Health and nursing - Health care leadership and policy

In the complex field of medical products, there's a need for professionals who understand the regulatory framework and can apply regulations, guidelines and standards to ensure compliant conduct of clinical research. This program concentrates on the regulatory aspects of clinical research management to ensure the safety and efficacy of medical products. You’ll also go beyond the operational aspects of conducting clinical research to understanding the FDA regulations and requirements for bringing medical products to market. With a regulatory science degree concentration, you’ll have the ability to advance medical care and treatment while ensuring new discoveries adhere to regulations that keep patients safe.

Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to apply the regulations, standards and guidelines that are applicable to medical products through the product life cycle including:

• Clinical testing.
• Conducting clinical trials to prove safety and efficacy.
• Postmarketing surveillance of the medical product.
• Preclinical testing.
• Submitting to the FDA for marketing approval.
   

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

As an ideal candidate, you should have a bachelor's degree in a science-based program. Although not required, it would also be beneficial to have previous medical experience or familiarity with medical products and regulatory affairs. This program is a good fit if you're looking to expand your abilities in regulatory writing techniques, quality assurance and medical device management. You’ll also develop an understanding of how to meet regulatory oversight requirements related to conducting clinical studies. Additionally, this online master’s also offers the flexibility to study part-time if it’s more conducive to your schedule due to other obligations.

Biomedical diagnostics captures the critical data that guides disease detection, treatment decisions and personalized health management. These insights drive clinical decisions, improving patient outcomes and advancing global health.

Coursework and specialized training explore the science and technology of diagnostics, as well as key topics such as health economics, policy and regulatory frameworks. You’ll gain the expertise to succeed in a rapidly evolving field and contribute to groundbreaking advancements in health care.

The knowledge and skills you’ll develop in this program

The fast-growing biomedical diagnostics field offers various career opportunities, requiring a broad scope of knowledge and skills. To equip you with a more holistic understanding of biomedical diagnostics, the curriculum spans five core areas, including:

• Application: Investigate case studies on bioethics, clinical utility, intellectual property and smart systems, as well as modality integration and systems analysis.
• Business: Navigate public and private health care finance and reimbursement, along with personalized health care and companion diagnostics.
• Policy: Examine the role of public policy in addressing public health needs through the advancement of diagnostics.
• Science: Focus on underlying bioinformatics and bio-statistical analysis, clinical trial design and regulatory systems, as well as the technology behind imaging pathology, molecular and immunological testing platforms.
• Technology: Explore instrument and assay development, biomedical engineering and diagnostic product development.

How this program compares to a master’s in biomedical sciences

A master’s in biomedical sciences offers a broad overview of the biomedical field without specializing in a particular area. In contrast, this master’s in biomedical diagnostics provides an in-depth understanding of the science, technology, business and application of diagnostics — focusing on the critical role diagnostics play in health care decision-making and innovation.

This program provides a deep understanding of how modern medicine uses diagnostics to detect disease, guide treatment and advance personal care. You’ll investigate the broader impact of diagnostics, from driving pharmaceutical and technology advancements to shaping health care policy and regulatory decisions worldwide.

In this health care administration and policy master’s, you'll immerse yourself in transforming the health care landscape, focusing not on the benchwork of sciences but on revolutionizing how health care policies and systems serve populations. You'll explore ways to increase access to health care, particularly for vulnerable and rural communities, and tackle pressing issues like health equity. By blending studies in population health, health economics, policy and data analytics with leadership and systems thinking, you'll gain the skills to enact meaningful change.

Who’s a good candidate for this program?

If you're someone who naturally questions how things could be better, possesses an entrepreneurial mindset and thrives on creative and innovative thinking, this health care administration and policy master’s could be your calling. It's designed not just for those eyeing administrative roles but for anyone with a passion for health care or seeking to make a significant impact within the system. Whether you're already navigating a career in health care, from administration to clinical roles, or considering a pivot into this vital field, your drive to advance and innovate makes you an ideal candidate.

This program is also a strategic choice for those contemplating medical school. It offers a unique gap-year opportunity to gain insights into the broader context of health care delivery, policy's role in health outcomes and the potential of informatics to enhance decision-making and health results. Your ability to articulate a vision for your future in health care and how this program aligns with your goals is key, regardless of your background in health care or specific undergraduate degree.

What you can do with a health care administration and policy master’s

Upon graduation, you'll be equipped for a variety of impactful roles across the health care sector. Imagine leading teams as an advanced clinical leader, managing health programs or making big decisions as a health care administrator. Your skills in improving quality will be essential for bettering patient care. You may even start your own health care business, bringing new ideas to the field.

While some candidates may initially view this program as a precursor to medical school, students commonly realign their career trajectories towards health care administration or quality improvement upon exposure to the curriculum. As a graduate, you're not just getting a degree; you're preparing to make a real difference in health care, whether it's in managing teams, improving services or innovating.