Online Master’s Degree in Healthcare Management

Master of Science in Healthcare Management

The employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 24% from 2025 to 2035.* Colorado Technical University’s Master of Science in Healthcare Management degree program is designed to help students prepare to effectively manage and lead within healthcare organizations. This online Master’s in Healthcare Management degree program is structured to help students develop a deeper understanding of how to effectively manage a healthcare organization and influence change at a variety of levels.

This Healthcare degree program offers the choice between a general track or a concentration in informatics.

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical and Health Services Managers, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm, visited 9/25/26. This data represents national figures and is not based on school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.

Program Credits

5 Weeks

Course Length

Online

Location

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Healthcare Management Program Overview

The Master of Science in Healthcare Management (MSHCM) is a 48 credit-hour-program that is offered online. The program includes 28 credit hours in the healthcare management core with 20 credit hours dedicated to a concentration or electives of the student’s choosing.

The degree program helps students prepare to manage and lead in a variety of health care organizations using principles of financial and human resource management, strategic planning, governance, and ethics. The program is designed to emphasize continued professional development and understanding of the current political, legal, and regulatory environment influencing the U.S. health care industry. Students work toward developing strategies to deliver quality healthcare using knowledge related to health care finance, marketing and economic indicators and identify evidence-based practices to assess and improve quality of care. Students are encouraged to utilize their knowledge of health care management and leadership principles to positively influence the delivery of quality health care.

This program does not lead to additional licensure or certification. As such, CTU has made no determination regarding prerequisites for licensure or certification in any state or jurisdiction.

Health Studies Mission Statement

Health Studies at CTU is dedicated to providing quality programs that integrate the relevant principles and competencies to empower students from diverse backgrounds to pursue leadership roles and career pathways in an evolving healthcare field.

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Healthcare Management Courses

Courses- Concentration		Credits
HCM670 This course is designed to provide an overview of human resource management in healthcare. This course will introduce principles, concepts, functions and applications of human resource management. Topics include: healthcare professions, workforce planning, performance evaluation, compensation and benefits, job analysis and design and labor relations. While most of this course focuses on human resources in the healthcare setting, implications of human resources in other important industries and settings may be discussed.	Management of Human Resources in Healthcare	4
HCM672 This course will concentrate on healthcare quality including the multiple influencers on the provision of quality of care and the demands for quality healthcare. Students will identify evidence-based practices that may be applied to change management plans designed to improve quality of care. The assessment of healthcare quality will be discussed.	Quality Improvement in Healthcare	4
HCM673 This course will focus on marketing health services based on consumer behavior and market needs. The use of market research for access and pricing will be discussed. Students will be challenged with using innovation to identify strategies to provide health services based on market research focused on behaviors, needs and pricing. Integrated marketing communication concepts will be discussed.	Healthcare Marketing Strategies	4
HCM675 This course will provide an overview of health economics in the United States. Topics of discussion will include production of healthcare services, supply and demand of healthcare services, the role of government in a market-based system, and how various industries (e.g., private health insurance, physician services, hospital services, pharmaceutical and long-term care) affect the economics of healthcare.	Healthcare Economics	4
HCM679 This is the final course in the MS-HCM program. Students will complete individual assignments that build toward a final assignment that will encompass the program competencies and reflect a synthesis and application of their prior coursework. This course will require the student to demonstrate an understanding of healthcare management as it relates to population health, health policy, organizational development, management, operations, human resources, information systems, legal principles, governance, leadership, communication, statistical, economic, market, and financial analysis, ethics, strategy development, quality improvement and professional development.	Healthcare Management Capstone	4
	Total Credit Hours:	20

