At a Glance
A Master of Health Science (MHS) is a graduate degree covering a broad range of healthcare topics — from health policy and administration to community health and environmental health. Most programs require 30 to 36 credit hours and take approximately two years full-time, though timelines vary by program and format. It can be a strong fit for professionals who want to move into leadership, research, or advanced practice roles and whose career goals span multiple areas of health science.
In a field as interconnected as health care, graduate programs that develop expertise across multiple disciplines have real value. An epidemiologist, a hospital administrator, a community health program director, and a health policy analyst all operate within the same system — they just approach it from different angles. The Master of Health Science (MHS) degree is designed for students whose goals don’t fit neatly into a single specialty, offering a graduate education that can be shaped around a specific concentration while still building broad health science literacy.
This guide covers what the MHS degree is, how it differs from similar graduate degrees, what programs typically look like, what careers it can lead to, and what to look for when evaluating programs.
What Is a Master of Health Science Degree?
The Master of Health Science (MHS) is a graduate professional degree that provides advanced training across multiple areas of health care and public health. Where degrees like the Master of Public Health (MPH) or Master of Health Administration (MHA) have tightly defined disciplinary homes, the MHS is broader by design. Programs are structured to serve students from diverse academic backgrounds — nursing, biology, psychology, education, public health, and more — and to prepare them for roles that cut across clinical, administrative, and research settings.
Most MHS programs require 30 to 36 credit hours, though some programs set their requirements higher or lower. Full-time students typically complete the degree in approximately two years, while part-time students may take three to four years. Program length varies significantly by institution, so confirming credit requirements and format expectations with each program is worth doing early in your search.
The degree is sometimes offered as a Master of Science in Health Sciences (MSHS) — the distinction between the two titles is largely a matter of institutional naming convention, though there are some general differences in emphasis worth understanding.
MHS vs. MSHS: What’s the Difference?
Both the Master of Health Science (MHS) and the Master of Science in Health Sciences (MSHS) are offered at graduate programs across the country, and many students encounter both titles when researching programs. Program structures vary considerably by institution, but there are some general tendencies worth knowing.
| Feature |
MHS |
MSHS |
| Common emphasis |
Professional practice and leadership |
Research methods and quantitative analysis |
| Typical outcome |
Career advancement, administrative roles |
Doctoral program preparation, research roles |
| Thesis requirement |
Often optional; capstone common |
Often required or strongly encouraged |
| Concentration flexibility |
Typically high — multiple health fields |
Varies; research emphasis often consistent |
These are general patterns, not universal rules. Many programs use the titles interchangeably, and a well-structured MHS program may have just as strong a research component as an MSHS. The curriculum, faculty, and concentration options at each specific program matter more than which title appears on the diploma. If you’re planning to pursue doctoral education, look for thesis options and research-active faculty regardless of what the degree is called.
MHS vs. MPH vs. MHA: Choosing the Right Degree
Three graduate degrees dominate the health sciences space at the master’s level: the MHS, the Master of Public Health (MPH), and the Master of Health Administration (MHA). They can lead to overlapping career outcomes but differ in focus, accreditation, and the professional communities they connect you to.
| Degree |
Core Focus |
Best For |
| MHS / MSHS |
Broad health sciences, flexible concentrations |
Career changers, allied health professionals, and those with interests spanning multiple health fields |
| MPH |
Population health, disease prevention, policy, and biostatistics |
Public health practitioners, epidemiologists, health educators, policy roles in government or NGOs |
| MHA |
Healthcare operations, finance, and strategic planning |
Hospital administrators, healthcare executives, operations, and management roles in clinical settings — see our guide to health administration careers |
One meaningful practical difference involves accreditation. The MPH is the degree type accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), and that accreditation matters in specific public health employment contexts. According to CEPH, some U.S. Public Health Service roles, certain U.S. military public health positions, and some state and local government agencies require that MPH-level jobs be filled by graduates of CEPH-accredited programs. The MHS does not fall under the CEPH accreditation framework — CEPH accredits schools of public health and public health programs, with the MPH as the core degree type. If a role you’re targeting specifically requires a CEPH-accredited degree, that’s an important consideration.
