Master of Science (MS) in Health Systems Management

A Master of Science in Health Systems Management program provides professional management training to develop leaders in health care administration. Similar to a Master of Health Administration degree, HSM provides professional management training to develop leaders in health care administration. Rush’s program is a cohort-based, largely in-person, two-year graduate program that requires 440 hours of a first-year internship. Our teacher-practitioner model educates students for successful careers in the rapidly growing health care management field.

Health systems management involves the planning, organization and monitoring of care programs and services across a health care system. It ensures that institutions, resources and professionals work together efficiently to provide comprehensive care.

Highly motivated individuals with a passion for serving others and improving health care should apply. The program is suitable for individuals aiming to pursue or advance careers in health care administration. It offers separate tracks to accommodate different experience levels. The Residential Track is for students with less than five years of experience in health care, and the Executive Track is for students with five or more years of experience in health care.

Our program is at the forefront of experiential learning, and we continue to evolve our curriculum based on industry trends. Our small class sizes ensure you will have more time to interact with faculty. HSM brings our esteemed full-time faculty and teacher-practitioners — senior executives at Rush University Medical Center and other top health care organizations — into your classroom. This approach integrates lifelong learning, scholarship and service, ensuring students are equipped to lead and transform health care systems.

Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in various health care settings, including the following:

• Hospitals and health systems
• Health care consulting firms
• Pharmaceutical and medical device companies
• Practice management
• Insurance organizations
• Long-term care facilities

You can review the application process, deadlines, admissions requirements and more on the Health Systems Management MS program’s Admissions page. If you are ready, you can also apply now.

The curriculum emphasizes experiential learning by involving students in real-world projects and quality improvement initiatives. This hands-on approach allows students to apply theoretical knowledge to practical challenges within health care settings.

The program continually evolves its curriculum based on industry trends, ensuring that content remains relevant to the dynamic health care environment. Engagement with current health care leaders and ongoing curriculum assessments contribute to this adaptability.