Health policy examines the complexity and dynamics of our public health system and its impact on the health of individuals and communities. Whether you're looking for a career in health policy in the private or public sector, a graduate degree in public health will multiply your career opportunities regardless of your academic background. With an advanced degree, you'll be in a position to make vital health policy decisions that affect countless lives.

The U.S. Department of Labor and Statistics lists jobs in the public health sector as some of the fastest growing occupations, and occupations projected to have the largest numerical increases in employment between 2002 and 2012. Health Policy Specialist was ranked as one of the Best Careers of 2009 by U.S. New and World Report. Because healthcare reform is a high priority both for the public and the new administration, it's highly likely that demand for health policy experts will be great.

According to the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH), Health Policy and Management was the leading Public Health specialization in 2006. >> Top 10 Public Health Specializations

Health Policy Job Trends:

• Emerging scientific technology and associated medical, legal, economic, and social issues will continue to create demand for well-educated policymakers.
• As corporations face rising health costs, the need for decision makers with analytical and problem-solving skills will grow in the private sector.
• Exportation of scientific technology to developing countries will increase and expand the need for health planners and policymakers worldwide.
• Policy planners in the public sector will be in demand to protect the health rights of the homeless, under-insured, elderly, or disabled.
• Health policy experts will be in increasing demand to determine and control toxic waste disposal.

Health Policy and Management - MPH
The CEPH accredited Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management from the School of Health Sciences and Practice at New York Medical College provides students with an understanding of the business, programmatic, planning and policy areas of health care and public health. The program prepares graduates to be leaders in a wide range of heath care services, public health and research. The MPH in Health Policy and Management requires 46 credit hours to complete. Within the required 46 credits to complete the program, students must complete 19 credits in core courses, 15 credits in concentration courses and 12 credits chosen for electives, and a practicum (structured public health practice experience).

Environmental Health Science - MPH
The CEPH accredited Master of Public Health in Environmental Health Science provides the conceptual framework and practical tools to recognize and address environmental hazards. Required concentration courses familiarize the student with air and water quality, pollution, waste management, environmental law, and risk assessment issues. Students must complete core courses, concentration courses, electives, and a practicum (structured public health experience). An individual program plan will be developed for each student based on his or her previous, education, experiences, and career goals.

Public health programs of School of Health Sciences and Practice and Institute of Public Health are fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)

• Emergency Preparedness - Graduate Certificate
• Industrial Hygiene - Graduate Certificate

"...what leaders do, they have dreams, and they conceive of something that other people cannot quite see, and then they help to encourage, cajole, persuade others to build something, and that is what is happened here with Capella, and you built it marvelously well." David Gergen, CNN political analyst, best-selling author, and director of the John F. Kennedy School of Government Center for Public Leadership recently spoke in honor of Capella's School of Public Service Leadership.

Public Health / Health Management and Policy - MS
Offered by Capella's School of Public Service Leadership, the Health Management and Policy master's specialization features a multidisciplinary curriculum that combines the study of public health issues and concepts with public health-focused course work in such areas as management, organizational and financial theory and practice, strategic planning, economics, and communication. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing management or director positions in government, private, or community-based public or environmental health organizations.

• Management of Health Service Organizations
• Fundamentals of Health Care Finance
• Public Health Communication Strategies
• Health Economics
• Strategic Planning and Operations Management
• Evidence-Based Management of Public Health Programs

• Public Health / Social Behavioral Sciences - MS

Health Policy - MPH
The Health Policy specialization of Benedictine University's Online Master of Public Health (MPH) is designed for professionals who desire skills in Health Policy development. Health policy originates at many different levels in health care and professional organizations, and in government. It requires that the professional be able to assess the adequacy of current practices and to be able to recommend changes. Knowledge of the needs of society, the health professions, legal aspects of health care, cost effectiveness and management of information are key to policy development. Because policy is developed in an interdisciplinary setting, this concentration may appeal to a wide variety of professionals.

Our curriculum will prepare you for a career studying public health policy and infectious disease. You will be prepared to advise other healthcare professional on outbreaks, educate the public on protection, and conduct public policy research to limit the spread of disease. Course highlights include: Cultural Context of Health Care in the U.S., Management in Health Services Organizations, Health Policy and Government Regulations in the Health Care Industry. Our graduates develop knowledge of health professions, the legal aspects of healthcare, cost effectiveness, the needs of society, and management of information. This MPH program requires 66 credits to complete.

• Administration of Health Care Institution - MPH
• Disaster Management - Certificate
• Disaster Management - MPH
• Health Administration - MBA
• Health Education - MPH
• Public Health - MPH

Public Administration / Health Policy - MPA
Through in-depth research and practical coursework, learners will acquire the management and organizational capabilities they need to administer and oversee diverse and complex agencies as they work for the public good. Students will learn from scholar-practitioners who share their academic expertise and experience in the field to help them quickly apply what they learn. With the health policy specialization, students will gain valuable knowledge about health delivery systems, health policy, health administration, and health finance centers so they can manage and navigate effectively and successfully in this dynamic environment.

Health Services / Health Management and Policy - PhD
The Health Management and Policy specialization prepares professionals to administer health and medical care services within the “integrated delivery systems” model. This specialization also prepares professionals to become administrators of health profession programs (e.g., nursing, public health, and allied health) in higher education institutions. Graduates are prepared to provide administrative leadership and to conduct research to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the services they administer.

U.S. News & World Report identified Walden as the largest online, graduate-level public health program by enrollment.

Walden University also offers:

• Public Health - Master (MPH)
• Public Health - PhD
• Public Health / Community Health Promotion and Education - PhD
• Public Health / Epidemiology - PhD
• Public Policy and Administration - Health Services (Mixed Modal) - PhD

Public Health - MPH
ATSU's School of Health Management offers an online Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) program that will prepare you for leadership in public health. A 15-course program, you may choose a concentration best fitting your interests: health planning, health policy, and environmental health. General areas of focus are epidemiology, education, administration, ethics, and financial management. A dental M.P.H. track is also available.

• Health Administration - MHA
• Health Education - MHEd
• Health Education - DHEd

Epidemiology & Biostatistics - Certificate
The Certificate in Epidemiology & Biostatistics program offers research-oriented training for public health professionals from diverse backgrounds: policy makers, physicians, nurses, clinical research professionals, health educators. The program provides research-oriented training in the theory and tools of core public health disciplines. Students build the statistical background needed to conduct research and learn how to develop hypotheses, analyze data, interpret and communicate results.

Toxicology & Industrial Hygiene - Certificate
This unique, 4-course certificate is specifically designed for students at the post-baccalaureate level in industrial or governmental settings. Program content provides a strong foundation in both toxicology and industrial hygiene to enhance the student's "on-the-job" performance in the areas of health and safety. Students completing all four courses will be awarded a certificate indicating their completion of this program of study. Graduates may also use these courses credits as a basis for more advanced study at the master's or doctoral level in these areas.

• Clinical Trials Research - Certificate
• Clinical Trials Research - MSN
• Leadership Health Systems Management - Certificate
• Leadership Health Systems Management - MSN

Drexel SPH is a member of the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH)

Drexel SPH is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)