Competency development and assessment in undergraduate healthcare management programs: the role of internships

The profession of healthcare management has come under close scrutiny recently regarding the demonstration of competencies, and increasingly the academic and management literature has advocated for programs in healthcare management to address competency development. This paper addresses the importance of developing and assessing competencies, using undergraduate programs as its focus. Using an expanded framework suggested by the literature, this paper discusses competencies that are demonstrated through a required internship program at an undergraduate healthcare management program. Findings suggest that technical skills, conceptual skills, interpersonal skills, and personal growth and development are all important domains for competency attainment through internships. The approach offered is helpful to undergraduate programs as they address the role of internships in competency development and assessment.