Degree Programs
Degree requirements: We offer 3 graduate degrees: MPH, MS, and PhD.
Master's of Public Health (M.P.H.)
The M.P.H. degree program provides students with comprehensive, state-of-the-science training for professional careers as managers and policymakers in the health care system. The management program emphasizes an aggressive yet ethical approach to institutional leadership in a complex period of mounting competition and shrinking resources. Health policy students acquire a solid understanding of the process of policy formation on the national, local, and institutional levels. The program is flexible and allows for specialized pursuit of individual interests.
Students spend three to four semesters taking courses augmenting their prior professional background. Students are encouraged to develop individual interest areas and pursue studies in specialty areas which may include: financial management, program planning and evaluation, policy formation, and quality assurance.
Practice Experience Practicum is required of all M.P.H students. Practice experiences may be paid or unpaid. Placements are arranged in consultation with the student's faculty advisor or the department's field practice coordinator. For additional information go to the following web page:
- Form I- Practice Experience Planning form
- Form II- Practice Contract between Student and Agency
- Form III- Practice Experience Student Report form
- Form IV- Practice Experience Supervisor Report form
NOTE: If you do your Practicum in the summer you must register thru Continuing Education.
Prior to admission, students are encouraged to complete an introductory course in accounting (or equivalent practical experience) and an introductory course in microeconomics.
Specific Requirements for M.P.H. in Health Policy and Management:
Students are required to complete 42 credits for the M.P.H. degree in Health Policy and Management. These credits are distributed as follows:
Public Health Core: 15 Credits
- Pubhlth 540 Introduction to Biostatistics 3 Credits
- Pubhlth 565 Environmental Health Practices 3 Credits
- Pubhlth 601 Application of Social and Behavioral theories in Public Helath 3 Credits
- Pubhlth 620 Introduction to the U.S. Health Care System 3 Credits
- Pubhlth 630 Principles of Epidemiology 3 Credits
Health Policy and Management Core: 21 Credits
The courses in Health Policy and Management are categorized in three content areas: Health Care Management and Administration, Health Policy, and Health Services Research. M.P.H. students are required to select at least two courses under each area. A listing of the courses under the three headings follows:
- Health Care Management and Administration
- Pubhlth 525 Ethical Issues in Public Health
- Pubhlth 621 Health Care Organization and Administration
- Pubhlth 625 Hospital Administration
- Pubhlth 628 Financial Management of Health Institutions
- Pubhlth 780 Public Health Law
- Health Policy
- Pubhlth 525 Health Ethics
- Pubhlth 524 Introduction to Health Care Politics and Policy
- Pubhlth 580 Comparative Health Systems
- Pubhlth 614 International Health Policy
- Pubhlth 629 Tobacco Control Policymaking in the U.S.
- Pubhlth 630 Politics of HIV/AIDS in the U.S.
- Pubhlth 726 Health Economics and Reimbursement
- Pubhlth 780 Public Health Law
- Health Services Research
- Pubhlth 608 Communications
- Pubhlth 622 Program Evaluation
- Pubhlth 624 Research Methods in Public Health
- Pubhlth 628 Financial Management in Health Institutions
- Pubhlth 640 Intermediate Biostatistics
- Pubhlth 704 Health Program Planning
- Pubhlth 791D Decision-making in Health Services
- Pubhlth 726 Health Economics and Reimbursement
Substitution for HPM Core Requirements: 3 Credits
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An independent study course (3 credits maximum), negotiated with the approval of the faculty advisor, may be substituted for three credits of specialty area courses.
M.P.H. Practicum - Field Internship: 3 Credits
NOTE: If you do your Practicum in the summer you must register thru Continuing Education.
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PUBHLTH 698: Students in all public health concentrations are now required to complete a supervised field training internship of 200 hours.
M.P.H. Project - Culminating Experience: 3 Credits
M.P.H. Project Guidlines
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PUBHLTH 696D: The project proposal is approved by two HPM faculty and the completed project is submitted in writing and presented orally.
The Academic Advising Form which shows all specific course requirements can be found on the Advising webpage.
Master of Science (M.S.)
The M.S. degree program provides a strong foundation for professional activity in Health Services Research. Students who are planning to pursue a career in research, planning and evaluation, auditing, or consulting, whether in the private sector or in government-related markets, will find this program an excellent basis for their growth and development. The program features a well-balanced combination of courses providing solid background in health care issues, policy, skills, and experience. Typical employers are: state and federal government, the military, public and private health organizations, and other human service institutions.
In this two-year program, the student is provided with the educational experience necessary to be a capable administrator well versed in technical and organizational skills, and an advocate for social change in the health care system.
Prerequisites include an introductory course in accounting (or equivalent practical experience) and an introductory course in microeconomics.
