The MS in Health Policy and Economics program offers a more specialized approach than a traditional MPH program. We emphasize a broader policy perspective to include payment policy, health insurance coverage and structural issues related to the healthcare delivery system. Our coursework is more practice-based than theoretical. We keep our class size low so that students can build close relationships with faculty mentors who are nationally and internationally recognized experts. Our goal is to prepare professionals to work effectively in health-related policy positions with strong analytic skills. Our alumni hold positions in data and policy analysis, healthcare consulting, project management, quality improvement, and more. Many have also gone on to pursue doctoral studies at leading institutions, including Brown, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Chicago.
Curriculum Overview
Students are recommended to follow the schedule below in order to ensure eligibility for graduation. The Education Team will monitor progression, but it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to track their progression to ensure they meet graduation requirements. Course offerings and course availability are subject to change. Health Policy & Economics students must take 27 credits of the required courses, and 9 credits of electives (optional courses), for a total of 36 credits to graduate.
Fall Term
(Students take 12 required credits, with the option of adding an elective)
Introduction to Biostatistics with STATA Lab (HBDS 5001) - Required
Course Director: Arindam RoyChoudhury, PhD
4 credits
An introduction to the fundamentals of biostatistics with primary emphasis on understanding of statistical concepts behind data analytic principles. This course will be accompanied with a Stata lab to explore, visualize and perform statistical analysis with data. Lectures and discussions will focus on the following: exploratory data analysis; basic concepts of statistics; construction of hypothesis tests and confidence intervals; the development of statistical methods for analyzing data; and development of mathematical models used to relate a response variable to explanatory or descriptive variables.
Introduction to US Healthcare Policy & Delivery (HPEC 5001) - Required
Course Director: Arian Jung, PhD
3 credits
This course provides an introduction to basic economic concepts associated with health care and current policy issues facing the US health care system. Topics will include the historical foundations of the health care system, how the health care sector differs from other markets, financing of health care and the role of government, the structure and functions of public and private health insurance, economic components of the delivery system, and understanding the challenges of health care reform. These topics will be examined from the view of payers, providers, and regulators, and the interactions of these stakeholders. Students will also be introduced to international comparisons of health care systems.