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Department of
Health Policy and Management
 Annette Choolfaian, R.N.,
M.P.A.
Department Chair Peter S. Arno, Ph.D.
Director, Doctoral Program Deborah Viola, Ph.D.
Director, MPH Program Health Policy Management Degree Programs
Health Policy Management Certificate Programs
The Department of Health Policy and Management offers the MPH and DrPH degrees in Health Policy and Management. In addition, the Department offers a graduate certificate in Management of Long-Term Care Facilities and in Global Health. A graduate certificate in Emergency Preparedness is also offered in conjunction with the school’s Center for Disaster Medicine. In addition, the MPH in Health Policy and Management and the graduate certificate in Emergency Preparedness are offered fully on-line as distance learning programs.
Health Policy & Management - Master of Public Health (MPH) Program
Deborah Viola, PhD,
Director, MPH Studies
The public policy, administrative and technological complexities of today’s healthcare industry requires managers and policy makers to have a broad-based education. The courses leading to the MPH degree in Health Policy and Management are designed to provide the student with an understanding of the business, programmatic, planning and policy areas of health care. The program prepares students for careers in a wide range of health services and research settings.
An individual program plan is developed for each student based on his or her previous education, experience and career goals.
Faculty members in the program have extensive education and experience in the health field. Among them are healthcare lawyers, executives, researchers, planners, consultants, physicians, nurses and other professionals who have held leadership positions in health and health-related enterprises and government.
A graduate of the MPH in Health Policy and Management is expected to achieve the following program (P) competencies:
HPM P1 - Identify the current issues in the development, organization, financing, and delivery of health services and public health systems in the U.S.
HPM P2 - Describe the development, implementation, and financing of health policy and its impact on consumers, providers and payers.
HPM P3 - Identify new models and emerging trends for healthcare financing.
HPM P4 - Interpret organizational, fiscal, legal and ethical analyses for business and clinical decision-making.
HPM P5 - Demonstrate an understanding of the processes to improve quality of patient care while recognizing and distinguishing between the cost of care and the availability of care.
HPM P6 - Compare and differentiate among business and health outcomes measurement, process/outcomes relationships and methods for process improvement in health organizations.
HPM P7 - Detail the principles of organizational development and apply systems thinking for resolving organizational problems.
HPM P8 - Characterize the structuring and positioning of healthcare organizations to achieve optimum outcomes.
HPM P9 -Tabulate quantitative, financial, economic and statistical data for decision-making.
HPM P10 - Discuss the economic, legal and ethical theories that impact on health systems and healthcare organizations.
The MPH in Health Policy and Management may be taken on-campus or on-line. The curriculum is the same, except as indicated below:
The following courses are 3 credits each, unless otherwise noted
MPH Curriculum - 46 credits
a. Required core courses: 19 credits
Health Care in the United States
Introduction to Biostatistics
Introduction to Epidemiology
Environmental Influences on Human Health
Health Economics
Behavioral and Social Factors in Public Health
Practicum (1 credit)
b. Required program courses: 15 credits
Law and Health
Financial Administration of Health Delivery Systems
New Directions: Managing Health Care
Organizational Theory
Approaches to System Improvement in Healthcare Operations
c. Electives: 9 credits (For practicum and electives see Director of MPH Studies)
d. Culminating Experience – HPM Capstone or Thesis: 3 credits
Distance Education MPH Curriculum – 46 Credits
a. Required core courses: 19 credits
Health Care in the United States
Introduction to Biostatistics
Introduction to Epidemiology
Environmental Influences on Human Health
Health Economics
Behavioral and Social Factors in Public Health
Practicum (1 credit)
b. Required program courses: 15 credits
Law and Health
Financial Administration of Health Delivery Systems
New Directions: Managing Health Care
Organizational Theory
Approaches to System Improvement in Healthcare Operations
c. Electives: 12 credits (For practicum and elective see Director of MPH Studies)
d. Culminating Experience – Comprehensive Examination Required
Computing Requirements for Distance Education Students click here.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Health Care in the United States
This course provides comprehensive overviews of the American healthcare systems, their organization, administration and financing. In addition lectures, exercises and papers are structured to provide an understanding of the major stakeholders involved in health care; the issues driving the health care reform agenda; the use of community-based needs assessment in planning the delivery of healthcare services; and methods for measuring and monitoring the quality of care.
Health Economics
This course explores the concepts of scarcity, social choice, resource allocation, efficiency, investment, and market forces and their relationship to health services delivery and health policy. A variety of analytical principles and methods are examined and applied to issues including healthcare financing, cost containment, regulation, access, insurance, productivity, and program evaluation.
