Students who graduate with a master’s degree in health services are qualified to pursue various careers in the healthcare industry. They can seek employment as a health consultant, health information manager, healthcare financial manager, medical staff director, patient advocate, and many other positions in the healthcare space. Graduates can look for work in hospitals, private practices, specialty clinics, nursing homes, mental health clinics, rehabilitation centers, and public health agencies.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for health services managers is $110,680 per year. And according to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average annual tuition for a graduate degree program is $12,596 at public institutions and $28,017 at private institutions. Completing this degree takes one to two years of full-time study.
How to Choose an Online Master’s in Health Services Program
Choose your area of study
This degree may be offered as a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) or Master of Science (MS). Many programs will allow you to select a concentration and focus your studies on a particular niche in this field, such as gerontology, data analytics, business administration, or policy analysis. If you already know what you would like to do after you graduate, look for programs that closely match these career goals.
Research schools and programs
You should only apply to institutions that have been approved by a DOE-recognized regional accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. These organizations evaluate schools to ensure they provide students with a high-quality education. Those who attend a school that isn’t regionally accredited may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.
Ideally, your master’s in health services program will also be accredited by a respected industry group like the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. This programmatic accrediting organization has particularly high standards for healthcare administration education.
Also, consider the following questions:
- What is the cost of the program? Before diving into research on a program, check the tuition costs. You should have an idea of how much you can spend on your degree, and if the tuition of a certain program is significantly more, you may want to focus on other options.
- Where is the school located? Although you plan to study online, you may wish to participate in on-campus activities such as in-person orientations, career days, student clubs and organizations, and sporting events. Additionally, some universities offer a hybrid format only, where students must attend some classes on campus. Because of these factors, the school’s location may be something to consider when choosing a master’s program.
To learn more about any schools that you’re interested in, you can visit their website, contact an admissions counselor, follow the school on social media, or attend an in-person or virtual open house.
Prepare for tests and applications
Application requirements vary by school and program. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is typically needed, and some colleges require that the degree is in a related field or that students completed prerequisite undergraduate coursework.
A standard master’s degree application includes the following:
- Completed application and fee
- Official transcripts from previously attended colleges
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Resume
- GRE scores
Always contact an admissions counselor to ensure you have the most accurate information regarding requirements and deadlines.
Select your program
Once you’ve determined your area of study and done your research, use the information you gathered to compile a list of programs you want to apply to. Arrange them in order of preference. Instead of applying to just your favorite, apply to all that are on your list.
Before making your final decision, review your needs and goals again. Do you plan to attend school full-time or part-time? Do you want your program to be as online as possible, or are you fine with a hybrid program that has a fair amount of in-person requirements? Some programs offer asynchronous courses, which can be completed at your own pace, while others only offer synchronous courses, which involve remotely attending lectures and completing assignments at the same time as other students — which of these two online learning formats do you prefer? Your school should accommodate your scheduling needs and learning preferences.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
You may be eligible for financial aid from the U.S. government through grants, loans, and work-study programs, but to be considered, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Students with previously earned college credits beyond a bachelor’s degree may be able to transfer their credits, thus reducing the number of courses needed for the degree. Scholarships and fellowships may be available from the institution or outside organizations. Past and present military members can often get tuition at a reduced rate. If you’re working while earning your master’s degree, find out if your employer offers tuition assistance benefits.
Finally, be sure to speak to financial aid counselors at the schools you’re interested in for the most accurate and specific information about program cost.
Best 50 Accredited Online Master’s in Health Services Programs
Discover More Options
How We Rank Schools
All of the programs on our list can be completed fully or primarily through distance learning. In some cases, schools offer students the option to complete their degree through a combination of in-person and online classes.
As a measure of quality, all of the schools on our list have regional accreditation. Several programs are also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
We evaluated the programs based on their flexibility, faculty, cost, outcomes, and reputation. Then, we calculated an Intelligent Score for each program on a scale of 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.
What Can You Expect from an Online Master’s in Health Services Program?