Courses- Core		Credits
HCM612 This course focuses on health care leadership and management practices. Students will examine the current structure, operation, and regulation of the U.S. health care system, and discuss the factors influencing the future direction of healthcare in the United States. Students will apply essential management concepts and professional competencies and behaviors to the unique social, physical and emotional environments of healthcare organizations.	Managing the Healthcare Organization	4
HCM632 This course studies healthcare systems and the delivery of healthcare. In addition, factors such as access, population health and health policies will be examined to assess their influence on healthcare systems.	Systems in Healthcare	4
HCM671 This course will discuss descriptive and inferential statistical concepts with an application for healthcare management. Students will learn to distinguish the various statistical tools that may be used for data collection, needs analysis, market assessment, outcome evaluation, forecasting, and quality improvement. The importance of Interpretation and accurate communication of statistical results will be discussed.	Healthcare Statistics	4
HCM674 This course provides an overview of health policy-making in the United States and introduces the policymaking process and the effects of health policy across the country. Topics will include: health policy formulation, contemporary policy issues, an overview of various national health policies (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, Affordable Care Act) how interest groups influence policy, and how health policy implementation can attempt to reduce disparities in healthcare and improve quality.	Health Policy in the United States	4
HCM676 This course concentrates on the financial operations of a healthcare organization including the development of capital budgets, operating budgets and cash flow budgets. Financial statements will be analyzed for variances. Students will be required to apply concepts such as time value of money, risk and return, investment decision analysis and lease valuation assisting in the understanding of financial operations of a healthcare organization.	Healthcare Finance	4
HCM677 Information Systems for Healthcare will provide the student with the evolution of the use of information systems in healthcare. Students will evaluate the information system needs and how to acquire those needs for the organization. An understanding of terminology relevant to health services information system management will be gained in this course. Privacy and security issues relevant to health services information will be analyzed.	Information Systems for Healthcare	4
HCM678 This course will provide an overview of the judicial system in the United States and contemporary ethical issues in healthcare. Topics of discussion will included tort law, criminal law in healthcare, negligence in healthcare, contracting issues in healthcare, cases that have shaped healthcare in the United States, and various legal-ethical and moral issues in healthcare	Healthcare Law and Ethics	4
	Total Credit Hours:	28

Total Credit Hours: 48

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Learning Outcomes

Master of Science in Healthcare Management Program Learning Outcomes

Apply health care management and leadership principles with ethical decision-making to influence delivery of quality care
Demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills necessary for management and leadership positions in health care
Apply analytic, critical, and problem-solving skills to real-world situations for effective health care operations
Integrate professionalism and ethical decision-making with management and leadership skills in health care operations
Develop strategies to deliver quality healthcare using knowledge related to healthcare finance, marketing and economic indicators

Faculty

Dr. Rose Nieves

University Dean

Dr. Rose Nieves is the Dean of the College of Nursing for Colorado Technical University. In this role, she leverages her vast experience as a nursing leader, educator and healthcare provider to help assess, mold, develop and direct the College of Nursing.

Dr. Laura Sliwinski, Ph.D.

Executive Program Director

Dr. Laura Sliwinski joined CTU in 2020 as the Executive Program Director for Health Studies in the College of Nursing and Health Studies. Dr. Sliwinski has over twenty years combined experience in healthcare and higher education administration.

For more faculty profiles please visit our Leadership and Faculty page.
For more information visit the College of Health Studies.

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FAQs

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What is an online Master of Science in Healthcare Management?

CTU’s Master of Science in Healthcare Management is a 48-credit-hour graduate degree program designed to help students sharpen their strategy-development skills and apply management and leadership principles to the delivery of quality healthcare. Coursework covers topics such as human resources, strategic planning, and policymaking. This degree program consists of 28 core credits in healthcare management plus 20 elective credits. Students can pursue a general track or with a concentration in Informatics.

Who is this program designed for?

This program is built for people seeking deeper knowledge of the field and those looking to pursue leadership roles. It may be right for those already working in or adjacent to the healthcare industry and who want to move into senior management, such as clinicians stepping into leadership, department managers seeking broader responsibility, and administrators aiming for expanded roles. It is designed for working adults looking to balance graduate study with a career and personal commitments. Military-affiliated students (active duty, Reserve and National Guard members, and eligible spouses) may benefit from CTU’s reduced military tuition rates.

How many credits is this degree program, and is it fully online?

The master’s in healthcare management degree program requires 48 credit hours and is offered online through CTU’s online campus, with coursework delivered through the Virtual Classroom and the CTU Mobile app. Eligible transfer credits are evaluated individually and may reduce the number of credits needed to complete a degree program at CTU.*

*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.

What skills does this program cover?

This online master’s in healthcare management degree program focuses on strategy development, healthcare leadership, human resources management, strategic planning, and health policymaking. Students study how healthcare organizations set direction, allocate resources, manage workforces, and respond to regulatory and policy changes. The emphasis throughout is on translating management principles into decisions that positively affect the quality and delivery of care.