For roles in hospital administration and health care management, the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) is the relevant program-level accreditor. CAHME-accredited programs exist in healthcare management tracks within MHA programs and some MHS programs with administration concentrations. Neither CEPH nor CAHME accreditation is a requirement for all health science careers, but knowing which accreditor is relevant to your target role helps you evaluate programs more effectively.
If your interests span multiple areas of health science, or you’re a clinical professional looking to expand into administration or research, the MHS tends to offer more flexibility to design a program around your specific goals.
MHS Concentrations and Areas of Study
The MHS’s flexibility shows up most clearly in its concentration options. Programs vary by institution, but most offer several tracks that let students build specialized expertise within a broader health sciences framework. Common concentrations include the following.
Health Policy and Administration
This track combines public administration, health economics, and organizational management. Students study health care policy at the local, state, and federal levels, as well as how policy moves from legislation to implementation. Graduates often move into health officer, policy analyst, or administrative director roles in hospitals, government agencies, or health nonprofits.
Community Health
Focused on the social, cultural, and behavioral factors that shape population health, this concentration prepares graduates to design and lead community health programs. Coursework typically covers epidemiology, social and behavioral sciences, community organization, and health promotion theory. Graduates work in local health departments, community health centers, and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), among other settings.
Environmental Health
This track examines the relationship between environmental conditions and human health outcomes — from air and water quality to occupational hazards. Students gain skills in environmental hazard assessment, biostatistics, and regulatory compliance. Graduates work in roles such as environmental health specialist and public health inspector, with employers ranging from local health departments to federal agencies to private consulting firms. Some programs also prepare students for pathways toward industrial hygiene credentials, though specific preparation varies by program. For a broader look at this field, see our overview of environmental health science education and careers.
Health Services Leadership
A management-oriented track that prepares graduates for director and administrator roles across health settings. Coursework covers health care finance, organizational behavior, strategic planning, and quality improvement. This concentration has significant overlap with MHA curricula and is a common pathway for registered nurses and allied health professionals moving into leadership.
Risk Management and Compliance
This track develops expertise in patient safety, regulatory compliance, and health care quality assurance. Graduates often work as risk managers, compliance officers, or quality improvement specialists in hospital systems and health insurance organizations. Frameworks like HIPAA, value-based care models, and federal reporting requirements are typically central to the curriculum, though the depth of coverage varies by program.
Accreditation: What to Look For
Accreditation for MHS programs works differently than it does for MPH programs. The MPH is accredited by CEPH, a single recognized accrediting body that most public health employers know by name. The MHS doesn’t have a universal equivalent, which makes evaluating accreditation a more active part of your program research.
Start with regional institutional accreditation. Any accredited university offering an MHS program will hold regional accreditation from one of the seven recognized regional accreditors. Two of the larger ones are the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which accredits institutions primarily in the central United States, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which covers the southeastern U.S. Regional institutional accreditation is the baseline — a degree from a non-regionally-accredited institution will not be recognized by most employers or doctoral programs.
From there, look at program-level accreditation relevant to your concentration. If you’re pursuing a health administration track, CAHME is the field’s recognized program accreditor for graduate healthcare management education. Not all administration-track MHS programs carry CAHME accreditation, but it’s worth checking if it matters for your target employers. The most important factors are confirmed regional accreditation, faculty with active professional experience in the relevant field, and evidence that graduates are landing roles in your target area.
Admissions Requirements
MHS programs vary in their admissions requirements, but most share a common baseline. Here’s what you can generally expect across programs.
A bachelor’s degree is required for virtually every program. Most don’t require an undergraduate health science background — degrees in psychology, biology, business, nursing, education, and social sciences are all common entry points. Some programs, particularly those with a leadership or administration focus, prefer applicants with professional experience in a health-related field, though this is not universal.
GPA requirements typically sit around a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, though competitive programs may expect higher. The GRE is increasingly optional or waived entirely — check each program individually, as policies vary. Most applications require a personal statement outlining your professional background and career goals, two to three letters of recommendation from academic or professional references, and official transcripts. Programs with a clinical or research component may require an interview, a writing sample, or documentation of relevant fieldwork. Online and part-time MHS programs often have more flexible admissions processes designed to accommodate working professionals, but requirements differ by institution.
