Online Master’s Programs in Health Science

Earning a master’s in health science online prepares graduates for a variety of career opportunities, including as health educators, school nurses, public health advocates, and health service managers. Degree-holders also pursue careers as hospital administrators, occupational health and safety specialists, and medical assistants.

This guide outlines the types of courses learners might take during their health science master’s program, the specializations they can consider, possible career paths, scholarship opportunities specific to the field, and relevant professional organizations.

Health science master’s programs prepare learners to thrive in the health science field. The rigorous curriculum introduces students to research methods, as well as how to evaluate critical research. Students also focus on concepts such as health policy, healthcare ethics, healthcare communications, leadership, and management. Professionals who want to pursue leadership roles in the field may choose a health science master’s program that focuses on organizational management techniques.

The exact requirements of a health science master’s program vary by school and program. For instance, many programs require a capstone project, through which students synthesize the concepts, skills, and knowledge they developed during their program into one final project focused on a specific topic.

Conversely, other programs require learners to complete a thesis project. Like capstones, theses allow students to demonstrate mastery of the concepts they learned during their program. Instead of a project, however, the thesis requires students to complete a lengthy written paper.

Many master’s in health science online programs offer specializations that give students the opportunity to narrow the focus of their degree. Some of the more common degree specializations are outlined below.

Health Informatics

This specialization examines how to use information technology, computers, and other innovations to manage healthcare records and analyze data.

Executive Leadership

Through the executive leadership specialization, students learn to develop and manage concepts, facilitate strategic decision-making and planning, and execute effective leadership strategies.

Athletic Training

Students in the athletic training specialization develop their business and problem solving skills. The also explore injury prevention programs and ways to treat athletes.

Professionals who earn their master’s degree in health science can pursue a variety of roles. For instance, graduates interested in technology can work as health informatics specialists, while those who desire an administrative career can work as healthcare administrators, nursing home administrators, or community health coordinators. The field also features a variety of management roles for individuals who want to be leaders in the profession.

Health informatics specialists provide technical and administrative support to system users to help them through common problems. They also develop health information technology policies that meet specific regulations.

These professionals oversee staffing efforts, including hiring, training, and reviews. They also manage all of the financial operations for their organization, including annual reporting.

Often working in nonprofit organizations and for local governments, community health coordinators promote healthy lifestyles while planning, implementing, and monitoring health programs for local populations.

These administrators manage care for residents in a nursing home. They oversee quality assurance processes in their facility and pay close attention to local, state, and federal laws.

Risk managers protect individuals and companies from liabilities. They also review the safety policies in place at a company and update them as needed to comply with laws and regulations.

Across the health sciences field, professionals who hold their master’s degree have more career opportunities and higher earning potential than those with only a bachelor’s degree. For instance, medical and health services managers earn a median annual salary of nearly $100,000, while physician assistants and nurse practitioners can earn well over $100,000.