Master of Science (M.S). in Healthcare Leadership
100% online! Finish in just nine to 12 months with asynchronous classes.
Designed to meet the demands of today’s evolving healthcare landscape, Merrimack’s M.S. in Healthcare Leadership equips you with the leadership skills, knowledge, and practical expertise needed to address complex industry issues, lead diverse teams, and accelerate your career success.
Healthcare Leadership Master's Degree at a Glance
Mode of Study
Online, Asynchronous
Est. Time
9-12 Months Full-time (Part-time Study Available)
Start Terms
Fall, Spring, Summer I,
Summer II
View Application Deadlines
Credits
32
Accreditation
Fellowships
Not Applicable
Scholarships
Dean Scholarship &
Alumni Scholarship
Master of Science in Healthcare Leadership
Credits
Per Credit
Total Tuition Cost
Tuition for 2025-2026. Rates are subject to change.
Typical Tuition Savings for the M.S. in Healthcare Leadership
In addition to the program’s already low tuition, Merrimack’s M.S. in Healthcare Leadership offers generous alumni and merit-based scholarship opportunities.
Double Warrior Alumni Scholarships are awarded to all Merrimack College alumni, covering 33% of tuition, or $7,656, for recent graduates (25% for previously graduated alumni).
Dean Scholarships are merit-based awards offered to eligible graduate students who are not alumni of Merrimack College. These scholarships vary in amount and are awarded based on academic achievement and potential.
Visit the page below to find all up-to-date tuition and fees information.
Overview of Merrimack's M.S. in Healthcare Leadership
Merrimack’s Master of Science in Healthcare Leadership prepares ambitious professionals to navigate and excel in the rapidly evolving healthcare industry. This online program emphasizes innovative leadership, evidence-based decision-making, and effective communication to address complex challenges in healthcare settings. Students benefit from flexible coursework, exposure to real-world applications, and mentorship from industry experts, equipping them with the tools to lead diverse teams, implement strategic solutions, and drive organizational success in roles ranging from executive leadership to healthcare consultancy.
The healthcare leadership master’s degree includes training in:
Negotiations and conflict resolution
Communication and management in healthcare
Compliance and risk management in healthcare
Innovative leadership in healthcare
Healthcare law, ethics, and policy
Why Choose the M.S. in Healthcare Leadership at Merrimack?
EXCEPTIONAL FACULTY AND MENTORSHIP
Learn from expert faculty who combine academic excellence with extensive real-world healthcare experience. Through specialized projects and industry-relevant coursework, you’ll receive hands-on guidance and actionable insights that enable you to tackle the pressing challenges facing today’s healthcare industry.
FLEXIBLE AND CUSTOMIZABLE LEARNING
With online, asynchronous courses and a supportive cohort model, our program is designed for busy professionals. Tailor your degree to align with your career goals through customizable coursework and electives, all offered at regionally competitive tuition rates
REAL-WORLD EXPERTISE FOR CAREER READINESS
Engage in practical assignments and explore current healthcare challenges to build skills that employers value. Graduate prepared to excel in leadership roles across diverse healthcare environments.
DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Hone your ability to lead teams, collaborate across disciplines, and implement innovative solutions. This program provides you with the tools to drive meaningful change and advance your career in healthcare.
Career Outlook: Where Can a M.S. in Healthcare Leadership Take You?
Job Openings
in Medical and Health Services Management in the United States as of 2024
Employment Growth
for Medical and Health Services Managers projected from 2024 to 2034—significantly faster than the average for all occupations.
Median Annual Salary
The average annual salary of Medical and Health Services Managers in the United States as of 2024
16:1
Estimated 20-year ROI*
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2024
*Estimated Return on Investment (ROI) based on average salary for roles with a Healthcare Leadership master’s degree in relation to Merrimack’s stated tuition for the program, and a potential salary increase of $20k over 20 years. Actual results will vary depending on career path, location, and individual circumstances.
Jobs with a Healthcare Leadership Master's Degree
- C.E.O.
- Vice President
- Division Leader
- Practice Management
- Healthcare Business Consultant
- Chief Medical Officer
- Pharmaceutical Corporate Leader
- Medical Device Corporate Leader
- Continuation into doctoral program
Where Merrimack's M.S. in Healthcare Leadership Graduates Work
Boston Bruins
Communications & PR Assistant
WACH FOX 57
Weekend Anchor/Reporter
Mabbett & Associates Inc.
Marketing & Proposal Development Coordinator
Harvard Medical School
Events Coordinator
Testimonial From Our M.S. in Healthcare Leadership Program Director
What You'll Learn in Merrimack's M.S. in Healthcare Leadership
Key Courses You'll Take
Innovative Leadership in Healthcare
NEW COURSE!
Exploring Leadership Frameworks & Communication Strategies
MGT 5100
- This course helps students navigate the challenges of modern leadership in dynamic, disruptive business environments by focusing on the necessary skill sets.
- Through the exploration and application of leadership theories, students develop a comprehensive understanding of leadership across individual, team, and organizational levels.
- Students gain valuable insights into their personal leadership style, learn effective collaboration techniques with internal and external stakeholders, and master communication strategies vital for business success.
Communication and Management in Healthcare
NEW COURSE!
