-HLS Course Calendar
The information below provides overviews of the Global Executive MBA for Healthcare and the Life Sciences degree requirements, including combined programs.
Note: Dates and locations are subject to change.
Module 1 – Toronto
| Course |
|---|
| RSM2020H – Health Sector Strategy & Organization |
| RSM5600H – Personal Leadership |
| RSM5108H – Decision-Making with Models & Data in the GEMBA-HLS Program |
| RSM5604H – Leadership Development Practicum |
| RSM5109H – Rotman Study Tour |
Online Between Modules 1–2
| Course |
|---|
| RSM5101H – Economics 1 |
Module 2 – San Francisco
| Course |
|---|
| RSM5001H – Strategy 1 |
| RSM5013H – Digital Health |
| RSM2524H – Business Design Practicum |
| RSM5109H – Rotman Study Tour |
| RSM5015H – Capstone Project |
Online Between Modules 2–3
| Course |
|---|
| RSM5201H – Accounting 1 |
Module 3 – Singapore
| Course |
|---|
| RSM5023H – Strategic Change & Implementation |
| RSM5604H – Leadership Development Practicum (Retreat) |
| RSM5109H – Rotman Study Tour |
| RSM5015H – Capstone Project |
Online Between Modules 3–4
| Course |
|---|
| RSM5301H – Finance 1 |
Module 4 – London
| Course |
|---|
| RSM5007H – Global Health Systems |
| RSM2085H – Healthcare Innovation |
| RSM5109H – Rotman Study Tour |
| RSM5015H – Capstone Project |
Online Between Modules 4–5
| Course |
|---|
| RSM5801H – Quantitative Reasoning for Management |
Module 5 – Tel Aviv
| Course |
|---|
| RSM5013H – Corporate Finance and Corporate Governance |
| RSM5401H – Business Operations |
| RSM5109H – Rotman Study Tour |
| RSM5015H – Capstone Project |
Online Between Modules 5–6
| Course |
|---|
| RSM5501H – Marketing 1 |
Module 6 – Toronto
| Course |
|---|
| RSM5014H – Data Analytics |
| RSM2522H – Marketing and Behavioural Economics |
| RSM5602H – Negotiations |
| RSM5603H – Ethics |
| RSM5604H – Leadership Development Practicum |
| RSM5109H – Rotman Study Tour |
| RSM5015H – Capstone Project |
Term Dates and Academic Schedule
- Module 1 – Toronto: October 22, 2023 – November 1, 2023
- Module 2 – San Francisco: January 20, 2024 – January 27, 2024
- Module 3 – Singapore: April 13, 2024 – April 20, 2024
- Module 4 – London: July 7, 2024 – July 13, 2024
- Module 5 – Tel Aviv: November 10, 2024 – November 16, 2024
- Module 6 – Toronto: February 20, 2025 – March 1, 2025
Course Selection
Students are automatically enrolled in courses prior to the start of each module. Due to the integrated nature of the GEMBA-HLS curriculum, courses must be taken in the sequence outlined in the program curriculum. All GEMBA-HLS courses are mandatory. Students who experience difficulty with the course load or a particular subject should consult the Associate Director for advice.
Leave Policy
Students registered in the Global Executive MBA for Healthcare and the Life Sciences program may apply to the Director, Academic Services for a one-term to three-term (one academic year) leave during their program of study for:
- Serious health or personal problems which temporarily make it impossible to continue in the program
- Parental leave by either parent at the time of pregnancy, birth or adoption, and/or to provide full-time care during the child’s first year. Parental leave must be completed within twelve months of the date of birth or custody. Where both parents are graduate students taking leave, the combined total number of sessions may not exceed four.
Students may make an application for a leave by completing the School of Graduate Studies Leave Request form and submitting it to the Director, Academic Services for approval.
The termination date of the degree program (i.e. expected graduation date) will be extended by the duration of the leave taken (i.e. one, two, or three sessions as appropriate). Except for parental leave or in exceptional circumstances, it is not expected that a student will be granted more than one leave under the terms of this policy. Normally the start and finish of the leave would coincide with the start and end of a term.
School of Graduate Studies policies dictate that students on leave do not have access to University resources. As such, MFRM students who are on leave will not be able to attend or audit courses; will not have card access to the Rotman building(s); and will not have access to Career Services. However, students will continue to have access to their Rotman email accounts to enable communication with the School for the duration of the leave.
Students on a leave are responsible for the monthly interest payments on their Professional Student Loan Plan for the duration of their leave. Students are advised to contact the Registrar’s Office to discuss eligibility for Rotman or University of Toronto scholarships or award reinstatement upon return. In the case of external awards, the regulations of the particular granting agency apply and students are advised to contact the granting agency directly.
Graduation Requirements
Students must satisfactorily complete all Core and Field courses in order to meet the graduation requirements of the GEMBA-HLS program. When all requirements for the MBA degree have been fulfilled, the School is required to submit a degree recommendation to the School of Graduate Studies indicating that the program has been satisfactorily completed by the student.
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