OSIM Programs > Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management > Professional Program in Healthcare Management

Professional Program in Healthcare Management

Dad Karnuta and student
Dan Karnuta and Healthcare Management students visit at the Fall Social Event.

Become a dynamic leader in healthcare.

The Professional Program in Healthcare Management is designed for high-performing undergraduate Healthcare Management students who aspire to be dynamic leaders in healthcare. PPHM will prepare students to be front-runners on the path to a purposeful career.

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Note that the application process will only be active from January through February of the spring semesters.

Application Timeline

Health care timeline - A horizontal timeline with four key milestones in the application process. The timeline is represented by an orange line with four green circular markers. The milestones are
Dan Karnuta

Dan Karnuta

Assistant Professor of Instruction

daniel.karnuta@utdallas.edu | (972) 883-5165 | JSOM 2.416

If you are interested in joining the program or would like more information, please contact me.
group photo of PPHM students and faculty

Members benefit from the Professional Program in Healthcare Management (PPHM) by being surrounded by a select group of highly motivated students. Throughout the program, members will enhance their academic experience, earn credentials, and contribute to the future success of the program.

PPHM members get to participate in a seminar series designed to prepare them for success in the healthcare business environment, experience networking opportunities, and learn how to further their education. In addition, members will:

  • Have access to mentorships with academic and experienced industry professionals.
  • Have access to a dedicated area where PPHM members can meet and network with fellow members as well as tutor non-member undergraduate Healthcare Management students.
  • Enhance their professional credentials in Healthcare Management and/or for clinical careers and professional school programs in such fields as medicine, dentistry and law.
  • PPHM members must attend mandatory weekly 50-minute seminars designed to prepare them for the transition to the full-time business environment. The seminars are held for one semester (15 weeks) per academic year. The seminars can be hosted at differing locations. Some seminars involve group presentations, but there are no exams, and no academic credit will be given.
  • Members are required to volunteer for a certain number of hours to tutor other Healthcare Management students. The number of hours will be determined based on the specifics of each PPHM initiation class.
  • Members are required to attend a certain number of Healthcare Management-sponsored/endorsed events to represent both the BS in Healthcare Management program and PPHM. The required number of events will be determined each year.
  • A major in Healthcare Management (can be part of a double major).
  • 3.25 cumulative GPA.
  • Applicants must be in the second semester of their sophomore year or later.
  • Applicants for the Fall 2025 PPHM class (the application process is held during the Spring 2025 semester) must be scheduled to graduate no earlier than May/June 2026.
  • Admission is competitive, and the applicant pool will be narrowed to those applicants chosen to move forward for interviews. Interviews will determine final acceptance.
  • Admission is based on BOTH quantitative (GPA, experience and more) and qualitative (communication skills, attitude, drive and more) factors.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Professional Program in Healthcare Management (PPHM) is a one to two-year undergraduate honors program designed to enhance members’ leadership skills and overall readiness for successful careers. As leaders, PPHM members will inspire and support the undergraduate Healthcare Management student body.

The PPHM is targeted to undergraduate students who are majoring (or part of a double major) in healthcare management and who are interested in becoming student leaders, tutoring other undergraduate healthcare management students, preparing for top internship opportunities, receiving faculty mentoring and participating in such planned events such as field trips and seminars. PPHM members will be held to a high standard as they will represent the UT Dallas BS in Healthcare Management program both on and off-campus, and after they leave UT Dallas and enter the business community.

In addition to the requirements outlined in the above FAQs, PPHM members will be required to:

  • Attend a certain number of Healthcare Management-sponsored and/or endorsed events in order to represent the BS in Healthcare Management program and PPHM. The required number of events will be determined by the number of events planned each semester and the PPHM membership makeup.
  • Volunteer in the PPHM Tutoring Lab to assist fellow Healthcare Management students with coursework. The expected number of volunteer hours will be determined based on the specifics of each PPHM initiation class, but the number will be monitored to ensure that PPHM members’ own academic commitments are not compromised.
  • Members will attend mandatory weekly seminars specifically designed to prepare undergraduate students for the transition to the full-time business environment. The seminars will be held one semester per academic year (15 weeks), and each weekly seminar will typically be 50 minutes in length. The seminars will be held at various locations, including UT Dallas, DFW-area healthcare company offices and/or other private settings. Some seminars will involve group presentations, but there are no exams and no academic credit will be given.

Applicants must:

  • Be a BS in Healthcare Management major (can be part of a double major).
  • Have a 3.25 cumulative GPA.
  • Be in the second semester of their sophomore year or later.
  • Adhere to the application timeline and submit all required application materials within that timeline.

Admission is competitive, and the applicant pool will be narrowed to those applicants chosen to move forward for in-person interviews. The interviews will determine final acceptance.

Admission is based on BOTH quantitative (GPA, experience and more) and qualitative (communication skills, attitude, drive and more) factors.

PPHM members must:

  • Maintain GPA requirements.
  • Adhere to and remain in good standing with the UT Dallas Student Code of Conduct.
  • Comply with PPHM requirements outlined in the above FAQs.
  • Check the “Application Timeline” section above for specific application timing and dates.
  • Applicants selected for an in-person interview will be informed by email, and interviews will be held in March. The interviews will be formal, similar to a professional job interview. Business attire will be required.
  • Final notifications are anticipated to be made by the end of March.

It is highly recommended that you get involved in the Healthcare Management Association (HMA), a student-run organization focused on Healthcare Management professional development and leadership.

No; the PPHM is for undergraduates only. Graduate students interested in similar professional and learning opportunities should look into the equivalent of the PPHM – the Elite Scholar and Leader Program within the MS in Healthcare Leadership and Management program.

  • PPHM does not conflict with the DMHP.
  • PPHM does not, technically, conflict with other professional programs, but it is highly recommended that students who wish to participate in multiple professional programs fully understand program expectations to ensure that they can completely fulfill the requirements of all programs.