Academic Programs

Academic Programs Overview

Our academic programs focus on developing the critical thinking and applied problem-solving skills needed to address a wide variety of challenges throughout the health care delivery, public policy, and public health systems.

Here is information about all of the various degree programs that are available through the Department of Health Policy and Management and how to apply for each.

Master of Science in Health Policy and Management (HPM) Degree Program (SM1)

The One-Year Master of Science Program (SM1) is an academic degree program designed for individuals with doctoral degrees in medicine, dentistry, or other health-related disciplines who are pursuing research careers and desire intensive exposure to analytic and quantitative skills. The program is appropriate for students who plan to pursue health policy research and for students interested in domestic or international research questions.

Click here for a detailed degree description of the SM1 Degree Program

Click here for more information from the Admissions Office regarding application requirements.

Click here for information on how to apply.

Master of Public Health Degree Program (MPH)

The Department of Health Policy and Management offers fields of study in the of the two variants of the MPH degree—the 45-credit and the 65-credit MPH.  The MPH degree program enables students to gain specialized expertise in particular areas that match their public health interests, professional goals, and prior experience.

Please visit the Admissions Office by clicking here to find out the specifics of what is needed to apply for the MPH-45 and MPH-65 credit degree programs.

Health Management Field of Study (MPH-45/65-HM)

Building on the principles and values of public health, the health management field of study prepares students for a variety of health-related careers.

Students earning their MPH in Health Management take foundational courses in public health—such as epidemiology and the social and structural determinants of health—to gain population-health perspective and expertise. Building off this context, students also take management courses to build practical skills in financial and managerial accounting, innovation, entrepreneurship, strategy, and organizational behavior. Students learn to improve organizational performance leveraging the frameworks and knowledge obtained through coursework, field experience, and engagement with classmates from around the world, with a wide range of professional experience.

Program graduates have filled management and leadership roles in the U.S. and abroad in both public- and private-sector firms, including health care delivery organizations, health systems, community health providers, health insurance companies, NGOs, consultancies, and organizations solving public health challenges and improving community well-being across the globe.

For more information on the Health Management Field of Study and Course Requirements, please click HERE.

Health Policy Field of Study (MPH-45/65 HP)

Students in the health policy field of study develop skills in applying economic, legal, and political analysis to the design, implementation, and evaluation of health care and public health policies. Through the study of biostatistics, epidemiology, and other quantitative disciplines, they also acquire skill in interpreting and evaluating scientific evidence to inform their policy work. Students are encouraged to choose elective courses that will help them develop an area of interest and expertise, such as access to care, health care quality, pharmaceutical policy, injury prevention, or health care financing.

This field of study prepares students for policy positions in the public, nonprofit, or private sectors, directly as policymakers or as policy analysts, advocates, or consultants, or in policymaking positions in other public health and health care organizations.

For more information on the Health Policy Field of Study and Course Requirements, please click HERE.

MORE INFORMATION REGARDING MPH PROGRAMMING:

Please contact the MPH Office Staff with any questions by emailing mph at hsph.harvard.edu

Newly Admitted MPH and SM1 Students

Please visit our departmental intranet site for information on your program by clicking HERE.

Current MPH and SM1 Students

Please visit our departmental intranet site for information on your program by clicking HERE.

Contact the HPM Academic Programs Office

Jen Moltoni, Assistant Director of Academic Programs and Student Services

Doug Scaffidi, Senior Academic Coordinator

Master in Health Care Management (MHCM) Degree Program

The 42.5-credit Master in Health Care Management program trains clinicians in the executive skills required for management. The professional degree is targeted to mid-career MDs, DMDs, and DDSs with significant management responsibilities who wish to be more effective in their roles in the health care sector. Applicants accepted into the program must demonstrate, through grades and standardized test scores (MCATs or GREs), the potential to learn effectively in a challenging educational environment. Managerial experience and responsibilities indicating executive leadership potential are required.

For more information about the MHCM Program, please click HERE.

If you have any questions about the MHCM program, please email MHCM at hsph.harvard.edu