Law and Health
This course provides an overview of the legal system, legal issues, and the convergence of public health policy and the law, through analysis of contemporary topics.
Financial Administration of Health Delivery Systems
This course will introduce students to the basic financial statements generated by health care organizations, and used for financial decision making, both for control of organizational assets and long-term financing. Principles and techniques of financial management will be studied and applied including: budgeting, cost analysis, management of patient accounts, financing and sources of operating revenue.
The Management Process in Health Service Organizations
A survey of management theories and principles with emphasis on the role of the middle manager within health service organizations is presented. Topics include leadership style, supervision of professional staff, evaluation of program effectiveness, and fiscal accountability.
Long-Term Care Delivery Systems
This course provides students with an introduction to the basic learning and analytical frameworks of Long-Term Care (LTC). Three perspectives or approaches are used to describe and discuss the complicated LTC landscape. First, LTC is examined as a “system” - that is, a cluster of interrelated components. Next, LTC is explored from the point of view of public policy - that is, from the perspective of various courses of action open to government to address the LTC dilemma. Finally, LTC is viewed as an expanding market for providers of health care, social services and housing.
New Directions: Managing Health Care
This course is designed to provide health care managers/professionals with an overview of the managed health care industry, which impacts all aspects of the delivery of health care in the U.S. today. An introduction to all types of managed health plans (including consumer directed health care, HSA, HDHP, HMOs, PPOs, and POS) is included. This course also examines the roles corporate America, government, consumers, and providers of care, and how they impact the managed health care system.
Human Resource Management
In order for an organization to meet its strategic goals and be externally competitive, it is critical that management acquire a knowledge and understanding of the essentials of human resources management, concepts, laws and business practices. This course explores management strategies: to integrate a variety of management skills and promote a positive workforce culture for organizational effectiveness; to protect management and the organization against legal liability, to meet the challenges of a multi-generational, diverse and complex workforce and to attract, retain, motivate, develop and reward a talented workforce for organizational success. Upon completion of this course students will be able to develop a practical plan of action to achieve these goals.
New Directions: Managed Healthcare Organizational Structures
Students receive full exposure to the operations of managed care systems. Managed care organizational structures, provider organizations, staffing, marketing and other aspects of the delivery system are reviewed. In addition, the managed care process, including case management, quality management and utilization review, are discussed. Prerequisite: New Directions: Managing Health Care
Organizational Theory
This course provides students with knowledge of the major theories of organization. Students study the principal elements of organizational structure and behavior and their effect on today’s managerial problems. In addition, the applications of these theories, through such concepts as “the learning organization” and “organizational leadership” are discussed.
Grant and Contract Development and Administration
The fundamentals of grant and contract administration, proposal development and program evaluation for the public health and social welfare professional are presented. Topics include funding sources, program development, proposal components, financial and budget issues, contracting for sponsored programs, post-award management, governmental regulations and compliance, and ethical aspects of research proposals.
Developing the Strategic Plan
Overview of the basic principles of strategic planning for healthcare providers is presented in this course. Emphasis is placed on planning principles as well as the specific skills and methods employed in strategic planning. Students are required to engage in actual market research and analysis; case studies of various strategic plans are discussed and analyzed.
Strategic Management of Communications in Healthcare Organizations
This course focuses on managing communication issues when healthcare organizational and stakeholder interests collide. The course explores the dynamic public environment of health care and the influences that must be considered by decision-makers. Knowing how actions may be judged in the public arena will help managers navigate their healthcare careers. Managers at all levels need to know how to interact with various “publics”, such as the media, the community, public interest groups, agencies, unions, etc. The course uses case studies and interactive problem solving. Public relations tools and techniques, consumer behavior, and strategic public affairs planning are examined.
Leadership, Power and Influence
Leadership, Power and Influence is designed for students who are, or plan to become, health services managers, and wish to upgrade their leadership skills in highly competitive and rapidly changing work environments. Emphasis is placed on the understanding of leadership and power, which is necessary to influence people in order to accomplish one’s objectives. Topics for discussion are the challenge of managerial life, sources and use of power and politics, network building and exchange strategies, leadership styles, and other important topics that can give rise to more effective leadership.
Health Services Organization and Management
This course is designed to provide the student with an introduction to the organization and management of health care systems. Students analyze critical management concepts through discussion, case analysis and practical applications in a variety of health care settings. Special attention is paid to assessing and redesigning organizational structure to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of these systems.
Managing Change and Decision Making in the Healthcare Industry
The various approaches to change management employed in organizations are explored in this course. Students explore the core management competencies needed for effective change leadership. Students also integrate the concepts and techniques involved in implementing a planned change process. In addition, the theories and techniques of organization and individual decision-making are discussed.