Specific Requirements for M.S. in Health Policy and Management:
At least 48 credits are required for the MS degree in Health Policy and Management. These credits are distributed as follows:
Public Health Core: 12 Credits
- Pubhlth 540 Introduction to Biostatistics
- Pubhlth 601 Principles of Community Health Ed
- Pubhlth 620 Introduction to the U.S. Health Care System
- Pubhlth 630 Principles of Epidemiology
Health Policy and Management Core: 9 Credits
- Pubhlth 621 Health Care Organization and Administration
- Pubhlth 628 Financial Management of Health Institutions
- Pubhlth 690F Current Topics in Health Politics and Policy
Research Fundamentals Required: 9 Credits
- Pubhlth 622 Program Evaluation for Health and Human Services Organizations
- Pubhlth 624 Research Methods in Public Health
- Pubhlth 640 Intermediate Biostatistics
- Pubhlth 704 Health Program Planning
Concentration in Health Policy and Management: 9 Credits
These courses are negotiated individually by students with their respective faculty advisors. Only one of these courses may be an independent study for a total of no more than 3 credits.
M.S. Thesis: 9 Credits
At the end of two semesters of coursework, with permission of the faculty advisor, students submit a proposal for an M.S. thesis. Students, with their advisor's assistance, will seek a faculty member who agrees to serve as a committee chair for the preparation and defense of the thesis. The committee chair will guide the student in the research and procedures pertaining to the thesis.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
The doctoral program is designed for students interested in research and teaching careers in public health and health sciences. The program prepares students for positions as researchers and teachers in research universities, in government agencies at the state and federal level, and in the research arms of private health insurance, provider or consulting organizations. Because positions in the doctoral program are limited, selection is competitive with respect to academic background and experience.
The doctoral program involves focusing on a major area of concentration, which is a content field, and a minor area, which is related to a particular area of interest of the student. The minor area of the concentration may be content-related or methods-related. The student must be able to utilize courses from other departments at the University, as much of this degree is self-designed, under the guidance of the advisor. The specific guidelines for this degree program can be found here.
Doctoral students are supported in two methods. The first is by working with faculty on existing research grants as Research Assistants. For current and planned research, please see our Research page and also our Faculty page, where each faculty has identified their major areas of interest in terms of research. Doctoral students are also supported through teaching in the undergraduate degree program in Public Health. The ideal arrangement is for the student to be a Teaching Assistant for a faculty member in their first year, then to independently teach one or two courses over their second and third years. If an applicant has sufficient background, he/she may be able to teach independently during their first year.
For the doctoral program, applicants must have completed or be about to complete a Master’s degree in public health or a related field. Applicants who have not completed a Master’s degree in public health or a related field are asked to apply to the MPH or MS degree in Health Policy and Management.
There are three phases to the doctoral application process: Pre-Selection, Selection to the Program, and Admission to the University. All applicants will submit materials for Pre-Selection; those most qualified will be invited to take part in the final selection process. Finally, accepted candidates must confirm their acceptance to the University by August 1.
It is strongly recommended that applicants seek letters of recommendation from persons who can attest to the applicant’s academic background and potential. The written statement of purpose should outline the applicant’s reasons for seeking entrance to the program and future professional goals. Within this statement, it is important to provide evidence of potential to conduct research, as well as identifying areas of interest in research. Applicants should also submit a current professional resume.
Doctoral applicants will be evaluated and selected according to the following criteria:
- Academic ability to successfully complete doctoral study, as evidenced by successful completion of an earned master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning, undergraduate and graduate grades, and GRE scores.
- Strong writing and oral communication skills and conceptual/analytical skills, as indicated by the personal statement and statements regarding research interests.
- Demonstrated success and substantial leadership experience as evidenced by professional experience and strong letters of recommendation.
- Clear professional and scholarly goals in keeping with the mission and vision of the program, as evidenced by the candidate’s personal statement.
For more information, please feel free to contact the Health Policy and Management admissions coordinator, or any faculty in the Health Policy and Management program.
Admission Requirements
Students should meet the following minimum criteria when applying for admission to the program:
- Have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in the United States, or a foreign equivalent.
- Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 (B average on a 4.00 scale) in their baccalaureate degree.
- Meet the general requirements of the Graduate School for admission (see http://www.umass.edu/gradschool/quick_links_apply_now.htm).
Test scores must not be more than five years old.
All master's degree applicants whose citizenship is not of the U.S. and/or whose native language is not English must obtain an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). To be considered for admission, the applicant must achieve a score of 600 on the paper-based exam or a score of 250 on the computer-based exam. Additional information for International students can be found at http://www.umass.edu/gradschool/prospective_students_international_student_information.htm.
Applicants may also submit copies of any pertinent publications or reports that one has authored, which would be helpful in evaluating a candidate's potential for success in public health.
Preference will be given to applicants with an advanced professional degree (M.D., D.D.S., D.V.M.) or other graduate degree, or applicants who have two or more years work experience in the field of public health.
Applications must be received by February 1.