Common prerequisite coursework may include introductory biology, statistics, or health care fundamentals, particularly for students coming from non-health-related undergraduate fields. Contact individual programs to confirm their specific prerequisites before applying.
Careers With a Master of Health Science
The MHS opens doors across several career tracks in health care and public health. Career outcomes depend on your concentration, prior experience, and the specific program’s employer relationships — but the degree is recognized across hospital systems, government agencies, community health organizations, and health policy settings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects solid growth across several fields that MHS graduates commonly enter. For a broader look at where public health credentials lead, see our guide to public health careers.
Medical and Health Services Manager
Medical and health services managers plan, direct, and coordinate the business operations of health care providers — from department heads in hospital systems to administrators at outpatient clinics and long-term care facilities. This is a common career trajectory for MHS graduates with an administration or health services leadership concentration, particularly those with prior clinical or health care work experience.
Projected growth (2024–2034)
23%
Median annual salary (May 2024)
$117,960
Health Education Specialist
Health education specialists design and implement programs that promote health and wellness in communities, schools, workplaces, and health care settings. Community health workers connect patients with services and resources, often serving as liaisons between underserved populations and the health care system. Both roles are common for MHS graduates with a community health concentration. Note that many community health worker positions do not require a master’s degree — the MHS is more directly aligned with supervisor, program director, and specialist roles.
Projected growth (2024–2034)
4%
Median annual salary (May 2024)
$63,000
Environmental Scientist and Specialist
Environmental scientists and specialists identify and address hazards in workplaces, communities, and public environments. They conduct research, collect samples, and develop compliance programs. Specialists with an MHS and an environmental health concentration may find roles with local or state health departments, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or private consulting firms, though specific hiring preferences vary by employer and position level.
Projected growth (2024–2034)
4%
Median annual salary (May 2024)
$80,060
Many MHS programs are now available in fully online or hybrid formats, and that flexibility is one reason the degree appeals to working health professionals. A registered nurse moving into administration, a health educator seeking a director-level credential, or a recent bachelor’s graduate planning to apply to doctoral programs can often find a format that works around existing work and family commitments.
Online MHS programs generally deliver the same curriculum as their on-campus counterparts, with asynchronous coursework, virtual faculty access, and remote internship or practicum options. Some programs require brief on-campus residencies — ranging from a weekend to a week — for cohort building or hands-on components. Whether a residency is required and what it involves varies by program, so confirm residency expectations before enrolling. Hybrid programs mix synchronous online sessions with periodic in-person requirements.
For students who want the full campus experience — access to research facilities, in-person networking, and direct connections to local health systems — a residential program has distinct advantages. Most full-time on-campus programs can be completed in approximately four semesters. For students already working in health care, the online or part-time path often makes more practical sense, with completion timelines typically extending to three to four years.
Tuition varies significantly by institution, program format, and residency status. Many online programs offer flat per-credit tuition rates that eliminate the in-state versus out-of-state distinction. Graduate assistantships, employer tuition assistance programs, and federal financial aid are all worth investigating. Average tuition for graduate health science programs ranges widely — from roughly $15,000 to $50,000 or more in total program cost — so comparing net cost after aid is more meaningful than comparing sticker prices. Most programs will walk you through financial aid options during the admissions process.
Most MHS programs include a practicum, internship, or applied field experience component, though the structure varies. Some require a set number of hours with an approved employer in your concentration area. Others use a capstone or thesis project as the applied component. If a supervised field experience is a priority — for networking, credential requirements, or hands-on learning — confirm how each program structures this before committing.
A Health Science Faculty Perspective
Brian Raming, who has served as an assistant professor in the Master of Health Sciences program at Western Carolina University, has seen firsthand how the degree serves students at different stages of their careers. His path through paramedicine, community college administration, an MBA in health care management, and a PhD in industrial and organizational psychology reflects the kind of interdisciplinary background the MHS is built to accommodate.
What advice do you have for students considering a master’s degree in the health sciences?
