Master of Public Health in Health Systems and Policy

The Rutgers School of Public Health's Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health Systems and Policy degree trains students to understand the operational implications of health care, including the organization and delivery of health care, health economics, and health policy in the United States.

Program Overview
Curriculum Details

About the Program

Students enrolled in this degree program will also utilize economic theories, concepts, and methodologies in the assessment of current health care issues and problems, such as health systems, policies, and service issues for diverse communities.

From health insurance, cost containment strategies, and physician payment, to demand for health care, health regulation, and health reform, graduates will be able to ethically navigate the constantly evolving political climate of health care policy.

Graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified in Public Health Exam.

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Competencies

Each concentration identifies competencies for each degree offered. These competencies reflect the full range of knowledge, skills, and other attributes that a student will acquire as a result of completing the requirements for a particular degree.

Upon graduation, a student completing the MPH curriculum in Health Systems and Policy will be able to:

MPH-HSAP1: Use social science theories or methodologies in the analysis of current health care issues, such as health or health care inequalities;
MPH-HSAP2: Assess the role of social, cultural, political, legal, or economic factors in shaping health care delivery systems or public health policy;
MPH-HSAP3: Apply research methods to address a public health issue;
MPH-HSAP4: Analyze public health policies and practices recognizing legal and ethical implications for individuals and populations; and
MPH-HSAP5: Evaluate the political, legal, social, or institutional contexts in which health policies are developed.

Program Format and Length

The MPH in Health Systems and Policy degree is offered to students on a full-time or part-time basis. Courses are available in-person, remote, and/or online. Students will complete a total of 45 credits, including a practicum experience and capstone research project.

If completing the program as a full-time student (nine or more credits per semester), the degree requirements may be completed in as little as two years (four to five semesters). Part-time students taking at least six credits per semester may expect to finish within four years. Taking courses in the summer may help expedite part-time students’ timing.

Dual-degree options are available in partnership with other Rutgers University schools.

Students are also required to register for and complete an Interprofessional Education activity prior to graduation.

Students can earn a post-baccalaureate certificate alongside their degree with an additional 6-12 credits. Contact admissions for additional information at admissions@sph.rutgers.edu.

Application Deadlines and Requirements

A complete application includes:

Completion of the online application
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
Statement of goals, one-to-three pages in length, which addresses:
- Interest in the program
- Preparedness for the program
- Goals and aspirations
Two letters of recommendation with at least one letter from an academic reference if you are currently enrolled in a degree program or have graduated within the last four years.
Resume or CV
GRE General Exam (optional)
TOEFL or IELTS score for applicants educated in a non-native English-speaking country

Applications are accepted on a rolling, space-available basis following the regular deadline.

Download MPH-Health Systems and Policy Info. Sheet

Core Courses (18 credits)

PHCO 0501 - Health Systems and Policy
PHCO 0502 - Principles and Methods of Epidemiology
PHCO 0503 - Introduction to Environmental Health
PHCO 0504 - Introduction to Biostatistics (Prerequisite: Quantitative Skills Assessment)
PHCO 0505 - Social and Behavioral Health Sciences in Public Health
PHCO 0513 - Leadership and Management Essentials for Public Health

Practicum (3 credits)

Note: Students should review the Practice Experience webpage for information about Practicum.

PRAC 0715 - Applied Practice Experience (0 credits) [Prerequisite: APE Learning Agreement and select PHCO and concentration courses]
PRAC 0716 - Practicum Capstone (3 credits) [Prerequisite: Completion of the APE and Practicum Capstone Learning Agreement]

Review the School’s Registration Calendar for important MPH Practice Experience Registration dates specific to PRAC 0715 and PRAC 0716.

Concentration Courses (15 credits)

Note: Students should review the Course Descriptions in the School Catalog for specific information about prerequisites required for required courses and recommended electives.

HBSP 0600 - Health Behavior and Policy Research Design and Methods (Fall/Spring/Summer)
HBSP 0620 - Public Health Ethics and Law (Spring)
HBSP 0621 - Health Care Economics (Fall/Spring)

Choose two of the following five (these courses can also be used as electives):

HBSP 0622 – Health Politics and Policy (Spring) -or-
HBSP 0623 – Cross National Comparison of Health Systems (Spring) -or-
HBSP 0624 – Population Health and Public Policy (Fall) -or-
HBSP 0625 - Issues in Private and Public Health Insurance (Spring) -or-
UGPH 0630 – Global Food Systems and Policy (Fall)

Other Requirements

PRAC 0621 - Interprofessional Education Experience (0 credits) [Fall/Spring]
Students are required to register for and complete an Interprofessional Education activity prior to graduation.
Complete Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) online training on Human Subject Research Protections (For Students Enrolled Fall 2024 and After)

Recommended Elective Courses (9 credits)

Electives may be chosen from the below list of recommended courses; from the above list of selective courses students have not taken; from other courses offered across the School of Public Health, including the School’s global courses (INTL courses); or with approval of the academic advisor. An Independent Study may also be done for up to 3-credits, with approval of the academic advisor and an SPH faculty member. Students interested in taking a graduate course at another Rutgers school must consult with their academic advisor and complete appropriate cross-registration forms in advance of registration. When choosing electives, students should consider the prerequisite requirement(s) and the location or teaching modality of the course.

Electives with Emphasis on Social and Commercial Determinants of Health
•   HBSP 0582 - Alcohol Use, Society, and Health (Fall)
•   HBSP 0630 - Topics in Health Systems and Health Care Policy
•   HBSP 0683 - Social-Ecological Approaches to Suicide Prevention (Spring)
•   EPID 0673 - Social Epidemiology (Spring)
•   UGPH 0580 - Social Determinants of Health (Summer)

Electives with Emphasis on Community Health
•   HBSP 0603 - Mental Health and Aging (Spring)
•   HBSP 0654 - Public Health Communication/Risk Communication (Spring)
•   HBSP 0682 - Understanding Suicide (Fall)

Electives with Emphasis on Evaluation and/or Research
•   HBSP 0660 - Dissemination and Implementation Research for Health Promotion (Spring)
•   UGPH 0605 - Qualitative Research Methods (Fall)
•   UGPH 0650 - Community Engaged Methods in Public Health (Summer)

Electives with Emphasis on Populations
•   HBSP 0603 - Mental Health and Aging (Spring)
•   HBSP 0605 - Aging: Legal Challenges and Policy Opportunities (Spring)
•   UGPH 0560 - Foundations in Maternal and Child Health (Fall)
•   UGPH 0600 - Introduction to Global Public Health (Fall/Spring)

Students thinking about pursuing a doctoral degree may want to consider taking additional quantitative data analysis and/or research methods courses as electives.