Applicants for the Healthcare Quality and Safety graduate programs must have at least three years of relevant healthcare work experience. Individuals applying to the Master of Science program, must be currently working full-time in a healthcare setting. Applicants for all HQS programs must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university and should meet a GPA of 3.00 or above for the last 60 hours of coursework.
No admission test is required for admission.
Application Deadlines
| Program | Entry Term | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Science in Healthcare Quality & Safety | Fall (August) With HQS Certificate: Summer (May) |
July 1 With HQS Certificate: March 1 |
| Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Quality & Safety | Blended: Fall (August) Online: Fall (August) |
Blended: July 1 Online: July 1 |
Note: Applications received after the admission deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.
Application Process
The following materials must be submitted to the HQS Program:
Official transcripts from each institution where college credit was received can be sent to
UAB Graduate School
LHL G03
1720 2nd Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294-0013
- Completed online application which includes your current resume, personal statement, scenario-based essay, and 3 professional letters of recommendation (MS application only)
- Application Tip: The application system will require you to enter three names and email addresses for those who will be writing your recommendation letters. After entering their contacting information, the system will automatically send each person a link to complete an online recommendation.
- Transcripts from all universities previously attended (including those from which you did not earn a degree).
- Application Tip: Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded into the online application system for the admission review process. However, if admitted, you will be required to submit official transcripts from the issuing university to UAB.
- International students must submit recent scores from an English Proficiency Exam.
- Submit the application fee.
Additional Information
If you have questions along the application journey, please contact Amy Strickland at (205) 975-0133 or
Through a collaboration between UAB Medicine and the School of Health Professions, UAB launched the blended format Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Quality & Safety program in 2013. In 2015, the online format of the Graduate Certificate and the Master of Science programs were launched to broaden the reach and the educational opportunities for leaders in the improvement science field.
We are committed to a competency-based education in 13 domains:
- Safety and Error Science
- Improvement Science and Quality Principles
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Measurement and Process Evaluation
- Communication
- Health Informatics
- Human Factors
- Professionalism
- Leadership
- Systems Thinking
- Legal and Regulatory Issues
- Interprofessional Collaborative Work
- Patient and Family-Centered Engagement
The HQS Graduate Program faculty, staff, and advisory board are guided by the following vision, mission and values statements.
Mission
Preparing leaders with knowledge to improve quality and safety outcomes across the healthcare continuum.
Vision
Develop leaders to innovate the future of healthcare quality and safety.
Values
Collaboration, Integrity, Excellence, Respect, Access and Engagement.
The Healthcare Quality and Safety programs have an alumni base of over 300 strong and are a part of an even larger network of Department of Health Services Administration (HSA) alumni that connect and network across the globe.
Our Students
Our student’s professional experience varies greatly; however, they all share the following common characteristics:
- Operational Leadership: Exceptional communication skills with the capacity to lead and motivate their peers and employees to promote organizational excellence.
- Analytic Capacity & Desire: Utilize real-time data to advance understanding and appreciation for data analytics and data’s relationship to improve quality.
- Innovative Thinking: Capacity for critical analysis of their current environment and willingness to apply evidence-based processes to move the organization forward.
Program Outcomes
| 2019 - 2020 | 2020 - 2021 | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 | 2023-2024 | |
| MSHQS | |||||
| Enrolled | 14 | 18 | 24 | 12 | 16 |
| Avg. Years of Healthcare Experience | 11 | 10 | 15 | 11 | 15 |
| Completion Rate | 93% | 70% | 79% | 83% | TBD |
| Certificate to Masters Conversions | |||||
| Enrolled | 37 | 12 | 20 | 15 | 20 |
| Avg. Years of Healthcare Experience | 16 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 13 |
| Completion Rate | 95% | 92% | 90% | 93% | TBD |
*Student Outcomes can be found at this link.
