Health and nursing

This master’s in cytology has a curriculum designed to prepare you for a career as a cytologist, formerly known as cytotechnologist. Integral to pursuing this career path is passing the necessary certification exam. Upon graduating and pending program accreditation, you’ll be eligible to sit for the exam. Then, when you pass, you’ll be recognized as a CT(ASCP) – certified cytologist.

This program is a good fit for medical laboratory technicians and scientists interested in collecting and studying cells from the body to detect signs of disease. To be admitted, you must be able to attend in-person practicum experiences within a cytology laboratory. Your employer, ideally a clinical laboratory within a health care system, must agree to supervise your cytology practicum. Additionally, while not required, an undergraduate background in biology, chemistry or medical laboratory science is optimal.

The skills you’ll develop

In this specialized master’s program, you’ll develop the skills to help doctors and scientists make quicker, more accurate diagnoses and improve patient care. Through coursework and hands-on experiences in your employer’s cytology lab, you’ll build industry skills in cellular analysis and diagnostics, fine needle aspiration, digital and molecular diagnostics, and cytopathology. You’ll also gain experience in laboratory operations and management, microscopic slide screening and cytology techniques, companion diagnostics and more.

Additionally, you’ll graduate with professional skills ideal for leadership roles. For example, you’ll have the refined critical thinking abilities to analyze complex data, identify patterns and make informed decisions in clinical and research settings. You’ll also be able to handle laboratory samples with precision, manage projects from start to finish, communicate complex scientific findings to various stakeholders and more. Graduates are adaptable and versatile, capable of working in health care settings from hospitals to research settings, and prepared for future innovations in the field.

Integrating principles from social work, nonprofit leadership, therapeutic recreation and physical education teaching methodologies, this program allows you to gain an appreciation for all individuals. The curriculum cultivates systems-level thinking, encourages a reimagining of health and disease management and informs the development of health programming. You’ll also learn how to leverage the social, physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions of wellness to enhance health and quality of life.

Upon completing the program, you’ll be prepared to design, implement and assess education and health promotion initiatives. Your work can lead you to help others adopt healthy lifestyles and a proactive approach to improving overall well-being.

The skills you’ll develop

This program focuses on building interdisciplinary skills and exploring theoretical perspectives from education and public service. Throughout your courses, you’ll gain the confidence to empower others to pursue proactive wellness and adopt healthy lifestyles. As a graduate, you’ll also be prepared to:

• Apply team-based interprofessional practice.
• Critique social issues facing community health.
• Design proactive and innovative solutions to address community health issues.

Who’s a good candidate for this program?

If your career goals include educating others on improving their health in community health programs, community organizations and schools, this program is ideal for you. You’ll develop interprofessional competencies in youth development, behavioral health, integrated health, education, recreation nonprofit management, leisure and community resources.

This program is interdisciplinary at its core. Individuals with bachelor’s degrees in any field can be excellent candidates if they’re passionate about making a positive impact on community well-being. Please note this program does not lead to professional teaching, social work or recreational therapy certification or licensure. These professions require additional education and training.

Clinical research and regulatory oversight form the foundation of medical product discovery,  development, quality assurance and approval. This program will equip you to provide direction in bringing new medical products to market including drugs, biologics, vaccines, devices and more. As a key stakeholder in the pharmaceutical and medical industries, you’ll have the opportunity to generate new research ideas, products and solutions that improve health outcomes.

Through this interdisciplinary doctoral program, you’ll become a principled, innovative leader who’s eager to meet evolving needs in health care. Your enhanced skills and knowledge will allow you to navigate the complex global framework of regulated medical products. You’ll graduate prepared to facilitate the discovery, evaluation and approval of medical products that improve public health.

What you’ll learn in this first-of-its-kind program

In the first doctoral program to combine regulatory science with clinical research management, you’ll learn about a leader’s role in developing new medical products efficiently. In your courses, you’ll hone your interpersonal, analytical, ethical and cultural competencies. You’ll also build a knowledge base related to regulatory and clinical research management, including:

• Clinical research leadership.
• Clinical trial design and management.
• Data management and analysis.
• Ethical and legal issues in clinical research.
• Quality assurance and compliance.

Who’s a good candidate for this online doctoral program?

Ideal candidates for this doctoral program have a passion for research in health care and improving lives. Successful applicants will also have strong academic and career backgrounds in biomedical sciences, regulatory affairs, data analysis or clinical research management. Relevant work experience might include serving as a clinical research coordinator, clinical trial manager, regulatory affairs specialist, principal investigator and more.

