Health Policy and Management

• Curriculum Comparison Table
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Overview
The residential master's degree curriculum emphasizes a balance between systematic learning about health services and public health issues on the one hand and management and policy analysis, concepts, and techniques on the other. Emphasis is placed on both classroom and experience-based learning. 

Team Approach
The residential master's program emphasizes a team approach to learning. In many of the courses, students are grouped in teams of three to six students to complete course-related projects, assignments, and team-based exams. In addition to assigned teams, most students form ongoing, informal study groups to enhance individual learning.

Areas of Concentration
The residential master's program offers two primary areas of concentration:

• Health services management (MHA)
• Health policy (MSPH)

Students also select a secondary area of concentration, such as: policy analysis, managed care, health economics, financial management, quality management, marketing or international health.

Description of Residential Master's Programs

Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)
The MHA is a professional degree for students wishing to pursue management careers in health systems, hospitals, consulting firms, managed care organizations, insurance firms, non-governmental organizations, medical group practices, government agencies and other settings. The MHA degree is designed to provide strong preparation in the management disciplines, a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare sector, experiential elements, and an opportunity to pursue an area of concentration.

Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH)
The MSPH is a professional degree designed to prepare students for careers in health policy analysis, planning, development, evaluation, and advocacy at local, state, federal, and international levels as well as in the private sector. The MSPH degree is particularly appropriate for individuals interested in pursuing careers in public policy, public advocacy organizations, consulting research organizations, federal and state government entities, public health departments, non-governmental organizations, and international health organizations. Students obtain a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare system, master methods for the analysis of healthcare policy options, and pursue an area of concentration.

Master of Public Health (MPH)
PLEASE NOTE: The MPH is a professional degree intended for those students who hold a doctoral-level professional degree (e.g., JD, MD, DDS, PhD), or are in the process of completing a doctoral-level degree.  

Students gain a comprehensive understanding of public health philosophy, methods, and values and are provided with an orientation to management and policy-related careers in the health field. The degree is suitable for individuals who have an interest in either healthcare management or health policy. MPH graduates successfully pursue careers in health systems, hospitals, consulting firms, managed care organizations, medical group practices, government agencies, public policy organizations, public health departments, and international health organizations. Those interested in board certification in preventive medicine or public health dentistry should pay special attention to this degree. Additionally, there is the opportunity for students currently pursuing a professional doctoral degree (or a PhD in another field) to earn simultaneously an MPH degree by taking a leave of absence from their doctoral studies to complete MPH coursework and other MPH degree requirements. Such students are awarded the MPH degree after, or concurrently with, the doctoral degree. For these students, eligibility for award of the MPH degree requires completion of the doctoral degree. Students who do not complete the doctoral degree may subsequently apply to either the MSPH or MHA program, but must meet the admissions requirement for the two-year programs, including submitting current GRE scores. Course credits previously earned through the MPH program can be applied toward the MSPH or MHA degree requirements if the student is admitted.

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Curriculum Comparison by Degree
See our Course Listings for course descriptions

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Graduation Requirements

The following curriculum and graduation requirements apply to the Residential Master's Program:

• At least two full semesters of residence credit, either by full-time registration or by part-time registration over several semesters.
• All requirements for the degree must be met within five years from the date of matriculation.

MHA and MSPH Students

• Successful completion of 60 credit hours comprising School of Public Health, Department and degree core courses, and concentration and elective courses for MHA and MSPH students
  
• Successful completion of a 12-week internship (HPM 704) 
• Enrollment in three semesters of Professional Training (HPM 701, HPM 702 and HPM 703)
• Successful completion of the master's paper and comprehensive examination Graduate School requirement.
• MHA students meet the comprehensive examination requirement through business plan development and presentation through HPM 735. 
• MHA students meet the master's paper requirement through case analyses in HPM 735.
• MSPH  students meet the comprehensive examination requirement through successful development and defense of a master's paper proposal through HPM 789.
• MSPH  students meet the master's paper requirement through completion of a master's paper (HPM 992).
  

MPH Students

• Successful completion of 42 credit hours comprising School of Public Health, department, and degree core courses, and concentration and elective courses
• Successful completion of 6-week internship (HPM 704)
• Enrollment in one semester of Professional Training (HPM 701)
• Successful completion of a master's paper and/or comprehensive examination (MPH students may choose either the Master's Paper or Business Plan/Case Analyses)

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