The most significant piece of advice I can offer would be for a student to find a program with characteristics that best contribute to their success and enjoyment. Some programs are traditional seated programs, while others are partially or fully online. Some programs have faculty that are professionals and teach part-time, and some have full-time professors with managerial work experience. There are programs with big class sizes that promote collaboration and networking, and some with smaller class sizes and more personal attention. It’s important that each student researches aspects such as program delivery, courses offered, and faculty experience to find the best fit.
What types of careers do graduates from WCU’s MHS program pursue?
Many of our students are already working professionals in a wide variety of health care areas. Most are looking to move up into management within their current organization. The program also has some students who are looking to change organizations or geographic locations and see a horizontal move into management as a logical step. Positions that our students pursue run the gamut from shift supervisor to unit manager to top organizational administrator.
How to Choose an MHS Program
With programs available nationwide in on-campus, online, and hybrid formats, choosing the right MHS comes down to a few factors that matter more than name recognition or rankings alone.
Concentration Alignment
Not all MHS programs offer the same concentrations. If your goal is environmental health, confirm the program has that track and that the faculty have active field experience. If you want health services leadership, look for programs with documented ties to local hospital systems and an alumni network in administrative roles. Mismatched concentrations are the most common source of dissatisfaction in MHS programs.
Faculty Background
The depth of any graduate health science program depends heavily on its faculty. A roster that includes former health department directors, practicing hospital administrators, and active researchers teaches differently than one composed exclusively of career academics. Ask programs about the professional backgrounds of faculty in your target concentration area before applying.
Employer and Community Partnerships
Programs with documented relationships to health systems, public health agencies, and community organizations tend to offer more structured practicum placements and clearer pipelines to employment. Asking admissions offices where recent graduates are working — and which organizations serve as practicum partners — gives you a concrete picture of what post-graduation looks like.
Thesis vs. Capstone
Some MHS programs require a thesis, some offer a capstone project option, and some allow both. If you plan to pursue doctoral education, a thesis demonstrates research competency that doctoral admissions committees look for. If your focus is professional advancement, a capstone project may be a more practical culminating experience. Know which path aligns with your goals before applying.
Academic/Career Counseling:
yes
Placement services for completers:
yes
Diverse master's degrees are conferred in health sciences and allied health. Professionals with prior health services experience may choose the Master of Public Health program. Up to 11 tracks are offered, including biostatistics, public health preparedness and terrorist response, health administration and environmental health. The curriculum totals approximately 44 credit hours. Focal areas of classes include principles of epidemiology, health law and regulations, healthcare policies, quality management and health economics. A seminar, on-campus research projects and a practicum are necessary to finish some degree tracks. Academic and career advising are available for University of Oklahoma students.
Academic/Career Counseling:
yes
Placement services for completers:
yes
Utah State University's degrees in health science and allied health range from health and human movement to health promotion. The university's numerous degree programs prepare graduates who plan to work as physical therapists, community health educators, fitness instructors or public health managers. A graduate degree in fitness promotion offers specializations in health education, sports medicine and exercise science. Coursework covers sport in society, human anatomy, physiology, biophysical aspects of physical activity and fitness as therapy. Research, creative projects and internships expand learning. Part-time students can finish coursework and other requirements within about three years, as opposed to two years for full-time students.
Academic/Career Counseling:
yes
Placement services for completers:
yes
The health sciences master's degree program can give students skills and knowledge to promote community health and educate the public to reduce the spread of disease. Graduates may manage health service organizations, conduct research in the field or advocate for healthcare improvements inside or outside of political circles. The school operates on a semester basis. The 36 credit hours required include courses like research design, health behavior theories and models, allied health sciences and statistics. Master's degree candidates have the option of completing a thesis or an internship, which requires a background check. The University of Texas at Tyler offers academic and career counseling.
Academic/Career Counseling:
yes
Placement services for completers:
yes
The University of Utah's Master of Science in Public Health is designed for those interested in research, education or advanced studies for a doctorate degree. Graduate health science degrees can be earned in fields such as public health or occupational and environmental health. The Master of Public Health has less of an emphasis on research and it targets individuals who want to work in administrative or managerial roles. It can take two to three years to finish the 45-credit program. Biostatistics, foundations of public health, clinical research methods and healthcare administration are core classes that students take while pursuing either public health specialization.
