Who determines our access to medical care?

Health managers and policymakers do. Health policy—defined as decisions, plans, and actions undertaken to achieve specific health care goals within a society—affects all of us. Our health policy and management courses prepare you to develop, advocate, and make decisions at every level of policymaking. Health managers and leaders run hospitals/health systems, work in health insurance, long-term care administration or as consultants.

In the Department of Health Policy and Management, we recognize the challenges inherent in our nation’s health care system. We prepare students to not only face these challenges but to embrace them and work to bring about effective and positive change through leadership and advocacy.

We seek to improve the practice of health care management in the public and private sectors; advance the state of health policy making and implementation; and make public health and health care services more affordable, efficient, and user friendly.

Your professional goals are our top priority, whether they include coordinating services for a health insurance plan, advocating on behalf of patients, or serving as CEO of a hospital system. Our well-connected alumni serve in executive management positions across the country, and our expert faculty produces research in the areas of governance and management, long-term care, and pharmaceutical economics that has influenced health policy at every level.

Choose from four master’s degree programs:

• Master of Health Administration (MHA)
• Master of Public Health (MPH) in health policy and management
• Juris Doctor/Master of Public Health (JD/MPH) joint degree
• Master of Science (MS) in Health Services Research and Policy

Learn about our master’s degree programs.

A doctoral degree program:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in health services research and policy

Learn about our doctoral degree program.

And certificate programs in health care systems engineering (with the Swanson School of Engineering) and health systems leadership and management.

Learn about our certificate programs.

Our department is attracting the top graduate students thanks to a faculty that is fully engaged in research, teaching, professional development, and service in health policy and health care and public health management. In collaboration with practitioners, we provide outstanding educational and professional development programs, engage in scholarship and sponsored research, and participate in relevant community service and service learning activities. We’d love for you to join us.