Best Master’s In Health Services Degrees

Overview

The University of California Los Angeles is one of the best private research institutions and has offered an award-winning Health Services program for well over 90 years. This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education and provides students with dozens of career-related opportunities before they ever leave campus.

Program Features

Students may pursue specializations in a wide range of topics, including Management, Health Policy Analysis, and Quality of Care, among others. Required classes include:

• Healthcare Quality and Performance Management
• Measurement of Effectiveness and Outcomes of Healthcare
• Healthcare for Vulnerable Populations
• Health Systems Organization and Financing
• Applied Methods for Improvement/Implementation Science

Notables

The University of California Los Angeles is ranked one of the top universities in the country for public service, according to Washington Monthly. Health Services students don’t just engage in typical classroom learning – they also can receive course credit for service learning projects related to their studies. With hundreds of different volunteer programs, this university is one of the best for students looking to make a significant impact.

Overview

The University of Michigan is often regarded as the Midwest’s top “Public Ivy” institution. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, this program has been accredited since 1968 and features a 90 percent postgraduate employment rate. The Master of Health Services Administration provides candidates with coursework in topics ranging from economics to epidemiology, giving students access to a wide range of hands-on career development activities.

Program Features

A unique feature of this program is the required internship component. All students must complete an internship of at least ten weeks after their first year of studies. This allows them to develop crucial leadership skills and to exercise the knowledge they have already required. Other core classes include:

• Health Services Systems
• Professional Development
• Healthcare Accounting
• Health Policy
• Law or Political Science

Notables

This internationally-recognized program is taught by experienced, world-famous faculty who design programs specifically to enhance the quality of public healthcare. Each student is paired with a professional internship opportunity that matches his or her career goals. A majority of students are paid in these internships, and many finish with job offers, making this a notable feature of this program that simply cannot be overlooked.

Overview

Located in the hub of Cincinnati, OH, this program is one of the most affordable degrees in Health Services in the entire country. These programs are available in both full- and part-time settings, and grant students relevant experiences in settings like health maintenance organizations, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. In addition to a dual degree and MBA option, Xavier also offers a certificate program in Health Services.

Program Features

This program is one of only seven US schools that features a year-long administrative residency, allowing students to gain extensive experience in a hospital setting before graduating. Along with other field placements, required classes include:

• Strategic Management & Marketing
• Healthcare Services in the U.S.
• Capital Acquisition in Health Care Organizations
• Applied Epidemiology in Health Care
• Health Economics

Notables

This program is housed at one of the top schools in the country, featuring a 100 percent employment rate and an alumni network of over 1,500 strong. Class sizes are small and close-knit on this campus of 4,485 students, allowing for the development of profound, long-lasting relationships between fellow students, faculty, and staff.

Overview

The University of California Davis offers a Master of Health Services with a specialty in Physician Assistant Studies. This program is designed to help students provide primary care to underserved populations, as well as to educate clinicians. This program is housed within the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, one of six professional schools at the university. This award-winning college offers five different programs, all of which are taught by a group of 55 distinguished faculty members.

Program Features

This program prepares students to deliver compassionate care as qualified physician assistants. A total of 12 credit-hours per quarter are required, allowing students to complete their degrees within 27 months. Students will take classes such as:

• Foundations of Primary Health Care
• Leadership in Professional Practice
• Foundations of Behavioral Health
• Foundations of Pharmacology
• Health Status and Care Systems

Notables

The University of California Davis is one of the nation’s premier research institutions, and is well-known for its standout academics and commitment to sustainability. Located in a vibrant college town, this university is close to top destinations such as San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and Napa Valley. The university is ranked sixth among public universities in the United States, and tenth in regards to primary-care programs, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Overview

Located in Minneapolis, MN, the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities focuses on providing its students with well-rounded interdisciplinary education in a variety of topics. The university offers over 200 graduate degrees in dozens of different colleges. The Healthcare Administration degree can be further customized by pursuing a range of diverse electives, such as psychology or business, as well as unique specializations, providing flexibility for any career pathway.

Program Features

This program is located within an influential research university, allowing students to collaborate and explore interdisciplinary options in regards to research and learning. The degree can be completed in as little as a year, or longer if a student’s schedule requires added flexibility. Required classes include:

• Biostatistics
• Epidemiological Methods
• Principles of Public Health Research
• Outcomes Research
• The Health Care System and Public Health

Notables

The program is taught by accessible faculty who have profound backgrounds in topics such as health policy, health care management, and research methods, making this an obvious choice for any student looking for diversity and flexibility in a degree program. In addition, this university makes it possible for students to give back the community, with University of Minnesota employees and students contributing over 200,000 volunteer hours every year.

