Check departmental information for additional requirements.
This 30-semester-hour program prepares students from a variety of health-related fields to become managers, educators, and leaders in health-related professions or to progress to doctoral studies. Students develop competencies in interdisciplinary communication skills, quality measurement of health services, culturally-aware leadership, and evidence-based analysis to function effectively in professional and academic environments. Courses include core content and a focused area to meet student learning goals developed in discussion with advisor. Core content includes foundational research methods, statistics, management, and systems- or theory-based courses. Requirements for electives can be fulfilled by courses to expand knowledge and skills such as the topics of evidence-based practice, cultural diversity, leadership, policy, and communication or a focused content area. Students can complete the program through online course work and additionally can participate in on-campus offerings as desired.
The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at: www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.
The objectives of the interdisciplinary M.S. in Health Sciences program will be to support student abilities to:
- Critically appraise research to evaluate the level of evidence supporting best practices,
- Demonstrate preparedness for continued development of research and advocacy skills,
- Demonstrate the interdisciplinary communication skills necessary to function effectively in today's professional and academic environments
- Apply in-depth knowledge of content areas to quality measurement of health and human services,
- Become efficient in discerning, implementing, and evaluating new developments and advances in health sciences,
- Evaluate legal and ethical considerations for professional practice,
- Develop strategies for a diverse, culturally-aware work or learning environment,
- Create a professional development plan for enhancing professional competency that includes a personal vision statement, philosophy, mission, and goals.]

