Best Online Master’s in Health Science Programs of 2024
2024Earning a master’s in health science can help you pursue a variety of advanced roles in healthcare settings. Health science professionals lead community health seminars as part of local governments, oversee entire hospital departments as health services managers, or work one-on-one with athletes looking to heal from injuries.
Whether studying online or in person, you should plan to spend 1-2 years meeting all degree requirements before graduating.
Learn about the best online master’s in health science programs, common courses, and career pathways for graduates.
Popular Master’s in Health Science Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Accredited Online Master’s in Health Science Programs
Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,191
- Out-of-state$22,328
- In-State$6,974
- Out-of-state$28,170
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate89%
- Students Enrolled15,909
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
MCPHS University
- Boston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$34,700
- Out-of-state$34,700
- In-State$22,950
- Out-of-state$22,950
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate98%
- Students Enrolled7,304
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment21%
- AccreditationYes
Drexel University
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$54,766
- Out-of-state$54,766
- In-State$36,234
- Out-of-state$36,234
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled23,216
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment50%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
What Can I Expect From an Online Master’s in Health Science Program?
Students in an online master’s in health science program often want to improve healthcare outcomes by managing administrative tasks, working with individuals directly, or engaging in community health education.
Most master’s programs comprise 30-36 credits and take 1-2 years to complete, depending on whether students enroll full time, part time, or on an accelerated schedule. Some degrees also provide concentrations to help degree-seekers hone their particular interests.
Concentrations vary among schools, but common options include health leadership, health education, public health, health informatics, health policy, and nutrition.
Most programs can be completed fully online. Aside from completing coursework, some programs may include an internship or a culminating project that combines everything the student learned into a final assignment.
What Courses Will I Take in a Master’s in Health Science Program?
- Research Methodology: Usually taken in the first semester, this course provides the foundation for research-focused assignments by teaching students how to construct research questions and find quality source material.
- Health Science Leadership: This class reviews leadership strategies and models with an emphasis on healthcare settings. Students also look at case studies for real-world healthcare leadership examples.
- Health Professionals as Educators: This course teaches students how to educate others about healthy living, emphasizing improving health literacy, developing teaching skills, and integrating health science principles into curricula.
- Healthcare Systems Management: This course provides an overview of the U.S. healthcare system, including historical and contemporary perspectives. Students learn financing, insurance, personnel, managed care, and current regulatory guidance.
- Conflict Resolution in Health Leadership: Designed for future managers, this course examines the contemporary theories around conflict management and dispute resolution and emphasizes how these can transfer to healthcare settings.
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What are the Admission Requirements for an Online Master’s in Health Science Program?
Admission requirements for online master’s in health science programs vary from school to school, so prospective students should pay close attention to graduate admissions information from individual programs.
Some components remain the same across universities: students must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, possess a qualifying GPA, and meet prerequisite requirements. Competitive programs may also require an interview.
Application
Every online master’s in health science program requires students to complete an online or paper application to receive admission consideration. College applications typically collect basic demographic information such as full name, mailing address, date of birth, and citizenship status.
Test Scores
Some online master’s in health science programs may require prospective applicants to submit GRE scores. Preparing for the GRE can take time, so learners should start the process earlier. The GRE scores an applicant needs will depend on the school.
Letters of Recommendation
Many programs request letters of recommendation as part of application packets, as these allow the admission committee to understand how others view the student. Typical recommenders include current or former professors, mentors, supervisors, or faith leaders who know the learner well.
Resume and Work Experience
Given that these health science programs exist at the master’s level, some may ask for evidence of relevant work experience within the application. These requirements will vary by program, so learners should ensure they possess enough experience before applying. They must also submit a resume outlining work experience to receive consideration.
Essays
Essays provide the opportunity for degree-seekers to state, in their own words, why they want to pursue a master’s in health science, how they plan to use the degree after graduating, and why they feel drawn to a particular program. Leave ample time to write the admission essay to provide thoughtful answers.
Official Transcripts
Online master’s in health science programs require official transcripts to confirm the GPA stated by the student on their application and ensure they took all required prerequisite courses. Schools also use official transcripts for learners looking to transfer existing credits into the program.