Academic/Career Counseling:
yes
Placement services for completers:
yes
Master's degrees offered through the Health, Human Performance and Sports Management Department range from exercise science to health education and promotion. Students take nine credit hours of core courses in subjects including biostatistics, human anatomy, nutritional therapy and managing healthcare plans. An additional 27 credit hours are earned in the student's elected concentration. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock emphasizes learning opportunities through community service and behavioral research. The admission requirements for the health science graduate program include a statement of intent, three reference letters, GRE scores and a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Academic/Career Counseling:
yes
Placement services for completers:
yes
California State University-Fresno offers a Master of Public Health degree, with many graduates going on to careers in government service. Among these career fields are public and environmental health professionals, allied health specialists and occupational health specialists. Accredited by the Council of Education for Public Health, the program's curriculum includes classes like program planning, applied research and community service in underserved areas. The Fresno campus program is taught on a part-time basis. Because of this, students should expect to take three years to graduate. Applications are accepted once a year.
Academic/Career Counseling:
yes
Placement services for completers:
yes
The Master of Public Health at California State University-Long Beach aims to teach students how to use statistical techniques to find solutions to community health problems. Other skills gained include how to manage and administer public health programs, understand public policies and working with people from diverse cultures. Courses in the graduate program include advanced community health statistics, research in health disparities, environmental health and risk reduction and health promotion. A seminar and a thesis are also built into the curriculum. Total credit hours are between 42 and 43, 18 of which are electives. Students complete an internship prior to graduation.
Academic/Career Counseling:
yes
Placement services for completers:
yes
Healthcare administration is the focus of the University of Central Florida's master's degree program in health sciences. An executive track is available for professionals who have at least three years of experience working in health services as managers or clinicians. A minimum of 44 credit hours are required for the executive program, with a culminating capstone course in strategic management. The traditional master's degree program comprises 51 credits with a final project and internship. Core classes include statistics and research, quality and risk management, healthcare law and ethics and epidemiology. The university emphasizes independent yet interactive learning through inquiry and dialogue.
Academic/Career Counseling:
yes
Placement services for completers:
yes
Florida Gulf Coast University's Master of Health Science has two concentrations: health professions education and health services administration. The focus of the curriculum centers on topics like comparative policy studies, applied analytics, occupational health, environmental health and organizational management. Upon graduation, students should know how to review legal and ethical issues to improve healthcare policies and practices. They should also know how to study and comprehend healthcare statistics. A minimum of 36-credit hours and at least a 3.0 GPA are needed to graduate. One capstone project and an internship are also required.
Academic/Career Counseling:
yes
Placement services for completers:
yes
The University of North Florida's health sciences degrees are administered through the school's Brooks College of Health. Master's level degrees range from healthcare management to public health. Concentrations are also available in areas such as exercise physiology and epidemiology. Some of the courses that make up the curriculum are biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health and advanced financial management. Applications for some programs are only approved for the fall semester. It takes about two years to complete the 39 to 54 credit hours for the various graduate programs on a full-time basis and requirements typically include a thesis or an internship.
Academic/Career Counseling:
yes
Placement services for completers:
yes
At New Jersey City University, the master's degree in health science prepares adults to service members of underrepresented communities from a public health perspective. Students can choose to specialize in areas such as health administration and school health education. The curriculum explores occupational and environmental safety and health, research methods, epidemiology and community nutrition. Other subjects of study could include fiscal management, trends in mental health treatment or managed healthcare plans. It usually takes 36 credit hours to complete graduation requirements. Applicants for this selective program need a minimum 2.75 out of a 4.0 GPA, and there are instances when the school requires an interview with applicants.
Academic/Career Counseling:
yes
Placement services for completers:
yes
Varied graduate programs in allied health and health science include a master's degree in health and human performance. Those enrolled in the program can focus on topics such as rehabilitation, physical conditioning and health promotion. Research projects and laboratory work are performed by instructors and students at the school's Human Performance Center. Classes include epidemiology, research strategies, nutrition, exercise therapy, cardiopulmonary pathophysiology and disease prevention. The Jesuit community at Canisius College encourages students to engage in reflection and self-assessment as they build their professional skills. Graduation requirements include core courses and internships or a thesis, and classes follow an 8-week schedule.