Additionally, applicants must have a master’s degree in clinical research management, regulatory affairs or a related field. A graduate-level foundation in the sciences including biology, chemistry and pharmacology is also key to success in the program.

Are you interested in learning more about this program and other graduate health programs offered by the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation? Register now for an upcoming live, virtual information session.

Health care simulation education centers around using patient care manikins (or patient simulators), models and standardized patients (or simulated participants) to replicate real interactions. This enables health care providers to enhance their skills while maintaining patient safety. By learning how to use simulation technology strategically, you’ll graduate prepared to play a vital role in improving health outcomes.

In your courses, you’ll gain the abilities needed to design, develop and conduct evidence-based health care simulations. You’ll also expand your knowledge about scenario design, systems thinking, student/participant assessment methodologies, debriefing strategies, project development, operations management and more. Additionally, you’ll learn how to evaluate and iterate on health care simulations, providing you with comprehensive knowledge in the field.

Who’s a good candidate for this master’s program?

Ideal candidates will have a background in education, simulation and/or health care. While experience in two or more of these areas is helpful, any of the three can serve as a foundation for success. Completing this program can advance your career whether you’re a clinical professional who facilitates simulations, a simulation technologist or work in a related field.

There’s a demand for leaders who can provide realistic and safe learning experiences in health care. As a graduate, you’ll be empowered to create innovative learning strategies and drive decisions in health care education. You’ll also have a refined professional identity, as well as skills in communication, teamwork, critical thinking and patient safety.

Are you interested in learning more about this program and other graduate health programs offered by the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation? Register now for an upcoming live, virtual information session.

The RN to Master of Science in nursing with a nursing education concentration provides a unique pathway for associate degree-prepared nurses to pursue a master's in nursing without the requirement of completing a BSN first. This program is designed to offer advanced education and skills in leadership concepts, practices and principles, with a focus on improvement science for safe, effective and patient-centered health services.

As a nurse educator, your wisdom and insights can help the next generation of care providers thrive in their nursing careers, all while staying at the forefront of the latest medical advancements. You'll graduate equipped with the tools needed to build future nurses' skills, knowledge and compassion. These competencies include:

• Critical thinking.
• Curriculum development.
• Leadership.
• Patient safety.
• Research.
• Staff development.
• Teaching evaluation.

Who’s a good candidate for this program?

The ideal candidate for this program is an associate degree-prepared nurse. You should also have a strong interest in educating other nurses, either in academic or clinical settings, on topics including best teaching practices, curriculum development and evaluation of educational effectiveness. If you’re not interested in specializing in nursing education, check out the general RN to Master of Science in nursing bridge program.

You can also register for an upcoming live, virtual information session to learn more about this program and other graduate nursing programs offered by the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation.

Do you need to be a registered nurse to apply to this program?

Yes. To be eligible for this RN to MS in nursing with a nursing education concentration bridge program, you must have an associate degree in nursing. You also must have a current, unencumbered RN license to apply. While you don’t need to be currently employed as an RN, it’s ideal if you are.

If you’re a BSN-prepared nurse, check out the non-bridge Master of Science in nursing with a concentration in nursing education option.

This program provides you with the insights and skills needed to guide organizations through current and emerging legal challenges. You’ll learn about patient privacy regulations, end-of-life care decisions, organizational risk management and health care facility compliance. Key focus areas include:

• Compliance and regulations: Understand and apply health care laws like HIPAA, billing standards and quality measures to ensure legal compliance.
• Health information management: Protect patient data and meet privacy and security requirements across health care systems.
• Medical ethics and malpractice: Navigate ethical dilemmas in patient care and reduce legal risks tied to malpractice claims.
• Patient rights and advocacy: Support patient access, informed consent and grievance processes within health care organizations.
• Policy and insurance law: Interpret health care policies and insurance regulations to guide operations and advocate for organizational needs.
• Risk and facility management: Address legal risks and oversee licensing, certification and compliance standards for health care facilities.

Designed for health care practitioners and administrators who do not intend to practice law, this program teaches you the legal frameworks that shape health care systems and the people they serve. You’ll gain specialized knowledge in health care law, strengthening your role in a growing industry. With the health care sector projected to expand significantly over the next decade, there is increasing demand for educated professionals who can translate laws and regulations that improve patient outcomes and organizational success.

What is a degree emphasis? Is it the same as a concentration?

While an emphasis and concentration are similar, there are key differences.

• A concentration is a formalized selection of courses within a major requiring a minimum of 15 credit hours; at least nine must be upper division. The concentration appears on your ASU diploma and transcripts.
• An emphasis is a selected topic area defined within the major that’s typically 9–12 credit hours and doesn’t need to be officially declared.