Master of Public Health: Health Management and Policy

Why an MPH:HMP?

What will I learn?

The Master of Public Health in Health Management and Policy (MPH:HMP) combines broad training in public health with specific training in health management and policy, to prepare graduates for a wide range of careers in health services administration, planning, policy, evaluation, consulting, and related careers. The goal of the program is to provide leadership in the fields of education, research, and service in all aspects of the public's health.

Options exist to complete the MPH in a joint degree format with the MSW, MPA, and other PSU graduate degrees. Students must be admitted to both programs and then define their specific courses with their advisor.

What are the core competencies for the MPH:HMP?

The MPH:HMP program is designed to be academically rigorous, intellectually challenging, and personally rewarding. Each student accepted into the program is assigned to one of our committed faculty who serves as both advisor and mentor. The faculty-student partnership will help ensure that program competencies are met for each student. The program competencies are as follows:

• Articulate and exemplify the ethics, values, responsibilities, obligations and social roles of a member of the health services administration profession.
• Identify and apply relevant theories and frameworks to the practice of health services leadership, management and policy.*  
• Respond to and engage collaboratively with diverse local and global cultures and communities to address challenges in the interests of population health.
• Identify and engage with the key elements of the health policy process.
• Employ appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques to investigate, monitor and manage resource use.** 
• Create and manage systems and processes to assess and improve organizational performance. 
• Conceptualize, analyze, and develop creative and collaborative solutions to challenges in health services leadership, management and policy.
• Assess challenges and explore solutions to advance cross-sectoral and inter-jurisdictional cooperation in health programs and services.
• Demonstrate verbal and written communication skills as a health services professional and through interpersonal interactions in groups and in society. 
• Think critically and self-reflectively about emerging issues concerning health services leadership, management and policy. 

_{*Theories and frameworks could include economic, financial, legal, organizational, political, social, and/or ethical approaches.
**Resource use could include human, fiscal, technologic, information, physical, and/or other resources.}

How will it prepare me for the future?

If you are ready to move forward in a career in health services management and/or policy, the MPH:HMP is the degree to help you reach your goals. The MPH is the most widely recognized professional credential for leadership in public health in the United States and internationally, and the Health Management and Policy track of the Oregon Masters of Health Program provides students with a completely health-focused curriculum. All core course content draws upon the public health disciplines and all health management required and elective courses draw upon a rich knowledge base of management and leadership courses grounded in applications in health services. Join health practitioners around the globe by obtaining a degree that is widely recognized and respected, and provides a shared knowledge base with other health professionals addressing areas such as epidemiology, health promotion, environmental health, health services research, maternal and child health, aging, and social justice.

Graduation and job placement rates are important indicators of a high-quality master’s degree program. Over the past five years, over 90% of MPH:HMP students have either completed, or are on-track to complete their degree, and 93% of students who graduated in June 2012 were employed upon or within two months of graduation.

Why Portland State University?

Experienced and Committed Faculty

The lead faculty members teaching in the MPH:HMP have substantive expertise teaching and conducting research in areas such as health systems organization and change, health care financing, access to health services and health insurance, economics of health, patient safety and health care quality, health workforce preparation and credentialing, health care leadership, and community health improvement. All faculty members teaching in the MPH:HMP have completed their graduate studies in fields related to health services and/or have substantial experience working in the health sector. Their breadth of knowledge in the health sector, understanding of applications in practice, and commitment to students ensure a rich and fulfilling classroom experience.   

Unique Partnerships and Community Connections

Portland State is well-known for its focus on community service and engagement, and the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government is one of the best places to take advantage of the numerous community partnerships PSU has developed. With the MPH:HMP track you will benefit from learning and working with faculty and students at some of the best universities in the state. PSU is part of the statewide Oregon MPH program which also includes tracks at Oregon Health & Science University and Oregon State University. Partnerships and cooperative arrangements also exist with multiple health, community and governmental agencies in Portland, across Oregon, and nationally.

Creating Leaders

While in the MPH:HMP program you will be working side by side with the leaders of tomorrow. Alumni of the MPH:HMP program hold leadership positions in respected organizations including:

Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Oregon Health & Science University
Northwest Health Foundation
Legacy Health System
Health Resources and Services Administration, US DHHS
Providence Health System
Kaiser Permanente Northwest
Oregon Department of Human Services
Oregon Office of Health Policy and Research (OOHPR)
Multnomah County Health Department
Washington County
Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oregon
Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Northwest
Central City Concern
Outside In
Red Cross
Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB)
Consumers Union
Accumentra Health, Inc.
University of Chicago
Linfield College
Medical Teams International

The Division of Public Administration is the only university in Oregon that is a graduate member of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA), the international consortium devoted to advancing health administration education and practice (see www.aupha.org).

More information about the statewide Oregon MPH program may be found at www.oregonmph.org, in our OMPH Handbook or in these FAQs.