What Can I Do With a Master’s in Health Science Degree?
Career Outlook
Graduates of an online master’s in health science program typically find many job paths available to them after earning their degree. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that jobs for medical and health services managers will grow by an astounding 29%, creating roughly 160,600 new positions between 2023-2033.
Completing this degree can also lead to higher salaries. Median wages vary based on experience, employer, education, and location, but several healthcare positions offer six-figure salaries to qualified candidates.
Graduates can find positions in governmental, nonprofit, and for-profit organizations, with many degree-holders accepting jobs in hospitals, community health organizations, and consulting firms.
Career Paths
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
These professionals often act as consultants to ensure safe workplace environments and that employees appropriately use hazardous materials or equipment. They also create procedures to help report unsafe working conditions and prepare reports on their findings.
Median Annual Salary
$81,140
Medical and Health Services Managers
Working in hospitals, physicians’ offices, long-term care facilities, and rehabilitation centers, these professionals oversee the administrative functions of each setting. They identify ways of improving effectiveness and efficiency, set departmental goals, oversee budgetary requirements, manage employee scheduling, and ensure all legal and regulatory requirements are met.
Median Annual Salary
$110,680
Social and Community Service Managers
Whether working in a governmental or nonprofit capacity, social and community service managers look for ways to support the well-being of communities. They work with community members to identify gaps in needed services, create programs to meet those needs, assess programs for effectiveness, and look for ways to improve them.
Median Annual Salary
$77,030
Athletic Trainers
Athletic trainers work with their clients to prevent and treat injuries and illnesses. They create and implement rehabilitation programs, use tapes and braces to protect athletes from injuries, and consult with patients on ways to continue their training without sacrificing their long-term health.
Median Annual Salary
$57,930
Health Education Specialists and Community Health Workers
These professionals work with individuals and communities to help them live healthy lives. They develop educational programs and materials, host health-related events, and evaluate the effectiveness of these programs. They may also oversee other health educators and trainers working in local communities.
Median Annual Salary
$62,860
Continuing Education
After working in the field for several years, some professionals may decide to continue their education. Completing a doctorate in health sciences provides the training and qualifications needed to compete for high-level healthcare positions.
Some graduates decide to educate the next generation of health science professionals and seek jobs at colleges and universities. Others decide they want to conduct research for think tanks, universities, or laboratories.
A doctorate in health science can take 4-6 years to complete, with options to study in person and online. Many students continue working in their current jobs and schedule coursework around their responsibilities.
How Do I Choose an Online Master’s in Health Science Program?
Cost
The cost of an online master’s in health science program can vary dramatically based on several factors. Private school learners typically pay more than students at public schools, and residency status can also affect costs. Prospective students should understand true program costs and compare online and in-person expenses.
Program Format
Students can find online master’s in health science programs offered in various formats to fit scheduling needs. Those seeking flexibility can consider asynchronous learning, while those looking for a more traditional schedule follow the synchronous pathway. Learners can also choose from part-time or full-time formats and accelerated programs to graduate more quickly.
Location
When looking at online programs, pay close attention to whether they require in-person learning sessions. If not, students can select from programs across the United States. If a program requires campus-based meetings, students should choose a college or university near their home.
Accreditation
In addition to attending a college that holds accreditation, students should look for master’s in health science programs that hold programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Programs (CAHME) or Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
Student Support
Attending a school that offers adequate support services can make or break the student experience. In addition to offering mentorship opportunities, look for programs with great internship connections. Students should also make sure they understand a school’s student services and how these work with online learning.
Still Looking for the Right Fit? Discover Similar Degree Programs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Master’s in Health Science Programs
An online master’s in health science program provides the training needed to pursue in-demand and often higher-paying positions within the healthcare and health research fields. These programs typically take approximately two years to complete and set graduates apart from colleagues with only bachelor’s degrees.
Going to graduate school while continuing to work can sometimes feel challenging, but online master’s in health science programs support busy learners by providing flexible schedules, part-time options, and accelerated formats.
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