For students in the Department of Health Policy and Administration (HPAA), all of their class work, internships and ongoing projects point towards one primary goal – to prepare them to be top health analysts, administrators or policymakers in the U.S. and around the world. Whether it’s learning the intricacies of the current Medicare system or being introduced to healthcare financial management, HPAA students take pride in knowing they have been expertly prepared for an exciting, but often challenging career in healthcare. Small class sizes keep the educational setting intimate and supportive, while the breadth of subject matter allows for personal exploration and discovery.

Faculty members in HPAA often don’t have to prove themselves. They are already known nationally and even internationally as some of the best in their respective disciplines. But that doesn’t stop them from continuing to learn, grow, explore and research the fundamental issues in health policy and administration today. For example, there’s Dr. Gary Rozier, who after 30 years continues to lead research that helps disadvantaged young people receive proper dental care. And there’s Dr. Rebecca Wells, who recently was awarded the top prize for young investigators by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA). Besides their research obligations, every faculty member has an open door policy with respect to his or her students.

Behind all of the visible signs of a Department rated #1 and #2 respectively by Modern Healthcare and U.S. News & World Report lays a highly competent staff that keeps everything running smoothly. Hired for both their people skills and technical expertise, the staff at HPAA strives to find a better, more efficient way of doing things—whether it’s tracking down scholarship opportunities or alerting students to changes in curriculum. They are the unsung heroes of a thriving, constantly changing educational environment and if they can help a student—they will.

Alumni from the Health Policy and Administration department are working in some of the most important healthcare organizations in the U.S. today, including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institute of Health (NIH). But more importantly, wherever they are applying their trade, they are helping people and organizations by applying critical thinking skills to help solve difficult problems in healthcare. Many have difficult, demanding jobs. But they also love what they’re doing and they are often highly rewarded in financial compensation or praise for a job well done. HPAA alums literally run healthcare operations or help set policy, often sitting at the table with major policymakers and businesspeople today.