What topics are covered in the healthcare management core?

The core covers healthcare management and leadership principles, human resources, strategic planning, and policymaking, with a consistent focus on delivering quality care. The remaining credits are allocated to electives in the general track or to the Informatics concentration for those choosing to specialize in health data and information systems.

How are courses delivered at CTU?

Courses are delivered online through CTU’s Virtual Classroom and the CTU Mobile app, with start dates approximately every five weeks rather than a traditional semester intake. The format is built for busy adults who need to schedule graduate study around a career and personal commitments.

Are online healthcare management classes at CTU beneficial and flexible?

CTU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The program is designed to build graduate-level healthcare leadership capability while giving students the flexibility to continue their career paths. We offer multiple start dates, an online delivery model, and credit transfer eligibility*, all so that students can set their own schedule.

*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.

What are the admission requirements, and is there an application fee?

Applicants to CTU’s master’s programs must hold an accredited bachelor’s degree, with official transcripts verifying completion submitted to CTU. No GMAT or GRE is required. All master’s degree program applicants must participate in a meeting with an Admissions Advisor and submit a completed application. There are no application fees.

When can I start, and how long does the program take to complete?

Courses at CTU start approximately every five weeks, so students don’t need to wait for a traditional semester intake. This master’s degree program at CTU requires 48 credits and can typically be completed in about 18 months, though actual timelines can vary based on individual course load and any eligible transfer credits*. Use the Tuition & Graduation Calculator for a personalized estimate.

*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.

Can I transfer credits into this program?

Yes, CTU has transfer-friendly credit policies. Students may be eligible to transfer-in up to 75% of the credits required for a master’s degree program. Transfer credits are evaluated on an individual basis, and not all credits are eligible to transfer. Graduate transfer credit typically requires comparable coursework from an accredited institution. For more details on transfer policies, visit the Transfer Students page.

How much does CTU’s Master of Science in Healthcare Management degree program cost?

Tuition for the master’s degree programs is charged per credit hour. The actual cost will depend on how many credits are completed at CTU once eligible transfer credits are applied.* Course materials are included in the cost of tuition for CTU’s Virtual Campus, so there are no separate textbook costs. Use the Tuition & Graduation Calculator for a personalized estimate of cost, savings, and graduation date.

*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.

What financial aid options are available?

CTU participates in federal financial aid programs, so eligible students can apply for federal grants, and loans through the FAFSA®. Qualifying students can apply for institutional scholarships and need-based grants after eligibility is verified.* See Grants & Scholarships for a full overview.

*University grants or scholarships are based on established criteria as published in the University's catalog and are awarded after verification that the conditions of eligibility have been met.

What are some ways to reduce my costs at CTU?

Here are a few options that can help reduce the cost of CTU’s master’s in healthcare management degree program:

Transfer credits: Eligible students may transfer-in up to 75% of required credits, which can significantly reduce the number of credits required and cost of the degree completed at CTU.* See Transfer Students and the Business & Management programs page for policies.
Military benefits: CTU offers Reduced Military Tuition Rates for eligible active-duty service members, Reserve and National Guard members, and eligible military spouses.
Corporate Educational Alliances Grant: Employees at participating companies may qualify for tuition grants through the Corporate Educational Alliances Grant program.

Course materials are included in tuition, so there are no additional textbook costs.

*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.

What potential career paths may be relevant to CTU’s Master’s in Healthcare Management degree program?

Graduates of CTU’s master’s in healthcare management degree program may choose to pursue roles in senior management and leadership across a range of healthcare organizations. Some relevant occupational areas may include:*

Medical and Health Services Managers – These professionals plan, direct, and coordinate healthcare providers’ business activities. This degree program’s focus on financial and human resource management, strategic planning, governance, and regulations may align with this work.

*CTU cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. The list of potential career paths related to this program is based on a subset from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. CIP to SOC Crosswalk. Some career paths listed above may require further education or job experience.

How is this different from an MBA or the Informatics concentration?

An MBA takes a general business approach that may happen to apply to healthcare. This program is healthcare-specific throughout, built around health policy, care delivery, and the sector’s unique economics and workforce dynamics. The Informatics concentration redirects the 20 elective credit-hours into health data and information systems, making it a great choice for students whose target roles are more aligned with healthcare IT than general healthcare leadership.

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Master of Science in Healthcare Management