Online Master of Science in Health Services Administration

The Master of Science in Health Services Administration allows you to nurture your varied interests by choosing from multiple certificate programs. With this broad range of courses, devote time to diversifying your expertise and skill sets and preparing for advanced employment opportunities in a growing job market.

A Flexible, Career-Focused MSHSA Degree for Future Health Care Leaders

The program offers online formats, depending on the certificate pathway, to accommodate your busy schedule. This flexibility helps you build a graduate education that suits your needs and equips you to become a specialized well-rounded leader in the health care industry.

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Why UM-Flint Health Services Administration Master’s Program?

Earn Multiple Certificates That Match Your Goals

This leading-edge degree allows you to follow your curiosity and choose the certificates you deem most relevant to your career objectives. As a student in the online MS in Health Services Administration program, you shape your education and build your résumé by selecting the in-demand skills you want to acquire.

Achieve Proven Career Outcomes

The online master of health services administration provides you with sought-after management skills in planning, directing, and coordinating health services in different health care organizations and entities. Building upon these foundational abilities, you can specialize your studies by studying long-term care administration, public health, health care administration, healthcare supply chain management or health data analysis. With the growth of these competencies, you distinguish yourself from other candidates as a well-rounded professional who can effectively manage various health care settings.

Access Flexible Online and Hybrid Learning Options

The part-time format allows degree completion in as few as 22 months. Full-time study is also available if you would like to complete the degree in a shorter time frame. This program can be completed 100% online, based on the certificates selected:

CertificateFormat
Health Care AdministrationOnline only
Health Care Supply Chain ManagementOnline or hybrid (online & in-person)
Health Data AnalyticsHybrid (online & in-person)
Long-Term Care AdministrationOnline only
Public HealthOnline or hybrid (online & in-person)

Online Master’s in Health Services Administration Curriculum

Due to the customizable nature of the MS in Health Services Administration, you meet with the faculty advisors after admission to choose a combination of certificates that help you achieve your academic and professional goals. Earning at least two certificates and a minimum of 30 credits is required to complete the master of science.

Students may apply to the MS in Health Services Administration degree program before completing any graduate certificate(s). Students who have completed or are currently working on UM-Flint graduate certificates may apply and request that those credits be applied toward the MS in Health Services Administration degree.

Additionally, one elective or capstone course is required to unify the concepts learned in the separate certificates. 

Certificate Options

Health Care Administration

The Certificate in Health Care Administration is a nine-credit program that transforms your understanding of health care administration and provides a comprehensive overview of the industry and critical topics, such as health care organizational behavior, economics, financial management, health policy, and more.

Health Care Supply Chain Management

The 18-credit Health Care Supply Chain Management Certificate explores the intricacies of the supply chain industry and its many challenges, giving you critical preparation for your future career. The College of Health Sciences, School of Management, and Nursing faculty teach our rigorous classes and help direct your focus to the real-world application of classroom principles.

Health Data Analytics

The Health Data Analytics certificate program offers you the opportunity to advance your computer science and health care domain expertise. This 13-credit certificate challenges you and strengthens your skills in data analytics, data reporting, and performance improvement, preparing you to make critical data-informed decisions for your organization.

Long-Term Care Administration

The nine-credit Certificate in Long-Term Care Administration provides you with critical information about aging adults and equips you to care for this expanding population. This program grows your understanding of the nature and growth of the older adult population and addresses the impact of that growth on health and health care. Additionally, this certificate prepares you for the Michigan Nursing Home Licensure Exam.

Public Health

The Public Health Certificate gives you the skills to develop broad-based, inventive strategies for solving public health challenges with an evidence-based approach. You enroll in classes in Epidemiology, Social Determinants of Health, and Public Health Administration and Policy, preparing you to serve as a leader promoting and protecting population health. The program is 10 credit hours.

MacKenzie R. smiles while holding something in their hands, standing against a plain background.

Health Services Administration Career Outlook

As the aging population grows, the demand for health care services and professionals continues to increase. Depending on your course of study, earning a graduate degree equips you with the essential skills to pursue health services careers in hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, home health care, and other facilities. Career options include:

  • Health care administrator 
  • Clinical care manager
  • Health information manager
  • Insurance underwriter

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the employment of medical and health services managers to increase by 28% over the next decade, almost four times faster than the average employment growth rate of all jobs. Additionally, these occupations present opportunities for increased earning potential, offering a median salary of $101,340 per year, which is more than twice the national median annual salary of $45,760 for all occupations.

Along with the employment growth, the health care industry and its standards, expectations, and regulations are evolving, making innovative leadership even more vital. As a health care administrator, you must be skilled in organizational strategic planning, committed to patient care improvement, and familiar with health information technology and informatics systems to inform your use of electronic health records. These competencies position you for a successful health care career.

Admission Requirements

UM-Flint’s online Master of Science in Health Services Administration degree seeks applicants who meet the following requirements:

  • No GRE is required
  • Bachelor’s degree in a health-related or business-related field from a regionally accredited institution.
  • In lieu of the above, a bachelor’s degree in other fields with at least two years of health sector work experience.
  • Minimum overall undergraduate 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

State Authorization for Online Students

In recent years, the federal government has emphasized the need for universities and colleges to comply with the distance education laws of each state. Out-of-state students intending to enroll in this program should visit the State Authorization page to verify UM-Flint’s status with their state.

Degree Admission Options

Students may apply to this program in one of two ways: 

Option 1: Apply for admission as a new graduate student if you have not completed a graduate certificate(s) . 

Option 2: If you have certificates in progress, you don’t have to complete the entire application process again and can instead complete the dual degree or change of program application. You may apply approved graduate certificate credits already completed to this degree.

Apply to the Online MS in Health Services Administration Program

To apply to our master’s in health services administration program, please submit the following materials:

Email additional application materials to FlintGradOffice@umich.edu or deliver them to the Office of Graduate Programs.

This program is fully online; admitted students will not be eligible to receive a student (F-1) visa to pursue this degree. Non-U.S. citizens residing outside of the United States may not complete this program online from their home country. If you currently hold a non-immigrant visa and are residing in the United States, please contact the Center for Global Engagement at globalflint@umich.edu for guidance regarding your eligibility.

Submit all application materials to the Office of Graduate Programs on or before the day of the application deadline. The Health Services Administration master’s degree program has rolling admission and reviews completed applications each month. 

To be considered for admission, all application materials must be submitted on or before:

Estimated Tuition and Cost

We are dedicated to your academic and personal success. That’s why we ensure you receive competitive tuition rates and helpful financial aid resources to support you as you finance your graduate education.   

Learn more about tuition and financial aid to start planning for your graduate degree.