Master of Science in Health Systems Master of Science in Health Systems Toggle mobile sub-nav

Curriculum

The Cedars-Sinai Master of Science in Health Systems (MSHS) 20-month program is organized around 4 academic cores and a capstone project:

DATA ANALYTICS CORE

HEALTHCARE FINANCING CORE

HEALTH INFORMATICS CORE

PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT CORE

Program Overview

The MSHS program spans five consecutive trimesters, encompassing 13 required courses and one elective. During the initial 16 months, students engage in didactic coursework while concurrently embarking on an independent capstone project under the guidance of an assigned faculty mentor. All mandatory courses are conveniently scheduled in the evenings, catering to the diverse commitments of our students. Our program employs a multifaceted pedagogical approach, blending traditional classroom didactics with interactive sessions, hands-on laboratory experiences, journal clubs, project sessions, and immersive learning within embedded research and operational teams.

Operating as a hybrid model, the courses predominantly occur online through a remote-learning platform and interactive evening videoconferences. Complementing online learning, each term includes a two-day in-person residential. During these sessions, students are acclimated to the program and coursework, connect with faculty mentors, participate in networking events, and receive hands-on training in various software programs. As a culmination, in the final term, students present the outcomes of their capstone projects to Cedars-Sinai leadership during in-person sessions.

The MSHS faculty underscores the importance of diverse learning experiences, emphasizing the need for a robust theoretical foundation complemented by practical experiential learning to solidify classroom theory. Students also gain proficiency in specific software programs—spanning statistical, data visualization, decision analysis, and spreadsheet applications—through dedicated laboratory sessions. Given the program's competitive nature, we admit a limited number of students each year, ensuring a focused and impactful learning environment.

Cedars-Sinai Master of Science in Health Systems Timeline

Cedars-Sinai Master of Science in Health Systems Schedule of Activities 2025

Cedars-Sinai Master of Science in Health Systems Schedule of Activities 2026

Program Objectives

Upon successful completion of the MSHS program, graduates will possess the following capabilities:

Innovative Insight: Identify diverse health systems science models and digital health innovations, adept at discerning solutions that enhance the quality, safety, and value of healthcare services.
Comprehensive Understanding: Articulate the key operational functions of the U.S. health system, demonstrating a nuanced comprehension of its intricacies and interdependencies.
Research Proficiency: Employ both quantitative and qualitative research methods proficiently, enabling the evaluation of the effectiveness and economic impact of healthcare innovations with precision.
Health Equity Advocacy: Recognize and address health inequities, leveraging knowledge and skills to actively contribute to the advancement of equitable healthcare solutions.
Leadership Acumen: Demonstrate exemplary leadership skills in successfully managing projects that involve interdisciplinary teams, showcasing the ability to navigate and harmonize diverse perspectives and disciplines.
Effective Communication: Exhibit superior communication skills, effectively conveying information about health systems science interventions to a broad spectrum of stakeholders with clarity and precision.

Unique Qualities of MSHS Program

Integrated Biomedical Sciences Curriculum: Unlike the conventional curriculum in a school of public health, the MSHS program uniquely integrates biomedical sciences that are typically taught separately, including digital health, health analytics, health informatics, healthcare financing, as well as performance measurement and improvement.
Streamlined Program Structure: MSHS offers a more efficient and concise program compared to traditional master's degree programs, allowing students to learn comprehensively, efficiently, and swiftly transition to the workforce.
Applied and Practical Focus: With a strong emphasis on practical skill building, the MSHS is a highly applied degree that combines academic training with hands-on experience. Students gain expertise in data visualization, decision-analytic tools, and health-analytic software programs.
Exposure to Cutting-Edge Technologies: The MSHS goes beyond conventional education by exposing students to digital health science, encompassing artificial intelligence, wearable biosensors, social media analytics, electronic health record best practices, virtual and augmented reality in healthcare, mobile health applications, and medical informatics.
Health Economic Analysis Proficiency: In response to the demands of modern value-based health systems science, the MSHS equips students with the essential skill of performing health economic analyses.
Cedars-Sinai Accelerator Engagement: Students benefit from exposure to the Cedars-Sinai Accelerator, gaining unique insights into positioning biomedical innovations within the broader healthcare ecosystem.
Practical Mentorship Approach: Unlike traditional university-based programs, MSHS students are integrated into project mentorship teams, collaborating closely with practitioners at the forefront of health systems science. This immersive experience takes place within Cedars-Sinai, the largest nonprofit hospital in the Western United States, consistently recognized among the nation's best by U.S. News & World Report.
Culminating Capstone Project: The program culminates in an applied capstone project, providing students with the opportunity to present their work to hospital leadership, further bridging academic learning with real-world application.