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Bouvé College of Health Sciences

Healthcare Leadership

Professional Doctorate

The Doctor of Medical Science in Healthcare Leadership (DMSc) is an innovative online degree open to all medical professionals seeking to expand their careers in healthcare leadership, administration, education, and advocacy.

Program curriculum Explore Bouvé College of Health Sciences
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Program Format
Online
Time Commitment
Part time, Full time
Duration
16 - 20 Months
Entry Term(s)
Fall, Spring
Meets F1 visa requirements
No
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Program overview

Training healthcare leaders

The Doctor of Medical Science in Healthcare Leadership (DMSc) is ideal for medical professionals seeking to expand their career potential in healthcare leadership, administration, education, and advocacy. The program is delivered online*, and it is the first degree of its type to be offered by an R1 research institution.

The degree creates a path to leadership for individuals with varied healthcare backgrounds and career goals. Jobs for medical and health services managers are estimated to rise 32% by 2030, and program graduates will be equipped with the skills to meet this growing need.

*The Health Informatics Research concentration requires 1 class at the Boston campus, and the Extreme Medicine concentration requires a 4-5 day, hands-on intensive in New Hampshire.

AI Applications
Business Management for Healthcare
Exercise Science
Extreme Medicine
Health Informatics Practice
Health Informatics Research*
Health Law
Interdisciplinary
Patient Safety
Public Health

Students complete courses in research methods and thesis writing to prepare for a final problem-based thesis project that addresses a healthcare issue through the lens of the concentration.

*The Health Informatics Research concentration is the only in-person track at Northeastern’s Boston campus.

  • Northeastern’s DMSc degree is an innovative pathway for all healthcare degree holders to advance their education toward leadership-other universities limit admissions to physician assistant graduates
  • Earn your degree part-time or full-time with maximum flexibility and a 100% online curriculum open to a broad range of medical professionals working in a clinical healthcare setting
  • Gain the career advantage of a degree developed in cooperation with healthcare leaders and employers and designed to create leaders with both technical proficiency and in-demand management skills
  • Ten specialized concentrations add career flexibility to a rigorous core curriculum
  • Healthcare leadership careers are rising, with jobs for medical and health services managers estimated to grow 32% by 2030 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022)
  • Median annual wage for medical and health services managers is $101K (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022)
  • Median annual wage for medical scientists in research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences is $102,210 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022)

Admissions

Apply to the program

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and real-world professional experience in your area of interest. Apply to take your career to the next level.

Fall term deadline: August 15

Spring term deadline: December 1


  • Application

  • Application fee

  • Two letters of recommendation

  • Transcripts from all institutions attended

    • The Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) is a required assessment of all transcripts and documents from non-U.S. accredited post-secondary education institutions. (Review the FCE requirements by country.)

  • Personal statement

  • Resumé

  • TOEFL or IELTS for applicants who do not hold a degree from a U.S. institution and whose native language is not English

  • Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a healthcare-related field

    • Applicants with a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution in a healthcare-related field plus at least 3 years of experience in a healthcare-related field and is in a leadership/management role with evidence (a supervisor letter) of duties that supports significant/progressive leadership and responsibilities will be considered.

  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the accredited program

Program objectives

Prepare for success

The DMSc program provides practical training in leadership and administration to medical professionals.

Real-world healthcare leadership skills

Engage in a curriculum comprising core courses centered on healthcare systems and leadership skills, a specialized concentration, and a problem-based thesis project related to your concentration.

Flexible and customizable coursework

Students can customize their degree with a choice of ten available concentrations. The Doctor of Medical Science in Healthcare Leadership (DMSc) is offered entirely online.

Market outlook
Industry at a glance
Here's a look at current market trends and the career landscape.

Occupations

Cost of attendance

Tuition and financial aid

  • $38,556
    Tuition in USD

Estimated Total Tuition

This is an estimate based on the tuition rates for Academic Year 2025-2026 and does not include any fees or other expenses. Some courses and labs have tuition rates that may increase or decrease total tuition. Tuition and fees are subject to revision by the president and Board of Trustees at any time. Select programs at select campuses offer additional scholarships of up to 25% off the listed price for domestic students studying on campus. For more detailed information, please visit Student Financial Services.

For students interested in pursuing financial assistance or educational loans, additional educational costs, known as Cost of Attendance (COA) components, can be included in the calculation of aid and loan eligibility. Components may include food, housing, books, course materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, personal expenses, and the cost of obtaining a first professional licensure. You can find comprehensive details on the Student Financial Services website. Please keep in mind that COA can vary significantly depending on academic program, enrollment intensity, and individual circumstances.

There are many ways to pay for your education, including scholarships, financial aid, and more. Connect with a financial counselor to learn about your options and make your dream a reality.

Visit tuition & financial aid
Online Programs

Your education, your way

A person with curly hair in a white zip-up jacket sits at a modern kitchen table, focused on their laptop. They hold a mug and appear engaged, with natural light filtering through a window behind them.

Northeastern's online classes give you the same top-tier education you'd get in person, on a schedule that works for your lifestyle and career needs. They offer a range of videos, interactives, breakout sessions, and experience-focused learning opportunities to immerse you in the material and build community. You'll graduate with the same degree as your in-person peers.

Learn more about online learning at Northeastern

#8

Northeastern's national ranking for Most Innovative Schools

(U.S. News & World Report, 2024)

53.5%

Percent of graduate students in the U.S. enrolled in online courses

(NCES, 2022)

97%

Percent of students in the U.S. who recommend online education

(BestColleges, 2024)

Connect with us

Want more information?

We’re here to answer your questions about this program, the application process, and more. Complete the form below to receive additional program details and speak with a member of our enrollment team. 

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