Applicants to the Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety program should have a strong interest in improving patient safety, care quality, and organizational performance within complex health care environments. The program is especially well suited for experienced clinicians and clinical administrators who want to develop the skills to design, implement, and evaluate quality and safety initiatives and lead meaningful change within their organizations. Preference may be given to candidates with demonstrated experience in health care delivery, quality improvement, patient safety, clinical operations, or related areas.

Applications Are Now Open

Applications for the cohort entering in 2027 are now open. Early application deadline is December 2, 2026, and the final deadline is March 31, 2027. Start your application today.

Tuition Information

View an estimate of the total cost of attendance.

Application Information

Prerequisites: Applicants should hold an advanced degree, such as an MD, MBBS, DO, PhD, or Master’s degree (clinical), with at least three years of clinical experience. Applicants with extensive experience in QI and Safety without an advanced degree will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The following documents are required to apply for the program:

• Online application: This includes contact information, educational history, list of professional experiences, and unofficial transcripts.
• Curriculum Vitae: Provides a summary of your experience, education, skills, awards, and any research/medical publications.
• Personal Statement: Please identify in the first few sentences of your letter which track you intend to pursue. This statement can detail academic, professional, or personal experiences. The only requirement is that the statement be limited to 500-750 words in length.
• Transcripts: For all admitted students, official transcripts must be sent directly by the institution where you earned the degree or sent directly from a third-party credentialing agency (like Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse). Official transcripts MUST include the date of degree conferral. We do not need certificates or diplomas. If a transcript is sent directly by the student, it is not considered official.
  • Your educational institution or third party can send official transcripts via secure electronic transfer to admissions_masters@hms.harvard.edu.
  • Additionally, transcripts must be provided in English; if your institution does not provide a transcript in English, you must obtain a certified English translation through a credential evaluation organization. We will accept evaluations from any NACES member organization and recommend a “course by course” evaluation by World Education Services (WES.org), or a “course analysis” by The Evaluation Company. We cannot accept translations provided by a third party.
• Letters of Reference: During the application process you will be prompted to enter the name and email address of 2 references one of which should be a current or prior mentor and/or supervisor and address your suitability to the program.
  • Letter of reference from current or prior mentor and/or supervisor.
  • Letter of reference from current Department Chair or Division Chief
  • References will be automatically emailed a request to submit a reference. However, it is the applicant’s responsibility to follow up with the referees to ensure timely submission of references.
• Writing Sample: Please answer the prompts below following the formatting guidelines provided.
  • Though you may have little exposure to quality and safety in the past, improvement is all about problem-solving. We would like to read how you like to approach new problems.
  • Please share an example of a problem in healthcare that demonstrates less than ideal quality of care or unsafe care delivery that would benefit from a focused improvement effort.
    • Please briefly describe the problem.
    • Describe how you would approach solving the problem.
    • What challenges might you anticipate?
• Please answer with your original writing. Do not submit prior project or group work.
• Formatting Directions:
  • Maximum 800 words
  • Helvetica or Arial font, 12pt throughout
  • Please provide references (max 15 references that can be in addition to the 800 words)
  • PDF only, not larger than 16MB.
• Optional: Official GRE or MCAT scores. To send your official GRE scores directly to the program, use code 3812. MCAT scores can be submitted to the online application as a Printable Score Report, which includes a verification code to verify the report’s authenticity.

International Candidates

Harvard Medical School is an international center of learning. We value and welcome the diversity and breadth of experience international students bring to the program. Our faculty collaborate with colleagues around the world, drawing students into their work and facilitating future connections. Alumni with Harvard MCSO work in the United States and more than a dozen other countries around the globe.

English Language Proficiency for International Applicants

A language proficiency test is required for applicants for whom English was not the medium of instruction for their undergraduate or graduate degree. Harvard Medical School’s master’s programs accept TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS Academic and Duolingo English Test. Please note, English language proficiency tests are only valid for two years after the test date.

Applicants who have completed at least one year of full-time professional experience in the United States, in a setting where English is the primary language of communication, may be eligible for a waiver of the language proficiency test requirement. This includes clinical practice, research, or other professional roles that involve regular, direct communication in English. To request a waiver, please email admissions_masters@hms.harvard.edu with an employment verification letter that includes your name, job title, and dates of employment, and name, title, and contact information of the person providing the verification. Waivers are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed.

See our minimum test score requirements and instructions to submit official test scores below.

Minimum Test Score Requirements:

• TOEFL iBT: 103
• TOEFL iBT (new): 5.0
• TOEFL Essentials: 11
• IELTS Academic: 7.5
• Duolingo English Test: 130

Submitting Official Test Scores

TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Essentials
Code 3151: Harvard Medical School Graduate Education Master’s Programs.

IELTS Academic
Contact the test center where you took the IELTS test to request that your scores be sent via E-Delivery to:

Account Name: Harvard Medical School Graduate Education Master’s Programs

Duolingo English Test:
Search for “Harvard Medical School” and select Master of Healthcare Quality and Safety.

Visa Requirements

International students must fulfill visa requirements.

International students can find more information via Harvard University’s International Office.

A non-refundable application fee of US $100 is required as part of the online application process and is payable by credit card only.

Only completed applications will be considered for review. Please have your CV, letter of interest, and reference contact information on hand when you apply.

All transcripts, test scores (if applicable), and letters of reference should be sent directly by the people or institutions providing them. Email mhqs@hms.harvard.edu with any further questions

Harvard is required to certify that international students have funds to cover the full cost of tuition, fees and living expenses for the first year of their program before issuing an I-20 or DS-2019. To view the latest breakdown of tuition and expenses by program, please see the Financial Aid Cost of Attendance. Please visit the International Students webpage to view International Student Financial Certification Documentation Requirements.

Degree Recognition

Students pursuing online degrees should note that the governments of some countries may not formally recognize online degrees earned from foreign institutions. This could impact students who wish to enroll in other academic programs or seek employment with governmental agencies or employers that require specific credentials. Harvard Medical School cannot confirm that its online degree programs will be recognized in or meet requirements to comply with distance education regulations in any particular non-U.S. country. It is the responsibility of each student to determine how the laws and regulations of any particular non-U.S. country, including those related to degree recognition, apply to participation in Harvard Medical School programs.

Sanctions

In order to comply with applicable US export control and sanctions regulations, Harvard Medical School prohibits access to and use of Harvard Medical School educational offerings, programs and resources to individuals from certain sanctioned regions or who are otherwise subject to US government sanctions, unless an appropriate license is in place.

Financial Aid Resources

Master’s Program Tuition Discount for Faculty and Staff at HMS and Affiliated Institutions

Full-time, benefits-eligible faculty and staff at HMS and the affiliated institutions/hospitals are eligible for a scholarship equivalent to 10% of the full-time tuition rate for any of the HMS Master’s Degree Programs (tuition only). Please notify the program if you think you are eligible for this scholarship. Students who are also considering applying for financial assistance should notify the HMS Financial Aid office of this scholarship opportunity.

Types of Funding for Master’s Students

To learn more about institutional scholarships, including the Dean’s Scholarship for HMS Master’s Students, and external scholarships, fellowships, federal direct loans, and private loans, student employment, VA, and military benefits visit the Master’s Degree Financial Aid page.

For more information on financial aid, visit this website.

Information Sessions