Information for Prospective Students

The Department of Health Policy is the home for health policy studies and research at the School of Public Health and Health Services. The Department focuses on virtually all phases of U.S. health policy -- both public health and health services -- and emphasizes preparing students to understand and analyze health policy matters in a broad, cross-cutting, and real-world context. Among Schools of Public Health, the SPHHS Department of Health Policy is unique; it has been created to take maximum advantage of our location in Washington D.C., the nation's health policy-making epicenter. The Department will offer lectures and symposia on emerging issues in health policy throughout the academic year for students, graduates, and DC's health policy community.

Through the Department, students can pursue various degrees:

A Master of Public Health degree, with a specialization in health policy, for students who wish to develop in-depth policy analysis skills for use in real world practice settings. This degree is also appropriate for law degree candidates and lawyers who seek to develop expertise in all phases of health law policy and practice;
A Master of Science degree for students seeking a masters degree that will prepare them for a career in academically oriented health policy-related research;
A DrPH degree for mid-career professionals who want to assume leadership positions at the national and state levels in public health and health policy development and implementation, and in public health practice.

Through the Department of Health Policy, it is also possible to pursue a Graduate Certificate in Health Policy.

The Department's courses are taught by both core faculty, as well as faculty drawn from Washington D.C.'s health policy leadership. The curriculum is structured to train students in the methods and tools of health policy analysis, including qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques, legal analysis, economic analysis, and the preparation and presentation of research results and policy options to health policy makers. The Department houses the Hirsh Health Law and Policy Program, a special program for law degree candidates pursuing careers in health law and policy, and the Center for Health Services Research and Policy (CHSRP), through which Departmental faculty and staff conduct their research and hold grants.

In close collaboration with other SPHHS Departments, the Department of Health Policy offers courses in virtually all phases of U.S. health policy, allowing students to select from a broad range of cutting-edge topics.

health policy and health care costs, quality, and access;
coverage of the uninsured;
health insurance and employee health benefits;
health services for underserved and medically vulnerable populations;
state and local health policy;
regulation of health insurers and health organizations;
competition, regulation, and rationing in the American health care system;
health policy and scientific evidence;
health policy, patient autonomy, and human reproduction;
comparative health systems;
health professions policy;
HIV/AIDS policy;
long-term care policy;
maternal and child health policy;
Medicare and Medicaid;
minority health policy;
mental health policy; and
pharmaceutical and biotechnology policy.

For additional information on the academic offerings of the Department of Health Policy, please contact us.

Application and Admissions Information

Decisions concerning applications to Department degree and certificate programs are made by the Department's Recruitment and Admissions Committee. Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. Applicants will be notified by the School's Admissions Office once a decision concerning their application has been made.

The Department's Recruitment and Admissions Committee also makes decisions concerning merit scholarship awards and student research positions; please note that priority for these awards and positions will be given to early applicants. For further information and to download an application, please visit the School of Public Health and Health Services Admissions page.