Advisory Board
The HQS advisory board gives strategic advice to the program’s leadership team which guides the program’s curriculum. The Advisory board membership is comprised of leaders from a number of segments of the health care industry. Currently, the advisory board includes:
- Mike Shabot, Founding Partner, Relia Healthcare Advisors
- Deborah Grimes, Chief Diversity Officer, Ochsner Health
- James Henry Willig, Associate Professor, School of Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases, UAB
- Christi Pierce, Vice President, Quality & Patient Safety, Our Landy of the Lake Regional Medical Center
- Gemini Majkowski, IMA to Commander, 711 Human Performance Wing, US Air Force
- Rick van Pelt, Vice President, Clinical Practice Transformation, UAB
- Devika Das, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine
- Christopher Jackson, Divisional Dementia Care Manager, Brookdale Senior Living
- Kiersten Kennedy, Chief Medical Officer, UAB
- Brian Wiseman, Vice President, Brain & Spine Institute, University Health System, Inc
- Ronny Taylor, Nurse Manager, UAB
- Joann Sanders, Chief Quality Officer, Cook Children’s Health Care System
Accreditation
We are committed to excellence, which is reflected as UAB has formed a partnership with the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) to make graduate education more accessible to the healthcare profession. UAB is one of the first two programs of its kind to receive accreditation as a Quality and Safety graduate program from the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).CAHME is the leading accreditor for graduate healthcare management education.
| Award | Duration | Format | Audience | Application Deadline | Start Date |
| Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety | 18 months / 4 semesters | Online | Clinical and administrative healthcare professionals | March 1 | May |
Individuals who have completed UAB’s Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Quality and Safety can apply their 15 graduate credit hours directly to UAB’s Master’s program to continue to build their competence in designing and implementing healthcare quality and safety initiatives.
The Master’s program is designed for leaders at all levels, from system executives to emerging leaders. Learners receive applied instruction that facilitates the development of competencies associated with patient safety and quality improvement. Courses focus on developing students as change agents, effective communicators, and team leaders. In the Master’s program, individuals also receive tailored professional and leadership development guidance.
Curriculum
With the application of the 15-credits from the Graduate Certificate program, learners will complete 7 courses (21-credit hours) to receive the Master’s degree. Participants take two online courses per semester over the three terms. In the fourth semester, learners focus their full attention on a real-world capstone project.
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Summer (Year 1)
HCS 640: Project Management: Leading Successful Healthcare Initiatives (3 hours)
Techniques for planning, scheduling, controlling, resource allocation, and performance measurement activities required for successfully completing a project.HQS 655: Population Health for Healthcare Quality Leaders (3 hours)
Focuses on the foundational skills needed to work in teams to effectively collaborate in the development and implementation of population health programs aimed at improving health outcomes. Special emphasis will be on evidence-based care and patient and community engagement. -
Fall (Year 1)
HQS 613: Advanced Data Use in Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (3 hours)
Applying quantitative techniques to clinical and administrative data to inform and improve healthcare quality and patient safety outcomes.HQS 635: Healthcare Policy and Regulation (3 hours)
External drivers for quality and safety improvement in healthcare organizations, particularly policies and regulations affecting reimbursement. Discussion and analysis of key federal legislation and regulations promulgated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and The Joint Commission. -
Spring (Year 1)
HCS 660: Financial Management for Healthcare Quality Leaders (3 hours)
Designed to introduce health care leaders (primarily those working in the areas of simulation and quality improvement) to basic concepts in financial management. Topics covered include an introduction to financial accounting, an introduction to management accounting and a particular emphasis on evaluating the financial impact of new programs.HQS 675: Evaluating and Designing Quality Improvement Models (3 hours)
Application of analytical and decision tools to determine appropriate enterprise models for quality improvement, including problem identification, selection of metrics, analytical approaches, prioritization criteria, and post-implementation evaluation. -
Summer (Year 2)
HQS 698: Integrative Capstone Experience / Non-thesis Project (3 hours)
Investigation of a process or safety improvement opportunity in a healthcare organization to propose a solution; application of the concepts and tools presented in the program courses. A written project report is required.
Capstone
The Master’s program culminates in a capstone project where knowledge and lessons learned are applied. Each student identifies a quality, process, or safety improvement initiative in their organization and partners with a faculty mentor who guides them through the development and completion of their capstone project.
