Human health encompasses a broad scope of diverse needs and challenges. Healthcare Administration Degree Program's 25 Best Bachelor's in Health Sciences consider these complexities and prepare students to service and support them in 2019.

Health Science degrees provide foundational knowledge in areas such as business, humanities, and natural and social sciences as they relate to the healthcare field. Many of the following programs are interdisciplinary, meaning they can help prepare students for a wide variety of professions under the healthcare umbrella.

In addition to laying all-encompassing healthcare foundations, degree programs may allow students to apply their knowledge through internships, practicums, and hands-on projects. Individual programs may emphasize specific areas of the health field, such as holistic health, health leadership, or physical therapy.

Health Care degree programs prepare students for professions including audiologist, dentist, physical therapist, and physician's assistant. Health care professionals generally work in settings such as chiropractic centers, dentist's offices, and hospitals. The wide-ranging knowledge Health Care degrees provide could lend itself to the administrative and clinical duties of a medical assistant position, for example. Medical assistants make $32,480 annually, according to the latest report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Methodology

Healthcare Administration Degrees uses the best publicly available data from the National Center for Education Statistics, Payscale, and student review sites. Healthcare is a high-earning field with demanding education expectations. Because of that, Healthcare Administration Degrees focuses on the Mid-Career Pay of Graduates, Student Retention Rates, and the Average SAT Scores of accepted students, collectively amounting to 70 percent of a school's final score. Student Reviews and Affordability round out our metrics.

#25. Western Kentucky University – Bowling Green, KY

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

 

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Net Price: $11,409

Score: 77.23

Western Kentucky University's roots began to form in 1876, and it was officially founded in 1906 by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It is now a public university with the second largest undergraduate enrollment in the state. WKU students are nicknamed Hilltoppers, after the campus' location on a hilltop overlooking Bowling Green, KY. U.S. News & World Report ranks WKU #11 among the Best National Public Schools.

WKU allows students to pursue a general health sciences degree while also concentrating on a specific health sciences area. Students can choose a concentration in Allied Health; Health Services Leadership, and Management; or Preparatory Health Sciences. General course requirements include Community Health, Human Nutrition, and Medical Terminology. Students must also take classes in related areas such as computer informatics, ethics, and psychology. While working on the major, students may choose to pursue available certificate options, including Aging Specialist, Organizational Leadership, and Patient Navigator.

#24. Columbus State University – Columbus, GA

Bachelor of Science in Health Science

 

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Net Price: $11,596

Score: 78.31

Columbus State University's campus features modern architecture and is located on a former dairy farm in midtown Columbus, GA. Community facilities include the Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center, the Coca-Cola Space Science Center, and the RiverCenter performing arts facility. Students can go kayaking, river surfing, tubing, and whitewater rafting on the nearby Chattahoochee River. U.S. News & World Report ranks CSU #19 in Most Innovative Schools.

CSU's Health Science program is designed to teach students fundamentals for a variety of careers in the health field. Program-specific course requirements include Human Sexuality, Seminar in Alcohol and Drug Abuse, and Working With Families. The health sciences department encourages students to also seek a health education specialist certification through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.

#23. Nova Southeastern University – Fort Lauderdale, FL

Bachelor of Science in Health Science

 

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Net Price: $25,344

Score: 79.36

Nova Southeastern University was founded as the Nova University of Advanced Technology on a former U.S. Navy airfield during World War II. Today, it is a private nonprofit university offering professional degrees relating to business, computer science, law, medicine, oceanography, psychology, and social science. It is classified as an active research and community-engaged university by the Carnegie Foundation.

NSU's Health Science program is interdisciplinary and offered entirely online. It prepares students for health careers ranging from dental hygienist to radiology technician. The 30-credit program covers subjects such as conflict resolution, diversity, epidemiology, and leadership. The program of study includes courses in Cultural Competency, Fundamentals of Chinese Medicine, and Research Design. The program's web-based delivery makes it an ideal option for students looking to pursue a Bachelor's degree without relocating.

#22. University of Florida – Gainesville, FL

Bachelor of Health Science

 

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Net Price: $14,761

Score: 79.50

The University of Florida is a Carnegie-classified "very high research activity" university with land, sea, and space grants. U.S. News & World Report ranks UF #35 among all U.S. universities. The university's Bachelor of Health Science program is designed for students who wish to work in public service-based health professions. The program is limited access, meaning students cannot apply until their sophomore year of college. Accepted BHS applicants can choose to major in either Communication Sciences & Disorders or Health Science.

