Master’s in Health Science Online

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
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An online health science degree prepares individuals to work as health science educators. It builds on the students ‘ bachelor’s degree and gives them more credentials as health professionals to pursue their careers in academic health sciences. Students will be able to learn from varied health professionals from diverse backgrounds. The program’s curriculum is between 35 and 45 credit hours, depending on the institution, program format, coursework, and concentration. Most master’s in health science programs employ an intensive pre-med curriculum delivered over several semesters. Apart from the in-depth study in health and life science, students are expected to complete a comprehensive examination in the last semester of their course. These requirements, however, may differ depending on the respective institution’s coursework. Doing the master’s in health science online is preferred by students as it gives them the flexibility to pursue their work and complete their education parallelly. Some institutions offer in-person, online, and blended or hybrid programs which combine in-person and online classes. Most institutions providing this program use a unique educational approach so their students can get an engaging environment to meet their academic goals with the help of real-time data.

Curriculum and Skills Gained in Master’s in Health Science Online Programs

Master’s in Health Science online programs require 35 to 45 credits, depending on the institution from which the degree is availed. Students must select varied core courses and concentrations and complete assignments and projects to meet the requirements of their health science master coursework. They are also required to complete a capstone, comprehensive examination, in-depth study in life sciences, and so on, depending on the particular institution’s requirement. Some programs offer their students a thesis or non-thesis option in the curriculum. Students who pursue the non-thesis degree would be required to enroll in classes in addition to their regular coursework to meet the increased credit requirements. There is typically no need for additional courses for a master’s in a health science program with a thesis. Health science courses are of varying kinds, depending on the overall focus of the institution, program, and concentration. Even similar programs from different institutions would follow different academic paths. Most of the programs have similar courses in a master of health science; a few students can expect:

• Educator Competency
  This course equips students with advanced skills to excel in health education roles. Our curriculum emphasizes instructional design, assessment strategies, and effective communication, ensuring graduates are prepared to educate and empower communities in the dynamic field of health sciences.
• Quality and Characteristics of Leadership
  This course integrates a comprehensive Quality and Characteristics of Leadership module. Students develop advanced leadership skills, focusing on strategic decision-making, ethical considerations, and organizational excellence. This essential component prepares graduates to lead and drive positive change in diverse healthcare settings.
• Health Professions Education Across the Higher Education Spectrum
  In this course, students explore innovative teaching methodologies, curriculum development, and assessment strategies tailored to diverse healthcare education contexts, ensuring graduates are adept educators shaping the future of health professions.
• Curriculum and Course Design
  This course provides students with expertise in developing effective educational programs. It covers instructional design principles, assessment methods, and technology integration, empowering graduates to shape impactful and contemporary curricula in the dynamic field of health sciences.
• Interprofessional Perspective on Health Disparity
  This course examines the root causes of disparities and equips students with collaborative skills to address complex health issues. Graduates emerge with a holistic understanding and the ability to contribute to equitable healthcare solutions across diverse communities.

Some of the other common courses across various curriculums are:

• Air Pollution Controls
• Current Trends and Cultural Issues in Healthcare
• Research Methods
• Principles of Management in Healthcare
• The U.S. Health Policy
• Writing for Allied Health Professionals
• Epidemiology and Biostatistics
• Assessment and Evaluation of Teaching And Learning
• Literature Review and Focused Research
• Independent Research
• Medical Ethics
• Gross Anatomy, Embryology, and Imaging

On graduating with a Master’s in Health Science online degree program, individuals can take up various roles and responsibilities across healthcare fields based on the foundational knowledge and skills they have gained. Some of the skills that a health science graduate would use are their ability to:

• appraise and analyze the discipline of health science in the framework of health professions, health education, and learning and teaching;
• prepare learning theories on higher education for healthcare programs suiting a diverse population;
• examine and apply theories of research and ethical practices critical to application in healthcare practices in advanced settings;
• evaluate and design tools for effective leadership in healthcare departments and organizations constituting healthcare professionals;
• strategize curricula incorporating education models that apply to current healthcare systems;
• establish developing skills and expertise in policies of health, health communication, and global advancement of healthcare;
• demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the subject matters in the healthcare field.;
• use leadership skills in various healthcare-related organizations and leading healthcare teams across multiple systems of healthcare;
• demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the subject matters that pertain to the field of healthcare;
• make critical judgments and rationally solve problems based on data collected from various institutions of healthcare and
• demonstrate top-notch standards of professionalism associated with achieving success in healthcare.

Master’s in Health Science Online Degree Types

There are four online health science master’s available for students. They are the Master of Health Science or M.H.Sc., Master of Arts or MA in Health Science online, Master of Science or MS in Health Science online, and Master of Education or M.Ed. in Health Science online. These degrees are readily available in institutions across all states.

Specializations in Master’s in Health Science Online Programs

A specialization is a focused area of study of a particular major. Specializations have specific advanced coursework that helps students strengthen their skills in a particular subject. The concentrated study area is linked to the student’s specific major in specialization. It enables the student to garner better career prospects, a better salary package, and higher industry recognition. Here are some such health science specializations:

Timeline for graduation from Master’s in Health Science Online Programs

Master’s of Health Science online degree programs generally require 35 to 45 credits and 1 to 3 years to complete. The coursework, thesis, concentration, Synchronous and Asynchronous classes, program structure, and other factors determine the duration of the program. Students could complete their studies full-time or part-time mode.

1. Full-time: full-time students can earn their online master’s in health science in two or less than two years. 
2. Part-time: some students take 2 to 4 years to complete their degrees since they have full-time jobs or family obligations. For such students, a part-time health science master’s is a more flexible option.

