Teach & lead in healthcare
Prepare to take the lead in healthcare, the fastest growing industry in the country. Professionals, already in the healthcare field, can expand their career opportunities by advancing their teaching skills and leadership abilities. Graduates lead in a variety of settings from hospitals and clinics to public health agencies and universities.
As the industry grows, so do the options! Advance your career through this program that is 100% online. Its unique blend of education and administration will help you make an even bigger impact on those around you.
Master of Health Science at Washburn
The Master of Health Science (M.H.S.) degree at Washburn University is a fully online graduate program composed of 8-week courses designed for busy healthcare professionals who want to expand their impact or advance their career.
The program features a core curriculum that builds interdisciplinary knowledge in healthcare ethics and law, care for diverse and special patient populations, research literacy and contemporary patient safety perspectives. In addition to the core, students complete an emphasis in healthcare education.
Together, the core curriculum and healthcare education emphasis prepare graduates for leadership roles that involve coordinating people, programs and learning within health care and academic settings.
Jobs & opportunities for M.H.S. graduates
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow by 23% from 2024-2034, much faster than average! BLS also projects a 7% growth in employment of postsecondary teachers who work in public or private colleges, universities and community colleges. Workers are needed in all sectors of healthcare but there is a critical need for professionals to take the lead.
*Data reflect a range of roles and responsibility levels; outcomes vary based on health science specialty, educational background, experience, and geographic location.
Median Salary
$117,960*
(Medical/Health Services Mgr., 2024)Median Salary
$83,980*
(Postsecondary Teacher, 2024)Student/Faculty ratio
15:1
Part-Time Schedule
This is the most popular schedule among adult learners. Students may take six credit hours in the fall and spring semesters in addition to three credit hours in the summer, completing the degree in two years. Alternatively, a more extended schedule is possible. Degree requirements are outlined in the degree plan.
Accelerated Full-Time Schedule
With approval from the Dean, students may enroll in 12 credit hours in the fall and spring semesters in addition to six credit hours in the summer. Completion of this accelerated full-time option is one year. Although this is the fastest pathway, most working professionals opt for the part-time schedule due to its flexibility. Degree requirements are outlined in the degree plan.
Meet Blake, an M.H.S. program graduate
Blake Edwards has come full circle at Washburn. He started as a student, progressed through the Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Health Science program, and now teaches Ultrasound at the university.
“The faculty at Washburn are so much more than teachers,” he said. “They want you to succeed, and at the end of the day, it becomes a big family.”
Edwards came to Washburn from Hartford, Kansas, a small town near Emporia. He chose to become an Ichabod because it was close to home and because of the small class sizes (60 percent of our courses have 20 or fewer students).
He became fascinated with medical imaging as a child because he accompanied his father, who had a brain tumor, to appointments for CT and MRI scans.
“That definitely led to be going into the field,” he said. “One of the things that lured me to Washburn was the X-ray program. They X-ray program has a great reputation, and Washburn seemed like the best fit for me.”
Edwards has several degrees and certificates at Washburn: a Master of Health Science and Bachelor of Health Science, and certificates in Cardiac Ultrasound, Vascular Ultrasound and Radiologic Technology.
He is the manager of Ultrasound at Stormont Vail Health.
What are the admission requirements for the M.H.S. program?
To pursue this graduate degree, the following is required:
- bachelor's degree and cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in last 60 credit-hours*
- two years of professional healthcare experience (undergraduate clinical education experience counts)
- GRE or GMAT not required
- open to residents of all U.S. states**
*conditional acceptance to candidates with bachelor's degree and cumulative GPA of 2.75-2.99 in last 60 credit-hours
**applicants residing in California can find information on the complaints process concerning out of state online schools through Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA)
More information about the M.H.S. program
Stated deadlines are preferred timelines; however, applications received after the preferred deadline will be considered.
- Summer Start: Apply by April 1
- Fall Start: Apply by June 1
- Spring Start*: Apply by October 1
- Complete the Washburn graduate program application.
- There is no fee to apply.
- When prompted select "Health Science" as your academic area of interest
- Select the "Master of Health Science" as the program
- Indicate your preferred start term
- Applicants will upload the following:
- Official or unofficial transcripts demonstrating completion of a bachelor's degree. Official transcripts are required only after being admitted, except when the bachelor's degree was earned at Washburn University. Official transcripts may be sent electronically to etranscripts@washburn.edu or via U.S. mail to: Admissions, 1700 SW College Ave., Topeka KS 66621
- Resume demonstrating professional health care experience (undergraduate clinical education experience counts)
- One-page educational goals statement describing academic background, professional goals, and reasons for pursuing the MHS degree
All courses for this program are 8 weeks.
The MHS degree does not qualify for Visa status. International students may apply for admission to this program by completing the admissions process through the Office of International Programs. Please submit the following:
- online graduate application form
- signed and completed Financial Disclaimer Form
- original financial supporting documents, such as a bank statement
- original transcripts of courses/grades from your undergraduate degree*
- Original iBT TOEFL or IELTS test score report. Go to English Proficiency Requirements for details.
- $70 international application/processing fee
*If your undergraduate degree was completed outside of the U.S., you must request a course-by-course evaluation of the transcripts by either ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.) or WES (World Education Services), and an original evaluation report must be sent to Washburn University by the evaluation service.
Ready to take the next step?
Start your application today. Applying is free.
Certificate option
If you are looking for a shorter program, or have already earned a master’s or doctoral degree, the Allied Health department at Washburn University offers two graduate certificates that might be the right option for you. These 12-credit hour programs can be completed in as little as 1 year and are offered completely online to offer the convenience and flexibility that fits your busy lifestyle.
Program cost
No application fee is associated with this program. Tuition for in-state and out-of-state students is offered at the traditional online graduate rate of $643 per credit hour. The program requires 30 credit hours to complete. This program is eligible for financial aid.
No. The M.H.S. is not a business-focused administration degree, such as a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) or Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.). Instead, the M.H.S. is an interdisciplinary graduate degree that prepares professionals to assume leadership, coordination, and administrative responsibilities, most typically, within their health science specialty.
Most students complete the program in two years using the part-time schedule. An accelerated full-time option (completion in one year) is available with approval from the Dean.
Yes, nearly all M.H.S. students are full-time health care professionals and frequently receive tuition assistance from their employer. It is wise to communicate with your employer about tuition assistance options and policies.
No. The M.H.S. does not require a traditional thesis. The Capstone Portfolio course provides students with the opportunity to curate, refine, and reflect on key artifacts developed throughout their program of study to illustrate professional growth and create meaningful connections between the program and their professional goals.
No. GRE and GMAT scores are not required for admission.
GET IN TOUCH WITH Allied Health
Allied Health
School of Applied Studies, Room 201
1700 SW College Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621
Phone & Email
Ph: 785.670.2170
allied-health@washburn.edu
