Master of Science in Global Strategic Leadership (Leadership in Health Administration)
Hours: 36 Online
About
The Master of Science in Global Strategic Leadership (Leadership in Health Administration) at Fort Hays State University is designed for mid-career professionals in healthcare and health administration who seek to lead meaningful changes within their organizations and the broader health sector. The program focuses on developing practical leadership skills to address global challenges such as healthcare inequality, limited access to care, and public health crises.
With a strong emphasis on a transdisciplinary approach, the curriculum integrates health administration expertise with strategic leadership principles. This combination prepares students to collaborate across sectors and design innovative solutions to persistent issues, including healthcare disparities and system inefficiencies.
Graduates will be equipped to lead transformative initiatives that improve healthcare efficiency, equity, and patient outcomes. They will be prepared to influence policy, advocate for health equity, and drive systemic improvements in healthcare delivery. Whether working in governmental, nonprofit, or private-sector organizations, graduates will be ready to lead efforts that strengthen health systems at both local and global levels.
Why pursue a Master of Science in Global Strategic Leadership (Leadership in Health Administration) at Fort Hays State University?
The M.S. in Global Strategic Leadership (Leadership in Health Administration) offers a unique opportunity to develop specialized leadership skills tailored to address global health challenges such as inequality, limited access to care, and public health crises. The program is distinguished by its integration of global strategic leadership principles with a strong foundation in health administration, preparing students to lead transformative changes within healthcare organizations.
The curriculum emphasizes cross-sector collaboration and combines leadership theory with real-world application. Through small class sizes and individualized support from experienced faculty, students gain the guidance necessary to navigate complex healthcare environments effectively.
Graduates are well-equipped to influence health policy, drive systemic improvements, and lead initiatives that advance equity and efficiency in healthcare systems at both local and global levels.
Who is this program for?
The program is designed for mid-career healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their leadership skills and address pressing global health challenges. It is ideally suited for individuals dedicated to tackling issues such as healthcare inequality and limited access to care, with the goal of creating a lasting impact on health systems both locally and globally.
- Mid-career healthcare and health administration professionals seeking to enhance their leadership skills
- Individuals passionate about addressing global health challenges like inequality, access to care, and public health crises
- Aspiring leaders looking to drive systemic improvements in healthcare delivery and policy
- Professionals eager to collaborate across sectors and apply strategic leadership to solve complex healthcare issues
- Those committed to making a lasting impact on health systems locally and globally
Real-World Applications
The program prepares students for real-world leadership roles in healthcare and health administration by emphasizing the practical application of leadership principles to major challenges such as healthcare inequality, limited access to care, and system inefficiencies.
Through case studies, collaborative projects, and applied coursework, students develop the skills required to lead transformative initiatives that strengthen healthcare systems. They gain expertise in navigating complex, cross-sector environments, enabling them to address critical issues in healthcare organizations, public policy, and community health. This hands-on learning experience equips graduates with the knowledge and tools necessary to drive meaningful changes in an increasingly complex and globalized healthcare landscape.
Stay Ahead of the Curve
Fort Hays State University incorporates the latest advancements in healthcare leadership, policy, and administration into its curriculum. Guided by faculty with real-world experience, the program integrates contemporary approaches such as systems thinking, digital health technologies, and healthcare equity initiatives.
With a strong emphasis on transdisciplinary collaboration and emerging trends, such as data-driven decision-making and healthcare policy reform, the program prepares students to lead effectively in today’s dynamic healthcare environment. Graduates emerge with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience necessary to address current challenges and anticipate future developments in the field.
Hands-on Activities
Hands-on learning is a core component of the M.S. in Global Strategic Leadership (Leadership in Health Administration) program. Students engage in intensive coursework and real-world projects that emphasize team leadership, systems thinking, and the strategic application of skills within healthcare settings. These experiences enable students to address complex challenges such as healthcare disparities, policy reform, and system inefficiencies.
Through case studies, collaborative projects, simulations, and leadership exercises that mirror real-world healthcare environments, students gain practical experience in managing teams, influencing policy, and leading cross-sector change. This applied learning approach ensures that graduates are well-prepared to lead with confidence and make a meaningful impact across the healthcare landscape.
What You’ll Learn:
- Strategic leadership across disciplines to solve healthcare challenges
- Systems thinking and problem-solving in complex environments
- Analyze and solve complex cross-sector healthcare challenges
- Collaboration with diverse stakeholders to drive healthcare change
- Lead global healthcare solutions with cultural awareness
How You’ll Learn:
- Practical leadership application through real-world healthcare projects
- Collaborative coursework with diverse healthcare stakeholders
- Case studies focusing on global healthcare challenges and solutions
- Simulations and leadership exercises
- Guidance from experienced faculty with healthcare leadership expertise
The curriculum provides a comprehensive foundation in leadership within the context of global health challenges. Core courses in Leadership Theory, Systems Thinking, and Global Health Policy prepare students to design strategic solutions to pressing issues such as healthcare access, inequality, and system inefficiencies.
