Program

The MS in Quality, Safety and Risk Management in Healthcare prepares you to lead organizational efforts that improve and monitor quality metrics, improve safety for both patients and staff, and manage risks in a dynamic health care environment.
This interdisciplinary patient safety and health care quality master's program is designed for health care professionals seeking to develop essential competencies to assess, monitor, and improve health care outcomes in community-based care delivery settings, hospitals, and other health care organizations.

Program Mission, Vision and Values

• Mission: The mission of this program is to educate the next generation of leaders who will advance quality in healthcare. Through a focus on the core values of innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, data-driven decision making, inclusion, and equity, the program prepares students to influence change and improve care across the continuum. The current landscape in healthcare requires preparation for interdisciplinary collaboration to support optimal outcomes. The program’s curriculum provides students with interdisciplinary and experiential learning opportunities that support development of knowledge and skills needed to collaboratively solve complex issues in healthcare and improve outcomes.
• Vision: The QSRM program aspires to expand our national and international reputation as a leader in quality and patient safety education. The program aims to produce highly skilled, innovative individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to improve the quality and value of healthcare, preparing them to lead in a demanding and dynamic healthcare arena.
• Values: Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Innovation, Data-Driven Decision Making, Inclusion, Equity

Upon graduation, you will be able to:

• Apply a legal and ethical framework of health care delivery
• Further the role of the quality, safety, and risk management professional in the health care system through scholarship, clinical experience, and organizational involvement 
• Demonstrate critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills in decision-making
• Integrate multiple technologies and relevant theories into the organization and synthesis of health data to care for patients, families and communities
• Integrate culturally sensitive care that contributes to the health and wellness of the community
• Demonstrate leadership through the development of outcome-based standards of care and practice-based health policy issues
• Drive the quality and effectiveness of care based on current research findings, standards of care, and patient outcomes
• Contribute to the advancement of health care and humanity through communication, interprofessional collaboration and education

Graduation Rate

100% of QSRM graduates are employed upon graduation.

Program outcome comparison data can be viewed on the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) compare website.

Program Competencies

The QSRM track has specific program competencies that are addressed throughout the curriculum. These competencies (listed below) align with specific course objectives and assignments. Students are expected to achieve a basic or intermediate level for the various competencies within the program. Students will be evaluated for competency attainment in the QSRM courses and given feedback from course faculty. At specific intervals throughout the program, students will also be required to reflect and self-assess on competency attainment.

• Leadership (L)
• Human Factors (HF)
• Systems Thinking (ST)
• Interprofessional Collaboration (IC)
• Improvement Science and Quality Principles (ISQP)
• Communication (C)
• Professionalism (P)
• Safety and Error Science (SES)
• Improvement Science and Quality Principles (ISQP)
• Evidence Based Practice (EBP)
• Measurement and Process Evaluation (MPE)
• Health Informatics (HI)
• Legal and Regulatory Issues (LRI)
• Patient and Family-Centered Engagement (PFCE)

Program Features

• Designed for those interested in a career that will impact quality, safety and risk management in the health care industry
• Faculty who are current practicing experts in the fields of law, quality, patient safety, and risk management
• Interdisciplinary structure, offering the opportunity to learn and work collaboratively as you would in practice
• Realistic virtual simulation experiences in our state-of-the-art simulation lab, which allow you to apply principles learned throughout the program to realistic, high stakes, simulation activities

State restrictions may apply to some programs.

Academic Calendar

The academic year in the College of Nursing and Health Professions is based on a quarter system. Students should refer to the Drexel University Academic Quarter Calendar

Teaching Learning, and Assessment Methods

Our online program leverages innovative teaching and learning methods to support competency-based education including interactive video discussions that immerse students in real-world scenarios, recorded lectures, facilitated discussions that encourage collaborative learning and critical thinking, and integration of multimedia resources to support diverse learning styles and foster a community of inquiry and shared knowledge. 

Assessment methods include performance-based assignments, such as case studies, papers and projects. These methods are complemented by formative assessments to provide ongoing feedback, summative assessments to validate competency attainment and a cumulative virtual case-based simulation experience where students can apply what they’ve learned throughout the program.  By aligning all learning activities with clearly defined competencies, the program ensures students develop the skills and knowledge required to succeed in their field.

Grading Policy

Residency

• Mandatory Two Day Virtual Residency

COMPLIANCE

The College of Nursing and Health Professions has a compliance process that may be required for every student. Some of these steps may take significant time to complete. Please plan accordingly.

Visit the Compliance pages for more information.

Application Deadline

March 3, 2025

Admission Criteria

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
• GPA of 3.0 or above on all previous coursework or last 60 credits completed.  Applications with a GPA less than a 3.0 may be considered on an individual basis.
• While specific experience is not required for applicants to the track, previous related work experience may make an applicant more competitive.

Required Documents

With multiple ways to submit documents, Drexel makes it easy to complete your application. Learn more by visiting our supporting document submission guide.

• A completed application
• Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended
• Two professional references required from previous or current supervisors, managers, faculty members or program directors who can attest to applicant's knowledge, skill, and potential aptitude for graduate study. 
  
  • Letters must include the address, phone number, and signature of your recommender
  • Letters of recommendations are waived for students with a 3.0 GPA or higher
• Personal statement (no more than two pages and no less than one page double-spaced) that will give the admissions committee a better understanding of the following:
  • Why you are choosing this particular program of study
  • Your plans upon completion of the certificate
  • How your current work experience will enhance your experience in this program
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• Copies of any licensure and certification documents
• Additional requirements for International Students

An admissions interview may be required

Tuition: Information on Tuition can be found here.

Curriculum

This program is organized into four 10-week quarters per year (as opposed to the traditional two-semester system) which means you can take more courses in a shorter time period. One semester credit is equivalent to 1.5 quarter credits.

Graduate students who utilize student loans (FAFSA) must maintain a minimum enrollment of 4.5 credits per term.

For Full List of courses, please visit Drexel Online.

Accreditation

The QSRM MS program is certified by The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). CAHME serves the public by advancing the quality of healthcare management education globally. CAHME is an interdisciplinary group of educational, professional, clinical, and other health sector organizations devoted to quality improvement of education for healthcare management and administration professionals.

Program Goals

• Prepare professionals to advocate for equity, quality, and safety in healthcare through professional service and the dissemination of evidence-based best practices.
• Develop professionals who are able to advance the field of Quality and Safety by integrating evidence, legal and ethical standards into outcome-based care through leadership, communication, collaboration, and education.
• Prepare professionals that advance the field of Quality and Safety through scholarship and lead healthcare improvement initiatives to improve quality and effectiveness based on current research findings, standards of care and patient outcomes.
  
  

Program Outcomes

• Practices within a legal and ethical framework of health care delivery.
• Advances the role of advanced nursing practice in the health care system through scholarship, clinical experience and political involvement.
• Demonstrates critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills in clinical decision-making.
• Integrates multiple technologies and relevant theories into the organization and synthesis of health data required to develop plans of care for patients, families and communities.
• Integrates culturally sensitive health promotion activities that contribute to the health and wellness of the community into clinical practice.
• Demonstrates leadership in nursing and health care through involvement in the development of outcome-based standards of care and practice-based health policy issues.
• Evaluates and modify the quality and effectiveness of clinical practice based on current research findings, standards of care and patient outcomes.
• Contributes to the advancement of nursing, health care and humanity through communication, collaboration and education.