Overview of Behavioral Health Services
This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive overview of Behavioral Health services utilizing a case study methodology. The awareness and acceptance of, as well as advances in treatment for mental illness throughout history to present day will be explored. Case studies will examine behavioral health services in a variety of settings including: hospitals, prisons, colleges and universities, rural and urban communities, and western and developing countries. Legal, financial, regulatory, and other issues unique to Behavioral Health will be explored including the importance of integrating behavioral health services with medical and surgical services. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the historical, financial, legal, regulatory, and care delivery issues unique to behavioral health services. Societal issues affecting both the providers and recipients of behavioral health services will be examined, including stigma from both within and
outside the healthcare delivery system.
Managing Long Term Health Care Facilities
This course provides an opportunity to examine the essential skills required for the successful management of a long term care facility. The focus is on management functions (leadership, planning, organizing, and marketing), human resources, finance (principles of accounting and budgeting), environment (architecture and regulatory) issues, and resident/patient care. The course also examines the multiple aspects of the administrator’s role in the operations and politics of the organization.
Ethics in Health Care
This course focuses on the practical application of the principles of medical ethics to contemporary issues in healthcare planning, management, and delivery. In an era of increasing regulatory mandates and resource scarcity, an understanding of the function of ethical analysis is of critical importance in the identification, elucidation, and resolution of healthcare controversies. The course includes an overview of the philosophical foundations of the principles of medical ethics and presents a methodology for their employment in the attempted resolution of problems which exist at the confluence of medicine and morals. Issues of patient and professional autonomy, beneficence and non-malfeasance, confidentiality, informed consent, and distributive justice are explored. Application is made to such contemporary issues as euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, and AIDS.
Strategic Management
Strategic management is an externally oriented philosophy of managing an organization to orchestrate a fit between the organization’s external environment and its internal situation. Strategic management goes beyond the traditional focus of strategy formulation and incorporates leadership through successful strategic implementation. Case studies of healthcare organizations are utilized to illustrate various aspects of strategic management.
Making Information Work for the Modern Manager
Health care managers and other professionals are burdened with a blizzard of data and information. This course focuses on how to use information effectively in decision-making and managing organizations. Practical approaches to design, data collection and analysis are presented. Students explore ways to make software work to improve presentations from simple Excel to sophisticated e-analytics. In addition, innovative uses of technology in healthcare and the life sciences are discussed.
New Directions: Medical Management of Health Care
Excellence in clinical quality and consumer satisfaction are becoming more significant market drivers; therefore this course is of interest to students who will be managing the delivery of health care services. It describes a comprehensive and integrated program that allows an organization to effectively assess and manage both the quality of clinical performance of providers and the health status and satisfaction of insured populations. Prerequisite: New Directions: Managing Health Care
Health Policy Issues: An Economic Perspective
This course is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of economic forces and their effect on health policy. Students gain a better understanding of how market economists think when addressing healthcare policy, specifically legislation and regulation. Health Economics is a prerequisite for this course and it is expected that students will extend and enrich their knowledge of health economic tools and principles.
Health Policymaking in the United States
This course examines the political economy that shapes the development, implementation, and changes in health policy at the federal and state levels. The impact and role of key health policy players from the public and private sectors will be examined including legislators and executives in federal and state governments, employers, healthcare providers, insurers, industry, academia and consumer groups
Delivering Healthcare Services to the Aged
This course is designed for students interested in the issues around service delivery for the elderly and those preparing for management positions in long-term care and nursing facilities. It focuses on the role and status of the elderly; the major health, social and economic problems affecting the aged; the range of policies and human services available to meet the needs and problems of the aged; and social policy and planning issues related to the gerontological social services system.
Leading Healthcare Organizations towards Performance Excellence
This course expands the student’s knowledge of quality data reporting, including differentiation between the various types of quality metrics, pay for performance contracting, and specialty center and center of excellence designation. In addition, students are exposed to the design and implementation of a quality monitoring program in a cost containment environment.
Approaches to System Improvement in Healthcare Operations
This course introduces students to some of the key concepts, strategies and analytic tools of Operations Management as they apply to the delivery of patient care. The course focuses on the philosophy of continuous improvement, working in teams and systems thinking Students use management tools for process analysis and design, capacity planning, decision-making, and performance measurement. We will also address the central question of how to improve clinical and non-clinical performance of health services.
Marketing in Health Care Organizations
Marketing plans are born from an organization’s vision and mission, and are integral to the development and implementation of a successful strategic plan. This course focuses on the components of internal and external marketing of different health care organizations and services. Students learn how to develop a marketing plan from conception through implementation, evaluation and monitoring.
