An online master’s degree in healthcare may prepare students for an advanced professional position in a variety of healthcare professions. In this one to two-year program, students may learn how to manage healthcare budgets, provide administrative leadership in healthcare facilities, and practice medicine with physician supervision. Popular areas of concentration may include nursing, healthcare administration, and healthcare informatics.

Upon graduation, students may either seek employment or pursue a healthcare doctoral degree. Master’s-level graduates may find employment in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient facilities, and government healthcare programs.

Program Overview

• Prerequisite: Bachelor’s Degree
• Program Length: One to two years to complete
• Post-Grad Options: Employment or Doctoral Program
• Projected Employment Growth: 30% (2010-2020)*

Program Concentrations

A master’s-level healthcare degree program may consist of a set of core classes and electives specific to the student’s chosen area of concentration. Students may take courses such as healthcare law, health research methods, and safety measurement and outcome analysis. Possible areas of concentration for a master’s degree in healthcare may include the following:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Administration
• Physical Therapy
• Healthcare Quality and Safety
• Radiologic Science
• Healthcare Informatics
• Physician Assistant

Career Options

Master’s-level graduates may gain employment in hospitals, outpatient facilities, health insurance organizations, government healthcare agencies, and health policy research firms. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, physician assistant employment is projected to increase by 30% from 2010-2020.*

Possible careers include:

• Nurse Practitioner
• Hospital Administrator
• Director of Radiology
• Physician Assistant
• Physical Therapist

Continuing Education

Students who successfully complete an online healthcare master’s degree program may wish to continue their education by enrolling in a doctoral-level program. A healthcare doctoral degree may prepare students for roles in executive leadership or post-secondary education.

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook