Health Science M.S.
Degree: Master of Science
https://www.towson.edu/chp/departments/health-sciences/grad/health-science/
Program Director: Mary Helen McSweeney-Feld Ph.D.
Phone: 410-704-3909
Email: mmcsweeneyfeld@towson.edu
The Master of Science in Health Science is designed to meet needs within the state of Maryland for graduate-trained professionals to work in health care, community, government, for-profit and nonprofit settings. The program is intended both for people with academic or work experience in the health sciences or related fields as well as those seeking to expand their expertise to include the field of health science. It is particularly well suited to people who have been in the work force and now wish to receive additional education to enhance their performance as well as their competitiveness on the job.
Students may tailor the program to fit their academic needs and professional goal by selecting a concentration in Community Health or Health Administration. Students may also elect to take a dual concentration.
The Community Health concentration helps students understand the factors that influence health-related behaviors and apply theory to promote healthy practices. Graduates with a concentration in Community Health may pursue careers such as health education specialist, public health analyst, or community health worker across a variety of settings. Students holding current credentials in pharmacy, nursing, dentistry, dietetics and other professions may wish to combine their skills from prior training and redirect their careers toward community health.
The Administration concentration, which focuses on the business and organizational aspects of healthcare, helps students build the skills needed to play a leadership role in public, private and community health settings. Graduates with a concentration in Administration may pursue careers such as public health coordinator, health communications specialist, or project manager.
Health Science MS students in the Community Health or Administration concentration take 18 units of required courses and 18 units of electives, permitting them to design a program that suits their individual professional goals. Students with an interest in both concentrations can elect to pursue a dual program with nine required courses—all of those needed for the Administration and Community Health concentrations—plus three electives. In addition, with permission of the program director, students may transfer up to 9 graduate units earned in other academic settings to their M.S. plan of study. Students may also elect to pursue a graduate project or thesis if either activity is consistent with their professional goals.
The MS in Health Science degree is offered in a hybrid and online course format, and accepts working professionals as well as international as well as veteran students. The M.S. in Health Science is designed to accommodate busy, working professionals. Most students attend part-time, and many courses are offered online and/or on weekday evenings. (Students who wish to attend full-time may be able to construct programs responsive to their needs. However, the department cannot promise that full-time course work will be possible within any given term or academic year.)
Please note that only one degree in Health Science can be awarded; students who complete more than one concentration in Health Science will earn only one degree.
Admission Requirements
Application deadlines and a full listing of materials required for admission can be found on the website.
Degree Requirements
The master’s program in Health Science requires successful completion of 36 units. In Community Health, 18 units are stipulated by the department. For those enrolled in the Administration concentration, 18 units constitute mandatory enrollment. Mandatory enrollment for students who elect two concentrations will derive from the two concentrations comprising their degree program. Only students in good academic standing within the master’s program in Health Science are eligible to request a change in concentration.
Community Health Concentration
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Health Science Required Core | ||
| HLTH 615 | QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE PRINCIPLES | 3 |
| HLTH 625 | RESEARCH METHODS IN HEALTH | 3 |
| HLTH 631 | PROGRAM PLANNING IN HEALTH EDUCATION | 3 |
| HLTH 639 | INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH BEHAVIOR AND HEALTH PROMOTION | 3 |
| HLTH 649 | PROGRAM EVALUATION | 3 |
| HLTH 785 | GRADUATE SEMINAR IN HEALTH 1 | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 18 units from the following: 2 | 18 | |
| TEACHING ABOUT DRUGS AND SEX | ||
| DRUGS IN OUR CULTURE | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH | ||
| CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN SCHOOL HEALTH | ||
| HEALTH ADMINISTRATION | ||
| PROGRAM PLANNING IN HEALTH EDUCATION | ||
| HEALTH LEADERSHIP | ||
| HEALTH CARE POLICY | ||
| PROGRAM EVALUATION | ||
| PLANNING AND MARKETING HEALTH IN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY | ||
| HEALTH SCIENCE THESIS | ||
Other HLTH/HCMN/GERO elective, or those approved by the program director | ||
| Total Units | 36 | |
- 1
HLTH 785 requires a grade of B or higher in HLTH 625.
- 2
Number of units and specific selections dependent on student’s concentration; all electives should be approved by the student’s adviser.
Administration Concentration
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Health Science Required Core | ||
| HLTH 615 | QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE PRINCIPLES | 3 |
| HLTH 617 | HEALTH ADMINISTRATION | 3 |
| HLTH 625 | RESEARCH METHODS IN HEALTH | 3 |
| HLTH 633 | HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS | 3 |
| HLTH/IDHP 647 | HEALTH CARE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| HLTH 785 | GRADUATE SEMINAR IN HEALTH 1 | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 18 units from the following: 2 | 18 | |
| TEACHING ABOUT DRUGS AND SEX | ||
| DRUGS IN OUR CULTURE | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH | ||
| CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN SCHOOL HEALTH | ||
| HEALTH ADMINISTRATION | ||
| PROGRAM PLANNING IN HEALTH EDUCATION | ||
| HEALTH LEADERSHIP | ||
| HEALTH CARE POLICY | ||
| PROGRAM EVALUATION | ||
| PLANNING AND MARKETING HEALTH IN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY | ||
| HEALTH SCIENCE THESIS | ||
Other HLTH/HCMN/GERO elective, or those approved by the program director | ||
| Total Units | 36 | |
- 1
HLTH 785 requires a grade of B or higher in HLTH 625.
- 2
Number of units and specific selections dependent on student’s concentration; all electives should be approved by the student’s adviser.
- Students will demonstrate assimilation of facts, theories, and principles basic to health science including those supporting the practice of health administration and/or community health.
- Students will critically evaluate health science research to identify evidence-based interventions, policies, and practices that contribute to optimal outcomes for clients or patients, healthcare workers, and health organizations.
- Students will effectively communicate health science information both orally and in writing, sensitive to whether their audience consists of professionals or laypeople, using technology as appropriate.