Seminar in Health Policy and Management
This course explores contemporary trends and recent developments in an area of study not examined in other elective courses. Topics may change each term. Students should consult the program director for subject matter to be covered.
Field Experience in Health Policy and Management
Students explore the application of theory by working in an approved health services organization or equivalent. Field work is supervised by a faculty member who serves as liaison to the organization.
Directed Research in Health Policy and Management
This course includes advanced study and research in an area of interest chosen by the student in consultation with a faculty member. Opportunities for work on special problems are provided.
Tutorial in Health Policy and Management
This course offers a comprehensive individual study of a specific topic, guided by the professor.
Health Policy and Management Capstone (Culminating Experience for On-Campus Students)
This course provides students an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to apply the general and specific public health knowledge they have learned through their graduate education. Students apply the case analysis method and are introduced to the art and science of case writing. An in-depth understanding of current and emerging areas of public health practice are presented through the analysis of actual cases from the annals of public health practice. This course requires students to work in multidisciplinary groups that simulate the public health work environment and encourage interdisciplinary expertise and knowledge association. Students are eligible for the capstone course upon successful completion of all courses and practicum. Prior approval from the department chair is required.
Under special circumstances, and with prior approval of the department chair, HPM students may write a thesis as an alternative to the HPM capstone course.
Thesis
It is expected that the thesis will include some independent research and integration of skills acquired by the student through coursework. The thesis includes formulation of research questions, methods to carry out the inquiry and presentation of results of the research. Some theses may require approval of the University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) prior to initiation of any thesis work. Students should work through their department chair/program advisor to determine if their thesis will require IRB review. Students must maintain regular contact with their Thesis Advisors during their thesis work. Prior approval from the Director of MPH studies is required and a thesis advisor will be assigned upon approval.
Health Policy and Management Comprehensive Examination (Distance Learning Students Only)
The Health Policy and Management Comprehensive Examination is the culminating experience for distance education students. This is a proctored comprehensive examination that covers all core areas of knowledge offered by the School of Public Health as well as the core areas of knowledge offered by the Health Policy and Management Department (see core requirements). Distance Education Students must earn a minimum score of 80% to complete this degree requirement. A reading list as well as more details regarding content will be available upon registration for the examination.
Graduate Certificate in Management of Long-Term Care Facilities
This 15-credit certificate enhances the credentials of those currently interested in or practicing in the long-term care industry, the nursing home sector, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living residences, personal care homes, and senior housing. The program is designed to provide the participants with in-depth knowledge of the organizational, management, financial, legal, and clinical aspects of long-term care.
Earning the certificate involves a focused learning experience in long-term care and may serves as an entry to MPH studies for those who desire it.
Required Courses: 15 credits
Managing Long-Term Care Facilities
Financial Administration of Health Delivery Systems
Law and Health
Human Resources Management
Delivering Healthcare Services to the Aged
Graduate Certificate in Global Health
Padmini Murthy, MD, MPH, MS
Director, Global Health
The global health certificate offers the student the opportunity to explore health care issues that exist in developing countries and multi-ethnic populations in industrialized nations.
This 12-credit certificate enhances health care providers’ knowledge of the health, socio-economic and political environments that affect the health status of individuals and population groups. The certificate may be taken independently and upon completion may serve as an entry to Master’s degree studies for those who may want to do so. Alternatively, the certificate may be taken as part of an MPH degree in any of the degree program areas.
The faculty includes internationally recognized practitioners and scholars with significant experience in international health.
Required courses: 12 credits
Primary Care Around the World
Infectious Diseases and Public Health
Comparative Healthcare Delivery Systems
Women and Health: A Global Perspective
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Primary Health Care Around the World
This course provides an introduction to primary health care in different areas of the world. Topics include systems of health care, review of international organizations, major public health problems, primary care providers, maternal and child health services, surveying for disease prevalence, vital data and information systems, sanitation and drinking water programs, and traditional and western therapies.
Infectious Diseases and Public Health
Epidemiologic principles are used to study the prevalence of infectious diseases. Topics include a review of epidemiologic principles, methods of epidemiologic investigations, surveillance, the role of the laboratory, and strategies of control and prevention of disease. An in-depth study is done of such infectious diseases as diarrheal diseases, vaccine-preventable diseases, respiratory infections including TB, sexually transmitted diseases, hepatitis, and parasitic diseases.
