Master’s Degrees in Healthcare

With how vast the healthcare field is, there is ample room for workers to find an area they are passionate about — whether that be technology, administration or hands-on patient care. There are various kinds of healthcare master’s degrees offered that can help you focus your education on your area of interest and guide you on your path to get to where you want to be as a healthcare professional.

Benefits of Pursuing Your Master’s in Healthcare

A master’s degree in healthcare can help you gain competence in the next level of education in your field. Your desire to potentially move into high-level or leadership positions may fuel you to pursue your graduate degree. Or, you may be looking to shift your focus to a more specific area of healthcare. Whatever your professional goals are, an advanced healthcare degree can provide you with various benefits, such as: 

  • Advanced knowledge and skills: Graduate programs are designed to deepen your understanding of the healthcare field and provide you with knowledge and skills specific to your area of focus.
  • Possible career advancement: You will be taught knowledge and skills that can help you position yourself to take on potential leadership positions in the healthcare field.
  • Potential for salary increases: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical and health services managers had a median annual wage of $110,680 in May 2023.1 
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At GCU, you have the opportunity to complete your healthcare master’s program online.2 Online courses can provide you with flexibility and convenience and may be ideal for learners located throughout the country. As an online student, you also have access to online learning resources and support to help you as you pursue your graduate-level healthcare degree. 

For adult learners with various commitments, attending a traditional on-campus program may be challenging. This is why GCU offers graduate healthcare programs in the evening; to help you balance your priorities. Evening degree programs consist of one course at a time, one night per week, where you will take part in a cohort of like-minded individuals all looking to earn their master’s healthcare degree. 

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Explore Healthcare Graduate Programs at GCU

GCU offers various programs for you to consider when looking to enroll in advanced healthcare studies. Review our program offerings to find the one that is best suited for you and your future in the healthcare field.

GCU Healthcare Master's Student Smiles at Camera

 

Healthcare Coursework and Curriculum

Depending on which healthcare master’s program you choose to enroll in, you will be completing specific coursework based on various topics related to your degree focus. Some common topics covered in these program curriculums that are critical to developing your skills include:

  • Leadership and management
  • Communication
  • Legal and ethical principles
  • Analytics
  • Healthcare policies
  • Research projects, practicums and capstone projects

 

Graduate Admission Requirements

Aspiring graduate students at GCU must be able to meet our graduate admissions requirements to be eligible for enrollment. To learn more about your eligibility for enrollment into your desired program, review our graduate admissions requirements and fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor.

GCU Master's Healthcare Student Studies Next to Laptop and Book

Healthcare Graduate Program FAQs

If you’re hoping to position yourself to potentially advance your healthcare career by earning a graduate degree, read through some of our frequently asked questions to learn more about these master’s program options.

The master’s degree that best suits you is ultimately determined by your professional goals and what knowledge area you are looking to advance. While some may choose to enroll in a healthcare administration master’s to potentially position yourself to move into management positions in a healthcare organization, others may choose to enroll in a public health master’s degree, working to prevent disease and improve the health of their community.

GCU offers online2 graduate healthcare degrees that can be completed from virtually anywhere and may be feasible for those with other commitments, such as those enrolled in the military. However, some programs may have in-person practicum or field experience requirements. Military members may also be eligible for different scholarship opportunities. For further questions, fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor. 

A healthcare graduate degree can provide you with useful knowledge that can be applicable to advancing your current position in healthcare taking on a role in a new sector of the healthcare industry. These degrees teach you skills and tactics for management and leadership roles, such as a health and medical services manager. In May 2023, medical and health services managers had a median annual wage of $110,680, according to the BLS.1 

An MBA degree stands for Master of Business Administration while an MHA is a Master of Science in Health Administration degree. The focus of an MBA is to provide students with a solid base of knowledge regarding multiple sectors of the business field. MBA degrees typically teach general and widely applicable business knowledge that can be relevant to many industries.

An MHA degree, on the other hand, focuses on teachings related to the healthcare field. The goal of this degree is to prepare students to grow as leaders within healthcare organizations by equipping them with management strategies, organizational innovation practices and effective employee management skills.

GCU offers several online2 graduate degrees in healthcare that may be ideal for those looking to complete their degree with added flexibility. However, some programs may have in-person requirements that need to be attended at specific locations, such as practicum or clinical hours. Be sure to speak with your university counselor to discuss details regarding in-person requirements for your program.

Career Possibilities With a Master’s Degree in Healthcare

An advanced healthcare degree can provide you with the additional knowledge and skills needed to position yourself to potentially pursue upper-level careers in the healthcare field. Students may explore a variety of career paths depending on their chosen degree program. Some of these include:

  • Medical and health services manager
  • Facilities manager 
  • Health education specialist
  • Community health worker 
  • Athletic trainer 
GCU Master Healthcare Students Study Patient

Healthcare Student Resources and Support

GCU offers various resources and support opportunities for our students. Our online students have access to resources through our Learning Management System, such as eBooks and forums. You will also be able to communicate as needed with faculty and other students. The College of Nursing and Health Care Professions also has various resources they can offer you as you pursue your graduate degree.

Some of these resources include:

  • Office of Field Experience (OFE): For degrees requiring a field practicum, the OFE can help support you in setting up your experiences to ensure they meet all standards.
  • Internships: There are various internship opportunities available that can help healthcare students gain hands-on experience, work with other professionals and explore the field.
  • Simulation suites: These hands-on suites are available for those enrolled in direct care programs, providing you with valuable access to a replicated medical setting.

1 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Medical and Health Services Managers as of May 2023, retrieved on May 1, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as medical and health services managers, nor does it reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country, or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates. 

2 While all courses are completed online, you will need to attend clinical, practicum and immersion hours in person locally.

Get ready to expand your knowledge and skills in healthcare. Apply to one of GCU’s master’s degrees in healthcare!