Master’s in Health Science Online

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Aspiring students should opt for the right program to enhance their career growth. When selecting a master’s program, it is vital to note certain essential factors like institution accreditation and ranking, coursework, student-related services, the infrastructure of the institution, quality of the faculty, affordability, and availability of the electives and concentrations. The teams at Online Masters Colleges have scrutinized various online master’s in health science degree programs and short-listed the best ones. Here is the list of the best master’s in health science online: 

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Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

An online health science degree prepares individuals to work as health science educators. It builds on the student’s bachelor’s degree and gives them more credentials as health professionals to pursue their careers in academic health sciences. Students will have the opportunity 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 which would be 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. 

Master’s in Health Science Online Degree Types

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

Students applying for graduate programs must take the GRE and submit the scores when applying to college. 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 the field of health science or related fields. Here are examples of some master’s in health science online no GRE programs:  

• Saint Francis University 
• Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 
• Western Carolina University 
• Lock Haven University 

Students who want to complete their master’s program at a faster pace or within a lesser 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 Valley and Spelman College.  

There are no free online master’s in health science courses available for students. 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: 

A cost of a master’s degree in health science would vary across programs. The main costs a student will have to incur are tuition, travel, and course materials. Fortunately, online students do not have to pay for travel and accommodation. Still, the cost of a master’s in health science degree online could range from $10,400 to $18,000. Here are some funding possibilities which students could avail to defray some of this high cost: 

Scholarships 

Students receive scholarships as a form of financial aid to further their education. They could be awarded to students based on merit by individuals, non-profit organizations, industry-related organizations, and various private sectors. Apart from merit, scholarships could be awarded based on other criteria like diversity, inclusion, athletic skills, and so on.  

Grants 

Grants are a special form of funds awarded by public bodies, specialized grant-making institutions, and charitable foundations. These grants are given to students for a specific area of research or any other specified purpose. They focus on other diverse factors rather than just the student’s academic accomplishment, especially financial need.  

Graduate Assistantships 

Graduate assistantships allow students to form close associations with professionals in their field of study while earning money to fund their education. They also enable students to become published authors in their fields. In an assistantship, a student would be required to assist a faculty member in their respective department.  

FAFSA 

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA is opted for by prospective or current college students to determine their eligibility for getting student financial aid from the U.S. government. This aid is not money or a loan by itself; instead, it is part of a process that assesses the financial need of the students to deem them credible for availing financial help.  

Students can refer to the Financial Aid Guide to know more about college funding. Students should also go through Scholarship Scams to be aware of fraudsters.

There are various ways graduate students could fund their education, the most common and popular one being scholarships. Scholarships help ease the burden on students by reducing educational expenses. Here are some graduate school scholarships for a master’s degree in health science: 

Robert D. Kruse Memorial Scholarship 

The Cleveland Clinic established this scholarship for students who wish to finish graduate studies in the field of health sciences from an accredited university in the United States with a minimum GPA of 2.5. 

Award/Amount

$5,000  

Application Deadline   

Closed for 2023 | TBA for 2023 

International Order of King’s Daughters and Sons 

The IOKDS healthcare career scholarships provide financial assistance to students pursuing majors in health science from accredited universities in the United States.   

Award/Amount 

$1,000

Application Deadline 

Closed for 2023 | TBA for 2023 

Save a Life: Health Education Scholarship 

CPR and first aid Inc. have established this scholarship for students majoring in health science fields. The grant is awarded twice a year during the college’s fall and spring seasons.  

Award/Amount

$1,500 

Application Deadline   

May 01 and October 01, annually 

ASCP Healthcare Diagnostics Scholarship 

ASCP established a healthcare diagnostic scholarship awarding meritorious students pursuing health science, majors in clinical laboratories, molecular biology, and so on.  

Award/Amount 

$1,000

Application Deadline 

Closed for 2023 | TBA for 2023 

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, and so on. 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  

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), healthcare occupations have a job outlook of 13% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This increase is also expected to raise an average of 1.9 million openings in this field every year.  

The list below highlights statistical data on a few career options students can consider after earning an online master’s in health science, as reported by the BLS: 

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 common specific requirements, which are: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. 
• Completion of a set number of semester hours in subjects related to the subject of 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 usually only need a bachelor’s degree to become state-certified teachers educating lower grades.  

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, healthcare 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) focuses on promoting high standards and maintaining best practices to establish matters of 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 both 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) is beneficial for individuals in the field of health science 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.  

Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed on this page are those of Online Masters Colleges’ (OMC’s) researchers and teams. Unless specifically indicated, they do not represent the thoughts and opinions of the people, institutions, or organizations mentioned. This page’s provided content is solely for informational purposes. OMC or its employees make no guarantees of the accuracy or completeness of any information on this page or found by following any link. OMC will not be held liable for any mistakes or omissions in this material, nor will it be held liable for any losses, injuries, or damages resulting from the exposure or use of this information. Although the material on this page is/was correct at the time of publication, reader discretion is always advised because part or all the provided information may have changed over time, potentially leading to inaccuracies.