The Communication Sciences & Disorders major is designed for students interested in pursuing graduate education in speech-language pathology or audiology. Health Science majors can choose to follow a specialty track in General Health Science, Pre-Occupational Therapy, or Pre-Public Health. The Bachelor of Health Science plan of study includes courses in Critical Thinking, Public Health Concepts, and Therapeutic Communications.

#21. Northern Kentucky University – Highland Heights, KY

Bachelor of Science in Health Science

 

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Net Price: $8,910

Score: 79.54

Northern Kentucky University is a public liberal arts university in Highland Heights, KY, just seven miles from Cincinnati, OH. U.S. News & World Report ranks NKU #33 in Top Public Schools. The university's Health Science Program provides multidisciplinary education in holistic health care. It is available as an entirely online Degree Completion Track, or as a Transdisciplinary Track which may be completed online depending on course selection.

NKU provides students with the Degree Completion Track who have already completed a health-related Associate's degree. The Transdisciplinary Track prepares students for non-clinical health care professions. Both tracks are comprised of core courses in the health system and health education along with general education requirements. Course offerings include Aging in Today's Society, Leadership Development, and Trends and Cultural Issues in Healthcare.

#20. New York Institute of Technology – Long Island Campus, NY

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

 

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Net Price: $23,647

Score: 79.56

The New York Institute of Technology is a private research university with New York campuses in Long Island and Manhattan. It has additional campuses in Arkansas, Canada, China, and the United Arab Emirates. The university is home to faculty-led research in areas including alternative energies, Parkinson's disease, and robotics. NYIT's Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences is offered in a blended format of online and classroom learning.

Health Sciences students take foundational liberal arts courses along with classes in bioethics, nutrition, statistical analysis, and more. Health course requirements include Biomedical Ethics, Community Health Implications, and Professional and Cultural Issues. Students may also take a seminar in Anthropological Approaches to Health. All students must complete a senior practicum internship program in an offsite location such as a community health center, county health department, or hospital-based administrative office. They document the experience through an experiential log, reflective journal, and culminating report.

#19. Cleveland State University – Cleveland, OH

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

 

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Net Price: $15,555

Score: 79.64

Cleveland State University took root when the Cleveland YMCA began offering free classes in 1870. Over the next century, the program was formalized, reorganized, renamed, and expanded to become the university it is today. A public research university, CSU has research cooperations with the nearby NASA Glenn Research Center. Many CSU students work full- or part-time, so the university offers flexible academic planning and convenient class times.

The university offers a Health Sciences program with an emphasis on self-directed learning. Students pursuing a BS can follow a General Interest Track, Pre-Physician Assistant Science Track, or a Pre-Therapy Track. Honors students may alternatively choose to follow a Clinical, Cultural Competency, or Research Track. Core courses across all tracks include Behavior Science Statistics, Culture and Health Care, and Medical Terminology. Students must also complete a capstone in Advanced Research and Writing, Career Experience, Community Participation Research, or Evidence-Based Practice.

#18. Stephen F. Austin State University – Nacogdoches, TX

Bachelor of Science in Health Science

 

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Net Price: $11,987

Score: 80.03

Stephen F. Austin State University is the home of the National Center for Pharmaceutical Crops, where a potential cancer-fighting agent was discovered in the extract of an invasive aquatic fern. U.S. News & World Report ranks SFA at the #23 spot for the nation's Top Public Schools.

In coalition with local organization Healthy Nacogdoches, the Health Science program at SFA prioritizes community health. The program is ideal for students hoping to promote health and provide health education in non-classroom settings. Its curriculum covers advanced concepts in chemical dependency, environmental health, and human sexuality, among others. The program's basic courses include Consumer Health, Health Assessment and Intervention, and Social Health and Sexual Interactions. Health Science students also complete an internship with a community health agency.

#17. DePaul University – Chicago, IL

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

 

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Net Price: $32,084

Score: 80.39

Students pursuing DePaul University's Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences select one of two concentrations. The Biosciences concentration emphasizes the natural sciences and individual human health. It offers three possible tracks: General, Medical, and Pre-Nursing. The concentration is ideal for those interested in pursuing a career in dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, or physical therapy. Students may also choose to apply to the concentration's accelerated program. The Public Health Sciences concentration emphasizes social sciences and community health. Related fields include healthcare administration and health communication.

Health Sciences core course offerings include Ethics for Health Sciences, Health Research Literacy, and a Health Sciences Capstone. The capstone course brings students from both major concentrations together to examine current health issues. It is worth noting that DePaul offers combined Bachelor's and master's degree programs, which allow students to earn a dual undergraduate and graduate degree within five years. Health Sciences undergraduates may choose to pursue a related master's degree in Health Communication, Nursing, or Public Health.