Recent capstone projects include:
- Reducing Repeat Echocardiograms in CHF Patients
- Improving the Reliability of Measuring Pediatric Chronic Kidney Disease Risk Factors
- Establishing a High Reliability Culture in a Healthcare IT Company
- Maximizing Radiation Therapy Simulation Scheduling
- Reducing 30 Day Readmission Rates for Patients with a Mental Health Disorder Diagnosis
Tuition & Fees
UAB’s tuition and fees are priced competitively. Learners in the Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety pay the same tuition whether they reside in or outside of the state of Alabama. For general UAB tuition and fees, visit the UAB Tuition & Fees website.
With the paradigm shift in health care from volume to value, there is a greater need than ever before for knowledgeable professionals who can lead process improvement change to improve quality and safety outcomes.
Graduates from our Graduate Certificate hold a variety of positions in the field including but not limited to:
- Quality and Safety Manager
- Associate Professor, Anesthesiology
- Lean Analyst
- Quality Educator
- RN, Infection Preventionist
- Pediatric Fellow
Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety graduates are located throughout the country and hold many positions including:
- Director of Performance Engineering
- Executive Director of Performance Improvement
- Chief Quality Officer
- Nurse Manager
- Systems Analyst
- Laboratory Supervisor
- Lead Nurse Practitioner
There are many resources to assist with your career search, you may want to consider starting with these HQS specific online career centers:
- The American Health Quality Association Career Center
- National Association for Healthcare Quality Career Center
You can also find career opportunities listed on commonly used search engines such as:
| Award | Duration | Format | Audience | Application Deadline | Start Date |
| Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Quality and Safety | 8 months | Blended or Online | Clinical and administrative healthcare professionals | Blended: July 1 Online: July 1 |
Blended: August 1 Online: August 1 |
UAB’s Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Quality and Safety is a 4-course 15-graduate credit hour program that provides participants with tangible skills to reduce patient harm and increase organizational quality. Working professionals apply the knowledge they learn in real time to their unit, department, clinic, hospital, long-term care facility, outpatient care center, or physician office. Through a collaborative environment, learners discover improvement science and quality principles. The certificate prepares individuals to implement quality- and safety- based initiatives in their home institutions, utilizing the concepts of high-reliability leadership, data system design, process management, and hazard analysis.
HQS Certificate Student Handbook (2024-2025)
Program Formats
This program is offered in two formats: blended or online.
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Blended (known as Quality Academy)
- In the blended format, participates complete the 4-course program over two semesters (8 months).
- Participants in this format complete 60% of their learning online and 40% of their learning in our executive learning center, in person over eight Friday sessions.
- Learners work in teams to complete a guided quality improvement project which is completed throughout the semester.
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Online
- In the online format, participates complete the 4-course program over two semesters (8 months).
- Participants take two courses during the fall semester (August – December) and two courses in the spring semester (January – April).
Curriculum
The curriculum has been designed for clinical and administrative working professional.
Learners who successfully complete the Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Quality and Safety may apply their course credits to either the Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety or the Master of Science in Healthcare Simulation upon acceptance into the program.
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HQS 600: Introduction to Clinical Quality Improvement (4 hours)
Clinical quality improvement theory; classes of outcomes; process management; management tools and modeling techniques for improvement of clinical processes and decision-making.
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HQS 610: Quantitative Methods, Measurement, and Tools for Quality Improvement (4 hours)
Statistical process control techniques applied to clinical and patient service processes, including Lean and Six Sigma methodologies; data system design concepts applied to clinical and financial data for managing health care business processes.
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HQS 625: Fundamentals of Patient Safety (4 hours)
Nature and science of patient error; strategies for design of safety-critical systems; hazard analysis and risk assessment in health care organizations; design elements of safety program and high reliability systems.
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HQS 630: Leadership of High Reliability Healthcare Organizations (3 hours)
Applying concepts of high reliability organizations to create an organizational culture that supports strong, functional, and safe patient care environments resulting in quality clinical care and patient satisfaction.
