SearchClose Search
Toggle Menu

Health Science, Master's

See Program Details, Dates & Deadlines

Innovating Solutions to Today’s Greatest Health Challenges.

The goal of this 30-credit, Master of Science program is to provide individuals with the education and training needed to engage with and respond to civic, social, environmental and economic challenges at the local, national and global levels. International students: please be advised that this program is not eligible for F-1 or J-1 student visa sponsorship.

Details, Dates & Deadlines

Program Details

Class Format

Online, Full Time, Part Time, Asynchronous

Asynchronous learning means that learning takes place at all different times for students enrolled in a course.

Program Length

24 months

Credits to Complete

30

Cost/Credit Hour

In State: $783
Out of State: $997

  • Online application
  • $75 application fee
  • Official transcripts
  • 300-500 statement of intent 
  • Proof of English language proficiency
  • CV or resume
  • 3 letters of recommendation

Dates & Deadlines

Spring Deadline: December 1

Summer Deadline: May 1

Fall Deadline: July 1

Program Overview

The Health Science master’s program invites you to deepen your understanding of health science while gaining practical skills that truly matter in today’s evolving healthcare landscape. Every course is designed to help you connect advanced concepts to real professional challenges, empowering you to step confidently into roles where strong analytical, ethical, and scientific insight is essential. Along the way, you will learn how to search, interpret, and evaluate medical and public health research, and you’ll sharpen your ability to assess healthcare delivery systems and policy in both local and global settings. You will contribute to conversations on patient safety, care quality, and risk management, and you’ll practice applying your knowledge to strengthen disease prevention, support public health, and engage in surveillance and intervention efforts. You will also explore the principles and practices of medical and public health ethics, preparing you to make thoughtful and informed decisions in complex situations. Graduates leave prepared to not only excel in their careers but to engage actively with the civic, social, environmental, and economic issues shaping communities across the country and around the world. 

Program Structure

The MS in Health Science is a 30-credit graduate program offered in an asynchronous, 100% online environment. This means that we offer maximum flexibility to meet the needs of working professionals. There are no online meetings or set times when you'll need to log in; just submit your coursework before the posted deadline and check back in for feedback from your instructors and classmates. 

As a student in this program, you will acquire expertise in health science. Your classmates will most likely be practicing professionals with a health, scientific, or academic background who are employed or seeking employment in positions requiring this specialization. 

Is an Online Course Right for You?

  • All concentration courses will be offered at least once each year to enable you to complete the program within 24 months.
  • Although most students complete the program within two years, you will be allowed up to five years to complete the program.
  • Participants can start the program at the start of any term. 

Our goal is to provide you with advanced knowledge and practical training so that what you learn is both relevant and applicable to your professional context. We have designed the program so that you will develop the expertise in health science that you need to succeed in positions requiring this knowledge. 

Upon completion, you will be able to do the following: 

  • Search, interpret and evaluate the medical and public health literature, including qualitative and quantitative studies. 
  • Examine and critically appraise healthcare delivery systems and health policy at the local and global level. 
  • Discuss and inform health care system care delivery, patient safety, quality and risk management. 
  • Apply knowledge to improve prevention of disease, maintenance of public health and participate in disease surveillance, reporting and intervention. 
  • Articulate and explain principles and practices of medical and public health ethics. 

MSHS students will leave the program prepared to engage with and respond to civic, social, environmental, and economic challenges at the local, national and global levels. 

Health care is poised to experience the greatest employment growth of any sector in the U.S. over the next few years. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics is predicting the field will experience 19% growth across the nation by 2024. The knowledge and training you'll receive in the Health Sciences Program will prepare you to capitalize on this growth in a number of rapidly expanding fields, including: 

  • Public Health 
  • Health Research 
  • Healthcare Planning 
  • Healthcare Administration 
  • Academic Research Institutions 
  • Public Policy 

Required Courses

  • MHS 600: Introduction to Library Resources and Scholarly Writing (1 credit) 
  • MHS 602: Legal and Ethical Issues for Health, Human Services, and Clinical Professionals (2 credits) 
  • MHS 652: Communications and Leadership (3 credits) 
  • MHS 615: Biostatistics for the Health Professional (3 credits) 
  • MHS 608: Research Seminar (3 credits) 
  • MHS 609: Research Seminar II (3 credits) 
  • MHS 700: Capstone Project (3 credits)  

See Course Descriptions

Concentrations

Admission Requirements

Upload your transcripts as a supplemental item to the online application. 

You must submit transcripts from each college/university attended, including coursework in progress at time of application.  Unofficial copies may be provided for the application review process.  
If you are offered admission, you must then provide official transcripts from each college/university from which a degree was earned.  The transcript must be provided to the Graduate School directly from the prior, degree-granting institution in a sealed envelope in order for that document to be considered official.  Alternatively, it may be provided to the Graduate School electronically by way of a secure, encrypted platform.  Each transcript should bear the signature of the registrar and the seal of the granting institution. 

Transcripts (US only) may be obtained from/provided by one of the following secure, encrypted transcript services:
https://www.parchment.com/ 
https://www.studentclearinghouse.org/solutions/ed-transcripts/
Send encrypted, electronic transcripts from your issuing institution to: gradapply@umaryland.edu 

If provided by mail, send official transcripts in sealed envelopes to:
ATTN: Admissions
University of Maryland School of Graduate Studies
620 West Lexington Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201-1508

Essay
Your essay must be uploaded as a supplemental item to the online application.  The statement should be between 300- to 500-words and should address your academic and/or professional career goals and objectives in pursuing graduate study.   

CV or Resume
A Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume is required by most graduate programs.  Your CV or resume must be uploaded as part of the online application.

Letters of Recommendation
Applicants should provide three letters of recommendation from professors or others who can attest to the quality of your academic performance and scholastic potential.

English Language Proficiency (International Applicants Only)
The Graduate School accepts the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or the Duolingo English Test as a measure of English proficiency.  Minimum required scores are 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL, 7.0 on the IELTS, and 115 on the DET. Scores must be sent directly from ETS (for TOEFL, use institution code #5848), the IELTS agency, or Duolingo to the Graduate School.

Application for in-state status classification
Maryland residents only.  If you wish to be considered for in-state residency status for admission and tuition purposes, you must complete an Application for In-State Classification and submit it to the campus classification officer within the Office of the Registrar.

If you have problems with or questions about the application process, please contact us at 410.706.7131 or gradapply@umaryland.edu 

Contact Us

Admissions

Arielle Faulkner
Admissions Counselor
afaulkner@umaryland.edu 
410-706-7132 

Academics

Niya Werts, PhD
Program Director
nwerts@umaryland.edu

                                                                        

Meet Your Faculty

Our distinguished faculty, composed of accomplished scholars and experienced health care professionals, will guide your educational journey. Drawing from their expertise, they'll steer you through our comprehensive programs, preparing you for success in educational research and leadership roles in health care and medical organizations.

View Faculty Bios
As an internationally trained dentist with an interest in clinical practice, research and academia; the MSHS program has greatly improved my scientific writing and grantsmanship skills. While attending this program, I published one article, drafted a manuscript, and contributed to a successful grant award. Even as I consider re-training, I believe this program has prepared me well to participate in oral health research here in the US and internationally.
Dunstan Kalanzi 2023 Program Graduate

You May Also Be Interested In

Next Steps

Your path to success starts here

620 W. Lexington St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 706-3100

University of Maryland School of Graduate Studies. All Rights Reserved.