Master of Science in Health Sciences
Master of Health Science
The Master of Health Science program at Montana State provides students with an opportunity to diversify or further solidify their educational foundation through graduate education that can be applied to any of several career paths in the healthcare field. The program supports the educational endeavors of Montana State graduates, post baccalaureate pre-medical certificate students, and non-certificate students who attend MSU to better prepare for entry into health care-related professional schools. In addition to applying to various graduate programs in the healthcare field, some students choose to pursue a Ph.D. following the program.
Program Details
Some basics include:
- Minimum: 9 credits from Emphasis, 24 course credits, 3 scholarly project credits (HMED or CHTH 575, w/presentation); 30 credits total.
- Maximum: 9 credits from 400 level, 9 credits from transfer (UM, MSU-B), 6 credits (HMED or CHTH 575).
- Special courses: 491, 492, 588 and 589 credits do not apply. No limit for 595 credits. 592, 594, and 598 credits cannot constitute more than 1/3 of total credits. HMED 540 Clinical Practicum HMED or CHTH 575 Scholarly project, and HMED 594 Journal Club apply to each Emphasis.
- Course listing serves as an example of potential opportunities. Access to any given course will depend on availability and completion of appropriate pre-requisites. There is no guarantee that any particular course will be offered or available.
- With limited course exceptions, this program is offered fully in person and intended (but not required) to be completed in two semesters or one year.
Track Options
This graduate program offeres three different tracks allowing students specilize in their prefered area of study. Below are the track descriptions and course curriculum.
Core Focus: Strengthens students’ understanding of the core concepts of microbiology, immunology, and cellular functions.
| BCH 441 | Biochemistry of Macromolecules | 3 |
| BCH 442 | Metabolic Regulation | 3 |
| BCH 444R | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Methods | 3 |
| BCH 524 | Mass Spectrometry | 3 |
| BCH 543 | Proteins | 3 |
| BIOB 410 | Immunology | 3 |
| BIOB 425 | Adv Cell & Molecular Biology | 3 |
| or BIOB 525 | Adv. Cell & Molecular Biology | |
| BIOB 524 | Ethical Practice of Science | 3 |
| BIOH 405 | Hematology | 3 |
| BIOH 422 | Genes and Cancer | 3 |
| BIOH 511 | Advanced Human Anatomy | 4 |
| BIOH 445 | Introduction to Pharmacology | 3 |
| BIOH 465R | Gene Expression Lab: From Genes to Proteins to Cells | 3 |
| or BIOH 565 | Gene Expression Lab: From Genes to Proteins to Cells | |
| NEUR 435 | Cognitive Neuroscience | 3 |
| NEUR 455 | Molecular Medicine | 3 |
| BIOM 400 | Medical Microbiology | 3 |
| BIOM 425 | Toxicology: Science of Poisons | 3 |
| or MB 527 | Toxicology | |
| BIOM 431 | Medical Bacteriology | 3 |
| BIOM 441 | Eukaryotic Pathogens | 4 |
| BIOO 412 | Animal Physiology | 3 |
| EMEC 424 | Cellular Mechanotransduction | 3 |
| HSTR 417 | Early Modern Science | 3 |
| HSTR 419 | Modern Science | 3 |
| IMID 501 | Exper Immunology/Pathology | 3 |
| IMID 505 | Gene Regulation in Human Development, Disease, and Immunity | 3 |
| MB 505 | Host-Associated Microbiomes | 4 |
| MB 520 | Microbial Physiology | 3 |
| MB 525 | Advanced Immunology | 3 |
| MB 528 | Advanced Genetics | 3 |
| MB 530 | Virology | 3 |
| BIOH 509 | Advanced Human Torso Anatomy | 4 |
| HMED 575 | Professional Paper and Project | 1-4 |
| HMED 540 | Clinical Practicum | 1 |
| HMED 594 | Seminar | 1 |
Core Focus: Provides a foundation for understanding community health with a focus on advancing public health and promoting the well-being of communities related to health care administration, education, non-profit, government or other community health organizations and settings.
| AC 502 | Psychopharmacology (Sp) | 3 |
| AC 504 | Alcohol and Drug Studies (Fa) | 3 |
| CHTH 405 | Caregiving & Aging Families | 3 |
| CHTH 430 | Mental Health & Soc Iss in Ag | 3 |
| CHTH 435 | Human Response Stress | 3 |
| CHTH 502 | Theories and Models in Health (Fa) | 3 |
| CHTH 575 | Paper-Project | 1-6 |
| HADM 445 | Managing Healthcare Orgs | 3 |
| HDCO 554 | Develop Across Lifespans (Sp) | 3 |
| HDCO 563 | Multicultural Awareness (Fa) | 3 |
| HDFS 545 | Contemporary Family Issues (Sp) | 3 |
| HTH 455 | The Ethics of Care (Fa) | 3 |
Total: 30 Credits
Substitutions with Approval on HHD advisor - Dr. Dan Koltz
Core Focus: Emphasizes anatomy, nutrition, and psychology to provide students a better understanding in preventive medicine for their professional journey in either professional health schools, advanced graduate study, or employment.
