FAQs - MHDS Cedars-Sinai Skip to content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog English English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Translation is unavailable for Internet Explorer Cedars-Sinai Home 1-800-CEDARS-1 1-800-CEDARS-1 Close Find a Doctor Locations Programs & Services Health Library Patient & Visitors Community My CS-Link Education clear Go Close Academics Academics Faculty Development Community Engagement Calendar Research Research Areas Research Labs Departments & Institutes Find Clinical Trials Research Cores Research Administration Basic Science Research Clinical & Translational Research Center (CTRC) Technology & Innovations News & Breakthroughs Education Graduate Medical Education Continuing Medical Education Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Professional Training Programs Medical Students Campus Life Office of the Dean Simulation Center Medical Library Program in the History of Medicine About Us All Education Programs Departments & Institutes Faculty Directory Master's Degree in Health Delivery Science Back to Master's Degree in Health Delivery Science Curriculum Capstone Project Data Analytics Core Healthcare Financing Core Health Informatics Core Performance Measurement and Improvement Core Application Information Program Statistics Faculty & Administration Current Students Student Research News & Related Resources Frequently Asked Questions MHDS Applicants Frequently Asked Questions Find answers—many with links or contact information to get you on the right track—to the most commonly asked questions about the Master's Degree in Health Delivery Science program. MHDS Hybrid Program What is a hybrid program and how are we unique? Our hybrid program combines online classes with five in-person residentials at Cedars-Sinai spread out throughout the 20-month program. This format balances the convenience of online learning with the ability to meet in person with classmates and professors, obtain personal mentorship, accelerate networking and receive hands-on training for software programming and other curriculum activities. Students focus their studies on applied and pragmatic skill building and culminate their work with a capstone project that they present to hospital leaders. For more information about how the hybrid program is structured, see this link. Is this a full-time program? Am I able to work while completing the program? What is the course schedule? The full program can be viewed at a glance: MHDS Curriculum Map (PDF) and MHDS Residential Schedule of Activities (PDF). We have developed a schedule that accommodates students who are working. Students are expected to attend regular weeknight classes between 5:15 p.m.- 7:15 p.m. PST for the first year of the program. Classes occur two to three nights per week, between Monday and Thursday, depending upon the term. After the first year, students move from didactic classroom work to a fieldwork course and capstone project. The fieldwork course takes place every other week in trimester 4. Each student completes their capstone individually but will also attend capstone lectures intermittently throughout terms 3-5. Journal clubs, mentorship meetings and other program events may occur during typical work hours and are available via web conferencing. See link for more information. What takes place online and what takes place in person? 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. For information on what happens during the in-person residentials, please see this link. When do residentials take place? Residentials take place at the beginning of the first three terms and at the end of the last two terms. See link for more information. How many times do I need to travel to Cedars-Sinai? We ask that students travel to Cedars-Sinai five times throughout their 20-month degree program. Admissions and Waivers Who is eligible? Anyone who has graduated from an accredited undergraduate institution is eligible to apply. The admissions committee does focus on scientific and healthcare backgrounds in the admissions process. What are the admissions requirements and how do I apply? See the Admissions page for information. Do you require GRE and TOEFL scores? What are the minimum scores for admittance? The GRE is not required for applicants with a degree from a U.S. institution. Individuals who do not have a strong academic record in math, science or economics courses may wish to submit GRE or equivalent (MCAT, GMAT) scores to strengthen their application. Applicants with an advanced degree from a non-U.S. institution should inquire regarding their eligibility for a GRE waiver. See the Application Information page for more information. How many students does the program accept each year? The MHDS Program will accept up to 20 students each academic year. We accept only the most qualified candidates; therefore, actual acceptance may be fewer than 20. Do I need an advanced degree to be accepted into the MHDS Program? No. Although many of our students already have an advanced degree when they enroll in the MHDS Program, our students have diverse professional backgrounds and many do not have an advanced degree. A strength of our program is the incredible diversity in backgrounds and experiences among our students. For more on admissions criteria, see this link. What if I already have an MPH or related degree? The MHDS Program may well offer incremental knowledge over your existing degree. Please contact the graduate program office at 310-423-8294 or [email protected] to discuss the potential benefits of a degree from the MHDS Program. We may consider