Master of Science in Health Care Quality and Safety

Faculty Advisor: Yue Xie, PhD, MHA, MEng.

The Online Master of Science in Health Care Quality and Safety degree program is targeted toward health care professionals engaged or planning to be engaged in leadership roles in the quality and safety areas in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and other health care organizations.  Professionals in health care quality and safety manage the strategic and operational aspects of quality operations; establish goals and standards; lead the quality improvement programs; provide training and coaching in quality improvement tools and techniques; develop, implement and monitor measures to assess quality performance; direct organization-wide quality initiatives including the National Patient Safety Initiatives; and direct ongoing monitoring of accreditation survey readiness activities.

Applicants seeking admission to the graduate program in health must submit the following directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

1. A Graduate Studies Application with the application fee
2. Undergraduate degree from an accredited U.S. institution; exceptions may be made with majority approval by the admissions committee
3. Official transcript(s) from all postsecondary schools attended
4. Minimum GPA of 3.0
5. Official scores for the GRE, GMAT, MCAT, DAT, LSAT, USMLE, or other graduate school entrance exams obtained within the last 5 years.  This requirement may be waived if any of the following apply:
   1. Graduate or professional degree from U.S. accredited institutions
   2. Successfully completed 9 or more hours of graduate coursework from an accredited institution in the U.S. with no grade below a B
   3. Evidence of a minimum of 3 years of professional supervisory experience in healthcare
   4. Majority approval by the admissions committee
6. Writing samples:
   1. Please include a 250-500 word essay describing your reasons for undertaking study at Sam Houston State University, and your academic objectives, career goals, and related qualifications, including collegiate, professional, and community activities, relevant to your program of interest. Include any substantial accomplishments.
   2. Please provide a 500 word description of one key issue in Healthcare Quality or Patient Safety and discuss possible solutions.
7. Two letters of recommendation from:
   1. Individuals who served in a supervisory capacity, and who can strongly attest to the applicant’s work ethic, and/or
   2. Academic instructors who can strongly attest to the applicant’s academic ability
8. A CV or resume
9. Evidence of health care work experience in clinical or non-clinical settings preferred
10. On-campus, video, or phone interview with a member of the MSHCQ&S admissions committee for selected competitive applicants meeting all admissions criteria
11. The program currently does not accept international students.

Note: All courses require Graduate Standing in the program.
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The Master of Science in Health Care Quality and Safety program requires a capstone project o be completed by the students prior to awarding the degree.  The project will be completed as part of the required capstone course during the last semester of the student's studies.