#16. Florida A&M University – Tallahassee, FL

Bachelor of Science in Health Science

 

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Net Price: $13,096

Score: 81.18

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is a public university recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as an active research facility. The university's newly established Division of Health Science prepares students for diagnostic, support service, and therapeutic health careers. The Health Science program offers three possible tracks: General, Pre-Occupational Therapy, and Pre-Physical Therapy. The General track is non-clinical. Unless students are interested in pursuing careers in occupational or physical therapy specifically, they should follow the General track. The General Health Science track has a multidisciplinary curriculum teaching students foundational health science skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving. The General curriculum includes courses in Crisis Intervention, Personal and Professional Development, and Stress and Holistic Health.

#15. Northern Arizona University – Flagstaff, AZ

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with Medical Assisting

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Net Price: $14,678

Score: 81.87

Northern Arizona University is a public university at the base of the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff, AZ. NAU is the state leader in remote learning, delivering materials through branch campuses, online courses, and video links. NAU offers a flexible Health Sciences program with a focus on Medical Assisting. To be eligible, students must be studying an allied health discipline at a community college or university or hold a corresponding associate's degree. NAU accepts a significant chunk of transfer credit, making this degree program an ideal choice for transfer students. The Medical Assisting program teaches students about health promotion and disease prevention. Students take courses including Healthy Lifestyles, Human Diseases, Mind-Body Health, and Stress Management capstone. Students are required to complete the Leadership and Interprofessional Teamwork for Health Professionals. Potential Medical Assisting career paths include community health educator, nurse, physician, and ultrasound technician.

#14. Nicholls State University – Thibodaux, LA

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

 

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Net Price: $10,169

Score: 81.80

Nicholls State University is a public university in Thibodaux, in the French Louisiana region of Acadiana. It is located near the Mississippi River Delta, Louisiana's wetlands, and the Gulf of Mexico. U.S. News & World Report ranks NSU #41 among the nation's Top Public Schools.

Nicholls State's Health Sciences curriculum is designed for both entry-level students and credentialed health care professionals. The program requires students to choose either a Pre-Professional or Supervision and Management concentration. The Pre-Professional concentration is intended for students hoping to continue their allied health education through a professional post-baccalaureate program. Its curriculum includes natural sciences and advanced health sciences. The Supervision and Management concentration is for credentialed health care professionals and prepares them for supervisory positions or formal graduate education.

#13. Stockton University – Galloway, NJ

Bachelor of Science in Health Science

 

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Net Price: $14,367

Score: 82.85

Stockton University was named for Richard Stockton, one of the New Jersey signers of the Declaration of Independence. With an emphasis on student participation, the university awards fellowships and encourages its students to engage in research projects early in their college career. U.S. News & World Report ranks Stockton at the #9 spot for Top Public Schools.

Stockton's Bachelor of Science in Health Science is suitable for students beginning their health care careers as well as those working professionally with an Associate's degree involving healthcare. The program takes an interdisciplinary approach to health care and highlights interprofessional collaboration. Students collaborate with faculty mentors to design and customize their plans of study. The program offers six concentrations, including but not limited to Community Health Education, Health Administration, and Language Pathology/Audiology. The General Health Sciences concentration includes courses in Functional Human Anatomy, Informatics, and Medical Terminology.

#12. University of Michigan – Flint, MI

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

 

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Net Price: $12,257

Score: 84.04

The University of Michigan has a main campus in Ann Arbor, MI in addition to satellite campuses in Flint and Dearborn. It is distinguished by its prominent research activities and is classified in the top tier of research universities by the Carnegie Foundation. It is also rated #27 among the Best National Universities by U.S. News & World Report. U of M Flint offers an interdisciplinary Health Sciences program designed to build knowledge applicable to a variety of health careers.

UM Students can follow a degree track involving environmental health, pre-physical therapy, or general health science. The pre-physical therapy track is specifically designed to lead into the university's Physical Therapy doctorate program. Health Sciences course offerings include Developmental Psychology, Public Health Statistics, and Spreadsheet Software. Students are required to complete interdisciplinary capstone courses, which include system analysis, self-evaluation, a grant proposal, and a formal presentation.