|
Course |
Title |
Credits |
|
Required Curriculum: |
||
|
HMED 540 |
Clinical Practicum |
1 |
|
HMED 575 |
Professional Paper & Project |
1-6 |
|
Choose one course from the following: |
||
|
BIOB 425/525 |
Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology |
3 |
|
BIOH 454 |
Microanatomy (Histology) |
3 |
|
BIOH 509 |
Advanced Human Anatomy - Torso |
4 |
|
BIOH 511 |
Advanced Human Anatomy - Appendicular |
4 |
| CHTH 435 | Human Response to Stress |
3 |
|
NUTR 421 |
Macronutrient Metabolism |
3 |
|
NUTR 422 |
Micronutrient Metabolism |
3 |
|
NUTR 526 |
Exercise Metabolism and Health | 3 |
|
Elective Curriculum (19-23 Credits): |
||
|
BIOB 420 |
Evolution |
3 |
|
BIOB 425/525 |
Advanced Cell & Molecular Biology |
4 |
|
BIOH 509 |
Advanced Human Anatomy - Torso |
4 |
|
BIOH 511 |
Advanced Human Anatomy |
4 |
|
BIOH 454 |
Microanatomy (Histology) |
3 |
|
BIOO 412 |
Animal Physiology |
3 |
|
CHTH 430 |
Mental Health & Social Issues in Aging |
3 |
|
CHTH 435 |
Human Response To Stress |
3 |
|
CHTH 540 |
Principles of Epidemiology |
3 |
|
HEE (KIN) 506 |
Exercise and Chronic Disease |
3 |
|
HMED 594 |
Seminar |
1 |
|
KIN 515 |
Exercise Performance and Nutrition |
3 |
|
KIN 545 |
Graduate Exercise Physiology |
3 |
|
NEUR 440 |
Neuroscience of Mental Illness |
3 |
|
NRSG 602 |
Adv Physio/Pathophysiology |
4 |
|
NRSG 603 |
Advanced Pharmacology I |
2 |
|
NRSG 610 |
Health Care Informatics |
3 |
|
NUTR 411 |
Nutrition for Sports/Exercise |
4 |
|
NUTR 421 |
Macronutrient Metabolism |
3 |
|
NUTR 422 |
Micronutrient Metabolism |
3 |
|
NUTR 511 |
Exercise Metabolism and Health |
3 |
|
NUTR 526 |
Nutrition for Fitness/Perform |
3 |
|
PSYX 463 |
Social Cognition |
3 |
|
PSYX 477 |
Science of Psych Well-Being |
3 |
|
PSYX 541 |
Cognitive Processes |
3 |
|
PSYX 544 |
Social Psychology |
3 |
|
PSYX 546 |
Social Cognition |
3 |
Total: 30 Credits
Students interested in pursuing a career in post-secondary education may apply 12 credits the College Teaching Certificate toward their program.
Substitutions with consultation and approval of program chair.
Pre-Requisites
- Hold a Baccalaureate degree by the time of matriculation into MSU program
- Recommended pre-requisites include:
- 1 year of Introductory biology
- 1 year of Introductory physics
- 1 year of General chemistry
- 1 year of Organic chemistry
- 1 semester of statistics
- Admission requirements of the Graduate School
* Students can work with their MSc advisor to take some of these courses to fill knowledge gaps
Total tuition for in-state students is $8,480, out-of-state $32,760
Application Requirements
Click here to apply. Each application will need the following:
- Official transcripts: From all universities and colleges attended are required. Unofficial transcripts must be uploaded to the online application. Official transcripts will be required if admitted; they can be sent to kyra.merchen@montana.edu.
- 2 letters of recommendation. Letters are managed solely via the online application. Letter writers will upload their letters to the application system once you have entered your recommenders' contact information (letters should not be mailed or emailed directly to the department).
- Statement of health care interest. Your statement should have your name and must specify your track of interest indicated in the upper right corner.
NOTE: Applications are accepted for Fall and Spring terms:
- Fall: Applications due between Dec 1 - August 1
- Spring: Applications due between July 1 - December 15