A masters in healthcare innovation helps prepare professionals for leadership roles in the healthcare industry. This multidisciplinary graduate program focuses on making improvements to various aspects of the healthcare field using innovation methods.
Innovation healthcare graduates may go on to become influential healthcare leaders that positively transform health services and patient outcomes.
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This is a strategic degree path for health professionals who want to expand upon their careers to become leaders in healthcare initiatives.
Online Masters in Healthcare Innovation Programs
Similar to a Doctor of Health Administration online, a masters degree in healthcare innovation is designed to equip professionals with essential leadership skills and knowledge to help them become innovators in the field.
You can develop a broad skill set in problem-solving, research, design and application, and strategic management. Innovation healthcare graduate students are introduced to both simple and complex innovation concepts from multiple perspectives in the industry. Some of the main topics explored in this type of program can include:
- Healthcare policies
- Innovation methods
- Healthcare economics
- Healthcare technology and communications
- Measurement and management of outcomes
One of the main goals of healthcare innovation programs is to teach you how to improve healthcare systems and patient experiences. This type of program is designed to give professionals a deeper understanding of current healthcare systems so they can go on to make improvements through innovation and execution.
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You may have the opportunity to focus on one or more healthcare areas for innovation. Some areas of focus for healthcare innovation include communications, policy-making, technology, financing, and entrepreneurship. Earning a master degree in healthcare innovation can help prepare you for administrative and leadership roles in the field. Some graduates go on to become:
- Top executives in healthcare
- Medical and health services managers
- Community service managers
- Healthcare compensation and benefits managers
Responsibilities can vary depending on the type of position you hold. Healthcare management positions tend to focus on improving the efficiency and quality of services as well as developing goals to implement successful initiatives.
A masters program in healthcare innovation could be beneficial for those who want to transform healthcare services and improve patient care by addressing issues and applying innovation methods.
Healthcare Innovations Careers and Salaries
There are several career paths related to the study of healthcare innovation. Positions can be found in different industries within the healthcare field, such as administration, finance, or technology. Since one of the main focuses of healthcare innovation masters programs is developing leadership skills, many graduates seek management positions.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the median salaries of some of the positions related to healthcare innovation.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Chief Executives | $179,520 |
| Financial Managers | $131,710 |
| Compensation and Benefits Managers | $127,530 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $101,340 |
| Administrative Services and Facilities Managers | $99,290 |
| General and Operations Managers | $97,970 |
| Project Management Specialists | $94,500 |
| Postsecondary Teachers | $79,640 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $74,000 |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $55,560 |
Responsibilities and work settings can vary depending on the position. For instance, medical and health services managers primarily work in hospitals, offices of physicians, or other healthcare facilities. Professionals with a masters in healthcare innovation might consider working in postsecondary education as a health specialties teacher.
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Some things that most healthcare innovation professionals have in common are their leadership abilities, their strategic thinking skills, and their desire to initiate positive change and transformation in healthcare.
Healthcare Innovation Master’s Curriculum & Courses
The foundation of the healthcare innovation curriculum is built on teaching professionals leadership skills and innovative strategies that can be applied to healthcare.
This type of program involves studying innovative processes through multiple perspectives. Here are some examples of courses you may have the opportunity to take:
- Advanced Principles and Concepts of Innovation: This course focuses on analyzing concepts of innovation and how they can be applied to complex systems.
- Innovation Methods: You can learn about different innovation methods and processes in healthcare, such as generating ideas and demonstrating competencies.
- Financing for Innovation: This course provides you with a deep understanding of healthcare economics and innovative financing strategies and decision-making.
- Healthcare Policy and Innovation: This course covers various aspects of healthcare policies, with a focus on innovative policy strategies and practices.
- IT for Healthcare Innovation: This course explores healthcare information technology trends and applications, and it teaches you about developing IT strategies to solve problems.
- Outcomes Evaluation: This course examines outcomes measurement, including the study of management and evaluation processes used by healthcare leaders.
- Emerging Technologies: You can explore emerging technologies, such as AI and robotics, as they apply to the healthcare industry.
- Overview of Health Care Systems: You can study various parts of the healthcare system—such as consumers, providers, and third parties—and how they connect with each other.
- Competitive Strategy: This course helps you understand various business functions, with a focus on formulating business leadership and operations strategies.