Students who want to complete their master’s program faster or within a shorter time frame could choose an accelerated master’s degree. To do so, they can determine if they want to transfer their credits and fast-track their programs to earn this degree rapidly. Those who pursue an accelerated program could finish their master’s in about one year. Examples of colleges offering accelerated master’s in health science online programs include The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley¹ and Touro University Worldwide².

Master’s in Health Science Online Programs Admission Requirements

An online health science master’s would have requirements that any aspiring student must meet to get admitted to the program. Students will have to closely evaluate if they meet these criteria to understand the acceptance level of the college. Each institution would have different requirements and criteria depending on the program’s structure. However, the teams at Online Masters Colleges have evaluated the admissions requirements of several master’s in health science courses in different states and listed the most common master’s in health science online admission requirements: 

• Application fee and application form
• Official transcripts of universities attended 
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with a GPA of 3.0 (more is preferred)
• At least two letters of recommendation
• A Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose
• A Graduate Résumé
• Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Scores

Students applying for graduate programs must take the GRE and submit the scores when applying. However, some institutions might waive this requirement of the GRE under certain stipulated circumstances – such as when students have a GPA higher than 3.0 and some years of experience in health science or related fields. Here are examples of some master’s in health science online no GRE programs: 

• Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences³
• Western Carolina University⁴
• Lock Haven University⁵

Accreditation for Master’s in Health Science Online Programs

Accreditation is a process of evaluating institutions providing higher education to maintain standards of educational quality. It is led by non-governmental processes based on peer evaluation. An accredited program could determine if students can transfer their credits between programs and if they are eligible for federal financial aid. Students should evaluate if the institution where they want to study the program has been granted national or regional accreditation. Some of the bodies responsible for accreditation in the United States are: 

• New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Each state’s department of education typically regulates accredited master’s in health science colleges. Universities may also gain institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools-ABHES⁶.
Read the Accreditation Guide to understand why accreditation is important.

There are no free online master’s in health science courses available. However, a few free courses on health science-related topics are available online, which could enhance one’s skill set. Such free courses are not accredited and cannot be used on official transcripts as a replacement for a master’s degree. Here are some free master’s in health science online courses to explore:

After earning a health science online master’s degree, graduates can work as healthcare providers in various settings. They can take up leadership roles in hospitals, design healthcare policies, work in managerial positions at big healthcare institutions, etc. Graduates also have the option to work in government healthcare bodies as health officials or administrators. 

Apart from working in hospitals, there are many roles in the health industry where graduates can use their online master’s in health science knowledge, such as:  

• Health Educator
• Community and Public Health Organizer
• Health Science Writer
• Pharmacy Technician
• Health Informatics
• Medical and Health Service Managers
• Audiologist
• Health Researchers
• Clinicians
• Epidemiologist
• Program Manager
• Program Administrators
• Social Entrepreneurs
• Health Policy Analysts

Graduates in health science can pursue careers in various fields, such as:

Professional certifications are essential credentials to validate skills in one’s occupation. Some occupations require specific professional certificates to practice; however, individuals can earn certifications to gain industry expertise and become prospective candidates for lucrative jobs. Understanding different certifications and how employers value them could help individuals gain competence in specific skills. Licenses are required by law, and the geographical location of work could be a critical factor in licensure. 

Each state has its certification and licensure; their requirements differ. However, they will have some standard specific requirements, which are: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
• Completion of a set number of semester hours in subjects related to accreditation.
• Completion of a set number of semester hours in the specific field.
• Passing certification exams that examine fundamental skills.

Those who wish to teach health science must obtain health science teacher licensure. However, it is worth noting that teachers only need a bachelor’s degree to become state-certified teachers educating lower grades. 

 Here are some certifications graduates in health science can consider:

Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)¹⁶
The Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certification, awarded by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC), validates health education and promotion expertise. Professionals with CHES credentials demonstrate competence in planning, implementing, and evaluating health education programs, contributing to advancing public health initiatives.

Certified in Public Health (CPH)¹⁷
The Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential, administered by the National Board of Public Health Examiners, signifies proficiency in public health knowledge and practice. The certification demonstrates a commitment to advancing public health initiatives, contributing expertise to address diverse community health challenges, and promoting overall well-being on a broader scale.

A master’s in health science online graduate can benefit from a wide range of resources if they join a professional organization. Career aid and certification programs are some common features offered by these organizations. One can also look to other resources that provide deeper insights into healthcare management, policies, etc. Here are a few resources to get started:

1. American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM)
   The American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management  (AAHAM) is one of the leading professional organizations for healthcare administrative management. It is an essential connection for students in the healthcare sector to have. The organization’s mission is to “provide healthcare workers and professionals with education, networking, advocacy, and certification.” 
2. National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM)
   The National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) promotes high standards and maintains best practices to establish expertise among healthcare professionals. They provide varied opportunities for their members, which include network functions and educational opportunities. 
3. American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE)
   The American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) caters to individuals by providing national and regional support. Members have enrolled in over 80 regional chapters of the institution, which are responsible for providing them with local education programs, resources for career advancement, and volunteering opportunities to be more involved as healthcare leaders in their communities. 
4. American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
   The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) benefits individuals in the health science field and prospective students. The organization aims to deliver quality healthcare by giving professionals the appropriate tools and resources to raise their standards of practice. 
5. American Medical Association (AMA)
   The American Medical Association (AMA) is one of the largest and only national associations that caters to different stakeholders in the field of health sciences. It aims at providing healthcare professionals with a better future in medicine, advocating for various issues in the health setup, removing obstacles to patient care, and confronting the greatest health crises.