Best Online Master’s in Health Science Degrees

The oldest (and flagship) campus of Rutgers University, Rutgers University—New Brunswick is a public research university that ranks among the top 70 national universities in the country (U.S. News and World Report). The University has a history extending back to the colonial period, but today offers cutting-edge graduate programs, including highly ranked programs in Health Sciences.

Rutgers School of Health Professions offers an online Master of Science in Health Sciences for practicing healthcare professionals who wish to work in education. Designed for those with established healthcare careers, the program will prepare students to become teachers in health professions education programs, continuing education programs, or provide staff development and in-service training. Courses include:

• Teaching in the Health Professions
• Evaluation and Assessment
• Clinical and Community Based Teaching

Rutgers University-New Brunswick’s online M.S. in Health Sciences is a 31-credit program that blends online courses with competency-based education—students complete core coursework as well as a Capstone project. And throughout the Health Professions curriculum, students build an individualized Teaching Portfolio which includes a major graded project from each course. Students complete the program on a part-time basis, in a 100% online format.

Founded in 1821 in downtown Washington, D.C., The George Washington University is a private university which ranks among the top 60 national universities in the United States. The University has a reputation for being a good value in higher education (according to U.S. News and World Report) and their Health Science programs are nationally renowned.

The George Washington University’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences offers a Master of Science in Health Sciences in Clinical Management and Leadership. Designed for professionals from various clinical disciplines, the program provides necessary management and leadership skills. Graduates are ready to take on mid- and upper-level management positions in the healthcare sector. Courses include:

• Topics in Health Care Leadership
• Issues and Trends in Health Systems
• Human Resource Development

The George Washington University’s online M.S. in Health Sciences is a 36-credit program comprised of mostly required courses in Research, Strategic Leadership, and Clinical Management & Leadership. Students can transfer in up to six credits of applicable graduate-level coursework. And the program is delivered in a flexible, asynchronous format to meet the needs of busy professionals.

Located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Nova Southeastern University is a relatively young, private research institution that specializes in the physical and social sciences. Founded in 1964, the University is becoming a big name in online learning—providing a rich variety of nationally-ranked degree programs which use creative classroom formats and cutting-edge technology.

Nova Southeastern University offers a Master of Health Science intended for students of diverse healthcare backgrounds. The curriculum provides training in a variety of practical and nonclinical areas, delivering the theoretical and practical training necessary for career mobility and professional advancement. Students can also tailor the program to their career goals through concentrations, including:

• Sports Medicine Concentration
• Higher Education Concentration
• Health Law Concentration
• Generalist Curriculum

Nova Southeastern University’s online M.S. in Health Science is comprised of between 37 and 43 credits, depending on the chosen concentration. The program is offered entirely online with no on-campus time. All coursework is guided by Nova Southeastern’s highly qualified faculty and utilizes state-of-the-art, web-based delivery systems. Electives and practicum courses also allow students to tailor the program to their needs and professional interests.

Situated in southwest Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University is a young institution, having only opened its doors in 1997—but it already ranks among the top 30 public regional universities in the South. And FGCU’s Marieb College of Health and Human Services provides collaborative, academically rigorous programs that benefit both students and the community.

Florida Gulf Coast University’s Marieb College of Health and Human Services offers an interdisciplinary, online Master of Science in Health Science. As a student, you’ll acquire skills and expertise in planning, developing, and implementing innovative and quality health care services. Graduates will be prepared to serve as healthcare leaders in a diversity of healthcare situations. Courses include:

• Legal & Ethical Aspects of Health Care
• Research in the Health Professions
• Health Policy Capstone Seminar

Florida Gulf Coast University’s online M.S. Health Science is a 36-credit program that is comprised of a set of required core courses, restricted electives, and a capstone project or internship. The course is designed to be manageable for working students and is offered on a part-time basis with no campus visit requirements.

Consistently ranking among the country’s best colleges and universities, Bellarmine University is a private, Catholic university located on the edge of downtown Louisville, Kentucky. The school emphasizes both educational excellence and ethical awareness—and offers a diversity of program options, all rooted in the liberal arts tradition.

Bellarmine University offers an online Master of Health Science that takes an interprofessional approach to graduate study. The recently-revised M.H.S. curriculum integrates findings from the sciences and humanities to improve health care across diverse settings. Students will gain essential leadership and decision-making skills, as well as ethical awareness. Core courses include:

• Introduction to Knowledge Translation: Evidence to Practice
• Health Policy
• Communication and Technology in Health

Bellarmine University’s Master of Health Science is a 30-credit program comprised of core courses in the area of health sciences combined with courses in a chosen area of specialization (Health Care Leadership or Health Promotion and Social Change). Bellarmine’s online program takes two years to complete and provides both academic excellence and extensive student services, even at a distance.

