15 Best Online MHS Degree Programs

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 50,000 students from all over the world, RU offers 40 degree and certificate programs in the healthcare industry.

RU offers a Master of Science in Health with four specialized program tracks including:

• healthcare informatics
• management and leadership
• behavioral health
• gerontology

This master’s degree is 33 credit hours and includes a final capstone graduate project. Courses are taught by program faculty with experience working in large healthcare organizations.

The MHA is for healthcare 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 healthcare 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 its students. Among these colleges is the Morsani College of Medicine, a leader in medical science degrees not only in Florida but across the world.

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 careers 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 the NCAA Division I sports teams,  CSU has something for everyone. There are over 15,000 students at CSU, and around one-third 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 healthcare setting. The MHS may be combined with one of CSU’s graduate certificate programs to gain additional knowledge in a specialized area such as:

• community health promotion
• gerontological studies
• public health

This program is 36 credit hours and includes 15 credits in core classes, nine credit hours in a concentration, nine credits in 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 doctorate degrees. 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 of Health Science prepares students for professional leadership roles in the healthcare setting. This program includes 12 credits of core courses, along with 24 elective courses, totaling 36 hours. Some of the electives include topics related to health information technology 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 a combined score of 900 on the GRE quantitative and verbal sections OR a minimum MAT score of 400. Students must also have a 3.0 GPA on all undergraduate coursework. Students may begin this degree in 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.

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. This MHS program is 35 credit hours and typically takes two years to complete. Course offerings include:

• Healthcare Research Methods
• Role of the Healthcare Educator
• Health Care Finance and Reimbursement

Admission to this graduate degree 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 its 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 its (more than) 9,000 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 public health 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 UMMC School of Health Related Professions’ Health Sciences offers an online Master of Health Systems Administration designed to give graduates the skills and knowledge to pursue leadership roles in the healthcare 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 11,000 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 is well respected among U.S. programs in health management. Focused on public health principles, WCU’s Master of Health Sciences is for students with backgrounds in areas like:

• healthcare administration
• health-related education
• 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
• health management
• nutrition

Applicants with a 3.5 GPA or those with 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 Fort Lauderdale, 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. 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 from seven concentrations:

• sports medicine
• higher education
• telehealth
• health care administration and leadership
• health law
• health informatics
• health care risk management

Students can also choose to complete a generalist option. Each of these programs requires 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 healthcare backgrounds. NSU will admit students with diverse undergraduate histories, and they take a holistic approach to admissions by reviewing the students’:

• academic record
• professional experiences
• recommendations
• 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’s College of Health Solutions offers an online Master of Science in science of health care delivery that consists of 11 classes, totaling 30 credit hours. Students develop their skills in a variety of areas in health care including:

• policy
• leadership
• 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 prepares students for their final capstone project, which is designed to provide them with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to 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 on healthcare 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

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 textbooks!

The MSHS program has 12 courses, which include 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. 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.

Northern Illinois University opened in 1899 as the Northern Illinois State Normal School. It has grown into a world-class research-focused institution with almost 253,000 alumni worldwide. There are over 15,000 students and 2,986 faculty/staff at NIU. Students enjoy a plethora of opportunities to learn and grow with over 200 student organizations.

Northern Illinois University offers an online master’s in health sciences for students who want to move into a leadership, management, or education role. Students can move through the 30-credit hour program at their own pace. Courses cover areas like:

• interdisciplinary communication skills
• health services quality measurement
• culturally aware leadership
• evidence-based analysis

The program is delivered 100% online. Course offerings include:

• Biostatistics in Public Health
• Introduction to Health Systems
• Research Methods in Health and Human Sciences

Aspiring students should submit an application along with two letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose. Applicants with a GPA of over 3.25 can apply for a GRE waiver.