Master of Health Science Online Degree

An online health science master’s degree program builds on one’s bachelor’s degree and credentials as a health professional so that one can pursue or advance one’s career in academic health sciences. An online master of health sciences is an integrated, multidisciplinary program in the life sciences with a focus on health care and medical research. This degree produces competitive, well-trained, and socially responsible health science professionals who can advance both laterally and upward as their job interests and ambitions change because healthcare is such a diversified sector.

The MSHS degree program gives students the knowledge and confidence they need to pursue a challenging health-related career. Through rigorous study, they are well-prepared to continue their studies in medical school, clinical research, or other health professions, such as dentistry, veterinary medicine, and chiropractic medicine.

Depending on whether students enroll on a full-time, part-time, or accelerated schedule, most master’s programs include between 30-36 courses and take 1-2 years to finish. Additionally, some degrees provide specializations that allow students to focus on a specific area of interest. From one institution to the next, concentrations may differ, but typical choices include health leadership, health education, public health, health informatics, health policy, and nutrition.

In addition to completing coursework, some programs could also require students to participate in an internship or complete a capstone project that combines all they have studied. Most courses may be finished online. The department normally works with students to find a suitable site close to their residence if they need an internship or field study component. Here are some of the common courses one can expect in this program:

Microbiology and Immunology

The field of biology known as microbiology studies the tiniest forms of life, including bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa, and viruses. Immunology studies how higher organisms, including microorganisms, react to external chemicals.

Neuroscience

The study of the nervous system concerning the biological underpinnings of consciousness, perception, memory, and learning is known as neuroscience. The physical mechanisms that underlie cognitive behavior are connected to our observations of it via neuroscientific research.

Medical Biochemistry

This course is focused on human medical biochemistry. This course aims to teach the fundamental biochemical principles related to human health and disease, along with concrete examples of their use. The most typical biochemistry reported in medical literature will be analyzed and evaluated.

Histology and Cell Biology

The internal structure of cells, tissues, and organs in the human body is the main topic of this course, which also provides a thorough overview of many of their intricate interrelationships. The cytoarchitecture, histological alterations & their influence on health are highlighted through clinical correlations.

Medical Ethics

Medical ethics concerns the duties that doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers have to patients, society, and other health professionals. The health profession has a set of ethical standards relevant to various organizations of health workers and medical facilities.

Incoming students are generally required to have completed prerequisites in biology, organic chemistry, physiology, anatomy, genetics, cell biology, physics, etc., before applying to a masters in health science program. Prospective students should pay close attention to the graduate admissions information from programs of their choice because entrance requirements for online master’s in health science programs vary from institution to institution. However, here are the most common master of health science admission requirements:

Both the GRE general exam and the GRE subject exams must be taken by applicants to master’s programs in business, law, STEM, and other professions. Admission to master’s programs, including the online masters in health sciences program, frequently requires a GRE score. However, a few colleges do not demand GRE results for program admission looking at the profound changes in the demographics of graduate students in the last 50 years. According to several universities justifying this change, many online master’s students are full-time working professionals and do not get the time to prepare for the GRE. Hence, these universities consider GPA and work experience as the primary grading factors for graduate admission. Examples of colleges offering online master of health science no GRE programs are St. John’s University’s Master of Science in Health Sciences (MSHS) and the Drexel Dornsife Master’s degree in public health.

Institutions can show the caliber of their educational offerings by becoming accredited, which is a voluntary procedure. It may be crucial for students pursuing health sciences degrees to enroll in an accredited master of health science degree program because doing so is required to be eligible for federal financial aid and to transfer credits across educational programs. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) website has a list of recognized regional and national accrediting organizations, although no one professional body has the authority to certify health sciences degrees programmatically. Students should confirm that the institution they plan to attend is accredited.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) is one organization that evaluates institutions rather than college programs. It is a non-profit membership organization that defines, defends, and promotes educational excellence using a variety of student demographics and resources.

Students can learn more about the accreditation by consulting the Guide to College Accreditation.

Given the present condition of student debt, the cost of education, and the typical amount of debt each student accrues, it is crucial to give the payment alternatives for an online masters in health science program careful consideration. Scholarships are the most sensible way to pay for school. If a candidate is working as a professional, they may ask their employers for tuition reimbursement if they do not satisfy the requirements for a scholarship. Another choice for paying for the online health science degree is to apply for a student loan. Students can also confirm their eligibility for federal student aid.

Consult these guides to understand more about college funding: What is Financial Aid? | How to Pay for College? | Donors for Student Loans | Grants for Student Loans | FAFSA Student Aid.