Overview

Located in Tucson, AZ, this large university currently is home to over 43,000 students within 19 distinguished schools. Most notably, the university offers a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Services Administration. This concentration is one of ten different options available to students interested in public health and exists primarily as a hybrid degree program.

Program Features

This interdisciplinary program prepares students with the skills necessary to work in a variety of organizations, including third-party payers and health agencies. It combines online and classroom style lessons. Sample core coursework includes:

• Basic Principles of Epidemiology
• Public Health Policy and Management
• Environmental and Occupational Health
• Biostatistics in Public Health
• Sociocultural & Behavioral Aspects of Public Health

Notables

Both study abroad and internship programs are available in this highly collaborative, forward-thinking pathway. The university is named one of the top medical schools for primary care, research, and for providing quality education to students of Hispanic descent, according to U.S. News & World Report. These accolades are just a few among countless others that the university has received for its dedication to student services, diversity, career success, and academic rigor.

Overview

The University of Central Florida is located in the tourism hub of Orlando, FL, and although there’s plenty to do on and around the campus, academic quality is vital in the Master of Science in Health Services Administration. This program focuses on all aspects of healthcare administration and requires students to participate in at least 240 hours of internship experiences.

Program Features

This program offers mixed-mode and face-to-face instruction at all times of the week, including at night, to accommodate the scheduling needs of working professionals. It is designed for current health care professionals as well as recent college graduates. Students will take classes such as:

• Health Care Decision Sciences and Knowledge Management
• Issues and Trends in the Health Professions
• Health Care Human Resources
• Health Economics and Policy
• Management and Health Information Systems

Notables

This program is unique in that it offers graduate students unique access to health services fellowships. These allow students to receive payment to support graduate studies and do not contain any kind of work obligation. This affordable program hosts an 88 percent postgraduate field employment rate within three months of graduation, making it a great option for affordability and career relevance.

Overview

The University of Oklahoma’s program in Health Services is unique in that it does not require past work experience in the field. In this program, students gain an in-depth look at all healthcare topics, and complete an internship requirement of at least 400 total hours. Offered via the online Extended Campus of the university, this program is fast-paced and accelerated, designed to accommodate busy working adults.

Program Features

Each course in this program is 16 weeks long, with students developing individualized graduation plans with dedicated academic advisors. Required classes include:

• Strategic Planning and Evaluation in HHSA
• Ethics in Human and Health Services Administration
• Cross-Cultural Health Issues
• Geriatric Issues
• Psychosocial Aspects of Disability

Notables

This program is top-ranked by The Princeton Review as one of the best colleges for cost and overall value, including academic excellence and other services. The university offers a range of financial aid options to support studies, with scholarships ranging from $300 to $1,500 per semester. Students receive access to real-world practice in strategy and health care delivery, making this an affordable and quality program for any student in any location.

Overview

The 3,000 students enrolled at The Sage Colleges have access to dozens of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, both on campus as well as online. With an average class size of just sixteen students and an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, the interactive and close-knit Health Services Administration program at this college simply cannot be beaten.

Program Features

The Health Services Administration program at Sage prepares students to serve as health services managers in a variety of sectors. Graduates are working for health care agencies, hospital associations, and even health insurance companies. This unique program features an additional optional track in Dietetic Internship. Required classes, offered entirely online, include:

• Health Systems and Policy
• Healthcare Strategy
• Legal Aspects – Health Services Administration
• Budgeting for Government, Nonprofit and Health Organizations
• Health Finance

Notables

This program is highly interactive, with every single student participating in internship and volunteer experiences. The department also features 17 different linked and accelerated programs to allow students to complete their degrees more quickly. As a result, The Sage Colleges hosts a 99 percent job placement rate across all health-related majors.

Overview

Indiana University of Pennsylvania, located in Indiana, PA, offers over 140 different hands-on majors. These programs are offered within cutting-edge facilities and provide students with exceptional opportunities for career success, including career fairs, networking, and other professional development experiences. The Health Services Administration program prepares students from all backgrounds to work in leadership positions at hospitals, health organizations, and other locations.

Program Features

This one-of-a-kind program combines health policy and administration in a dynamic curriculum. Courses are offered from two departments: the Department of Nursing and Allied Health Professions as well as the Department of Employment and Labor Relations. Available classes include:

• Human Resource Management

• Epidemiology
• Ethics and Social Issues in Health Care
• Health Policy
• Health Law

Notables

This program is one of the most flexible of its kind, allowing students to complete the degree in less than a year, or spread out for up to five years. Courses can be pursued online, or at one of the university’s four campuses. As a result, the university is ranked one of the most socially responsible schools as well as one of the most military-friendly schools. It is repeatedly recognized by respected publications such as Washington Monthly and Military Times.