One of the top-ranking regional universities in the North, Saint Francis University is a private university—and one of the oldest Catholic universities in the country. The University’s Franciscan focus creates an inclusive learning community that provides academic rigor as well as experiences that prepare students to lead a meaningful life.

Saint Francis University’s School of Health Sciences offers a multidisciplinary, online Master of Health Science that moves students into leadership positions in the healthcare field. Students use research to develop evidence-based regimes and gain leadership skills specific to the field of healthcare. The program is flexible and customized to your professional goals with concentrations in:

• Health Education
• Health Leadership
• Clinical Practice

Saint Francis University’s online Master of Health Science degree is a 30-credit program comprised of 21 credits of core coursework and nine credits in your chosen specialty. The program is designed to accommodate the needs of working students—with asynchronous coursework that students can complete entirely on their own schedule. And you can complete the entire program in 18 months.

A member of the private, non-profit Touro College and University System headquartered in New York City, Touro University Worldwide provides a liberal arts education in a global-minded setting. Touro University Worldwide offers a variety of online programs at the undergraduate and graduate level that prepare students for careers in leading-edge fields like Health Sciences.

Touro University Worldwide offers an online Master of Science in Health Sciences with two concentration options. The program prepares students to help solve community health issues by designing educational programs that promote healthy behaviors. Students graduate ready to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate health education programs in a variety of healthcare settings. Concentrations include:

• Health Education
• Public Health

Touro University Worldwide’s online M.S. in Health Science is a 36-credit program comprised of 12 courses (eight core, four electives). Notably, the TUW program aligns with the competencies published by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) and Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES). Graduates will be prepared to sit for both these exams.

Located in the city of Conway (near Little Rock), AK, the University of Central Arkansas is a small public research university that ranks among the top 26 public regional universities in the South. The University prides itself on both excellence in academics and affordable tuition—both on campus and in their highly ranked online programs—which keeps a UCA education accessible to all students.

The University of Central Arkansas offers an online Master of Science in Health Science degree that prepares students to be upwardly mobile in their healthcare careers. Graduates of the program will be ready to take the the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam and to become a certified health education specialist. And it only takes four semesters to complete all the necessary coursework. Courses include:

• Administration of Health Programs
• Foundations in Health Education
• Program Planning and Evaluation

The University of Central Arkansas’ M.S. in Health Science is a 33-36 credit program, depending on whether students choose the thesis option or the non-thesis option. Both tracks include 18 credits of required courses and at least nine credits of electives. It’s worth noting that if you live in a state that borders Arkansas, there is no out-of-state tuition, making this degree an extremely affordable option.

Located in Boston, MA, MCPHS University (or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences) is a private institution that specializes in professional health education. The school has a reputation for high-quality programs and an exceptionally high return on investment. In their 2018 ranking, The Wall Street Journal ranked MCPHS University as the #1 University for earning power in the U.S.

MPHS University’s School of Arts & Sciences offers an online Master of Health Sciences which equips students to advance their careers in academic health sciences. Students come from a diversity of healthcare backgrounds creating a rich, collaborative learning environment with a wide range of voices and perspectives. Graduates are ready to link education, research, and practice in transforming systems of healthcare.

• Health Professions Education Across the Higher Education Spectrum
• Educator Competencies in Academic Health Sciences
• Interprofessional Core Competencies for Health Professionals

MCPHS University’s online Master of Health Sciences is a 36-credit program comprised of eight core courses, three graduate electives, and a three-credit, independent research component. The program is delivered 100% online, in a part-time format—students generally complete the entire program in about two years. And the school offers three start times per year—in Fall, Spring, and Summer.

Located in in the college town of Oxford, Mississippi, the University of Mississippi is the flagship public research university—and the largest—in the state. The school ranks among the best value schools in the country (U.S. News and World Report), and is also home to highly ranked graduate programs in health sciences.

The School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi offers an online Master of Health Sciences which provides advanced education in healthcare leadership. This broad-based program covers topics that relate specifically to healthcare administration and organizational behavior, as well as topics like resource management and program development. Other required courses include:

• Health Care Law
• Health Policy and Society
• Personal and Ethical Leadership

The University of Mississippi’s online Master of Health Sciences is a 36-credit program comprised of 12 required courses. Unlike some programs, there is no thesis or research component to this practice-oriented degree. The program is designed for students to complete on a part-time basis, usually in two years. And while courses are delivered online, there are two mandatory campus visits—for orientation and capstone presentations.

