Health Science, M.S.

David Tataw, Ph.D., MPH, MPA, MMIS, FACHE. Graduate Program Director

Introduction

The Master of Science in Health Science (MSHS) degree program is a fully online, accelerated interdisciplinary, post-professional program designed specifically for health care professionals with a bachelor’s degree to continue their education at the graduate level. The curriculum is broad-based, with a common core and guided electives that students can select based upon their career goals. Electives include coursework in education, management/leadership, and health informatics, allowing students to tailor their program to meet individual needs. This flexibility will be appealing to mature, self-guided students and could potentially lead to a broader variety of employment opportunities than would a more narrowly focused discipline-specific degree.

Program mission: To provide an innovative and interdisciplinary education that promotes comprehensive healthcare that continually improves the quality of care for the community through leadership, teamwork and standards of excellence.

Program Options

All students applying to this program must complete all core requirements. In addition, students select  guided electives, based upon career goals. All classes are offered in the online format to accommodate those who are working a variety of clinical schedules. For more information on distance education, visit nkuonline.nku.edu.

Students are admitted to the program in the fall, spring, and summer semesters and have the option of enrolling as a part-time or full-time student. Courses are offered in 7 week sessions.  Program planning with an advisor is critical to successful completion of the program in the student’s desired time frame. Students who “stop out” for any reason may have to wait a session or more to complete all program requirements depending on course offerings. According to university policy, students have up to six years to complete a master’s degree program.

Student Advising

Upon admission to the program, students will be assigned to an academic advisor. Students are expected to maintain close contact with their advisor throughout the program.

Application Deadline

Admission to the MSHS program is competitive. To be considered for admission, a completed application and all required accompanying materials must be received not later than the semester prior to the student’s start date. Applications will be objectively evaluated and ranked.

Admission

MSHS Program Admission Requirements

A selective admission procedure will be followed to ensure that students have the best possibility for academic success. The program director will review applications to determine whether the applicants possess the prerequisites necessary for the success in the program. Admission criteria include the following:

1. Application for admission and application fee.
2. Bachelor’s degree; final official transcript from each regionally accredited institution must be sent to the Office of Graduate Education.
3. Minimum 2.5 cumulative undergraduate GPA.
4. Student letter of intent and career goals - this is a 1-2 page description, single spaced with 12 point Times New Roman and no more than 1” margins, of how the program will help the student to apply knowledge learned relative to career goals; letter of intent should indicate interest area in guided electives.
5. Professional resume.
6. Undergraduate course in statistical methods with a grade C or higher is required (equivalent to STA 205 or STA 205R at NKU).  This is a prerequisite for STA 614  and should be completed prior to taking STA 614 . 
7. International students must demonstrate English proficiency by earning an acceptable score on the TOEFL or IELTS exam.
8. Interview with graduate program faculty may be necessary; this could be in person or via phone, Zoom or Skype.
9. Applicants with transcripts or undergraduate degrees from international institutions must provide an official copy of a third party course by course evaluation.

♦ Indicates prerequisite.