The curricula in most master’s in health services programs place emphasis on managing a healthcare business, but there is a growing trend toward introducing a health science-based approach, where students receive industry-specific training for a more well-rounded education. Coursework can be challenging, as it covers a range of subjects from legal issues and planning strategies to funding, staff development, and risk management. Students must learn about both business and healthcare and understand how these two different disciplines intersect and work together.
Online students receive course material via an online learning management system (LMS). Among the most popular are Blackboard, Canvas, D2L Brightspace, and Moodle, but some universities have their own proprietary system. This is where students can access their course syllabi, schedules, reading and audio-video material, class assignments, announcements, grades, and message boards or chat features to communicate with classmates and instructors.
Potential courses you’ll take in an online master’s in health services degree program
- Health delivery systems. In this course, students examine various health delivery systems that operate in the United States. They learn about how these function in both the public and private sectors as well as current issues that will change and shape these systems over the next few years.
- Healthcare data analytics. Data analytics is a vital part of any healthcare system, and this course teaches students how to select, prepare, analyze, interpret, evaluate, and present healthcare data in order to improve both performance and effectiveness. The course also covers various technologies and tools that are common in the industry today.
- Ethical and legal issues in health administration. Students learn about how healthcare has evolved along with the legal landscape over the years. The course covers patient rights, malpractice, contracts, liability, consent, and how healthcare administrators can navigate these elements to benefit patients and healthcare institutions.
- Financial management of healthcare systems. This course prepares students to move into executive positions in healthcare institutions, covering how to create and implement policies related to budgeting, capital financing, investing, auditing, and other financial matters.
What Can You Do With an Online Master’s in Health Services Degree?
Career outlook
Health services degrees can open doors to flexible non-clinical career paths within the medical field. This often allows students to leverage existing experience, such as working as a nurse or a background in medical records or billing.
Organizations that employ individuals with master’s degrees in health services range from hospitals and large clinics to pharmaceutical companies and research labs. Government and public agencies, nursing homes, mental health and rehab facilities, and medical schools may also be interested in such candidates.
Potential jobs you might qualify for with this degree depend on the hiring organization. Some possible health services career paths include:
- Health services manager — Manage the operations of a healthcare practice or department.
- Median annual salary: $110,680
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 28%
- New job openings projected: 54,700 annually
- Health information technologist — Evaluate, install, and maintain health information systems.
- Median annual salary: $62,990
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 16%
- New job openings projected: 3,100 annually
- Health education specialist — Some health education specialists work in clinical settings to help patients understand their conditions and treatments, while others develop materials and campaigns to promote public health.
- Median annual salary: $62,860
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 7%
- New job openings projected: 6,600 annually
Online Master’s in Health Services Degree Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to an online master’s in health services degree program?
Students can typically submit their applications and supplemental materials online. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required. While it may not have to be in a related field, some universities require applicants to have some work experience in the healthcare sector. All transcripts from previous postsecondary education should be submitted, and there is a minimum GPA requirement, generally between 2.7 and 3.3.
Along with the application and transcripts, applicants should be prepared to submit their resumes, one or more letters of recommendation, and a personal statement or essay explaining their professional experience, goals, and reasons for wanting to earn this degree.
How much does an online master’s in health services degree cost?
The average annual tuition for a graduate degree program is $20,513. Private schools tend to be more expensive than public schools, though public schools usually charge out-of-state students a much higher tuition rate than in-state students. Online students can also expect to pay fees for technical support, books, supplies, and university services.
How long does it take to earn an online master’s in health services degree?
Depending on the university, this program requires up to 48 credit hours and can usually be completed in one or two years with full-time study. Part-time options are available at some schools, and part-time students can complete the degree within three to five years.
Is an online master’s in health services degree worth it?
If you are passionate about patient care or enjoy complex administrative puzzles, an online master’s in health services degree can help you step into the next chapter of your career. These programs prepare students to become leaders in the medical and healthcare fields.
Online master’s in health services programs are often customizable, so students can dig deep into the areas of health services and management they’re most interested in. Coursework tends to cover topics such as healthcare data management and analysis, healthcare revenue cycle management, healthcare human resources and staff management, compliance, and ethics. You’ll also likely learn about public health issues, policy and management, and the growing trends in global health systems.