#11. University of South Dakota – Vermillion, SD

Bachelor of Business Administration in Health Services Administration

 

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Net Price: $16,502

Score: 84.38

The University of South Dakota is a research university and the oldest public university in the state. It is home to South Dakota's only medical school and law school. It also houses the National Music Museum, with over 15,000 instruments exhibited. U.S. News & World Report ranks USD at #112 for Top Public Schools. The university also offers a Bachelor of Business Administration Fast-Track Option, which allows students to complete a BBA and MBA simultaneously.

USD offers a business-oriented Health Services degree. Prospective Health Services majors are required to finish general education requirements and a pre-major business core before applying for admission to their major. Major requirements include courses in Health Economics, Marketing, and Quality in Health Care. Students must also complete a field-based learning practicum in health services administration. The internship may or may not be paid, and is generally completed in the summer between students' junior and senior years.

#10. Mercy College – Dobbs Ferry, NY

Bachelor of Science in Health Science

 

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Net Price: $20,585

Score: 84.66

Mercy College is a private research university with its main campus in Dobbs Ferry, NY. It has additional learning locations in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Yorktown Heights. Mercy's Bachelor of Science in Health Science has a foundation in liberal arts and sciences. Founded in 1950, Mercy was formerly Roman Catholic-affiliated and is now nonsectarian. In 2018, Money Magazine featured Mercy on its "best colleges for your money" list.

The curriculum covers modern health care system issues as well as regional and global challenges to health care delivery and funding. Along with the General Health Science degree, the program offers Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Physical Therapy, and Pre-Physician Assistant concentration options. The major requires courses in areas of anatomy, biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, sociology, and statistics. The General Health Science program offers classes such as Clinical Neuroscience, Nutrition, and Pathophysiology.

#9. University of Texas at Dallas – Richardson, TX

Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies

 

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Net Price: $10,254

Score: 87.06

The University of Texas at Dallas began as a research arm of Texas Instruments. Today, it is classified within the highest tier of research universities by the Carnegie Foundation. UT Dallas has conducted research projects in areas such as bioengineering, cybersecurity, nanotechnology, and space science. It is also associated with four Nobel Prizes and members of the National Academy of Science and Engineering among its faculty.

UT Dallas' School of Interdisciplinary Studies offers a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies. The degree program is comprised of foundational courses, science courses with laboratory components, and courses which examine healthcare through various perspectives. The program also includes the scientific prerequisites required for applying to health professions schools. The customizable curriculum explores health areas including dentistry, optometry, and prosthetics. Healthcare courses include Climate Change in Healthcare, Health & Sports, and a Health Professions Internship and Independent Study.

#8. San Jose State University – San Jose, CA

Bachelor of Science in Public Health

 

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Net Price: $13,777

Score: 88.47

Founded in 1857, San Jose State University is the oldest public university on the West Coast. Located in downtown San Jose, the public university is one of the leading producers of alumni working in Silicon Valley tech firms. U.S. News & World Report ranks SJSU #33 in Regional Universities West and #52 for Best Value Schools in the country.

SJSU's Public Health program reflects the university's global environment. Students are required to complete a course sequence in African American Studies, Asian American Studies, or Mexican American Studies. All students also engage in an International Experience by studying abroad in an approved program for at least nine days. The program's core courses include Community Health Promotion, Health Communications, and Health Issues in a Multicultural Society.

#7. University of Missouri – Columbia, MO

Bachelor of Health Science in Health Science

 

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Net Price: $15,368

Score: 88.63

The University of Missouri was founded in 1839 as the first public learning institution west of the Mississippi River. It is one of 34 public university members of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The university is also known for housing the world's most powerful nuclear research reactor at its Research Reactor Center.

Mizzou's Health Sciences program is offered entirely online and is suitable for students with prior college credit. UM's BHS offers four focus areas: health and wellness services, leadership and policy, pre-professional, and rehabilitation science. The Health Science curriculum includes core courses addressing clinical ethics, hands-on experiential learning, and introductory research skills. Students can choose to complete either an internship in Health Sciences, or a Healthcare Organization and Leadership capstone.

#6. Arizona State University – Tempe, AZ

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

 

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Net Price: $13,007

Score: 90.57

Arizona State University is one of the largest public universities by enrollment in the U.S. Students can study at the university's four Phoenix-area campuses and four learning centers throughout Arizona. Thousands of additional students are enrolled in the university's strong and extensive online learning program, ASU Online. The university is classified in the top tier of research universities by the Carnegie Foundation.

ASU holds a Health Sciences program on its Downtown Phoenix and West campuses. Students choose focus tracks in community-based health outcomes, health legislation, and regulation, integrated care, or Spanish and health. Necessary Health Science courses include Biostatistics, Global Health Care Systems, and Health Communication. The university offers multiple internship opportunities throughout the program in addition to providing an opportunity to apply for the Mayo Clinic's echocardiography certificate. Students can apply certificate credits toward their undergraduate degree.

