MPH with concentration in Health PolicyResidential MHAExecutive (online) MHAMSPH
Who should apply?Students interested in affecting policy change, working for governmental organizations, advocacy groups, or contract research organizations that focus on policy analyses.Early to mid-career students wishing to pursue management careers in health systems, hospitals, consulting firms, managed care organizations, insurance firms, non-governmental organizations, medical group practices, government agencies and other settings.Clinicians and mid-career health administrators (3+ years of healthcare experience) wishing to advance their careers in health systems, hospitals, consulting firms, managed care organizations, insurance firms, non-governmental organizations, medical group practices, government agencies and other settings.Students who aspire to careers in health systems & services research, analysis, and evaluation in the public and private sector.
What is the broad focus of the program?Students learn the skills to design, implement and evaluate health care and public health policies in a variety of settings, and to advocate for and lead changes in a policy setting.The Residential MHA degree is designed to provide strong preparation in the management disciplines, a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare sector, experiential elements, and an opportunity to pursue an area of concentration.The Executive MHA degree is designed to further develop skills in leadership and analytic skills to support increasing level of responsibilities.The MSPH program is designed to improve research and analytical skills of early and midcareer professionals. Students obtain a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare system, research and analytic methods.
What kind of coursework will students be taking?Students will gain a broad understanding of public health disciplines, and take courses focused on the U.S. health system, policy analyses and advocacy skills, leadership, and financial management.Students will gain a broad understanding of public health and health policy. MHA specific courses will focus on leadership, financial management, strategy, statistics, operations research, and quality improvement.Students will gain a deep understanding of public health and health policy. MHA specific courses will focus on leadership, financial management, strategy, statistics, operations research, and quality improvement.Students will gain a broad understanding of public health disciplines. Additional courses will be focused on research methods, statistics, health economics, decision science and economic evaluation methods.
Is work experience required?Preferred but not requiredPreferred but not requiredYesYes
Are prerequisites required for admission?NoWe recommend basic knowledge in statistics, microeconomics and accounting.We recommend basic knowledge in statistics, microeconomics and accounting.We recommend basic knowledge in statistics, microeconomics and accounting.
What are my career opportunities?Top companies, universities, health care systems, nonprofit organizations, and government agenciesAdministrative fellowships and Residencies, hospitals and health systems, insurance, and consulting firms. Placement stats.Mid-level leadership roles (Department, Unit leader) and clinical leaderships roles in hospitals and health systems Consulting firms, contract research organizations, federal and state government entities, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, health insurers, and international health organizations. Placement stats.
Can I work full time while enrolled in this program?No. HPM has an executive MHA program and executive doctorate in health leadership for those who want to remain working full time.No. HPM has an executive MHA program and executive doctorate in health leadership for those who want to remain working full time.Yes, The Executive MHA program is designed for full time working professionals.No. HPM has an executive MHA program and executive doctorate in health leadership for those who want to remain working full time.
Required Credit Hours to Graduate42 credits60 credits49 credits60 credits
Where can I find more information?
Health Policy Concentration

MPH New Student Checklist
Residential MHA

MHA Student Guide
Executive MHA

Executive MHA Student Guide
MSPH

MSPH Student Guide
Who can I contact with more questions?Adia Ware, Lead Academic Coordinator, aware@unc.eduOffice of Student Affairs
sph-osa@unc.edu
Kim Sieler, Academic Coordinator, HPM Executive MHA Degree Program, krsieler@email.unc.eduOffice of Student Affairs
sph-osa@unc.edu