Comparative Healthcare Delivery Systems
This course offers a comparative analysis of healthcare systems in terms of the financing, organization, and delivery of acute, long-term, and mental health care, and public health services. A comparative analysis of methods of reimbursing physicians, hospitals, and other providers is also offered. Comparisons are drawn between and among nations, including the United States, with respect to political and cultural contexts, public policy, and the regulatory components of these systems. Emphasis is placed on Canada and Western Europe, but Japan, Central and Western Europe, Israel, and third-world countries are also examined.
Women and Health: A Global Perspective
The social and health problems of women in developing countries are addressed. Topics include reproductive, infectious, and neoplastic diseases and other problems indigenous to developing areas of the world, stressing the social, political, and economic aspects of health status.
Graduate Certificate in Emergency Preparedness
Michael J. Reilly, MPH, NREMT-P, MICO
Director, Emergency Preparedness
This 15-credit certificate is designed to provide those either working or wishing to work in the field of emergency preparedness with the necessary knowledge and skills to function in this complex and changing field. It provides an integrated and multi-disciplinary approach to comprehensive emergency management and public health emergency preparedness for disasters, acts of terrorism, and public health emergencies. Students completing this program will be suited to either enter or advance in the field of emergency preparedness, with a strong background in the required knowledge and the skills for comprehensive emergency planning and mitigation, hazard and vulnerability analysis, and the conduct of integrated emergency management planning, drills and exercises.
Students in this program may come from varied areas including, public health departments, hospitals, emergency management agencies, emergency medical services, fire services or law enforcement. Earning the certificate affords students a focused learning experience in emergency preparedness.
The certificate may be taken independently or as part of an MPH degree. The certificate courses may be taken on-campus or on-line in a distance education format.
In addition to a baccalaureate degree, applicants must have relevant initial experience in the field of emergency preparedness.
Required courses: 15 credits
Fundamentals of Emergency Preparedness
Emergency Preparedness for Acts of Terrorism
Emergency Preparedness for Natural Disasters and Complex Humanitarian Emergencies
Public Health Emergency Preparedness
Seminar in Applied Emergency Preparedness*
*Applies only to all online Certificate and online MPH students who are pursuing the certificate as part of their studies. On-campus MPH students will complete the capstone course or a thesis on an emergency preparedness topic.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Fundamentals of Emergency Preparedness
This course is designed to teach the student the basic principles of emergency management and how they apply to all hazards, including those due to disasters, terrorism, and public health emergencies. The student is shown how the discipline of emergency preparedness applies science and technology, planning, risk analysis, and management in dealing with large and complex events; events that have the potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality, extensive damage to property, as well as to the economic and physical infrastructure of communities. Lastly, the student is shown how the preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery phases apply to these events.
Emergency Preparedness for Acts of Terrorism
Acts of terrorism present unique threats to communities. Students are shown the approaches to planning for and responding to acts of terrorism, including those that are chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive. The concept of hazard and risk vulnerability as it applies to terrorism is presented. Also discussed is how the threat of terrorism has affected emergency preparedness and the approach taken to terrorism preparedness at the local, state, national, and international level. Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Emergency Preparedness
Emergency Preparedness for Natural Disasters and Complex Humanitarian Emergencies
This course explores the unique aspects of both natural disasters and complex humanitarian emergencies. In addition, the challenges faced by public health emergency practitioners are presented. The student is taught how to apply comprehensive emergency management to these events. Information from recent national and international events is presented and discussed. Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Emergency Preparedness
Public Health Emergency Preparedness
This course explores the roles, responsibilities, and perspectives of public health in times of natural disasters, terrorism, and public health emergencies. It builds upon material covered in the preceding courses. The student is taught how emergency preparedness principles can be applied to public health preparedness. The course covers the role of public health in disasters and terrorism. It discusses how emergency preparedness is applied to public health emergencies and complex humanitarian emergencies.
Seminar in Applied Emergency Preparedness
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with the opportunity to synthesize and integrate the knowledge and skills learned in previous emergency preparedness course work. Students will gain insight in the practical application of emergency management principles and practice in a variety of settings. The course examines the application of emergency management in both the public and private sector as well as provides perspectives on emergency preparedness as a profession. Lectures are designed to be discussion-based and provide the student with global insight into the practice of multi-disciplinary emergency management.
This course is open only to on-campus students admitted to the certificate in emergency preparedness who are not also enrolled in an MPH degree program. MPH students will complete the capstone course or thesis on an emergency preparedness topic.
Emergency Preparedness Graduate Certificate Comprehensive Examination – online students only
This is a proctored comprehensive exam that covers all required certificate course core areas of knowledge. Students must earn a minimum score of 80% to complete this degree requirement. A reading list as well as more details regarding content will be available upon registration for the examination.
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