Be a Leader in Health Care Improvement
A first of its kind hybrid online master’s degree program for innovative thinkers passionate about improving health care.
The U-M Medical School Department of Learning Health Sciences Health Infrastructures & Learning Systems-Online (HILS-Online) offers a flexible part-time or full-time MS program to develop leaders who use learning health systems to make continuous improvement at scale routine.
Our online master’s degree program is the first and only online degree program offered by the University of Michigan Medical School and Rackham Graduate School. Our academic home is the Department of Learning Health Sciences, the nation’s first basic science department focused on continuous systems-level learning.
Just like the HILS residential MS program, HILS-Online takes a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together
- Data science and informatics
- Implementation science
- Quality improvement and patient safety
- Statistics
- Policy and ethics
- Behavioral and social sciences.
HILS-Online delivers the same breadth and depth as the residential program, reformatted for robust online participation, with plenty of peer and faculty interaction built in.
HILS – Online graduates are equipped to design, scope, lead and evaluate initiatives that learn, adapt, and continuously improve:
- Implement solutions across systems.
- Translate research evidence into practice.
- Improve health care quality and safety at scale.
- Reduce medical errors and health care costs.
With their unique, in-demand skill sets, HILS-Online alumni lead initiatives designed to improve outcomes at all levels – not only clinical outcomes but processes of care, health justice, and health equity outcomes as well.
Like the residential MS, the 27-credit HILS–Online MS degree program is competency-based and includes an applied, real-world learning cycle project.
Admission criteria for both the residential and online programs are the same. (Note that the HILS-Online degree program currently is only available to admitted United States citizens and permanent residents (green card holders).
Online delivery means you do coursework when and where it works for you. Students can complete the HILS–Online MS, including the learning cycle project, in one of two ways:
- On a full-time basis in 3 semesters over 12 months.
- On a part-time basis, typically over 24 to 36 months.
Both the part-time and full-time online options are designed for individuals who want to advance their careers without leaving their current position or relocating to Ann Arbor.
HILS–Online enables you to leverage your professional activities and job responsibilities for course assignments. This includes the learning cycle project. Students say this impactful aspect of the program immediately helps them in their careers.
HILS–Online attracts learners with a range of health care and professional experience. Students share a passion for finding solutions to the complex challenges faced by healthcare organizations of all types.
We focus on creating a vibrant learning community for our online students through
- numerous virtual activities with colleagues and faculty.
- opportunities for virtual and in-person mentoring and peer networking.
three in-person HILS Institutes for all online and residential master’s and doctoral learners.
HILS–Online students benefit from the many advantages of pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Michigan, including access to student activities, student organizations and support resources offered through
- Rackham Graduate School
- Office of Graduate Postdoctoral Studies
- The University Of Michigan Library system, including the Taubman Health Sciences Library
Through these platforms, students can find a wealth of information on diversity resources, counseling services, health and wellness, career services and much more.
HILS-Online come from a range of educational and professional backgrounds:
- Health sciences and health professions
- Information and data sciences
- Computing
- Engineering
- Behavioral and social sciences
- Organizational and policy sciences
Practicing nurses and physicians, emergency medical technicians, IT experts and data scientists, quality improvement specialists, engineers — you name it. Such diversity of perspectives fuels learning health systems.
Our learners come from a range of educational and professional backgrounds—from practicing nurses and physicians to quality improvement specialists, engineers and more.
We understand undertaking graduate study represents a significant investment of resources. We encourage you to explore these as well as other potential options through your employer or other external sources.
For further information about potential funding, graduate student financial aid.
Rackham provides resources to learn about possible funding opportunities for master’s students. The criteria for and types of funding vary widely and funding is not guaranteed.
Rackham support for eligible graduate students is competitive and awarded through Rackham administered fellowships and grant competitions.
If you have not already done so, you may apply for federal financial aid online by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For more information, please visit the U-M Office of Financial Aid. There are additional resources available for U.S. military veterans and active-duty personnel.
The Council of Graduate Schools provides an online financial literacy platform for graduate and professional students, GradSense.
Although the HILS–Online MS is part of the School of Medicine, Rackham tuition and fees apply. You can find current tuition and fee information through the Office of the Registrar. When selecting your school/college, be sure to choose Rackham (not Medical School).
| School of Medicine: Rackham | ||
|---|---|---|
| Student Fees | Michigan Resident | Non-Michigan Resident |
| Full-time (9+ credits) per full term | $14,277 | $28,722 |
| Part-time (3 credits) | $5,029 | $9,844 |
| Part-time (6 credits) | $9,655 | $19,285 |
| Mandatory fees per term | $166.19 | $166.19 |
Tuition is based on 2024-2025 tuition rates and is subject to change.
Applicants can find information, including FAQs, about Michigan residency and in-state vs. out-of-state tuition through the Office of the Registrar.
The Office of Financial Aid publishes information on estimating the costs of attending. In addition, HILS–Online applicants should consider the following expenses:
- Study materials
- Home internet service
- Computer equipment and software, recommended to support proper functioning of course platforms:
- PC Users: Windows 10
- Mac Users: OSX 10.12 High Sierra
- Webcam: 1080p (preferred) or 720p
- RAM 4GB
- Microphone (some webcams have this built in)
- Headphones
- Compatible browser: Google Chrome (preferred), Mozilla, Firefox or Safari
- Adobe Flash
- Travel expenses for three required two-day, in-person HILS Institutes:
- at the beginning of the fall semester.
- beginning of the winter semester.
- beginning of the spring/summer semester.
HILS–Online faculty are leaders and scholars in learning health systems. Faculty maintain close ties with other top ranked schools across the University of Michigan, including the schools of Information, Public Health, Nursing, Dentistry and Pharmacy.
Clinical Associate Professor of Learning Health Sciences
Medical School
Our research programs offer a variety of opportunities to generate new knowledge and enhance learning at all levels of scale in order to improve health.
We find a new reason to love Ann Arbor nearly every day — year-round outdoor activities, cultural experiences, a growing food scene and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere are just a few that come to mind.