- Leading Self and Others: In this course, you can learn about leadership development and team dynamics as well as how to be an influential authority.
Core coursework in healthcare innovation programs focuses on innovation methods and strategies. Some programs may offer elective coursework, which could allow you to study specific industries within healthcare.
Admissions Requirements
Admissions requirements can vary depending on the college or university you attend. Some basic admissions requirements, though, for masters programs in healthcare innovation include:
- Official undergraduate transcripts
- GRE or GMAT scores (not required by all schools)
- Professional references and recommendations
- Curriculum vitae or resume
Official transcripts are requested to get an understanding of what type of college coursework and degrees you’ve previously completed. A curriculum vitae or resume is a chance to show prospective schools significant education or career accomplishments you may have. Professional recommendations may also be requested so admissions offices can get an idea of how you perform as a student.
Master of Healthcare Innovation Accreditation
Accreditation is a credential that colleges, universities, and educational programs can earn to prove they meet quality education standards. Regional accrediting organizations have a list of criteria that schools must meet in order to become regionally accredited.
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A school’s accreditation status can affect students in a number of ways. For instance, students are typically not eligible for federal financial aid if the school they attend isn’t accredited. Employment and future educational opportunities may also be affected. Both employers and graduate degree programs take accreditation into consideration when looking at candidate applications.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
You can apply for financial aid and scholarship opportunities to potentially help cut down the upfront costs of college. Scholarships are a monetary award given out by organizations or educational institutions.
Some scholarships are merit based and depend on a student’s academic or athletic performance. Other scholarships can be as simple as filling out a short application to be considered. Some scholarships are directed toward students pursuing a specific major. They can also be given out based on where students live or based on their specific interests.
State aid and federal aid are based on your household income. You can submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out if you’re eligible for federal aid. State financial aid eligibility requirements can differ depending on where you live.
What Is a Masters in Healthcare Innovation?
A masters in healthcare innovation is a graduate program that focuses on innovation methods and processes as well as leadership principles.
It’s a multifaceted program that can explore different departments in healthcare, such as communications, technology, community health, and business. This type of program emphasizes developing advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills to investigate issues and determine solutions through innovative processes.
It can teach professionals how to become leaders in the industry and how to drive initiatives to successful completion for the betterment of patient care and public health.
What Can You Do with a Master of Health Care Innovation?
A master degree in healthcare innovation can allow professionals to develop essential skills and knowledge to help revolutionize the industry. This degree path can help prepare you to lead initiatives in healthcare innovation by developing designs, strategies, and ideas to problem-solve and make improvements.
Innovation healthcare graduates tend to pursue careers in healthcare management and operations. Professionals may assume roles in healthcare consultation, community services, nonprofit administration, and more. Some of the key responsibilities of healthcare innovation positions include identifying how to improve performance, policies, and programs and carrying out initiatives using innovative procedures.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Healthcare Innovation Masters Online?
A masters degree typically takes 1 to 2 years to finish. If no thesis is required, a 36 credit hour master degree program can often be completed in 1 year with full-time study, including summer classes.
If you’re enrolled in a program full-time but don’t take courses during the summer, the program may be completed in 1.5 years. If you’re enrolled in a program part-time, it will likely take longer to complete. Program length can also vary depending on the school.
A thesis requirement can also extend your timeline, depending on how long it takes you to conduct research and write it.
Is a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Innovation Worth It?
Yes, a master’s degree in healthcare innovation is worth it for many professionals. This masters program can help prepare you to either enter the healthcare field as an innovator or advance your current healthcare career.
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Many healthcare professionals go on to pursue leadership positions in their specialty area. Some become healthcare executives, health services managers, or community services managers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare occupations overall are expected to have a 13% job growth rate over the next ten years. This field is growing much faster than the average for all occupations.
Universities Offering Online Masters in Healthcare Innovation Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
AdventHealth University offers an online program for a Master of Healthcare Administration in Strategy and Innovation. Pathways are available for those with bachelor’s degrees and those with associate degrees. Potential courses include Healthcare Finance, Information Systems and Healthcare Informatics, and Population Health Management.
AdventHealth University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Antioch University offers a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Leadership. The degree can typically be earned online in about 22 months. Potential courses include The Healthcare Sector as a Complex System, Healthcare Innovation and Quality, and Strategic Management in Healthcare Organizations. The program culminates with an integrated keystone project.
