Master of Public Health

Health Services and Policy Concentration

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Overview

Health Services and Policy focuses on health care systems, governmental and organizational decisions plans, and actions that affect the health of populations. Health services concentrate on social, economic and behavioral factors affecting the use of health care services, whereas health policies focus on actions to improve health through legislation, research, direct care, community empowerment and regulations. Leading practitioners in the advancement of health services and policy lead students in examining and understanding the organization, financing and delivery of health services, offering a comprehensive and practice-based foundation for students who wish to pursue careers in management, policy and research.

On-Campus Program Curriculum

  • MPH students in this concentration will take the public health core courses plus 24 units of concentration-specific coursework (16 units of concentration core courses + 8 units of elective courses) ranging in topics that include policy analysis, health services research methods, quality in health care, and policy and politics.

  • PM 508 Health Service Delivery in the U.S. (4 units)

    Historical development of the American health care system; determinants of health care utilization; role of health care providers; health policy; public health services; and health care finance.

    Prerequisite: PM 502

    PPD 503 Economics for Public Policy (4 units)

    Economic theory as applied to public policy. Concepts of efficiency and equity, analysis of market failure and policy interventions.

     

    In addition, students will choose two of the following to complete their core coursework:

    PM 504 Quality in Health Care (4 units)

    Examines quality assessment at different levels of the health care system including health plans, physicians, hospital and integrated system performance.

    Prerequisite: PM 502

    PM 507 Public Health Services Research Methods (4 units)

    ​A practical examination of methods and data sources used to evaluate public health services and conduct policy research and evaluation within health care delivery systems.

    Prerequisite: PM 502 and PM 510L and PM 512

    PM 547 Public Health Policy and Politics (4 units)

    Examination of major policy issues in the U.S. health care delivery system to understand policy options in reforming health care and reducing health care disparities.

    Prerequisite: PM 502a

  • Elective options can be found on the concentration Course Plan.

     

     

Online Program Curriculum

  • MPH students in this concentration will take the online program public health core courses plus 20 units of concentration-specific coursework (16 units of concentration core courses + one 4 unit elective) ranging in topics that include policy analysis, health services research methods, quality in health care, and policy and politics.

  • PM 504 Quality in Health Care (4 units)

    Examines quality assessment at different levels of the health care system including health plans, physicians, hospital and integrated system performance.

    Prerequisite: PM 502

    PM 547 Public Health Policy and Politics (4 units)

    Examination of major policy issues in the U.S. health care delivery system to understand policy options in reforming health care and reducing health care disparities.

    PPD 503 Economics for Public Policy (4 units)

    Economic theory as applied to public policy. Concepts of efficiency and equity, analysis of market failure and policy interventions.

    PPD 542 Policy and Program Evaluation (4 units)

    Methods and models for policy and program evaluation; methods of collecting and analyzing evaluation data; processes for linking evaluation to policy formulation and program management.

  • Students in the online program choose one elective course from a curated selection offered online. Typical electives for this concentration include:

     

    PM 529 Environmental Health: An Epidemiological Approach (4 units)

    An overview of environmental health, identifying issues in assessing effects of exposure on health and potential interventions for reducing adverse health risks.

    Prerequisite: PM 512

    PM 577 Global Health, Law and Human Rights: Concepts and Methods (4 units)

    Highlights the complex interactions between global health, law and human rights, emphasizing the use of human rights in public health thinking and practice.

     

     

     

On-Campus Concentration Course Plan
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Why study health services and policy?

  • It is one of the three core areas of public health.
  • It provides the mechanism to take what we know is important in public health and transforms these ideas into legislative action and policy at all levels of government.
  • To improve the public’s health through policy development and implementation at the local, state, and federal and global levels.
  • To improve public health, including the health care delivery system, through advocacy, education, and research.
  • To help pass and improve laws and regulations that promote health, improve access to health care, and to reduce disparities.
US Government building

What types of work will students be able to do after graduating?

  • Analyze bills and other forms of legislative or regulatory actions.
  • Review and assess the impact of proposed or existing legislation on an organization or a population sub group.
  • Develop policy briefs, prepare letters or testimony, and/or brief to others on the impact of policy.
  • Form policies and help write and make comments on bills or government regulations.
  • Organize others around advocacy and policy development.
people in suits signing papers

Careers in the Field

    What are some job titles that graduates can seek in this field?

    • Government affairs specialist
    • Public health policy analyst
    • Community advocate

    What are some agencies students could work for?

    • A state or local public health department
    • A county or a city governing body
    • Non-profit organizations
    • Hospital or physician groups
    • Advocacy organizations (i.e. American Cancer Society)
    • Governing bodies (i.e. State Legislature, congress, city council)
    • Government agencies (i.e. CDC)

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