Specialized electives in health administration further enhance students' ability to navigate complex healthcare systems and influence policy at organizational, national, and global levels.
HHP 610G: Global Health
This course explores global health issues, focusing on solutions to health challenges. It covers biological and social factors, high-risk populations, policies on health inequalities, and methods for assessing global health. Suitable for students from various majors.
LDRS 802: Organizational Systems, Change, and Leadership
This course encourages students to adopt a systems perspective on leadership and organizational change. They will analyze key theories on learning, knowledge creation, and capacity building, applying them to real-world settings. The course develops students' ability to think systematically and build core competencies for driving and sustaining change.
LDRS 805: Organizational Inquiry
This course explores applied research methods in leadership and organizational development, focusing on survey design and analysis. Students will learn to develop survey items, ensure reliability and validity, analyze data using descriptive and basic inferential statistics, and present findings to address organizational challenges and needs.
Discover the full Master of Science in Global Strategic Leadership (Leadership in Health Administration) course listing by visiting the Academic Catalog.
Graduates are well-prepared to pursue dynamic and impactful careers within the healthcare industry. With a strong focus on global health challenges and improving healthcare delivery, they are equipped to assume leadership roles that drive meaningful change and promote health equity across diverse sectors.
Healthcare Administrator
Healthcare administrators manage the operations of hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. They oversee budgets, coordinate services, ensure regulatory compliance, and lead efforts to improve patient care, reduce inefficiencies, and implement strategic initiatives across public and private sectors.
Health Policy Analyst
Health policy analysts research and evaluate policies to improve healthcare systems and reduce disparities. They analyze data and provide evidence-based recommendations to policymakers, often working in government or advocacy to influence legislation and reform.
Public Health Advocate
Public health advocates work to expand healthcare access and reduce disparities by promoting awareness and supporting policy reform. They collaborate with governments, nonprofit organizations, and communities to advance health equity and ensure essential care for underserved populations.
Healthcare Consultant
Healthcare consultants advise organizations on improving services, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. They help implement best practices, enhance patient outcomes, and may work independently or with consulting firms in healthcare management.
Health Services Researcher
Health services researchers study healthcare delivery with a focus on cost, access, and quality. Their work informs solutions to disparities and enhances system performance. Common roles are found in academia, research institutions, and public health organizations.
Admission to the Master of Science in Global Strategic Leadership (Leadership in Health Administration) program is based on specific academic and professional criteria designed to ensure a qualified and diverse student cohort. The key admission requirements for prospective applicants are as follows:
Professional Experience
Applicants must submit a resume showing at least three years of relevant professional experience. This experience is essential to demonstrate readiness for advanced leadership roles and the ability to apply program knowledge in real-world settings.
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants are required to submit two letters of recommendation, including at least one from a current or recent supervisor. These letters should highlight the applicant's leadership potential, professional achievements, and readiness for graduate-level study.
Personal Statement
The personal statement should clearly outline the applicant’s career goals, motivations for pursuing the degree, and how the program aligns with their aspirations. It should also address a specific organizational or global issue the applicant aims to tackle, demonstrating their commitment to creating a positive impact.
The Best Value in Higher Education Anywhere
Fort Hays State University prides itself on quality education at an affordable price. Students in this program can expect to pay approximately $3,139.02* (online) per semester.
*Estimated cost based on 9 credit hours at the FHSU Online Graduate tuition rate ($348.78/credit hour) for online courses. Actual price may vary depending on course load and location. Tuition and Fees are subject to change as they are approved by the Kansas Board of Regents each year.
Ready for the next step?
Our faculty would be excited to talk to you about how our department programs can help you explore your interests and prepare you for a variety of rewarding careers.
Related Programs
Fort Hays State University offers several related programs that complement the M.S. in Global Strategic Leadership (Leadership in Health Administration). These programs provide valuable skills to support professional growth across a variety of fields. Prospective students may consider the following options to further their career development:
- Master of Professional Studies (Organizational Leadership)
- M.S. in Global Strategic Leadership (Information Technology Policy Administration)
- Certificate in Global Leadership
- Certificate in Leadership Studies
The M.S. in Global Strategic Leadership (Leadership in Health Administration) is delivered 100% online, allowing students to complete coursework flexibly and at their own pace.
Graduates gain advanced leadership skills, strategic thinking abilities, and industry-specific knowledge, which prepares them for higher-level roles and increases their earning potential.
Yes, the program includes a culminating research project where students apply their learning to real-world health administration scenarios.
Financial aid and scholarships may be available to eligible students. For specific information, contact FHSU's financial aid office.
Information about the School of Criminal Justice, Leadership and Sociology
The School of Criminal Justice, Leadership and Sociology at FHSU offers a diverse range of programs designed to prepare students for meaningful and impactful careers in law enforcement, leadership, and the social sciences. Through an integrated, interdisciplinary approach, students develop critical skills that equip them to address complex societal challenges and become effective leaders and professionals.
