15 Best Online Master’s in Health Science

Known as one of the nation’s most diverse institutions is Rutgers University, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Formerly known as Queens College when it opened in 1766, it is the eighth-oldest college in the United States today! With 17,000 students from all over the world, RU offers 40 degree and certificate programs in the healthcare industry.

RU offers a Master’s of Science in health sciences with a specific aging track, which gives students a strong foundation for working with aging adults in fields such as nutrition, health care policies, leadership, or mental health. This master’s degree is 33 credit hours and includes a final capstone graduate project.

The MHS is for health care professionals who want to expand their knowledge and skills in taking care of the aging population. Applicants do not need to take any graduate entrance exams to be accepted into this program. They do need at least a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0, and holding a current health care licensure helps their chances of getting into this program.

A distinguished research university in the lively Tampa Bay region, the University of Florida consists of 14 colleges and offers 180 majors to it’s students. Among these colleges is the Morsani College of Medicine, a leader in medical science degrees not only in Florida but across the world. USF currently rates #14 in student success among 1,100 public research and doctoral universities.

The University of South Florida (the main campus) offers an MS in medical sciences, with a concentration on health sciences that is 100% online. This program provides students the groundwork for not only advancing their career in the healthcare setting but also for future doctoral programs in the biomedical field.

The MS in medical sciences spans over four semesters and consists of a minimum of 32 credit hours. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree prior to starting this course of study. They also need test scores from either the GRE, MCAT, or DAT and must have scored at or above the 50^th percentile. This program is a fall admission only, and the deadline for applications is June 1.

Those who love arts, culture, sports, music, and food will love the atmosphere of Cleveland State University, a public urban campus in Cleveland, Ohio pulsing with energy. With more than 175 academic programs, more than 150 campus clubs, and of course, the NCAA Division I sports teams,  CSU has something for everyone. There are over 17,000 students at CSU, and around one-third of them are pursuing graduate degrees.

CSU’s Master in Health Sciences prepares students with a health or science-related bachelor’s degree for leadership roles in the health care setting. The MHS may be combined with one of CSU’s graduate certificate programs to gain additional knowledge in a specialized area such as bioethics, gerontological studies, or health care administration.

This program is 36 credit hours and includes 15 credits in core classes, nine credits in a concentration, nine credits of elective courses, and a thesis or master’s project. The master’s project is the more common final method of completing this degree and is for students who do not plan on pursuing a doctoral degree. The thesis is completed by students who plan to pursue a doctorate.

Based in Southwest Florida between the Everglades and the Gulf of Mexico is Florida Gulf Coast University, the proud school to more than 15,000 students in 89 academic programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorates. FGCU is known for inspiring others, and they refer to this as the “FGCU Effect.” If you step onto the campus, you will feel the energizing effect!

FGSU’s Master in Health Science prepares students for professional leadership roles in the health care setting. This program includes 12 credits of core courses, along with 24 elective courses, totaling 36 hours. Some of the electives include topics in health education and health administration. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA while they are in this program.

To apply for this program, applicants must have earned at least a combined score of 900 on the GRE quantitative and verbal sections OR a minimum MAT score of 400. Students must also have held at least a 3.0 GPA on all undergraduate coursework. Students may begin this degree in either the spring or the fall of each year.

One of the fastest-growing private universities in Kentucky is Northern Kentucky University, which is just seven miles southeast of Cincinnati, Ohio. NKU is located in Highland Heights, which has been named one of the safest cities in the United States. In addition, Forbes rated NKU one of America’s best colleges for nine years in a row.

NKU’s Master of Science in health science program is for healthcare professionals who want to continue their education and become leaders in the healthcare setting. Students choose among three categories to focus on based on their career aspirations: education, management/leadership, or health informatics. This program is 35 credit hours and typically takes two years to complete.