A public university located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, Cleveland State University is part of the Cleveland State University system and offers more than 200 academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. The school has several programs that have ranked nationally, including their high-quality, online Business, Nursing, and Education programs (US News and World Report).

Cleveland State University’s School of Health Sciences offers an online Master of Science in Health Sciences. Designed for practicing health care professionals who want to prepare themselves for emerging leadership roles, the program emphasis is on independent, self-directed learning. Students learn from accomplished faculty who represent a variety of health care disciplines and basic sciences. Courses include:

• Issues in Health Sciences
• Leadership Roles in Health Sciences
• Research and Analysis in Health Sciences

Cleveland State University’s online M.S. in Health Sciences is a 36-credit program comprised of 15 credits of core courses, nine credits in an area of emphasis, as well as a number of electives. Students can also choose to combine the M.S.H.S. degree with one of CSU’s Graduate Certificate programs—this option allows students to gain deeper knowledge in a specialized area.

Located near Cincinnati in the town of Highland Heights, KY, Northern Kentucky University is a public university with a liberal arts focus. The school is the youngest member of the Kentucky State University system, ranks among the top 75 regional universities in the South and among the top 30 public schools in the region (U.S. News and World Report).

Northern Kentucky University offers an online Master of Science in Health Science for healthcare professionals. The program is interdisciplinary and innovative and promotes a view of comprehensive healthcare for the benefit of the broader community. With three options for study focus, the program combines a broad-based core with the ability to use guided electives to focus your studies on what most interests you. The categories for electives are:

• Education
• Management / Leadership
• Health Informatics

Northern Kentucky University’s online Master of Science in Health Science is a 35-credit program comprised of 26 credits of core courses and guided electives in a chosen area of specialization. Students enter the M.S.H.S. program in the fall and spring semesters—working with an advisor to create a plan of study—and have the option of completing the degree as a part-time or full-time student.

Located in Flagstaff, AZ, Northern Arizona University is a large public research university. The school prides itself on student-centered programs and a commitment to research, public service, and creative endeavors. And NAU is committed to making their programs accessible through their strong online presence—which includes several nationally-ranked programs at the graduate level.

Northern Arizona University’s College of Health and Human Services offers an online Master of Administration with an emphasis in Health Sciences. The program, designed for health care professionals, equips students with the professional and personal skills to make a difference at the local, regional, and global levels―and enter well-paying fields where healthcare professionals are in demand. Courses include:

• Principles of Leadership
• Principles of Administration
• Health Services Finance

Northern Arizona University’s online Master of Administration in Health Sciences is a 36-credit program available entirely online. Courses are divided into 15 required core courses in the area of administration, with 18 credits in the area of emphasis, and a three-credit capstone. Students should have a bachelor’s degree and five years of professional work experience for admission to the program.

Located in the Rio Grande Valley region of the lone star state, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV)is a public research university. The University has multiple campuses across the region and is home to a new medical center. UTRGV also has the distinction of being one of the largest universities in the country to have a majority Hispanic student population.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers an online Master of Science in Health Sciences with a concentration in Nutrition. This unique program equips students with the skills and confidence to move into management positions in the field of nutrition. The curriculum covers topics like the prevention of obesity and health maintenance—as well as diseases associated with nutrition (such as eating disorders). Courses include:

• Health Care Policy, Organization, Financing
• Health Computer Information Systems
• Research in Health Sciences

UTRGV’s online M.S.H.S. in Nutrition is a 36-credit program comprised of six core courses in Health Sciences and 18 credits in the Nutrition concentration. The program is offered in an accelerated format (the only one of its kind in Texas) and students can complete the entire degree in as few as twelve months of intensive study. This is also one of the more affordable M.S.H.S. programs available.

Located in Terre Haute, Indiana, Indiana State University is a nationally-ranked public research university that consistently ranks among the best schools in the Midwest. The school blends research and teaching, providing space for personal and intellectual growth. And Indiana State’s commitment to accessible higher education has translated into high-ranking online programs in several areas of study.

Indiana State University offers an online Master of Science in Health Sciences with a concentration in Public Health. As a student, you’ll gain a general mastery of public health at the graduate level and be ready for positions of leadership and organizational responsibility in the field. The program is also an excellent choice for those wishing to continue with doctoral studies. Courses include:

• Research Methodology in Health Sciences
• Introduction to Public Health
• Epidemiology

Indiana State University’s online M.S.H.S. in Public Health is a 39-42 credit program depending on the courses chosen as well as whether students choose to complete a research project or a Master’s thesis. The program is comprised of 24-27 credits of core classes in Health Sciences, 15 credits in the Public Health concentration, and 3-6 credits in the culminating experience (thesis or research project).