An online health science master’s degree program gives students the expertise and confidence to move into leadership roles that can shape the delivery of healthcare in the community. The programs improve your healthcare knowledge, business acumen, and understanding of ethical and legal issues needed for leadership within a healthcare organization.
To help you find the best program to meet your needs, this page provides information on the top health science master’s programs available online for 2024. It includes details on required coursework, program cost, and available jobs after graduation. Get started on your path towards an online master’s in health science below.
Today’s Top Health Science Master’s Degrees Online
Whether your focus is on epidemiology, healthcare management, or health informatics, online master’s programs in health science offer the flexibility you need to balance academic pursuits with your busy life. Discover the programs that resonate with your career goals and passion for advancing health science by perusing this year’s rankings of top programs.
Professionals considering getting a master’s in health science should explore the Master of Integrated Health Studies program at Ohio University. The program was designed with versatility in mind, meaning graduates are prepared to work in a variety of healthcare settings or to continue to medical school. As a result, students choose up to two of five concentrations: veterans health, health policy, healthcare leadership, global health, or clinical informatics. Along with coursework in students’ chosen concentrations, they also complete some foundational courses in subjects like evidenced-based healthcare and interprofessional health promotion. All students also complete a final capstone project to summarize what they learned in the degree.
Program Highlights:
Master of Integrated Health Studies
- Credits: 33
- Length: Varies
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: CEPH
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
Liberty University offers flexible, fully online master’s of health science degrees. Applicants can choose to apply to the program in medical sciences, public health, exercise science, nutrition, human biology, or human performance. The exact graduation rate and number of credits varies depending on what program type a student selects. For added flexibility, Liberty University’s courses are hosted in eight-week semesters. This provides students with the ability to adjust their courseload more often, making it easier to balance coursework with work and life obligations. Courses are also hosted asynchronously, meaning students can log in and watch lectures whenever works for their schedule.
Program Highlights:
Master’s in Health Sciences
- Credits: 33-42
- Length: Varies
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: CEPH
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
Students who want to complete a master’s degree before attending medical school should consider the master’s of health science at the University of South Florida. The program covers anatomy, human function, and how to respond to specific health-related issues. The master’s is designed as a precursor to medical school, so it heavily focuses on the skills and knowledge students will need to thrive while getting their medical degree. As a result, the curriculum pulls from a variety of fields including ethics, biology, immunology, pathology, pharmacology, and biochemistry. For added flexibility, courses are offered online and at flexible times.
Program Highlights:
Master of Science in Medical Sciences
- Credits: 45
- Length: Four semesters
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: CEPH
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Spotlights: Popular Master’s in Health Science Online Programs
When considering an online health science master’s degree program, understanding what programs have to offer is important. To help you understand what is available, we’ve compiled a list of popular accredited schools to take a closer look at. Let these spotlights give you a better idea of what these programs look like and what appeals to you as you hone in on the right school for you.
Saint Francis University
The online master of health science degree program at Saint Francis University requires 30 hours of coursework. It is designed for those wanting to develop leadership and research skills to help them create healthcare policies at a facility and develop healthcare education programs for the community. The program takes about a year and a half to complete and includes a core curriculum that covers healthcare communication, research methods, healthcare policy strategies, and leadership skills. Students can also customize their education through a specialty track in health education or health leadership.
Prospective Saint Francis University master’s in health science students must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school and at least a 2.75 grade point average. Applicants are expected to submit two professional letters of recommendation, a current resume, and a statement of purpose. Students may also be asked to participate in a virtual interview.
Trident University
Trident University’s online master’s in health sciences program requires a bachelor’s degree and at least a 2.50 grade point average. Students in the program gain skills needed to take a leadership role in a healthcare facility. Those skills include the ability to understand healthcare theories and models and to apply them to real-world situations; to use qualitative and quantitative research to solve healthcare problems; to effectively communicate in general and specialized healthcare settings; and to apply ethical and legal tenets to the daily operations at a healthcare facility.