Tuition & Fees
UAB’s tuition and fees are competitively priced. Learners in online format of the Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Quality and Safety pay the same tuition whether they reside in or outside of the state of Alabama. In-state and out-of-state rates do apply for those who enroll in the blended format. For general UAB tuition and fees, visit the UAB tuition and fees website.
| Award | Duration | Format | Audience | Application Deadline | Start Date |
| Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety | 24 months / 6 semesters | Online | Clinical and administrative healthcare professionals | July 1 | August |
UAB’s Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety is a 11-course 36-credit hour program that empowers individuals with a toolbox to improve patient delivery systems. The program is designed for leaders at all levels from system executives to emerging leaders. Learners receive applied instruction that facilitates the development of competencies associated with patient safety and quality improvement. Courses focus on developing students as change agents, effective communicators, and team leaders. In the Master’s program, individuals also receive tailored professional and leadership development guidance.
Curriculum
In the 36-credit hour, 11-course program, learners take two online courses per semester over the first five terms. In the last semester, participants focus their full attention on a real-world capstone project. Learners who complete UAB’s Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Quality and Safety can apply those 15 graduate credit hours to the Master’s program. Teaching and assessment modalities include synchronous and asynchronous lectures, simulations, case-studies, and group presentations.
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Fall (Year 1)
HQS 600: Introduction to Clinical Quality Improvement (4 hours)
Clinical quality improvement theory; classes of outcomes; process management; management tools and modeling techniques for improvement of clinical processes and decision-making.HQS 610: Quantitative Methods, Measurement, and Tools for Quality Improvement (4 hours)
Statistical process control techniques applied to clinical and patient service processes, including Lean and Six Sigma methodologies; data system design concepts applied to clinical and financial data for managing health care business processes. -
Spring (Year 1)
HQS 625: Fundamentals of Patient Safety (4 hours)
Nature and science of patient error; strategies for design of safety-critical systems; hazard analysis and risk assessment in health care organizations; design elements of safety program and high reliability systems.HQS 630: Leadership of High Reliability Healthcare Organizations (3 hours)
Applying concepts of high reliability organizations to create an organizational culture that supports strong, functional, and safe patient care environments resulting in quality clinical care and patient satisfaction. -
Summer (Year 1)
HCS 640: Project Management: Leading Successful Healthcare Initiatives (3 hours)
Techniques for planning, scheduling, controlling, resource allocation, and performance measurement activities required for successfully completing a project.HQS 655: Population Health for Healthcare Quality Leaders (3 hours)
Focuses on the foundational skills needed to work in teams to effectively collaborate in the development and implementation of population health programs aimed at improving health outcomes. Special emphasis will be on evidence-based care and patient and community engagement. -
Fall (Year 2)
HQS 613: Advanced Data Use in Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (3 hours)
Applying quantitative techniques to clinical and administrative data to inform and improve healthcare quality and patient safety outcomes.HQS 635: Healthcare Policy and Regulation (3 hours)
External drivers for quality and safety improvement in healthcare organizations, particularly policies and regulations affecting reimbursement. Discussion and analysis of key federal legislation and regulations promulgated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and The Joint Commission. -
Spring (Year 2)
HCS 660: Financial Management for Healthcare Quality Leaders (3 hours)
Designed to introduce health care leaders (primarily those working in the areas of simulation and quality improvement) to basic concepts in financial management. Topics covered include an introduction to financial accounting, an introduction to management accounting and a particular emphasis on evaluating the financial impact of new programs.HQS 675: Evaluating and Designing Quality Improvement Models (3 hours)
Application of analytical and decision tools to determine appropriate enterprise models for quality improvement, including problem identification, selection of metrics, analytical approaches, prioritization criteria, and post-implementation evaluation. -
Summer (Year 2)
HQS 698: Integrative Capstone Experience / Non-thesis Project (3 hours)
Investigation of a process or safety improvement opportunity in a healthcare organization to propose a solution; application of the concepts and tools presented in the program courses. A written project report is required.
Capstone
The Master’s program culminates in a capstone project where knowledge and lessons learned are applied. Each student identifies a quality, process, or safety improvement initiative in their organization and partners with a faculty mentor who guides them through the development and completion of their capstone project.
