Master of Healthcare Innovation
Lead change by designing forward-thinking solutions that transform care delivery and improve health systems.
Program overview
Health care needs bold, practical innovation — and leaders who know how to make it happen. Ohio State’s Master of Healthcare Innovation (MHI) prepares professionals from diverse backgrounds to lead change in complex, risk-averse environments.
Delivered fully online, the program emphasizes hands-on learning. You’ll collaborate with peers from different disciplines and apply human-centered design and systems thinking. Using tools like virtual reality, mind mapping, and interactive video discussions, you’ll create practical solutions ready for real-world health care challenges.
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Online
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31 credit hours
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Two years of part-time study
To be eligible for admission, you must meet the following requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in any area but your degree must be from an accredited bachelor's program. You may apply to the Master of Healthcare Innovation while your bachelor’s degree is still in progress, but you must receive the degree prior to beginning enrollment in the master’s program.
GPAs are reviewed by Ohio State's Graduate and Professional Admissions Office. If your GPA falls below 3.0 you may still apply and be considered for admission.
The Ohio State University is authorized to offer the MHI program in all 50 states. State authorization information and required disclosures are available through the university.
Time to degree: 2 years of part-time study, including summers
Number of credit hours: 31
Educational delivery format: Program is completed completely online, and coursework is a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning. Synchronous learning requires you to participate in the course at scheduled times during the week. The program promotes the use of teamwork, communication and collaboration.
Year 1
- Autumn
- Leadership (3 credits)
- Culture (3 credits)
- Spring
- Innovation (3 credits)
- Enhancing Communication (3 credits)
- Summer
- Organizational Operations (3 credits)
- Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
Year 2
- Autumn
- Fundamentals of Design (3 credits)
- Utilizing Technology (3 credits)
- Spring
- Professional Development Seminar (1 credit)
- Health Care Policy (3 credit)
- Capstone (3 credits)
Allow up to five business days for the status of materials to be updated on your applicant center.
March 1
The application and all materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m.ET.
There is rolling admission, so your application is reviewed, and admission decisions are made soon after you apply.
Four to six weeks after submission
You can track the status of your application through your applicant center. The application status will show as “pending” until a decision is posted. Graduate transfer applicants can track their application status by emailing nursing@osu.edu.
Most applicants will have a decision posted to their applicant center. All applicants, including Ohio State graduate transfer applicants, will be notified of their admission decision via email.
Two weeks prior to autumn semester
You may not defer enrollment; applicants unable to begin in the selected term must reapply.
Elevate your career and lead meaningful change across today’s fast-moving health systems. This degree equips you with evidence-based leadership skills and practical innovation tools to design, test and scale improvements in complex adaptive systems, while building a personalized leadership plan for long-term growth.
Career paths this degree supports:
- Clinical Innovation Lead or Innovation Program Manager
- Quality & Safety Improvement Leader (QI/QS, patient safety, HRO initiatives)
- Operations Excellence or Care Transformation Manager
- Digital Health or Health Tech Project Manager (EHR, telehealth, AI pilots)
- Population Health or Value-Based Care Manager
- Patient Experience & Service Design Lead
- Change Management Specialist or Organizational Development Partner
- Practice or Service Line Manager or Director
- Health Equity or Community Partnerships Program Lead
- Strategy & Performance Improvement Analyst or Consultant
How to apply
Submit an application through Ohio State’s Graduate and Professional Admissions Office. A $60 application fee is required.
You must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities that you have previously attended at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. This includes transcripts for any post-secondary courses taken during high school or of coursework that appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Transcripts from The Ohio State University do not need to be submitted.
Transcripts should be submitted directly by the sending institution by mail or electronic transfer to be considered official. Request that your transcripts be sent early so they arrive before the deadline. Transcripts can be sent to gpadocs@osu.edu or by mail to:
The Ohio State University
Graduate Admissions Office
P.O. Box 182004
Columbus, OH 43218-2004
You may upload a copy of an official transcript at the time of application or afterward on the admissions uploader. Documents submitted in this manner are considered unofficial but will suffice for the purposes of your application. Web based documents, online grade reports and related materials are not acceptable. If you are admitted, you will be required to supply official transcripts sent directly from your previous institution(s).
For details regarding these methods of submitting transcripts, visit The Ohio State University Graduate and Professional Admissions and direct all transcript related questions to their office at 614-292-9444 or to gpadmissions@osu.edu.
Your resume or curriculum vitae (CV) should be in a similar format as a job application. You should include your previous education, professional experiences, community service, volunteer activities, publications, research and leadership experiences. You may submit this document at the time of application or afterward on the admissions uploader.
The purpose and goals statement is a one-to-two-page document that describes your goals and how they relate to the MHI program. Discuss your academic goals and how this program will help you achieve your career aspirations. Include what innovation means to you and how you utilize innovation to lead others. Submit this document at the time of application or afterward on the admissions uploader.
The portfolio is an exercise that demonstrates your creativity. Fill a one page, 8.5x11" space to showcase your skills and ideas. The portfolio size is limited to 5mb. If your file exceeds the limit, email the file to gpadocs@osu.edu along with your OSU username after applying.
There are no other limits to what you can create and can use words, pictures, music, etc. Just be sure that the portfolio can be saved as a PDF for submission. Submit this document at the time of application or afterward on the admissions uploader.
You are required to complete a recorded online video interview through an online portal called HireVue, during which you will be recorded answering a brief selection of questions regarding your interests in the MHI program. This interview can be completed at any time during the application window. However, we ask that you do so only after you have completed and submitted your application. You must complete the recorded online video interview before the application deadline. Instructions for the recorded interview.
During the application you will be asked to provide the names and email addresses of three recommenders. Once the application is submitted, an email will be automatically generated and sent to your recommenders with further instructions on how to submit their letters of recommendation. We encourage you to submit your application far in advance of the deadline so that your recommenders have ample time to upload their letters. Letters of recommendation should not be mailed, and you may not personally submit letters of recommendation.
Letters of recommendation should be submitted from individuals who are familiar with your academic ability, professional experience, and potential to succeed in a graduate program. We suggest providing your recommenders with information on the degree and specialty to which you are applying and with a copy of your purpose and goals statement. Finally, make them aware of the submission process and the application deadline by which they must submit their letters.
Learn more about details regarding what English proficiency tests are acceptable, the scores required and how to submit.
If you are currently or have been previously enrolled in a degree granting graduate program at The Ohio State University for any length of time, you would be considered a Graduate Intra-University Transfer Student. Choose the appropriate application for "current or former" Ohio State students while completing your online application.
In addition to that online application, you must complete a supplemental application. This separate application must be submitted to the College of Nursing directly at CON-gradrecords@osu.edu. Choose any of the following options to access this application:
- MS Word Document: Supplemental MHI Application (To download, select "Save")
- PDF (Open file with Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat): Supplemental MHI Application
Failure to complete all required steps by the deadline (11:59 p.m. ET) will result in your application not being considered for admission.
Contact
FAQ
We review applications holistically, considering academic background, professional experience, and life experiences. We look for candidates who demonstrate:
- Passion for innovation or examples of pursuing innovation
- Leadership and collaboration skills
- Creativity and problem-solving
- Diversity of thought and perspective
- Experience with the health care system
Yes, if the work is distinct from your paid role. Learn more about capstone expectations in the Curriculum section's sample schedule.
Yes, as a dual degree student. You must meet credit requirements for both programs. Coursework overlap is limited, so you may need to complete all requirements for each degree. For programs with clinical components, adjustments may not be possible. Contact the program director and follow all College of Nursing application steps. Questions? Email OnlineEnrollment@osu.edu.
Yes. You may enroll as a graduate non-degree student, and up to ten credits may be applied to the MHI. You can also consider the Healthcare Leadership and Innovation certificate before enrolling.
This program admits students once-per-year for autumn semester.