The University of South Florida (USF) is making history by introducing the world’s first university-based undergraduate concentration in Health Care Simulation Operations.
Starting this fall, this cutting-edge program will prepare students for careers in a fast-growing field that uses advanced technologies to improve patient care and safety.
With the health care simulation industry booming, USF’s new offering meets a rising demand and gives students a unique pathway into a high-impact, high-tech profession.
What Is Health Care Simulation Operations?
Health care simulation is like a practice run for medical professionals. It uses technology to recreate real-life medical scenarios so that doctors, nurses, and students can learn, practise, and improve without putting real patients at risk. This hands-on training is widely used in medical schools, hospitals, and even government agencies.
Simulation operations professionals are the experts behind the scenes who manage this technology — from setting up high-tech mannequins and medical environments to running training sessions and analysing performance. Their work ensures that health workers are better prepared, leading to safer and more effective care for patients.
Why This Program Matters
There’s a major shortage of skilled workers in health care simulation. According to Dr. Haru Okuda, Executive Director of USF CAMLS, the need exists not just in universities, but across hospitals, federal agencies, and even in the military. With no previous undergraduate course dedicated to this role, USF’s program fills a critical gap.
The global health care simulation market is expected to reach $17.4 billion by 2030 — showing how fast the field is growing. USF’s new concentration is perfectly timed to help students tap into this opportunity while also addressing the industry’s staffing needs.
About the Program Structure
Offered through the USF College of Public Health, in collaboration with the USF Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS), this new concentration is part of the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree. CAMLS is one of the largest free-standing simulation centres in the world, giving students access to world-class training.
The concentration includes:
- Four theory-based courses covering:
- Simulation operations
- Simulation centre management
- Instructional technologies
- Theoretical foundations of simulation
- A 120-hour internship, where students rotate through various simulation centres to gain hands-on experience.
In addition, students complete core public health courses that build a strong foundation for careers across the health sector.
Career Opportunities for Graduates
Students graduating with this concentration can explore careers in:
- Hospitals and clinical simulation centres
- Academic institutions
- Federal agencies like the Department of Defense
- Military health installations
- Private health tech companies
This program blends knowledge from health care, technology, engineering, and instructional design — giving students a wide skillset that’s in high demand.
Strong Industry Demand and Early Success
USF first introduced a health simulation course in 2023 and ran a successful internship pilot in 2024. All students who completed the pilot found jobs in the field immediately after graduation — a 100% placement rate.
Melissa Milner, Director of Clinical Simulation at USF CAMLS, said the student response has been overwhelmingly positive. “We’re now preparing graduates who can design, manage and deliver high-quality simulation experiences — something the health care world urgently needs,” she added.
Student Success Story: William Brandt
William Brandt, a fourth-year USF student, joined the pilot program and now works part-time at CAMLS as a simulation operations assistant. He plans to continue in the field after graduation.
“This program is opening doors for students like me,” Brandt shared. “It’s hands-on, it’s high-tech, and we’re learning skills that can truly make a difference in health care.”
USF’s Broader Focus on Career-Ready Education
This program is part of USF’s broader commitment to align education with real-world needs. Other career-ready programs at USF include cybersecurity, nursing, education, and supply chain management — all areas where students get hands-on experience and are prepared for the job market.
USF’s launch of the world’s first undergraduate concentration in Health Care Simulation Operations is a major step forward in health education. It not only meets a growing global demand but also gives students the chance to build careers in a high-tech, meaningful, and fast-growing industry.
With top-tier training, expert faculty, and access to advanced simulation facilities, USF is helping shape the future of health care — one student at a time.