Recent capstone projects include:
- Reducing Repeat Echocardiograms in CHF Patients
- Improving the Reliability of Measuring Pediatric Chronic Kidney Disease Risk Factors
- Establishing a High Reliability Culture in a Healthcare IT Company
- Maximizing Radiation Therapy Simulation Scheduling
- Reducing 30 Day Readmission Rates for Patients with a Mental Health Disorder Diagnosis
Tuition & Fees
UAB’s tuition and fees are priced competitively. Learners in the Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety pay the same tuition whether they reside in or outside of the state of Alabama. For general UAB tuition and fees, visit the UAB tuition and fees website.
Projected student expenses for the 2024-2025 academic year:
Have a question you don’t see answered here?
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I work full time, will I be able to take the courses?
Yes! Our programs have been developed with the working professional in mind.
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Does the HQS Graduate Certificate qualify for federal financial aid?
No. The Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Quality and Safety does not qualify for federal financial aid.
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Does the Master of Science in HQS qualify for federal financial aid?
Yes. The Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety qualifies for federal financial aid. You can connect with UAB’s financial aid office for more information.
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Do I have to take the GRE or GMAT?
No. We do not require any standardized test for admission to our programs.
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Can I start the program without being admitted?
No. Our program is a cohort model which helps learners build relationships with their colleagues and faculty.
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What kind of grades do I need to graduate?
You must have a GPA of 3.0 to graduate. A student who receives two grades of “C”, or a grade of “F” on any course taken in pursuit of the degree will be dismissed from the program.
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Is the program accredited?
The University of Alabama at Birmingham, including the Healthcare Quality & Safety programs, is accredited by a regional accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. We are also accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) and are one of the first programs accredited for the discipline of healthcare quality and safety.
UAB’s Healthcare Quality and Safety Graduate Programs are designed for those who are driven to shape a safer environment for their patients. We offer a Master of Science and a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Quality and Safety that provide engaging and practical knowledge and skills that can be applied in real time to improve quality and patient safety. Throughout our programs, learners build meaningful connections with other students and renowned faculty.
Our programs are applied educational experiences for those who want to increase their skills without stopping their busy professional lives. Successful graduates of our programs include administrators, physicians, nurses, patient safety officers, and quality managers. UAB offers cost-effective graduate education, which allows learners to continue their educational pursuits without the burden or high tuition rates. The Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).
We offer a unique partnership with the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) which makes graduate education more accessible to those with the Certificate Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) credential. This partnership recognizes the CPHQ for master’s credit toward completion of the UAB MSHQS program.
Dual Degrees
Students in the Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety (MSHQS) have the option to pursue a dual degree program with the Executive Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA) program. The Executive MSHA program is designed to prepare students for senior leadership positions throughout the health field. Students in the Executive MSHA program gain new expertise and a comprehensive understanding of every aspect in health care organizations. Visit the Executive MSHA website for more information. Students must apply to the Executive MSHA program to be considered for this opportunity.
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"The HQS experience was excellent. I learned many things that are applicable in my current leadership role. The staff were very supportive and my thesis resulted in a true quality improvement for our Emergency Department! We were able to improve our time to antibiotics to less than an hour for high risk pediatric patients with fever and neutropenia from 35% to 100%! The skills I gained during the HQS process were instrumental in getting this project to success!"
— Kathy Monroe, MD, Professor, Research Director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine (HQS Alumnus, 2016)
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"The HQS program equipped me with a toolbox of organizational frameworks, which I use daily, to solve simple to complex problems. I found myself applying the curriculum within the first week of entering the program and it has paid dividends in my career growth."
— Daran Brown, MBA, RN, Manager, Hospital Quality & Patient Safety (HQS Alumnus, 2014)
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"The acquisition of knowledge, education, and improvement of leadership is a lifelong passion of mine. The classes involved in the Healthcare Quality and Safety Program, fulfill elements of each of these categories. The more knowledge we gain regarding educational values, the greater influence we can exert for good on those around us. Providing a safe, team-oriented, and quality-added culture is critical to how success is measured. The Healthcare Quality and Safety Program offers knowledge in 1) leadership training, 2) QI Macros for reporting quality metrics, 3) safety enhancing practices, and 4) team development skills used to implement High Reliability Organization (HRO) processes delivered in Healthcare. Achieving the courses supports a lifetime investment!"
— Sherry Polhill, MS, Director, Lab & Respiratory Services (HQS Alumnus, 2016)
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