Master of Science in Health Systems

Program Description

It’s all about choices…choosing the best master’s degree program to help you achieve your career goals.

Health care professionals see changes in their environment almost daily. Additionally, today’s health care environment requires that health care professionals assume higher levels of responsibility with a broader scope and more demands. Some of these responsibilities include managing in a variety of health care settings such as health care systems, departments or units. Being able to manage well requires the acquisition of a variety of skills including the ability to forecast changes in the health care environment; coordinate and integrate organizational components of health care systems; manage human, physical and financial resources; and utilize health care research and clinical outcomes measures to facilitate achievement of organizational goals.

The Master of Science in Health Systems (MHS) program is an online, 33-credit program specifically designed for health care professionals who are interested in building management skills. The program offers specialized coursework in specific health systems management areas. The MHS program prepares health care professionals to meet the demands of changing health services systems. In general, the program consists of 12 credits of interdisciplinary core coursework, 3 credits of research, 15 credits of specialized coursework, and 3 credits of graduate project. Students develop their program plan in consultation with their advisor.

The Master of Science in Health Systems is designed with three distinct options:

• Option 1 is offered in partnership with the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS), American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), and CLMA: The Resource for Laboratorians. However, this program is open to all baccalaureate-prepared health professionals. Students are allowed to tailor their management program according to career needs and interests.

• Option 2 provides allied health professionals a choice of tracks/specializations:
• A graduate Certificate in Aging which can be used as track/specialization
• A graduate Clinical Systems Management Certificate which can be used as track/specialization 
• UMDNJ Biopharma Initiative Certificates in Clinical Recruitment Science, Clinical Trials Informatics, or Regulatory Affairs which can be used as a track/specialization

• Option 3 is offered exclusively for students currently enrolled in or graduates of the Certified Medical Representatives (CMR®) Certificate for Healthcare Representatives and Managers (Business in Health Care) or the CMR Pharmaceutical Management Certificate. Both Certificates are offered through the Certified Medical Representatives Institute (CRMI®).  Applicants also must possess a bachelor’s degree.

Regardless of a student’s chosen program, the program benefits are numerous. While learning valuable new management skills, a student will have the opportunity to interact on a one-on-one basis with faculty and colleagues from all over the world. In addition to this global networking opportunity, students have the opportunity to:

• participate in flexible programming and diverse opportunities to earn a master’s degree;
• apply coursework and course projects directly to the work environment;
• enhance information technology skills;
• pay in-state tuition no matter where a student lives. In addition, tuition reimbursements from a student’s employer may apply; and,
• earn academic credits or a degree from the largest, fully accredited health sciences center of its kind in the nation.

Unique to the program are other multiple options available for meeting the specialization/elective course requirements. The flexible approaches include:

• Portfolio assessment
• Independent study
• Pre-approved registration at other regionally accredited colleges or universities (including accredited on-line courses)
• Credit by examination (for selected courses)