#5. University of South Florida – Tampa, FL

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

 

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Net Price: $11,398

Score: 91.94

The University of South Florida is a public university classified in the top tier of research universities by the Carnegie Foundation. Health Sciences majors can enhance their research at the university's two special libraries: the Shimberg Health Sciences Library and the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute Library. USF's Health Sciences program offers five concentration options: Aging Health Studies, Biological Health Sciences, Health Information Technology, Health Management, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Students may concentrate in one of these areas or a combination of two.

While many Health Sciences programs are intensive in mathematics and natural science, USF's program offers students more exposure to business, humanities, and social science courses. Health Sciences core course offerings include The Biology of Humans, The Life Cycle, and Professional Ethics. A variety of classes are available to enroll in depending on a student's degree concentration, such as Foundations of Global Health; Health, Behavior & Society; and Medical Sociology. Students may also complete a competitive health internship in a field such as administration, government, or marketing.

#4. Boston University – Boston, MA

Bachelor of Science in Health Science

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Net Price: $31,539

Score: 93.65

Boston University is a private university with a Carnegie Classification in the highest tier of research activity. Notably, former BU professor Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in a university lab. BU is ranked #42 for Best National Universities by U.S. News & World Report. BU's Health Science program takes a two-tier approach. In their first two years of the program, students take core courses in the biological sciences, humanities, and social science. Such sequences include General Psychology; Health and Disability Across the Lifespan; and Introduction to Critical Inquiry.

The second half of the program assigns coursework involving the application of foundational health science knowledge to real-world public health problems. Students will also study a dedicated area of global health through a senior seminar. The program culminates with a hands-on practicum, through which students will work at a participating health care site. Students may also choose to pursue a Sargent College Thesis for Distinction.

#3. California State University, Long Beach – Long Beach, CA

Bachelor of Science in Health Science

 

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Net Price: $9,867

Score: 94.98

California State University, Long Beach offers a Health Sciences program with an optional focus on Community Health Education or School Health Education. The core curriculum covers five areas: Health Promotion, Health Services Organization, Professionalism, Program Development, and Statistics. Students take courses such as Contemporary Health Issues, Drugs and Health, and Human Sexuality and Sex Education.

The curriculum also includes a Seminar in Community Analysis and Program Planning. The program culminates in an internship in a community health setting. During their internship, students assess community needs and design and implement health education programs. Students may also complete a supervised independent study in which they conduct library or lab research and write a subsequent report. Additionally, students may choose to pursue an approved thesis.

#2. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – Urbana and Champaign, IL

Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences

 

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Net Price: $16,683

Score: 95.05

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is the flagship institution of the University of Illinois System. The public university is Carnegie-classified among top-tier research universities. Campus facilities include the nation's second-largest university library, a Research Park, and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, which is home to the world's fastest supercomputer on a university campus. U of I offers an Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program founded on the belief of how human health is "too complex" to understand and treat within one type of degree or study.

The MS at U of I incorporates applied health sciences along with social and behavioral science fields. Its curriculum is grounded in an understanding of cultural, community, and individual health perspectives. Students can choose to concentrate in Health and Aging, Health Behavior Change, or Health Diversity. Course offerings include Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Field Experience, and Health Disparities in the U.S. Students are also given the option to complete an Interdisciplinary Health Study Abroad experience.

#1. Northeastern University – Boston, MA

Bachelor of Science in Health Science

 

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Net Price: $29,998

Score: 100.00

Northeastern University presents Healthcare Administration Degree's top undergraduate Health Sciences program. The private university in Boston, MA, is Carnegie-classified in the top tier of research universities. Its cooperative education program integrates classroom learning and professional experience and has over 3,000 global partnerships. The university has consistently ranked among Princeton Review's "Best Schools for Internships" for over a decade. Northeastern specifically designed its Health Science major for students looking for careers in health administration, community-based health promotion, and public health. The program accentuates both experiential and contextual learning.

NU's MSHS curriculum addresses areas of applied health, liberal arts, the natural sciences, and social sciences. General courses include Foundations of Psychology, Healthcare Research, and Moral and Social Problems in Healthcare. The Healthcare core features courses such as The American Healthcare System, Communication Skills for the Health Professions, and Community and Public Health. Seniors participate in a cumulative capstone project, for which they may partner with an institution such as Boston Health Care for the Homeless or Harvard Medical School.