The rapid transformation of healthcare systems has intensified the demand for management professionals equipped with strong professional competence. Higher education institutions are therefore under increasing pressure to ensure that undergraduate health services management programs effectively prepare students for professional practice. This study investigates the factors associated with professional competence development among undergraduate students majoring in health services management in Liaoning Province, China. Using a quantitative survey design, data were collected from 382 undergraduate students across multiple universities. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to examine the relationships among individual characteristics, educational context, industry-related awareness, experiential engagement, and professional competence. The results indicate that experiential engagement plays a central role in competence development, both as a direct predictor and as a mechanism through which individual and contextual factors exert their influence. Furthermore, individual characteristics strengthen the effects of educational and experiential factors on professional competence. The findings highlight the importance of integrating structured practical experiences and personal development components into undergraduate health services management education.
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