- This course focuses on improving students’ written and verbal communication skills while offering a foundation in healthcare management.
- It covers key management functions, addressing specific healthcare-related issues and the role of human resources in compliance, onboarding, safety, compensation, and employee concerns.
- Students will gain essential skills for managing healthcare teams, ensuring organizational compliance, and fostering professional development.
Master of Science in Healthcare Leadership
View Full Curriculum from the Graduate Catalog
M.S. in Healthcare Leadership Requirements
To see more details about the program, please visit catalog.merrimack.edu.Skills You'll Learn
Our Master’s in Healthcare Leadership will position you to pursue the career you want, from leadership roles in healthcare organizations to practice management or advanced studies in doctoral programs. Upon completion of this master’s degree students will be able to:
Apply leadership theories with individuals and groups to address healthcare industry conditions.
Analyze, implement, explain, and evaluate the application of policies, regulations, and laws in the healthcare setting.
Illustrate effective written and verbal communication methods and apply them utilizing current technology within the healthcare setting.
Analyze and utilize the appropriate skills and techniques required for problem-solving and decision-making within the healthcare industry.
Utilize and apply negotiation and conflict resolution theories/techniques in the management and resolution of conflicts.
Apply knowledge and theory to create synergy through effective communication across cultures and subpopulations.
Featured Faculty
Kathy Young, MHA
Assistant Clinical Professor & Graduate Program Director, Healthcare Leadership
Kathy Young is an Assistant Clinical Professor and Graduate Program Director for Healthcare Leadership at Merrimack College. She holds a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) from Ohio University and a B.S. in Advanced Cardiorespiratory Science from SUNY Health Science Center, Syracuse. Kathy teaches courses in Healthcare Leadership and Management Communication, Healthcare Law, Ethics and Policy, and Quality Improvement and Compliance.
Gain Personalized Support from Our Success Coaches
Our Success Coaches are very important to your overall student experience. Throughout your time working towards your degree, your assigned Success Coach will help address many of the questions you may have outside the classroom. In doing so, they will help free more of your time to concentrate on mastering the content that is so important to your program progression.
Once you are accepted into your graduate program, your Success Coach will contact you via your student email. You will engage with your Success Coach from the time you are admitted until you graduate, allowing you to have a consistent point of contact as you work to achieve your goals. Many of our students and alumni appreciate the impact that their Success Coach had in their graduate journey.
At Merrimack College, you’re going to get all of the support that you would need to be successful. [...] Once the program starts, you are linked with a success coach who checks in with you regularly.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Merrimack College offers generous scholarships for M.S. in Healthcare Leadership students:
- Dean Scholarship: Determined by academic merit and financial need. Students are automatically considered for a Dean Scholarship upon applying.
- Double Warrior Alumni Scholarship: Available to all Merrimack graduates. Students enrolling immediately after senior undergraduate year automatically receive a 33% discount, and 25% thereafter. Please note that Double Warrior alumni scholarships cannot be combined with Dean Scholarships.
Financial aid in the form of federal aid, private loans, and payment plans are also options available for graduate students. Click the link below to learn more about our scholarships and financial aid opportunities.
Application Information for the M.S. in Healthcare Leadership
It’s easy to apply online! Simply create your account by registering a username and password. This will allow you to start an application, save and log back in at any time to complete it before submission.
A Completed Application Includes:
- Online application
- Official college transcripts from all institutions attended
- Resumé
- Interview OR personal statement
- Contact information for one reference OR one letter of recommendation
Important Information:
- No application fee or GRE requirement.
- Optional: Submit test scores to enhance or support your academic background.
The M.S. in Healthcare Leadership has Fall, Spring, Summer I and Summer II start terms and is 100% online.
Graduate Community and Student Support
As a graduate student at Merrimack College, you are welcome to visit campus and explore our resources to help you optimize your educational journey.
Our graduate students benefit from:
A dedicated success coach to support you throughout the program
A warm, inviting place to meet and network with faculty and peers face-to-face
All resources in our campus library to aid in your studying and research
Access to Merrimack's IT Help Desk
Availability of counseling and wellness services
Want to Learn More about the M.S. in Healthcare Leadership
Contact the Program Director, Kathy Young!
Take the Next Step (We're Here to Help)
At Merrimack, we are ready to meet you where you are and get you where you want to go. And, we make the process simple along the way! Please feel free to contact our Graduate Admission team or join us at an upcoming event if you have any questions regarding scholarships, financial aid, or the application process.
Programs Related to the M.S. in Healthcare Leadership
Explore other areas and where they can take you.
Grad Chat Podcast
Listen to this episode of Grad Chat featuring Kathy Young, the program director of our newly designed Master of Science in Healthcare Leadership program. Discover how this fully online degree equips you with the essential skills and knowledge to excel in today’s dynamic healthcare landscape. Don’t miss out on this insightful conversation!
Check us out on social media!
What's New at Merrimack
Merrimack College Awards & Recognition
U.S. News & World Report | Best Regional Universities North (2026)
- Most Innovative Schools (#8)
- Regional Universities North (#38)
- Best Undergraduate Teaching (#20)
- Best Colleges for Veterans (#16)
- Best Value Schools (#52)
