Master of Public Health in Health Policy & Management (MPH)
Learning Objectives

Three program concentrations are offered within the new MPH in health policy and management. Program objectives common to all tracks are specified, followed by learning objectives specific to each concentration.

Program Objectives Common to All Concentrations
Upon completion of the MPH in health policy and management, the graduate will be able to:

• Use the concepts and tools of epidemiology and biostatistics in (1) the analysis of the health status and health care needs of the target community or service population and (2) the development of appropriate public health interventions and/or health services to address those needs

• Understand the other core disciplines of public health (behavioral and community health, environmental and occupational health, epidemiology, human population genetics, and infectious diseases) to enhance decision-making in managing the health of the population or community to which the public health or health care services organization is accountable

• Describe the basic structures and processes of the U.S. system of health and medical care

• Apply knowledge of the context and process of health policymaking at the federal and state levels of government in the U.S. in informed policy discussions

• Demonstrate understanding of selected contemporary federal and state health policy issues

• Apply policy competencies in analyzing and influencing the health policymaking process at the federal and state levels of government

• Apply the basic concepts and tools of financial and managerial accounting and finance in the allocation and control of financial resources, including interpretation of the financial statements, financial ratio analysis, cost behavior and decision-making, break-even analysis, budgeting, and variance analysis

• Synthesize and apply classroom and experiential learning in both (1) a supervised, on-site experience in a health care or public health organization (practicum) tailored to the professional development needs of the student already working in the field; and (2) an integrative, capstone experience (master’s essay)

Program Objectives—Health Program Management Track
Upon completion of this program track, the graduate will be able to:

• Design and implement a cost-effective health care program or project, including obtaining and coordinating required financial and staff resources

• Manage, monitor, and assess the effectiveness and quality of the program or project

• Apply best practices of human resource management and supervision in a manner that is ethical, legally compliant, and responsive to the motivational and growth needs of his/her employees

• Adopt a strategic management model and strategic perspective in his/her managerial or professional role in the organization

• Demonstrate the utility of tools and techniques of corporate finance applied to health care to enhance his/her skills and knowledge to prepare for career advancement opportunities

Program Objectives–Health Policy Track
Upon completion of this program track, the graduate will be able to:

• Apply knowledge of the context and process of health policymaking at the federal and state levels of government in the U.S. in informed policy discussions

• Demonstrate understanding of selected contemporary federal and state health policy issues

• Apply policy competencies in analyzing and influencing the health policymaking process at the federal and state levels of government

• Articulate the critical issues facing the U.S. health care system and public health

• Present an overview of the major contemporary health policies addressing at least one of these issues

• Apply policy research tools and methods and analytical reasoning to evaluate the effects of a prevailing or proposed legislative or regulatory initiative

• Apply knowledge of the relationships between the design of insurance plans, the utilization of health care services, and the equity and efficiency with which the health care system operates

• Assess the differences between traditional approaches to health insurance and consumer-driven health care

• Understand the logic of the Medicare administrative pricing system in assessing alternative health financing arrangements

• Apply economic theory and tools to better understand the organization and delivery of health care, especially in the U.S.

• Incorporate economic analysis with basic tools of epidemiology, biostatistics, finance, and health policy to examine the health of populations through their health care structures and markets, finance, and outcomes

• Apply economic analysis to assess the effectiveness of public health interventions in improving the health of populations

Program Objectives–Public Health Management Track
Upon completion of this program track, the graduate will be able to:

• Design and implement a cost-effective public health program, project, or intervention, including obtaining and coordinating required financial and staff resources

• Manage, monitor, and assess the effectiveness and quality of the public health program, project, or intervention

• Apply best practices of human resource management and supervision within a public health agency in a manner that is ethical, legally compliant, and responsive to the motivational and growth needs of his/her employees

• Demonstrate ability to apply effective financial management processes and controls in a public agency context consistent with the Audit and Accounting Guidelines (e.g., agency budgeting, financial reporting) of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

• Conduct an environmental analysis of the public health agency’s strengths and weaknesses (internal) and opportunities and threats (external), including identification of its key constituencies and accountabilities