Academic/Career Counseling:
yes
Placement services for completers:
yes
The university confers a Master of Science in Allied Health that allows students to focus on areas such as leadership or education. Studies at Otterbein University are meant to improve skills for scientific and clinical practice, research methods and curriculum design. Depending on the choice of academic emphasis, prerequisites include financial accounting, anatomy, physiology and statistics. The curriculum covers 36 credit hours with courses available in program planning, ethics, health and wellness, allied healthcare administration and athletic training. Time of completion varies depending on students' availability and whether they enter the program with an associate degree or a bachelor's degree.
Academic/Career Counseling:
yes
Placement services for completers:
yes
Drexel University's Master of Health Administration is a 45-credit graduate program. The program is designed to prepare students to enter senior management roles. Students benefit from having an existing management or administrative background before they start the program. Emphasis areas include financial accountability, transformational leadership, managing teams, human resources management and problem solving. Course pace options allow students to complete the program in two or three years. During the 5-day residency, a management scenario is reenacted. In addition to a bachelor's degree from an accredited school, applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Academic/Career Counseling:
yes
Placement services for completers:
yes
The numerous health science graduate programs available through Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine cover a range of disciplines. Studies at the master's level offer specializations such as the healthcare quality and patient safety degree, which is geared toward clinicians and non-clinicians alike. Ten core courses on topics like healthcare administration and quality improvement are built into this program. Experiential learning is the focus of a mentored capstone course that requires the design, implementation and assessment of a project focused on quality or safety improvement. The university emphasizes interactive lessons, with an intensive class schedule that includes a two-week introductory session and a week-long summer session.
Academic/Career Counseling:
yes
Placement services for completers:
no
The Medical University of South Carolina's Department of Public Health Sciences offers a Master of Science in Biostatistics and a Master of Science in Epidemiology. The school's biostatistics program emphasizes methodology research, and students work with the Data Coordination Unit to design clinical trials and analyze data. Illnesses and diseases that graduates should be prepared to study and help develop treatment programs for include Alzheimer's, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson's and mental health illnesses.
Both the biostatistics and the epidemiology program require students to complete a thesis. Records needed to apply include Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, transcripts, three reference letters and a purpose statement.
Academic/Career Counseling:
yes
Placement services for completers:
no
The Master of Arts in Integrative Health Studies at Antioch University-Midwest is an interdisciplinary program. Adults who are interested in working as life coaches, consultants, entrepreneurs or caregivers are best suited for the program. Skills people with these interests learn focus on the mind, body and spirit connection. In addition to research and academic writing, there are a series of core courses to complete. Among these core courses are health communication, systematic ways of knowing, body mind healing and social responsibility. Thirty-six credit hours or 12 courses are the minimum graduation requirements. Before completing a thesis, the option must be approved by an academic advisor.
Academic/Career Counseling:
yes
Placement services for completers:
no
This Master of Science in Public Health degree focuses on the scientific knowledge needed by health service professionals. Meharry Medical College's program gives students skills to analyze health statistics, interpret government policies and engage members from diverse communities to educate the public. However, the main aim of the program is to prepare graduates to serve children and adults from underrepresented areas. Biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, research and health administration are focus areas of the curriculum. The MS program consists of 45 credit hours divided between core courses and electives. Prior to graduating, students complete a 400-hour externship.
Academic/Career Counseling:
yes
Placement services for completers:
no
At Loma Linda University, students may choose from 11 different specialization options when pursuing their master's in public health degrees. Biostatistics, environmental and occupational health, global health, maternal and child health and population medicine are among concentration options. While many of the concentrations contain a research project, some also require submission of a thesis prior to graduation. Students can expect to complete to program in two to three years and may enter into fields like healthcare education, consultation, research and public policy management. Three letters of recommendation, a statement of intent and undergraduate transcripts must be submitted during the application process.
