Why This Matters

  • HEALTHCARE JOBS TO INCREASE BY 14% BY 2028

    Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates 1.9 million new jobs in the field within the next decade.

  • 71,600 NEW HEALTH SERVICES MANAGERS NEEDED

    Employment of medical and health services managers is expected to grow by 18% over the next 10 years, much faster than the average for all other occupations.

  • EARN $33,290 MORE PER YEAR WITH A MASTER’S

    Medical and health services managers typically need a master’s degree. They earn an average annual salary of $99,730, compared to $66,440 for bachelor’s-level healthcare workers.

Our Research

We concentrated our research on programs that offer master’s degrees in health services or a related field. The most common types of degrees granted in this field are a Master of Health Science (MHS) or a Master of Science (MS).

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 or 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. Our top picks for the best online master’s in health services are affordable, flexible, and respected in the industry. (For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.)

  • 60 hours to write this article
  • 140 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 300 education programs we compared

The Top 20 Online Master’s in Health Services Programs

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What You Should Know About This Degree

Health services is a broad field that encompasses many leadership, administrative and support roles in the healthcare field. However, most jobs do not involve direct patient contact. If you are interested in advanced roles that involve working with patients, you may want to consider a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or nurse practitioner degree.

Hands-on experience is highly valued in the health sciences. Therefore, many programs have some in-person requirements, even if the bulk of their coursework is delivered online. Experiential learning components can include internships, practicums, or labs. Review the program’s curriculum before applying to confirm that you have the flexibility to accommodate these in-person elements.

Licenses or certifications are not required for most jobs within healthcare administration or management, although there are a number of voluntary credentials professionals can obtain from organizations like the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management (PAHCOM) or the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). These credentials demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the profession, and can make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.

One exception is nursing home administrators. All states require individuals working in nursing homes to have a state-issued license. Find out if your program complies with your state’s licensing requirements.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching Online Master’s in Health Services programs:

  • How are online courses delivered? Distance learning programs are usually delivered via synchronous or asynchronous classes. Students attend synchronous classes remotely at set times throughout the term. Asynchronous classes do not have set meeting times. Instead, students can access their lessons and assignments at any time. Decide which type of delivery method works best for you based on your schedule before selecting a program.
  • Am I eligible for this program? Some master’s in health services programs require students to have an educational or professional background in healthcare or a related field. When researching programs, be sure to review their eligibility requirements, to confirm that meet the minimum qualifications for admission.

This is also a good time to gather your application materials. Make note of application deadlines, so you can submit your materials in a timely manner. This will help your admissions process go as smoothly as possible.

Financing your graduate degree is another important consideration. Research funding options including student loans, scholarships, assistantships, and grants. If you are currently employed, find out if your employer offers any kind of tuition assistance benefits.