Shape health policy and improve health care delivery
This program focuses on health care policies and incorporating the analysis and evaluation of all policies that affect the public’s health, such as: policies related to public health organizations, education, housing, nutrition, and environmental factors.
Perfect for students who want to
- Understand the complex structures of health care delivery in the U.S.
- Explore the legal and ethical foundations for health care
- Engage in policy processes designed to improve health care access among diverse populations
Career paths
Our graduates are prepared to work in:
- Governmental affairs
- Federal/state agencies
- Health policy consulting
Program Overview
The Master of Public Health in Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation is an in-person professional degree that prepares students for careers focused on health policy in the government, non-profit, and for-profit sectors. The degree typically takes two years to complete and may be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. The degree program consists of 3 modules: (1) The integrated public health core; (2) The health policy analysis and evaluation core; and (3) The Internship and Capstone (or Thesis) Core.
See all Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation graduate student resources.
There are 45 total credits in the MPH in Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation curriculum.
View all required courses for the MPH in Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation on the UMD Catalog.
Module 1: Integrated Core - 6 courses
Module 2: Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation - 8 courses
Module 3: Internship and Capstone (or Thesis) - 2 courses
| Module | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Module 1: Integrated Core | SPHL601 Core Concepts in Public Health | 1 |
| Module 1: Integrated Core | SPHL602 Epidemiology & Biostatistics | 4 |
| Module 1: Integrated Core | SPHL603 Applied Data Laboratory | 1 |
| Module 2: Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation | HLSA601 Introduction to Health Systems | 3 |
| Module 2: Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation | HLSA702 Policy and Politics of Health | 3 |
| Module | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Module 1: Integrated Core | SPHL610 Program Planning, Development and Evaluation | 5 |
| Module 1: Integrated Core | SPHL611 Public Health Ethics | 1 |
| Module 2: Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation | Elective | 3 |
| Module 2: Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation | Elective | 3 |
| Module | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Module 1: Integrated Core | SPHL620 Leadership and Policy Analysis | 2 |
| Module 2: Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation | ***HLSA711 Health Economics and Analysis | 3 |
| Module 2: Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation | HLSA775: Public Health Research Methods | 3 |
| Module 2: Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation | Elective | 3 |
***Accelerated BS-MPH students will take HLSA 724 Developing and Implementing Health Policy in Maryland instead of HLSA711.
| Module | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Module 2: Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation | Elective | 3 |
| Module 3: Internship and Capstone (or Thesis)* | SPHL778 Internship | 4 |
| Module 3: Internship and Capstone (or Thesis)** | HLSA786 Capstone or HLSA 799 | 3 or 6 |
*Many students opt to take Internship credits in the summer between first and second year. More information about the internship can be found here
**Thesis students take one less elective than Capstone students in order to make room for the 6 Thesis credits within the 45 credit total.
Graduates of the MPH in Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation will be able to:
- Recommend solutions to policy problems, using literature, evidence, and data.
- Critique and analyze the impact of multiple payers on health care delivery, financing, and health outcomes.
- Develop and assess evaluative measures linked to program or policy goals and objectives.
- Evaluate the main components of the organization and delivery of health care and their impact on population health.
- Analyze the role of power, influence, and evidence in the political and policy process at the federal, state, and local level.