Health Sciences, MSHS

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

School of Health Sciences

Center for Innovations in Medical Professions, 338
(216) 687-3567
http://www.csuohio.edu/sciences/dept/healthsciences/graduate/MSHS/

Elizabeth Domholdt, Director, School of Health Science

Jodi DeMarco, MSHS Program Director

Introduction

The Master of Science in Health Sciences (MSHS) is a post-baccalaureate online degree designed to prepare individuals for emerging leadership roles in the rapidly changing healthcare, social, and community services environments and to enhance opportunities for advancement in clinical, educational, administrative, and research positions. As such, the goal of the Master of Science in Health Sciences Program (MSHS) is to meet the educational needs of three groups of students:

Licensed Health Care Providers seeking increased responsibility and leadership positions within their discipline for: academic and clinical teaching, clinical research, career development, clinical supervision and administration, and/or program planning, development and evaluation.
General Track Students with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences or a degree in a related area who are not licensed health care providers but seeking careers in health and human services settings providing auxiliary administrative and management services (e.g. research departments, medical labs, medical records, or continuing education).
Students planning to become physician assistants. In collaboration with Cuyahoga Community College, the CSU MSHS Program offers a separate MSHS/PA track. Application to and acceptance into this Program is coordinated by the PA Program at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C). Application information can be found at http://www.tri-c.edu/programs/physicianassistant/Pages/Default.aspx. A cohort of approximately 30-35 students are admitted each year.

The Program objectives for graduates are to:

Demonstrate self-directed learning skills in order to continue independent and life-long learning;
Demonstrate the ability to assumed diverse roles in today’s rapidly changing healthcare, social, and community service environments;
Identify and analyze cultural influences on practice and emerging healthcare practice issues;
Utilize outcome measures and evidence-based research to evaluate the effectiveness of health, social, or community systems.

ONLINE Program of Study

The entire MSHS Curriculum is offered online to accommodate the needs of working professionals. The Program requires the completion of 36 credits: five core courses, three courses in an area of emphasis, three electives, and a capstone research project or thesis. For more information about this program, visit the Master of Science in Health Sciences website.

Individualized Advising

The Program Director provides advising to assist students in identifying career objectives in order to develop an individualized degree completion plan. Advising is offered via face-to-face meetings or by phone to accommodate the needs of working professionals. Advising appointments can be arranged by emailing the Director, Jodi DeMarco (j.l.reid08@csuohio.edu).

MSHS Faculty

MSHS courses are taught by faculty with a diverse range of health-related training and expertise including: occupational and physical therapy, medical anthropology, medicine, nursing, psychology, epidemiology, gerontology, public health, business, environmental health, anatomy, neuroscience, women’s health, technology in healthcare, legal issues in healthcare, and mental health.

Current faculty information can be located on the Cleveland State University Faculty Profile page.

Admission Information

An applicant must hold a baccalaureate or advanced degree from an accredited institution and be a licensed healthcare professional or have a degree related to health sciences with plans to work in a healthcare setting.

Applicants to the Master of Science in Health Sciences (MSHS) must meet the minimum requirements established by the College of Graduate Studies and the MSHS Program:

A minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 2.75. Applicants must also submit official transcripts for all colleges and universities attended.
Scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or other equivalent standardized test for graduate admissions (DAT, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT and PCAT) taken within the past five years must be provided. The standardized test requirement may be waived for students who have: previous relevant graduate degrees; relevant post graduate certificates/licensure, or professional experience or; who have been accepted into the PA program at Tri-C.
Three letters of recommendation from individuals who are familiar with your work and can assess your academic preparation, abilities and accomplishments. These may be from previous instructors, supervisors or professional colleagues who are familiar with your recent activities.
Non-native English speakers who do not have an earned bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited U.S. institution must demonstrate proof of English-language proficiency as indicated in the International Student Admission section of this catalog.

Application Procedures

Applications may be submitted any time throughout the year. Once a student is admitted into the MSHS Program, he/she may register for courses for the next academic semester.

Two application forms must be submitted for admission to the MSHS Program;

College of Graduate Studies application form which can be filled out and submitted online (http://www.csuohio.edu/graduate-admissions/how-apply). Follow the College of Graduate Studies applicable policies and procedures. Transcripts must be sent directly from colleges and universities previously attended.
Master of Science in Health Sciences (MSHS) application which can also be located online at (http://www.csuohio.edu/sciences/health-sciences/admissions-criteria-and-requirements) and submitted electronically to the MSHS Administrative Assistant, Martha Burt at m.a.burt@csuohio.edu.

Core Courses (15 credits)

Required of all students:

Note(s):

HSC 503 - Research & Analysis must be taken prior to HSC 504 - Seminar in Health Sciences Professions .

Area of Emphasis (9 credits)

Select one course from the following list:

Select two additional HSC courses to meet professional interests:

Electives (9 credits)

Students select three additional courses from HSC and/or from other departments. Students are encouraged to discuss their selection with the MSHS Director or a Program advisor in order to develop a concentration of courses that meets their professional and educational goals. Up to nine credits of graduate courses from an accredited institution may be transferred as electives, with approval from the MSHS Director and the College of Graduate Studies. Students may also complete a related graduate certificate to satisfy the elective requirement.

Graduate Certificate Programs

Graduate Certificate Programs are offered through the MSHS Program and by other departments at Cleveland State University. Detailed information about these programs can be found elsewhere in this Catalog; please refer to the index. In addition, certificate programs may be added at any time. Check the MSHS Web site for updates (http://www.csuohio.edu/sciences/dept/healthsciences/graduate/MSHS/).

Capstone: (3-6 credits)

Every student must complete a significant, original research project by completing one of the following courses:

HSC 691 - Thesis

HSC 692 - Masters Project

The Master’s Project is the more common method of completion of the MSHS degree. It requires a committee of two faculty– a primary advisor and one reader.

HSC 692 - Masters Project

is offered as a 3 credit courses each Spring semester. However, students who need more time to complete their project can register for additional semesters of HSC 692.

The Thesis is usually completed by students who have plans to pursue doctoral studies. It requires a committee of three faculty– an advisor and two readers. It customarily takes two to three semesters beyond all course work to complete the Thesis. It is strongly preferred that students participate in some aspect of their advisor’s research to complete the Thesis.

Note:

HSC 503 - Research & Analysis

must be taken prior to

HSC 504 - Seminar in Health Sciences Professions

which directly prepares students for the Capstone Experience. For that reason, it is recommended that HSC 504 be taken later in the curriculum, just prior to beginnning the Thesis or Master’s Project.