Admission to this program is competitive: only 20-25 students are accepted each fall and spring semester. Applicants must include all transcripts of previous college coursework (and a minimum 2.5 GPA), a 1-2 page letter of intent and career goals, and a professional resume. In-person, phone, or Skype interviews with the program faculty are also required.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a relatively new public university—open since 2013. However, it may be younger than other universities, but it hasn’t missed a beat as far as providing it’s students with quality education. In fact, UTRGV offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate programs. UTRGV is also the second-largest Hispanic-serving university in the nation!

The UTRGV MS in health sciences with a concentration in nutrition program is intended for students who want to pursue management positions in nutrition. The only accelerated online MS in health sciences in Texas, this program is 36 hours, and each course is seven weeks long. The program takes most students only 12 months to complete.

Interested applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in health science, business, or a related field, and a minimum GPA of 3.0. However, if a student’s GPA is between 2.76 and 2.99, they can submit an appeal to the program coordinator. Students also need three hours of undergraduate coursework in physiology or anatomy and physiology.

When some people think of Indiana State University, they think of the well-loved blue-and-white creature named Sycamore Sam, the school mascot since 1995. With a deep, rich history since 1865, ISU is an established public university in Terre Haute, Indiana, that offers more than 100 majors and more than 70 online programs to it’s (more than) 13,000 students.

ISU’s Master of Public Health is for students who want to progress in their current healthcare positions, assume leadership roles, or prepare for a doctorate degree in public health. The concentration in public health nutrition is for Registered Dieticians and other healthcare professionals who want to work in the obesity and chronic disease management field.

This program is 39-42 credits and includes an internship and either a thesis or a research project. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field and at least two years of professional work experience in health care, health education, or health promotion. All undergraduate work should have a GPA of at least 2.75.

Fondly known as Ole Miss, the University of Mississippi has been thriving since 1848. Located in Oxford, it currently has more than 24,000 students and is Mississippi’s largest university. The U.S. News & World Report just ranked Ole Miss among the nation’s best online graduate degrees for the second year in a row.

The UMMC School of Health Sciences offers an online Master of Health Sciences that is designed to give graduates the skills and knowledge to pursue leadership roles in the health care setting. The program is 36 credit hours and includes a capstone project. Most students complete this program in two years.

Students are admitted in the summer semester, and the application deadline is March 1. A bachelor’s degree in science is required to be accepted into this program. GRE scores are also required. No out-of-state tuition exists for this program, so students from all over the nation are encouraged to apply!

Nestled in the beautiful Great Smoky and Blue Ridge mountains is Western Carolina University. Founded in 1889, WCU was originally a teaching college; today, it hosts more than 12,000 students and is ranked as one of the Top 10 public regional institutions in the South. With over 115 undergraduate and 40 graduate degrees, WCU provides its students with top-notch education for the careers they want to pursue.

Because of its high quality and affordability, WC’s Master of Health Sciences was ranked fourth among U.S. programs in health management. Focused on public health principals, WCU’s Master of Health Sciences is for students with backgrounds in healthcare administration, health-related education, or clinical practice. The program provides additional knowledge and skills for leadership roles in healthcare.

Students choose from one of the three concentrations: emergency medical care, health education, or health management. Applicants with a 3.5 GPA or those who have earned a graduate degree are eligible for the GRE waiver. Students are admitted into this program in the fall and spring semesters.

If you’re in Davie, Florida, on the gorgeous 314-acre campus of Nova Southeastern University, then you’re in Shark country! Razor the Shark energizes and entertains students, faculty, and the academic community of the seventh-largest private university in the United States. OnlineColleges.com ranked NSU as a top online college in 2019. This University is also among the top five in the United States for the largest number of minority graduate degree receivers.

NSU’s online Master of Health Science degree aims to provide students with a learning-centered education that focuses on critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze research. Students will choose among seven concentrations: generalist, sports medicine, higher education, health care administration, health law, leadership, and health care risk management. Each of these programs require around 37 credit hours.

