MPH – Health Management & Policy

Admissions

• See the Admission Requirements and Application Instructions for All MPH and MS Applicants.

Overview

The Division of Health Management and Policy offers graduate study leading to the Master of Public Health degree as well as a concurrent graduate program leading to a Master of Public Health degree and Master of Social Work degree.

Students in the Master of Public Health degree in Health Management and Policy receive theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to prepare them for a wide range of careers in health care management and policy in such settings as hospitals, health systems, ambulatory care facilities, insurance companies, consulting firms, managed care organizations, and public health agencies. Instructional activities are guided by the Program’s list of competencies expected of all graduates. The Program in Health Management and Policy enjoys active support and participation by managers and executives in the local health community. The Program’s John J. Hanlon Executive Scholar is a part-time faculty member whose primary responsibility is to serve as a liaison between the Program and the health care practice community and lead the HMP Professional Development series.

The Division is a member of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA), is affiliated with the Health Education Network of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), and has an active student chapter of the ACHE through the San Diego Organization of Healthcare Leaders (SOHL).

Additional Information

• HMP Mission, Vision, Values (pdf)
• HMP Program Competencies (pdf)
• HMP Competency Curriculum Grid (pdf)

Curriculum

See also…

• Course Roadmap – MPH in Health Management & Policy (pdf, updated August 2020)
• Educational Objectives – MPH in Health Management & Policy (pdf, updated February 2019)

Required Courses

The 59-unit program is listed below and is typically completed in two years by full-time students:

• Public Health Core Classes (12 units)
  • PH 601 Epidemiology (3)
  • PH 602 Biostatistics (3)
  • PH 603 Behavioral and Social Science in Public Health (3)
  • PH 604 Environmental Determinants of Human Health (3)
• Health Management and Policy Required Courses (34 units)
  • PH 641  Introduction to Health Services (3)
  • PH 642 Health Insurance and Financing Systems (3)
  • PH 644A Health Services Organization and Management (3)
  • PH 644B Managing the High Performing Health Care Organization (3)
  • PH 645  Health Economics (3)
  • PH 646 Health Services Research Methods (2)
  • PH 647  Quantitative Methods and Health Data Analysis (3)
  • PH 648  Health Policy (3)
  • PH 742A Health Services Financial Management (3)
  • PH 747 Quality Improvement and Program Evaluation (3)
  • PH 748 Health Services Competitive Strategy and Marketing (3)
  • PH 798 Special Study – HMP Professional Development Cr/NC (2)
• HMP Elective (or other approved course):
  • PH 700E Seminar in PH Practice
  • PH 743 Hospitals and Ambulatory Health Management (3)
• Field Practice (6 units)
  • PH 650R Required Community Field Practice Cr/NC (3) 
  • PH 750E Advanced Field Practice: Health Management and Policy Cr/NC  (3)
• Culminating Experience (4 units) *
  • PH 797 (Research) or PH 799A (Thesis) Cr/NC/RP (4)
    (Enroll in PH 797 each semester you work on your capstone project)

See the SDSU Graduate Bulletin for descriptions and prerequisites for these courses.

Program of Study

Students seeking a Master of Public Health in Health Management and Policy are required to file an Official Program of Study (which lists all classes that will be taken to fulfill degree requirements) after completing at least 12 units of study and before completing the last 9 units. The Official Program of Study must be approved by the Graduate Advisor of the School of Public Health.

*Thesis or Directed Readings

Students may complete their degree in the Health Management and Policy concentration by choosing either Plan A (Thesis) or Plan B (Management Project or Comprehensive Exam). If students select Plan A, PH 799A is required for completion of their degree.  PH 797 (Research) is required for students selecting Plan B, and they must complete either a Comprehensive Examination or Management Project.

Time Limitation

The school expects a student to complete the degree within seven years. Failure to complete the degree requirements within seven years will result in dismissal from the program.

Questions? 

Tracy Finlayson, PhD

Professor & Division Head

Phone: (619) 594-0559

Email: tfinlays@sdsu.edu