Frequently Asked Questions
Program Format and Details
Will the program be offered online for the 2024-2025 academic year?
Yes. The program will be held in a live virtual and online format during the 2024-2025 academic year.
Do I have to attend virtual classes if I am taking the program online?
Yes. The program has weekly synchronous class sessions that require attendance and participation. Typically, classes are held in the mornings Eastern Standard Time (7:00 am – 12:00 pm).
What is the time commitment to complete the program?
Students should expect to spend between 30-35 hours per week in the full-time program, and between 15- 20 hours per week in the part-time program.
Can I keep my job while I complete the degree?
We recommend the part-time program for any student who continues to work full time while completing the degree. Please note that attendance is required at class, so students will need to adjust their work schedule accordingly.
How long will it take to complete the degree?
We offer both a full-time option that will take 11 months to complete and a part-time option that takes two academic years to complete.
What is the difference between the Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety program and the certificate in Safety, Quality, Informatics and Leadership (SQIL)? Can I apply credits from the certificate to the Master’s?
The master's is a highly selective and degree-granting program. Enrolled students have at least three years of clinical experience and/or five years of practice in health care quality/safety.
The Safety, Quality, Informatics and Leadership program has participants with very diverse backgrounds and levels of work experience in quality and safety, including many senior members of ministries of health and Chief Safety and Quality Officers of hospitals throughout the world. The focus of the SQIL program is to provide the practical skills, tools and knowledge that can be applied immediately to your work to create high impact and high-value improvements. Choosing to pursue the master's after SQIL just deepens this knowledge and provides you with many more opportunities for coaching and support.
SQIL graduates can waive selected courses in the master's program curriculum and replace them with 4 credits of electives. 36 credit hours is required for all students completing the degree.
How can I find more information about the program?
We invite you to join an information session with the program director. For all inquiries, please email mhqs@hms.harvard.edu.
Admissions and Application Requirements
What prior degree(s) do I need for admission?
Applicants should hold an advanced degree, such as a Master’s degree or beyond. Applicants without an advanced degree but extensive experience in quality and safety will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Typical applicants have at least three years of clinical experience.
English is not my native language. What are the requirements for admission?
Students whose native language is not English must also include results of the Test of English as a Second Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test. The only exemption from this requirement is anyone who earned a bachelor's or graduate degree from an institution at which English was the sole language of instruction.
Are interviews required?
Yes. All candidates who advance in the admissions process will be asked to complete a virtual interview with the program directors.
When will I hear about an admissions decision?
Applications are reviewed only after we have received all required documents. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and timing of the decision depends on the volume of applications received.
Tuition and Financial Aid
How much does the program cost?
The program tuition and fees can be found on our Cost of Attendance website.
Are there scholarships available?
The Financial Aid Office at Harvard Medical School is committed to providing you with the information you need to make informed decisions about financing your Harvard Medical School education.
Student loans are available to help meet education expenses. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for student loans from the federal government and/or “supplemental” loans, which are educational loans from private sources.
International students are not eligible for U.S. government loans, but they may be eligible for a private loan with options to borrow with or without a U.S. co-signer. Please find more information about loans and scholarships here.
When are my term bills due?
Term bills are due in August for the fall semester and in January for the spring semester. Please refer to the Student Accounts site for additional information and the billing calendar. There are options to request a monthly or quarterly payment plan.
What is the deferral policy?
Students can be granted a deferral for one academic year with the permission of the program director. Institutional scholarships will be void upon deferral.