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Master of Public Health in Health Systems and Policy (MPH)
Master of Public Health in Health Systems and Policy (MPH)
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.
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.
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:
- Use social science theories or methodologies in the analysis of current health care issues, such as health or health care inequalities;
- Apply research methods to address a public health issue;
- Assess the role of social, cultural, political, legal, or economic factors in shaping health care delivery systems or public health policy;
- Analyze public health policies and practices recognizing legal and ethical implications for individuals and populations; and
- 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.
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 (0 credits) [Fall/Spring]
Students are required to register for and complete an Interprofessional Education activity prior to graduation.
Recommended Elective Courses (9 credits)
- HBSP 0630 - Topics in Health Systems and Health Care Policy
- EPID 0563 - Introduction to Outcomes Research (Fall)
- EPID 0673 - Social Epidemiology (Spring)
- UGPH 0515 - Global Noncommunicable Disease and Environmental Risk Factors (Spring)
- UGPH 0560 - Foundations in Maternal and Child Health (Fall)
- UGPH 0600 - Introduction to Global Public Health (Fall/Spring)