Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Prepared for a dynamic healthcare landscape, this program equips learners with the strategic frameworks and analytical tools needed to advance patient safety and elevate healthcare quality across clinical environments. By integrating evidence-based practices with systemic problem-solving, it prepares professionals to lead initiatives that minimize preventable harm and optimize patient outcomes.
- Healthcare Quality: Focuses on standards, performance metrics, and continuous improvement strategies to ensure care delivery meets established benchmarks and patient needs.
- Patient Safety: Addresses the identification, analysis, and mitigation of risks that could lead to adverse events in healthcare settings.
- Research Methods: Covers quantitative and qualitative approaches to investigate healthcare practices, evaluate interventions, and inform decision-making.
- Program Evaluation: Teaches systematic assessment techniques to measure the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of healthcare initiatives and policies.
- Epidemiology: Applies statistical and analytical methods to study patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions within populations.
- Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Explores the laws, regulations, and ethical standards governing healthcare operations and patient care.
- Systems Thinking: Encourages a holistic view of healthcare delivery by analyzing interconnected processes and their impact on safety and quality.
- Human Factors Engineering: Examines how human behavior, cognition, and physical capabilities interact with healthcare systems and technology.
- Risk Management: Involves proactive identification, assessment, and control of potential threats to patient safety and organizational integrity.
Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality degrees, including Medical and Health Services Managers, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary and Occupational Health and Safety Specialists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,353,210 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers 11-9111 | $117,960 | $69,680 - $219,080 | 565,840 | $56.71 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists 19-5011 | $83,910 | $50,610 - $130,460 | 128,430 | $40.34 |
| Compliance Officers 13-1041 | $78,420 | $46,230 - $130,030 | 397,770 | $37.70 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians 19-5012 | $58,440 | $40,550 - $94,670 | 31,450 | $28.10 |
Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $73,696 in Oklahoma to $120,526 in District of Columbia—a 64% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Washington, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,353,210 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 8 institutions offering Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality is found at University of Alabama (UAB), Birmingham (94 graduates), Thomas Jefferson University (16 graduates), Drexel University (3 graduates), University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) (2 graduates), and Jacksonville University (JU) (2 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 121 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama (UAB) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
94 | Birmingham, Alabama | Public | uab.edu |
| Thomas Jefferson University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
16 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | jefferson.edu |
| Drexel University |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Little Rock, Arkansas | Public | uams.edu |
| Jacksonville University (JU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Jacksonville, Florida | Private | ju.edu |
| Drake University |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Des Moines, Iowa | Private | drake.edu |
| Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Richmond, Kentucky | Public | eku.edu |
| University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | unmc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality programs
How much can I earn with a Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality degree?
Salaries for Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality graduates vary by role and location. Medical and Health Services Managers earn a median of $117,960 annually, while Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $105,620. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $120,526 compared to $73,696 in Oklahoma. Approximately 1,353,210 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality programs?
Currently 8 accredited institutions offer Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Alabama (UAB), Birmingham (94 graduates), Thomas Jefferson University (16 graduates), and Drexel University (3 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
What career paths are available with a Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Medical and Health Services Managers, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, and Occupational Health and Safety Specialists. Related occupations employ approximately 1,353,210 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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