The Criminal Justice programs provide both online and on-campus options, focusing on areas such as law enforcement, corrections, and the legal system, with a strong emphasis on leadership, ethics, and integrity. Leadership programs cultivate essential organizational and interpersonal skills through interactive coursework and hands-on internships, supported by initiatives like the Leadership Studies Association and the VALUE program. Sociology programs explore human behavior, social structures, and community issues, encouraging analytical thinking and research-based problem-solving.
Together, these programs create a robust and collaborative educational environment that promotes cross-disciplinary learning. Students are empowered to lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to their communities and the broader society. Whether focused on justice, leadership, or social change, students in the School of Criminal Justice, Leadership and Sociology gain the knowledge and experience needed to make a lasting impact.
While earning a degree remains the primary focus, college life offers much more than classroom learning. Students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities that foster leadership skills, deepen their understanding of their chosen careers, and provide opportunities to make a positive impact in their communities.
- Criminal Justice Club: Open to students majoring, minoring, or pursuing a certificate in Criminal Justice, as well as those majoring in Criminalistics, the Criminal Justice Club offers career-focused opportunities for service, networking, and social engagement. The club meets weekly during the academic year, with activities that vary each semester based on student interests. Volunteer options are available through local groups such as:
- Delta Tau Omega: Students in the Criminal Justice Club have an opportunity to join the FHSU chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association, Delta Tau Omega. Membership in this organization allows students to participate in regional and national conferences, where they can engage in a variety of competitions, including written exams, mock crime scene investigations, physical agility tests, scholarly research poster presentations, and national research paper and scholarship contests. To remain active in the organization, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in their criminal justice coursework.
- Sociology Club: Open to all students and majors, the Sociology Club promotes research on topics aimed at improving the community. The club actively collaborates with both the FHSU campus community and residents of Hays, hosting student engagement events and participating in a variety of community service projects. Its mission is to foster a deeper interest in sociology while highlighting the discipline’s importance in understanding society and enhancing the human condition.
- Alpha Kappa Delta: Sociology majors may be eligible for membership in Alpha Kappa Delta, the honor society for sociology. This organization promotes academic excellence and fosters scholarship and fellowship among undergraduate and graduate students. To qualify for membership, students must have junior standing, a minimum 3.0 GPA in sociology, and at least 12 completed credit hours in sociology coursework.
- Leadership Studies Association: The Leadership Studies Association provides students with opportunities to develop their leadership skills by building meaningful relationships, engaging in skill-building activities, and applying leadership in real-world settings. The organization encourages student growth through a variety of events and activities designed to foster personal and professional development.
Criminal Justice Centers
- National De-escalation Training Center:
In August 2020, Fort Hays State University’s Criminal Justice Programs and University Police partnered with the National De-escalation Training Center (NDTC) to become the Region 2 Central Region Training Center. As a designated regional center, FHSU offers the only Level 3 de-escalation training currently available in the United States.
- Level 1 training includes traditional de-escalation techniques grounded in procedural justice.
- Level 2 provides basic crisis intervention strategies.
- Level 3 enhances both traditional de-escalation and crisis intervention methods by incorporating rapid personality identification.
The NDTC De-escalation: Principles & Practice course is an evidence-based program that has been shown to increase officer confidence in applying de-escalation techniques when working with the public.
FHSU facilitates all three of NDTC’s training modalities, including an 8-hour online training, a two-day, in-person training, and a comprehensive 32- to 40-hour train-the-trainer program. Supported by substantial federal funding, these training opportunities are available to agencies at little to no cost. In addition, scholarships may be available to help agencies enroll officers in the online course.
NDTC training is approved by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and certified by the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST).
- Center for Empowering Victims of Gender-based Violence:
Located within the Criminal Justice Programs at Fort Hays State University, the Center for Empowering Victims of Gender-Based Violence functions as a regional hub for collaborative research and community service. Its mission is to alleviate the barriers faced by survivors, promote economic independence, and empower survivors to embrace new opportunities with freedom and confidence.
The Center commits to providing sustainable support aimed at helping survivors break the cycle of violence and transform from victims/survivors into social entrepreneurs.
Focusing on gender-based violence in rural areas, the Center facilitates cross-disciplinary research that explores its causes and effective control measures. It leads collaborative networks of researchers committed to applying evidence-based approaches and identifying best practices to address gender-based violence within rural communities.
Additionally, the Center fosters academic-community partnerships through service-learning, research, assessment, education, and policy development, all designed to enhance the well-being and resilience of rural populations.
- VALUE Program:
The Voss Advanced Leadership Undergraduate Experience (VALUE) is a year-long program designed to cultivate promising undergraduates into effective agents of change. It offers a combination of curricular and co-curricular experiences across three specialized tracks: corporate leadership, civic/nonprofit leadership, and scholarship/leadership research.
- CNN Heroes Advisory Board:
The Sociology Programs focus on creating real-world impact through projects aimed at supporting those in need. A key initiative involves collaboration with CNN Heroes, individuals nationally recognized for their outstanding contributions to nonprofit organizations. The CNN Heroes Advisory Board, made up of these distinguished leaders, offers students valuable guidance and insights drawn from their successful experiences in the nonprofit sector.
- Master's
- Online