Antioch University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Arizona State University’s online Master of Healthcare Innovation program requires the completion of 11 classes, and each one is 7.5 weeks long. Potential courses include Advanced Principles and Concepts of Innovation, Financing for Innovation, and Healthcare Policy and Innovation. The program was designed with working professionals in mind.
ASU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Champlain College offers an online program for an MBA with a specialization in Healthcare Administration. Potential courses include Survey of Accounting for Managers, Technology as a Disruptive Force, and Health Care System Design and Innovation. This program is intended for those who have at least 2 years of work experience in a healthcare setting.
Champlain College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Grand Canyon University offers a Master of Science in Health Informatics. The program consists of 42 credits of 8 week, online courses. It also requires participation in a practicum during the final 16 weeks. GCU’s classes are taught from a Christian perspective.
Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Johns Hopkins University offers an MBA with a specialization in Healthcare Management, Innovation, and Technology. The program is flexible, with both synchronous and asynchronous online course options, and in-person experiences are available but not required. Potential courses include Frameworks for Analyzing Healthcare Markets, Health Innovation and Evaluation, and Fundamentals of Healthcare Systems.
Johns Hopkins University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Norwich University’s MSN in Healthcare Systems Leadership program requires no standardized test scores to apply and can potentially be completed in just 18 months. Class sizes are capped at 15 students so individualized attention can be received. All courses are available online, and there are four start dates every year.
Norwich University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Ohio State University offers a Master of Healthcare Innovation. The program is 100% online, with courses including both synchronous and asynchronous components. Potential courses include Innovation in High Performing Organizations, Innovation Leadership: Leading from Within, and Utilizing Technology to Measure Outcomes in Health Systems.
Ohio State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Park University offers a Master of Healthcare Administration with a concentration in Innovation and Quality Management. Courses are available in both online and blended formats. Potential courses include Organization of Healthcare Delivery Systems, Management of Health Information Systems, and Healthcare Finance. Students must complete 36 credit hours to graduate.
Park University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Trevecca Nazarene University offers an MS in Health Care Administration with a track in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The degree can be completed fully online, typically in just 18 months. Classes are taken one at a time with a cohort. The program includes field experiences and an optional practicum, and instructors have real-world experience.
Trevecca Nazarene University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Arizona offers an online program for a Master of Science in Healthcare Management with a concentration in Healthcare Innovation. It can potentially be completed in just 1 year, and the program’s graduates have a 98% job placement rate. Potential courses include Introduction to Financial Accounting, Economics for Managers, and Healthcare Entrepreneurship.
The University of Arizona is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Central Florida offers an online program for a Master of Science in Healthcare Systems Engineering. It requires the completion of 30 credits of 7 week courses. New students can start in either the fall or the spring. Potential courses include Engineering Economic Analysis in Health Systems, Engineering Quality in Health Systems, and Industrial Engineering Analytics for Healthcare.
The University of Central Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Michigan offers an online program for an MSN in Leadership, Analytics, and Innovation. There are 2 year and 3 year completion plans offered. New students can start in the fall or winter term. The curriculum emphasizes the use of data to improve healthcare quality. Classes are taught by instructors with real-world healthcare experience.
The University of Michigan is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
The University of Pennsylvania offers a Master of Healthcare Innovation that can be earned online. New cohorts begin every fall. The program typically requires 20 months to complete. An extended track is available that allows students to take 3 years to graduate. The program caters to working professionals, with the average student having 13 years of prior work experience.
The University of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The University of St. Thomas offers an MS in Healthcare Innovation. This 1 year program emphasizes experiential learning, and students receive mentorship from healthcare industry experts. Classes are primarily online to accommodate working professionals, but there are occasional in-person meetings on campus, which will always be on Saturdays.
The University of St. Thomas is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Getting Your Master in Healthcare Innovation Online
Online masters programs in healthcare innovation are beneficial for professionals who want to enter or advance in the healthcare field as innovators, developing and implementing improvement strategies.
Many graduates of on-campus or online degree programs for healthcare administration or innovation seek management or leadership positions to lead teams and initiatives to transform outcomes in healthcare. A masters in healthcare innovation is a multidisciplinary program that allows you to explore different parts of the healthcare system that interest you.
You can begin exploring healthcare innovation masters programs from accredited schools today to find the ones that best suit your specific interests and career goals.