NSU emphasizes that distance learning does not mean “out of touch.” Students can communicate with faculty and classmates 24/7 on the online student center. This online program currently has more than 90 students of diverse health care backgrounds. NSU will admit students with diverse undergraduate histories, and they take a holistic approach to admissions by reviewing the student’s academic record, professional experiences, recommendations, and personal drive to succeed.

Arizona State University, a top-ranked research university in the Phoenix metropolitan area, graduates more than 20,000 students per year. ASU is nationally ranked in many categories, including #1 in the US for innovation in 2020, according to U.S. News and World Report and the Top 1% of the world’s most prestigious universities, according to Times Higher Education.

ASU’s College of Health Solutions offers an online Master of Science in science health care delivery that consists of 11 classes, totaling 30 credit hours. Focusing on a plethora of topics in health care, including policy, leadership, and evidence-based assessment, this program is designed for students who aim to become administrative and clinical healthcare professionals.

Each class is 7.5 weeks long, and prepare students for their final capstone project, which is designed to provide them with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills into a real-world project. Students must apply to both ASU Graduate School and the College of Health Solutions. They should have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a science or health-related field.

More than 26,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and 130 countries attend George Washington University. Housed in Washington, D.C. just four blocks from the White House, GWU is always bustling with energy—whether it’s from a performance at Lisner Auditorium, a Colonials sports event, or the excitement of studying history at one of the many museums.

GWU’s online Master of Science in health sciences degree with a focus in health care quality is designed for healthcare professionals who want to pursue their skills and knowledge in leadership in healthcare quality, patient safety, or healthcare research. Graduates could fill roles such as clinical directors in quality services, clinical healthcare auditors, healthcare quality analysts, among many more.

This 36 credit hour master’s program typically takes two years to complete. Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA in all coursework. Previous healthcare professional experience is preferred. Applicants should also submit a 250-500 word essay describing reasons for wanting to pursue this degree at GWU, along with their resume and two letters of recommendation.

Touro University Worldwide, a nonprofit university located in Los Alamitos, California, was established in 1998 by philanthropic visionaries whose plan was to establish a learning community where students could meet their academic goals in a flexible, online setting. All of the programs offered by TUW are 100% online. WCU is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission.

TUW offers an online Master of Health Sciences, with a concentration on health education. This degree prepares students for leadership roles in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating health education programs in various settings. Most students complete this flexible program within one year. The tuition is affordable and includes the textbooks!

The MSHS program is 12 courses, which includes eight core classes and four electives, totaling 36 credit hours. One of the unique perks of this program is that it utilizes rolling enrollment, meaning you can enroll at various times throughout the year. There is no GRE or GMAT score requirement, and the $60 application fee is also waived for all prospective students. Those interested in this program need a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5.

The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs, onsite and online, across the spectrum of the healthcare setting. Wall Street Journal and Times High Education ranked MCPHS as #1 in the U.S. for earning power. More than 90% of the full-time faculty hold terminal degrees.

The Master of Health Sciences is part-time, 100% online, and can be completed in approximately two years. This 36 credit hour program prepares students to translate theory and strategies to the healthcare setting, as well as continue to research and apply research to their current professional careers.

Students learn from a variety of health professionals with a range of backgrounds, making the experience diverse and gratifying. Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA and experience (or, at the very least, interest) in promoting healthcare. Students can enter this program in the spring or fall semester, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Located in the scenic mountains of central Pennsylvania is Lock Haven University, a public institution with 3,425 current students. LHU offers 49 academic programs, including associates, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. LHU’s mascot, a Bald Eagle, attends all the NCAA Division I and II sporting events and keeps its fans alive with school spirit!

LHU’s online Master of Health Science program is 36 credit hours with an emphasis on healthcare management. A capstone or advanced field experience is completed at the end of the program. Students can enroll full-time or part-time and complete this MHS in one to two years. Graduates of this program can pursue careers as department directors, hospital administrators, or clinic managers, among others.

In this program, students will take five core classes and an additional 15 credit hours, which include one elective course and six credits for the advanced field experience or capstone project. Applications are accepted throughout the year and must include official college transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a one-page personal mission statement.