Academic/Career Counseling:
no
Placement services for completers:
no
With the restructuring of the former University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, health science programs are now available through the Rutgers School of Health Related Professions. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, offers an array of on-campus graduate programs in allied health. Web-based courses make up part of the health science master's degree program, which has areas of concentration such as education or integrative health and wellness. The core curriculum includes classes on disease management, healthcare informatics, statistics, dietetics and public policy. It takes approximately 30-33 credit hours for students who hold bachelor's degree to earn these credentials, and those attending part-time have a maximum of five years to complete requirements.
Academic/Career Counseling:
yes
Placement services for completers:
no
The Master of Science in Occupational Health at Touro University Nevada offers training for professionals working with children and adult clients who are dealing with an array of challenges, including autism, spinal cord injuries, chronic illnesses and addictions. Potential career paths include therapists, consultants and healthcare educators. Studies could cover clinical reasoning, foundations of occupational therapy, social justice, assistive devices and movement analysis. Labs and field work constitute other curriculum components. Minimum admission requirements include an associate or bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, a 3.0 GPA and completed prerequisites in areas such as psychology, humanities, anatomy and human development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an MHS degree worth it?
For students whose career goals span multiple areas of health science — administration, community health, policy, environmental health, or research — the MHS can be a good fit. It provides advanced training without locking you into the narrower focus of an MPH or MHA. Career outcomes depend heavily on concentration and prior experience, but fields that MHS graduates commonly enter show strong projected growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers earned a median annual salary of $117,960 in May 2024, with 23% projected growth through 2034.
What’s the difference between an MHS and an MPH?
The MPH (Master of Public Health) is the degree type accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). According to CEPH, some government public health roles — including certain U.S. Public Health Service positions and some state and local government jobs — specifically require a degree from a CEPH-accredited program. The MHS is broader and more flexible in concentration options. If a specific employer or role requires CEPH accreditation, the MPH is the right path. For roles in administration, community health, or fields that don’t have a CEPH requirement, both degrees can lead to similar outcomes.
Can you get an MHS degree online?
Yes. Many MHS programs are available in fully online or hybrid formats, accredited by the same regional bodies as their residential counterparts. The main considerations are whether the program requires any on-campus residency components and how field placement or practicum experiences are structured for remote students. Residency requirements and practicum logistics vary by program, so confirm these details before enrolling.
Does an MHS prepare you for a doctoral program?
It can, particularly if the program has a research emphasis and you complete a thesis. Many DrPH and PhD in public health programs accept MHS graduates. If doctoral education is your goal, prioritize programs with thesis options, research-active faculty, and a track record of placing graduates in doctoral programs.
How long does it take to complete an MHS degree?
Most MHS programs require 30 to 36 credit hours, which full-time students typically complete in approximately two years. Part-time students usually finish in three to four years. Some accelerated programs compress the timeline, though not all programs offer accelerated options — confirm timelines directly with programs you’re considering. Online programs often allow flexible pacing, which can extend the timeline further for students balancing work and family.
Key Takeaways
- The Master of Health Science (MHS) is a graduate degree covering health policy, administration, community health, environmental health, and research. Most programs require 30 to 36 credit hours, and full-time students typically complete the degree in approximately two years.
- The MHS differs from the MPH primarily in accreditation: the MPH is accredited by CEPH, and some government public health roles specifically require a CEPH-accredited degree. The MHS does not fall under the CEPH framework.
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers, a common career outcome for MHS graduates with administration concentrations, earned a median annual salary of $117,960 in May 2024, with 23% projected growth from 2024 to 2034.
- When evaluating programs, confirm regional institutional accreditation, look for CAHME accreditation if you’re targeting healthcare management roles, and ask about faculty professional backgrounds and employer partnerships in your concentration area.
- Many MHS programs are available online or in hybrid formats with regional accreditation equivalent to residential programs, making the degree accessible to working health professionals. Residency requirements and practicum structures vary by program.
Ready to explore master’s in health science programs? Browse accredited MHS options and find a program that fits your concentration, format, and career goals.
Find MHS Programs Near You
Laura Bennett, MPH is a public health professional with over 12 years of experience in community health education and program coordination. She specializes in helping aspiring professionals explore flexible education pathways, including online and hybrid public health degree programs. Laura is passionate about making public health careers more accessible through practical, accredited training
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for Medical and Health Services Managers, Health Education Specialists, and Environmental Scientists and Specialists represent state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
