Executive Master’s Program

16 Months

32 Credits

Online

Designed for Working Professionals

Two Tracks

Define Your Studies

3-Day Onsite in D.C.

Meet Your Cohort and Faculty

What You’ll Learn

The Executive Master’s in Clinical Quality, Safety & Leadership (EMCQSL) is an online program representing the real-world environment that healthcare providers and patients encounter daily. Using a unique interprofessional learning format, the program immerses learners in advanced theory and concepts of healthcare quality, safety science, and organizational leadership. Our program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).

Most of the coursework is provided asynchronously through an online learning management system (Canvas). You can enroll full-time or part-time and start in Fall or Spring. Regardless of enrollment, courses will not overlap: The program is designed to be taken one course at a time, allowing you to get the most out of each class.

Onsite Residency

The program requires a one-time, three-day onsite in Washington, D.C. This residency provides opportunities to apply the tools and principles you’ve learned in the preceding courses through face-to-face active learning with your cohort.

Quotes from learners about the 3-Day Onsite:

“Getting to know each other and sharing common experiences. It really felt like we were a team.” ~ Fall 2022 Onsite learner

“Learning in a non-traditional, “safe” space.” ~Summer 2023 Onsite learner

“The team building exercises were excellent simulation activities to practice the skills we learned. I will apply the (Not so) Difficult conversations in everyday and professional life. The on-site also boosted my confidence by equipping me with communication skills and tools.” ~Summer 2023 Onsite learner

Capstone

The longitudinal capstone is a project you will design and implement within an organization. You will decide on the topic and structure in discussion with your capstone instructor, develop your project as you progress through the program, and present it during the final course.

Quotes from learners about the Capstone:

“The ability to use the process and results to apply to my current position and to enact positive change in my organization.” ~ Spring 2023 Alum

“Having an expert mentor me through the design and implementation of a project. I felt this course did a great job of building up to a final product.” ~ Spring 2023 Alum

“I enjoyed the option of picking my own topic for the capstone. I was even more satisfied that I was able to pick a topic that I love and, based on the results, may one day change patients’ outcomes.” ~Spring 2023 Alum

Two Tracks

Our program offers two tracks, allowing you to tailor your studies to the topics and skills of greatest interest to you. The track you choose determines which electives you will take, complementing the five required courses and seven capstone courses.

Quality & Safety

The Quality & Safety track focuses on healthcare policies, regulations, economics, and how leaders create and lead sustainable change in healthcare.

  • CQSL 6506 Policy, Regulation, & Economics 
  • CQSL 6507 Creating & Leading Sustainable Change

Human Factors

The Human Factors track includes instruction on human factors engineering principles and methods as applied to real-world patient safety and quality issues.

  • CQSL 6508 Human Factors Core Principles  
  • CQSL 6509 Human Factors Methodology & Applications
A recorded frame from the EMCQSL info session lists required courses for the master's program.

Learn More About Us

Watch our recorded info session for an overview of the Executive Master’s program, or fill out our information request form.

Request More Information

Apply Online

View prerequisites and begin your application.

Degree Plans

Review course block schedules.

Courses

View course descriptions.