previous biostatistics coursework as a substitute for HDS 200B, but all other MHDS classes are required, even if you have a previous MPH or related degree. I am interested in the MHDS Program, but my training is not directly in healthcare. Can I still apply? Absolutely. The MHDS degree is designed for working professionals seeking to develop foundational skills and knowledge in health delivery science with an aim to become leaders in healthcare organizations. Although many of our students have clinical degrees and experience in healthcare, our students have a range of multidisciplinary backgrounds and interests. For example, MHDS students have included a physicist, a former White House intern and an engineer. Health delivery science requires multidisciplinary thinking across physical, social and biological sciences, so we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds who show a strong interest in bringing their expertise to healthcare. I am a medical student planning to take a research year. Will the MHDS Program fit within my schedule? We receive many applications from medical students seeking to obtain the MHDS degree during a research year. Typically, the medical student research year begins July 1 and ends the following June. Medical students enrolling in our program may begin in July by identifying a mentor and research project. They work on this project during the summer, and then begin classes with the MHDS students in September. All classroom didactics are completed by the following June 30, allowing students to return to clinical duties. However, medical students are expected to complete their capstone project on the same schedule as other MHDS students. Because the capstone schedule is flexible and arranged between each student and their mentor, medical students can coordinate their capstone project to fit around their clinical schedule. For further questions about coordinating the MHDS degree with the medical school calendar, please email Brennan Spiegel, MD, at [email protected]. Tuition Fees and Financial Assistance How much is my tuition? The total cost of tuition and student fees is $23,000. What is the application fee? The application is fee is $55 (waived for Cedars-Sinai internal applicants). Does tuition cover the cost of residentials? Tuition will not cover costs related to residentials (hotel, plane, car/ride-share services). Cedars-Sinai does have discount rates at hotels in the West Hollywood area. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Should you feel that you need assistance in covering the costs of the residential, our student financial adviser is happy to discuss options to finance residentials and your educational career. Are there opportunities for tuition support or scholarships? Employees of Cedars-Sinai Health System may be eligible to apply for Cedars-Sinai's tuition assistance program to receive up to $15,750 tuition funding during the training. We also provide a limited number of academic scholarships each year for highly meritorious individuals from both within and outside Cedars-Sinai. Does Cedars-Sinai offer medical benefits to students? Only students pursuing a PhD degree are offered medical benefits. Communicating With the Graduate School How do I contact the graduate school office? You may contact the graduate school office at 310-423-8294 or [email protected]. Are resources available for students to manage any personal or professional issues? 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. Do students receive academic support services? Students have many avenues for academic advising and support throughout the program. Each MHDS student is assigned an academic mentor upon joining the program. The mentor is required to meet with the student each trimester to review academic performance, the student's insight into academic and intellectual development, personal issues and career aspirations. In addition, course faculty hold regular office hours during their course trimester to address student questions and other relevant needs. All students work closely with a preceptor and embedded team through the mentored capstone program. This relationship provides direct contact for progress toward the capstone project, for career development and as a conduit to program leadership, as needed. The preceptors serve as academic advisers and are available on a continual basis for advice and support. Please visit the Faculty & Administration page and explore our website for more detailed information regarding research focus for each faculty member. General Is the MHDS Program accredited? Cedars-Sinai is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WSCUC). See the Accreditation page for additional information. What are specific examples of recent student capstone projects? Students at Cedars-Sinai have access to a wide range of potential capstone projects throughout the health system. See Capstone Project page for examples of recent student projects. What are the areas of research of the MHDS program faculty? The areas of research vary for the program faculty. Please visit the Faculty & Administration page and explore our website for more detailed information regarding research focus for each faculty member. Does the program offer childcare? No, the program does not offer child care. Have Questions or Need Help If you have questions or wish to learn more about the MHDS program, please contact: Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences 8687 Melrose Ave. Suite G-532 West Hollywood, CA 90069 310-423-8294 Send a Message Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility