Online Master of Science in Health Sciences (MSHS) in California
TUW’s online Master of Science in Health Sciences is a 36-credit graduate degree designed for professionals in California and across the nation who are interested in advancing their careers in nonclinical health fields. Students may choose from three areas of concentration: Public Health, Health Education, or Health & Wellness. The program is offered entirely online, requires no GRE, and can be completed in as little as one year of full-time study. The degree does not lead to professional licensure or certification.
Program facts
Get the essentials before you explore the curriculum, admissions process, and next steps.
credits
36concentrations
Threestart dates
Six per yearnext start
October 26, 2026apply by
October 23, 2026accreditation
WSCUCProgram Overview
Health sciences is an interdisciplinary field focused on improving health through areas such as health promotion, disease prevention, health education, program planning and evaluation, and health services. TUW’s MSHS prepares nonclinical professionals for work in health administration, public health, health education, community health, and wellness.
The program is designed for working professionals in California and nationwide who want to move into non-clinical health roles or build a foundation for future doctoral study in health sciences. Coursework is 100% online, and no GRE is required. The MSHS does not confer professional licensure or automatically award a professional certification.
Concentrations
Students select one of three concentrations based on the area of health sciences most relevant to their interests and career goals.
Public Health
The Public Health concentration focuses on disease prevention, health risks, and strategies for improving population health. It may suit students interested in public health education, community health, disease-prevention programs, or other population-focused roles.
Health Education
The Health Education concentration focuses on assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating health education programs. It may suit students interested in health education and health-promotion roles in community organizations, schools, healthcare settings, or workplaces.
The MSHS does not automatically award a professional certification. Students in the Health Education concentration who meet the applicable eligibility requirements may pursue credentials independently, including the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) credential from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC). CHES® eligibility requires qualifying academic preparation and successful completion of the certification exam.
Health & Wellness
The Health & Wellness concentration focuses on preventive health, wellness initiatives, lifestyle-related health risks, and approaches to supporting healthier behaviors. It may suit professionals interested in workplace wellness, community health, or preventive health programs.
Admission Requirements
Students seeking to attend in TUW must meet one of the following criteria to be considered for admission:
- Have earned a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5.
- Transfer student from another college/university’s graduate program in good academic standing (minimum GPA of 2.75).
Students, who meet one of the above criteria, will be required to complete the following steps in order to be admitted and enrolled:
- Submit an application to the University.
- As a non-profit organization committed to serving the underserved, Touro University Worldwide has waived the $60 application fee for all prospective students.
- Submit official transcripts from all institutions attended. Transcripts must come directly from the issuing institutions. Students who completed college coursework outside the United States must have their transcripts translated and evaluated. (See Foreign Credit for additional information.) Students are required to complete step 3 by the end of their first term of enrollment.
As a non-profit institution committed to serving the underserved, Touro University Worldwide has waived the $60 application fee for all prospective students.
Tuition, Financial Aid & Scholarships
Tuition for the Master of Science in Health Sciences is $500 per semester credit. At that rate, tuition for the full 36-credit program is $18,000 before financial aid, scholarships, employer tuition assistance, or approved transfer credit.
MSHS students do not have additional textbook costs. Required e-books and library resources are provided through the university, helping students avoid separate textbook expenses.
Eligible students may use federal financial aid and scholarships to help pay for their education. Many employers also offer tuition assistance programs, and TUW tuition assistance counselors can help students review available funding options.
Military & Veteran Benefits
Eligible military students and family members may qualify for a discounted military tuition rate. TUW also provides military-specific advising and assistance with education benefits.
TUW participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program and accepts Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits. Service members with experience in health administration, public health, health education, or related areas may find that experience relevant to the MSHS’s nonclinical focus.
What Can You Do With an MS in Health Sciences Degree?
The MSHS prepares students for non-clinical work in health administration, public health, health education, community health, and wellness. Career options depend on the concentration selected, previous professional experience, and the requirements of individual employers.
Students interested in population health and disease prevention may pursue opportunities such as community health organizer, public health program professional, or health educator in public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community health settings.
The Health Education concentration may support work involving the design, delivery, and evaluation of health education and health-promotion programs in community, school, workplace, and healthcare environments.
Graduates may also pursue nonclinical opportunities in healthcare administration, facility management, laboratory management, and health and wellness programs. Management positions commonly require relevant professional experience in addition to education.
In California, professionals with nonclinical health-sciences training may work in settings such as county public health departments, hospital systems, community health organizations, wellness programs, and other public or private health organizations.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers earn a median annual wage of approximately $124,000. Employment is projected to grow 24% from 2025 to 2035.
Health education specialists earn a median annual wage of approximately $64,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The MSHS does not prepare graduates for clinical practice or confer a healthcare license. Students seeking a patient-care profession that requires clinical licensure should consider a degree designed specifically for that profession.
Courses and requirements
Please select a Concentration to view the Curriculum
Students specialize the Master’s in Health Science degree through the selection of one of the following concentrations:
- Public Health – explores the prevention of disease prevention. Students focus on identification of health risks while developing cutting edge strategies of prevention.
- Health Education – explores biological, environmental, psychological and physical factors to prevent and promote positive health outcomes.
- Health & Wellness – prepares students to lead preventive health and wellness initiatives
Accreditation & Institutional Recognition
Touro University Worldwide is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Institutional accreditation applies to TUW as a university, including its online academic programs.
TUW is a nonprofit institution and part of the Touro University System. The university is based in California and provides its academic programs primarily through online delivery.
Because TUW is institutionally accredited, the online delivery format does not represent a separate accreditation status. Employers and other institutions establish their own requirements when evaluating degrees, experience, and other qualifications.
The Master of Science in Health Sciences curriculum requires a total of 36 credit hours for completion, focusing on real-world applications of theories learned in the program.
The time it will take to complete the Master of Science in Health Sciences degree online can vary. The duration of the program depends on several factors, including the number of credits accepted for transfer and whether or not students take time off between courses.
The typical length of time for the Master of Science in Health Sciences is one and a half years.
Disclaimer:
Students who enroll full-time (12 credits per semester for three semesters each academic year) can complete the degree in one year. Students who enroll part-time (six credits per semester for three semesters each academic year) will complete the MSHS program in two years.
Health Sciences Program Tracks
Students specialize the Master’s in Health Science degree through the selection of one of the following concentrations:
- Public Health – explores the prevention of disease prevention. Students focus on identification of health risks while developing cutting edge strategies of prevention.
- Health Education – explores biological, environmental, psychological and physical factors to prevent and promote positive health outcomes.
- Health & Wellness – prepares students to lead preventive health and wellness initiatives
The time it will take to complete the Master of Science in Health Sciences (MSHS) degree online can vary. The duration of the program depends on several factors, including the number of credits accepted for transfer and whether or not students take time off between semesters.
The typical length of time for the Master of Science in Health Sciences (MSHS)) is one and half (1.5) years.
Disclaimer:
Students who enroll full-time (12 credits per semester for three semesters each academic year) can complete the degree in one (1) year. Students who enroll part-time (six credits per semester for three semesters each academic year) will complete the MSHS program in 1.5 years.
Why TUW: Faculty, Proof & Credibility
TUW’s MSHS combines eight-week online courses with faculty whose backgrounds span health science, public health, healthcare administration, and related fields. Students can select one of three concentrations while completing the broader 36-credit health-sciences curriculum.
Faculty expertise
Lyzette Blanco, PhD, MPH
Director of The Edith Neumann School of Health and Human Services
Professor of Health Sciences
Ceabert Griffith, PhD
Betty Perez-Rivera, EdD
Frequently Asked Questions
No. TUW’s MSHS is a nonclinical health-sciences degree designed for areas such as administration, public health, health education, and wellness. It is not a nursing degree and does not lead to nursing or another form of clinical licensure. Students seeking a licensed patient-care profession should choose a program designed to meet the educational requirements for that profession.
An MS in Health Sciences is broader and can cover several nonclinical areas of healthcare. TUW’s MSHS offers concentrations in Public Health, Health Education, and Health & Wellness. An MPH is a degree specifically centered on public health practice and population health. Students primarily interested in public health should compare the curricula and accreditation of individual programs before choosing between them.
TUW’s MSHS covers a broader range of health-sciences areas, with concentrations in Public Health, Health Education, and Health & Wellness. TUW’s Master of Science in Healthcare Administration focuses more specifically on managing the business and operational side of healthcare organizations and offers concentrations in Operations Management and Health Informatics.
Yes. You can change your MSHS concentration after starting the program. Contact your academic advisor first to understand how completed coursework may apply to the new concentration.
TUW’s MSHS is 100% online and has no residency requirement. Students can study online from anywhere using a flexible learning schedule.
No prior health or science degree is required. Applicants must hold an accredited bachelor’s degree with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5, or qualify as a graduate transfer student in good academic standing with a minimum 2.75 GPA. Your previous education and experience can help inform which MSHS concentration best fits your goals.
Yes. The MSHS provides graduate-level preparation for students who may later pursue doctoral study in health sciences or a related field. Admission requirements vary by doctoral program, so completing the MSHS does not guarantee admission to a particular doctorate.