This is a 100% online program designed for new graduates and working adults with backgrounds in healthcare administration and business, health-related education, or clinical practice who aspire to leadership roles in the industry.
The Master of Health Sciences (MHS) degree prepares graduates to fill important and diverse leadership roles across the health system. All students complete core courses in healthcare policy, epidemiology, statistics and research methodology. Students select one concentration from four options for more in-depth study – health education, health management, emergency medical care, and nutrition. The culminating capstone experience provides relevant, real-world application of the knowledge gained throughout the program.
Location: Online
App Deadline: May 1, Nov. 1
Full Time or Part Time
Time to Complete: 33 Hours
Multiple Concentrations Available
Join us at one of our upcoming virtual Graduate School Open House events on Zoom! You'll have the opportunity to learn more about Western Carolina University, understand the Graduate School application process, and meet key program representatives.
More information about application restrictions, admission criteria, scholarships and financial aid can be found in Admissions & Aid
Semester Start | Application Deadline |
---|---|
Fall | Priority Deadline: April 15th Regular Deadline: May 1st |
Spring | Priority Deadline: N/A Regular Deadline: November 1st |
View Curriculum for those starting the program in August 2022 or January 2023
View Curriculum for those starting the program in August 2021 or January 2022
The Emergency Medical Care (EMC) concentration prepares EMS professionals for leadership roles in management or education. These roles require the following skills:
Career options include but are not limited to EMS administration, community college or university education, evidence-based research, or best practices/quality assurance. The EMC concentration accepts applications for the fall semester ONLY.
For more information, contact the Concentration Coordinator Dr. Jackson Deziel or visit the Graduate School Catalog.
Health Education is an essential health service that involves the practice of four core activities:
1) assessment; 2) planning; 3) implementation; and 4) evaluation.
By focusing on prevention, health education aims to reduce the financial and human costs that individuals, employers, health facilities, insurance companies, and the nation would spend on healthcare and medical treatment (College of Public Health, n.d.).
Through the program, students can prepare for the exam to become a Certified Health
Education Specialist (CHES). The CHES designation signifies that an individual has
successfully passed a national competency-based exam demonstrating skill with and
knowledge of the Seven Areas of Responsibility. The certification exam is administered by the National Commission for Health Education
Credentialing (NCHEC).
Learn more about the CHES credential
Health educators and Health Education Specialists are employed in many different settings.
For more information, contact the Program Director Dr. Katie Pincura or visit the Graduate School Catalog
Health care executives and administrators plan, direct, coordinate, and supervise the delivery of health care services throughout the many different organizations that make up the health care industry. With the increasingly complex nature of the health care industry, health care executives and administrators are required to find solutions to much more difficult problems in order to ensure that the delivery of health care services in the U.S. provides high-quality care while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
These professionals hold various leadership roles at various places including:
For more information, contact the MHS Academic Coordinator Dr. Katie Pincura or visit the Graduate School Catalog
The mission of the Dietetic Internship Program is to provide a high quality supervised practicum that prepares entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists and promotes life-long learning, meaningful engagement, and service to the region.
For more information please go to di.wcu.edu or contact the Dietetic Internship Director: Christina Meyer-Jax