Students enrolled at Trident University can also choose one of three concentrations. The environmental and occupational health and safety concentration is for those wanting to pursue careers related to occupational and environmental health sciences. The health education specialization focuses on teaching students how to become health educators. The public health concentration is for those wanting to develop their knowledge and skills in a community health career.
University of Cincinnati
The online master of health science degree program at Nova Southeastern University admits students on a rolling basis that begins on one of four starting dates, which makes the program a great choice for those unable to begin their studies in the fall or spring semesters. To be admitted, prospective students must have a bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.75 grade point average and professional healthcare administrative or managerial experience.
The fully online program provides coursework in epidemiology, healthcare management principles, and trends in the healthcare profession. It also allows students to choose one of seven areas of concentration: telehealth, sports medicine, higher education, healthcare administration, health law, leadership in healthcare, and healthcare risk management. After completing the core and concentration classes, students participate in a practicum where they demonstrate the knowledge and skills they gained throughout the program.
4 Advantages of Earning an Online Master’s in Health Science
Students who choose an online health science master’s degree program benefit in many ways from the advanced subject matter they study and from the nature of online learning itself. The following benefits are gained from these programs.
Preparation for leadership roles
Health science master’s degree programs build on previous healthcare experience and prime students for managerial positions in healthcare. Classes developing leadership skills and advancing knowledge of healthcare allow graduates to advance in their careers.
Flexibility
Students in online programs can take courses at their own pace. This gives busy professionals the flexibility they need to both earn their degrees and work full-time.
Affordability
Online schools often charge students per credit instead of per semester. This helps them save money, especially if they are taking a part-time course load. These programs also save on travel expenses.
Increased earning potential
Those wanting to increase their earning potential can use a master’s degree as a steppingstone. Whether graduates are seeking promotions or new opportunities altogether, an advanced degree shows they are serious about their careers and willing to gain the knowledge needed for advancement.
What You’ll Learn in an Online Health Science Master’s Program
An online health science master’s degree program develops the leadership skills needed to take a managerial role in a healthcare setting. Those skills include an advanced understanding of health policy, communication, research, planning, and professional ethics. The following are examples of the classes students may find in their programs.
Sample Courses
Epidemiological Methods
This course teaches how epidemiologists study health patterns to determine the needs of different populations in a community. Students learn how to collect and interpret health data as well as how to use that information to make decisions about the services a community needs.
Health Policy Strategies
A health policy strategies course covers how healthcare policy is drafted and implemented. Students learn about the policymaking process and the role healthcare providers play in it from start to finish.
Health Program Evaluation
This course gives the tools needed to evaluate healthcare programs for their effectiveness, and, after measuring how well the programs are doing, to make the necessary changes. Students learn models for program evaluation, how data is collected about programs, and how reports about findings are drafted.
Social Determinants of Health
A course on the social determinants of health familiarizes students with population health and healthcare inequities that people experience because of structural, psychological, or behavioral issues. Students also learn how healthcare workers can bridge the gap between access to care and the communities unable to get the help they need.
Conflict Resolution for Health Leaders
A class on conflict resolution for health leaders teaches the conflict management and dispute resolution strategies needed to be an effective leader in a healthcare setting. Problems studied include internal and external conflicts.
Specialization Options
Although health science is a specific part of the larger health academic discipline, some online master’s in health science programs allow students to further specialize through a concentration. Concentrations give the expertise needed to pursue a specific type of job after graduation, which can go a long way toward impressing employers and allowing graduates to earn more money. The following are examples of concentrations a master’s degree in health science may offer.
Health Education
The health education specialization gives the tools needed to create healthcare education programs that are taught in the community or in schools. Students learn how to design a curriculum, assess the educational needs of a community, and implement an education program.
Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety
This specialization focuses on the environmental regulations and laws in place to keep workers safe. Courses cover the biological, chemical, and physical factors that may affect occupational and environmental safety.
Sports Medicine
Those interested in working with recreational and competitive athletes to help them with injuries and illnesses can get the skills they need through this specialization. Classes cover types of sports injuries, sports nutrition, anatomy and physiology, and the characteristics of athletic performance.
Healthcare Law
This specialization is for students who want to become experts on the healthcare laws that govern the field. Coursework covers patient rights, legal research methods, risk management law, pharmaceutical law, and healthcare ethics.
Health Leadership
Students enrolled in this concentration become thoroughly trained on the leadership and administrative techniques needed to manage in a healthcare environment. The program offers courses about healthcare management issues, conflict resolution, performance assessments, and healthcare financing.
Accreditation for Online Health Science Master’s Degree Programs
Accreditation is crucial to consider when looking for a health science master’s degree online program. Accreditation is awarded based on quality, the credentials of faculty members, research interests of the school, and the ability of a program to prepare students for the realities of the workplace. To ensure you have the skills and knowledge employers need, only consider schools accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education, the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, or the Accrediting Commission of Education for Health Services Administration.
What You Can Do with a Master’s in Health Science
The leadership skills and healthcare knowledge students obtain during their master’s in health science degree program can make them strong candidates for many jobs. The following are examples of careers you may be able to pursue after earning your degree.
Nursing Home Administrators
Nursing home administrators are responsible for the day-to-day activities of a facility. Their duties include managing staff, finances, and the care of residents.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
$58,820 | $100,980 | $189,900 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019
Epidemiologists
Epidemiologists track patterns of illness and injury in a community. They collect and study data to help treat and prevent illnesses, and they create programs to address public health issues.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
$44,000 | $70,990 | $119,290 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019
Health Educators
Health educators teach community members the habits needed to improve their health outcomes and get necessary care. These professionals assess the needs of their community, develop programs and materials to help meet those needs, implement programs, and then track their effectiveness.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
$32,030 | $54,220 | $98,530 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Occupational health and safety specialists help keep workplaces safe by doing research on work environments and procedures and determining ways employees may be at risk. They also educate organizations and their employees about workplace safety and about the hazards their environment may create.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
$43,630 | $74,100 | $111,130 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019
Healthcare Consultants
Healthcare consultants help health-related organizations work efficiently. They may provide services to pharmaceutical companies, nonprofit organizations, insurance companies, or medical groups. They conduct research to help organizations identify shortcomings and create plans for overcoming them.
| 10th Percentile | Median Annual Pay | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
$53,000 | $78,000 | $123,000 |
Source: PayScale, 2019
Costs and Financial Aid for Online Health Science Master’s Degrees
Financial concerns make earning an advanced degree challenging, but they don’t have to get in the way of career aspirations. Financial aid options, like the ones presented on our financial aid page, can help defray the cost of your online health science master’s degree to help you get the education you need to move forward in your career.
What Your Online Master’s in Health Science Could Cost
The cost of your health science master’s degree depends on the specific school chosen. To give a glimpse of cost, tuition data from three specific schools below is provided below.
| School Name | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Total Tuition Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
31-43 | $440/credit | $18,920 | |
30 | $675/credit | $20,250 | |
40 | $567/credit | $26,850 |
FAQs About Online Health Science Master’s Degrees
What are the admissions requirements for an online master’s degree in health science?
Each school offering a master’s in health science online degree has specific criteria for admissions; however, most schools generally want prospective students to:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Have at least a 2.50 grade point average
- Submit a statement of purpose
- Have some healthcare work experience
- Submit letters of recommendation
- Participate in an interview
How long will it take to finish my master’s in health science online?
While the specific timeframe for completing a health science master’s degree largely depends on the specific school, full-time students can generally expect to complete their studies in one and a half to two years. Part-time students can take up to four years to finish their degree.
Can I earn a master’s in health science 100% online or do I need to visit campus?
An online master’s degree in health science can be earned entirely online. However, in some cases, schools require students to complete special coursework on campus. For example, capstone course requirements often expect students to participate in person rather than online.