Curriculum Overview
The MSHS Program spans five consecutive trimesters, encompassing 13 required courses. During the initial 16 months, students engage in didactic coursework while concurrently embarking on an independent capstone project under the guidance of an assigned faculty mentor. All mandatory courses are conveniently scheduled in the evenings, catering to the diverse commitments of our students. Our program employs a multifaceted pedagogical approach, blending traditional classroom didactics with interactive sessions, hands‑on laboratory experiences, project sessions, and immersive learning within embedded research and operational teams.
Operating as a hybrid model, the courses predominantly occur online through a remote‑learning platform and interactive evening videoconferences. Complementing online learning, each term includes a two-day, in-person residential. During these sessions, students are acclimated to the program and coursework, connect with faculty mentors, participate in networking events, and receive hands-on training in various software programs. As a culmination, in the final term, students present the outcomes of their capstone projects to Cedars-Sinai leadership during in-person sessions.
Curriculum Information
Course Catalog
HSS 200A - Health Analytics: Collecting, Analyzing and Visualizing Big Data in Healthcare - Understand big data principles and utilize modern techniques to enhance healthcare analytics and outcomes. - Brennan Spiegel, MD, MSHS Christopher Almario, MD, MSHPM
HSS 200B - Introduction to Biostatistics - Learn biostatistical methods like hypothesis testing and regression to analyze healthcare data effectively. - Marie Lauzon, MS James Mirocha, MS
HSS 202A - Healthcare Financing and Value - Study healthcare financing models post-ACA and assess value-based care systems' impacts on health organizations. - Jan Ballesteros, PhD
HSS 202B - Decision Making in Health and Medicine - Explore decision analysis techniques in healthcare economics to optimize resource allocation and care quality. - Brennan Spiegel, MD, MSHS Christopher Almario, MD, MSHPM
HSS 201A - Principles and Practice of Digital Health Science - Examine digital health tools like EHRs, mHealth apps, and telemedicine to improve clinical outcomes and efficiency. - Brennan Spiegel, MD, MSHS Lisa Gualtieri, PhD, ScM
HSS 201C - AI in Medicine - Discover AI applications in healthcare, focusing on ethics, trust, and innovation across medical disciplines. - Lisa Gualtieri, PhD, ScM
HSS 203A - Research Design for Health Systems Science - Learn epidemiological methods and study designs to evaluate healthcare interventions and outcomes. - Gillian Gresham, PhD Cody Ramin, PhD
HSS 203B - Quality, Safety and Performance Improvement - Investigate healthcare quality measures, improvement strategies, and policy impacts on patient safety. - Nabeel Qureshi, Ph D Loretta So, PhD, MSN
HSS 203D - Health Equity - Analyze healthcare disparities and develop strategies to mitigate inequities and enhance health equity. - Jan Ballesteros, PhD
HSS 203C - Qualitative Research - Gain hands-on experience in designing and conducting qualitative research to interpret healthcare data. - Celina H. Shirazipour, PhD. Jan Ballesteros, PhD
HSS 204A - Topics in Healthcare Leadership - Enhance leadership skills, identify strengths, and explore roles in healthcare through interactive sessions and guest lectures. - Alen Voskanian, MD, MBA Christopher Almario, MD, MSHPM
HSS 204B - Capstone I - Identify healthcare improvement opportunities and conduct a literature review. Collaborate with peers to develop project focus and present findings. - Jan Ballesteros, PhD Lisa Gualtieri, PhD, ScM Cody Ramin, PhD
HSS204C - Applied Health Delivery Science: Capstone Project II - Advance your capstone project through stakeholder analysis and analytic plan development. Collaborate with peers to enhance healthcare delivery. - Jan Ballesteros, PhD Lisa Gualtieri, PhD, ScM Cody Ramin, PhD
HSS204D - Applied Health Delivery Science: Capstone Project III - Execute your capstone project, analyze data, and present findings. Collaborate with peers to refine your approach and deliver final recommendations. - Jan Ballesteros, PhD Lisa Gualtieri, PhD, ScM Cody Ramin, PhD
Project Overview
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Frequently Asked Questions
Explore answers to commonly asked questions to help you navigate the program.
Our hybrid program blends online classes with five in-person residentials at Cedars-Sinai over 20 months. This setup offers the convenience of online learning while allowing face-to-face interaction with peers and professors. Students gain personal mentorship, enhance networking, and receive hands-on training in software programming. The program culminates in a capstone project presented to hospital leaders.
Our schedule accommodates working students, with weeknight classes from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. PT during the first year, held 2 to 3 nights per week, Monday through Thursday. After the first year, students transition to fieldwork and a capstone project. Fieldwork occurs every other week in trimester 4. Capstone projects are individual, with lectures throughout terms 3–5. Mentorship and events may occur during work hours, available online.
Residentials take place at the beginning of the first three terms and at the end of the last two terms.
The Cedars-Sinai Master of Science in Health Systems program spans 20 months and five trimesters, including 13 courses and a capstone project. It combines online learning with mandatory two-day in-person residentials each trimester for hands-on training and networking. This hybrid approach ensures students gain practical experience alongside theoretical learning. The program culminates with students presenting their capstone projects to Cedars-Sinai leadership during the final term's in-person session.
All courses take place online and are generally held between 5:15 - 7:15 p.m. PT—up to three days per week between Monday and Thursday, depending on the term. In addition to online classes, we hold in-person "residential" sessions once per term (five total residentials) on Thursday and Friday.
We ask that students travel to Cedars-Sinai-Sinai five times throughout their 20-month degree program.
Yes. Students are encouraged to contact Work and Life Matters at 310–423–6447 or [email protected] to receive support with any personal or professional concerns.
Cedars‑Sinai Medical Center is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
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Master of Science in Health Systems
Cedars-Sinai Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
8687 Melrose Ave.
SuiteG‑700
West Hollywood, CA 90069