Health Care Organization and Policy
| Requirement | Fulfilled By: |
|---|---|
| Degree Offered: | M.P.H., M.S.P.H., Dr.PH. |
| Chair: | Martha S. Wingate, DrPH, MPH |
| Phone: | (205) 934-3939 |
| Website: | www.uab.edu/soph/home/departments/hcop |
| Department Contact: | Brenda Campbell |
| Department Contact Email: | bcampbel@uab.edu |
Overview
Programs in Health Policy and Organization provide training and education at the master's and doctoral level. At the master’s level, programs are available for those desiring a career in the analysis of health services policy or in the management of public health services resources. At the doctoral level, our program offers rigorous training in research methods and evidence-based public health practice suitable for careers in public health leadership, or academic settings.
Our programs require mastering major concepts of health economics, public health management and planning, health policy, and outcomes research. Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degrees are offered in health policy and organization and maternal and child health policy and leadership. The Master of Science in Public Health (M.S.P.H.) in outcomes research, and the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree has concentrations in health policy and organization, outcomes research or maternal and child health policy.
Degree Programs
- Master of Public Health (MPH) concentration in Health Policy and Organization (Including the Fast Track Program, Accelerated Bachelors/Masters (ABM) and Online Degree Program)
- Master of Public Health (MPH) concentration in Maternal and Child Health Policy and Leadership (Including the Fast Track Program, Accelerated Bachelors/Masters (ABM) and Online Degree Program)
- Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) concentration in Outcomes Research Online
- Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) concentration in Health Policy and Organization
- Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) concentration in Maternal and Child Health Policy
- Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) concentration in Outcomes Research
Admissions
| Requirement | Fulfilled By: |
|---|---|
| Master Program Deadline: | www.uab.edu/soph/home/apply/graduate |
| DrPH Program Deadline: | April 1 |
| GPA: | 3.0 |
| Number of Evaluation Forms Required: | Three |
| Entrance Tests: GRE | www.uab.edu/soph/home/apply/graduate |
| SOPH Admissions: | www.uab.edu/soph/home/apply/graduate |
UAB has many degree programs (both face-to-face and online) that can lead to professional licensure or certification. Licensure requirements vary from state to state and by professional organization. Federal Regulations require UAB to provide public or general disclosures on educational programs designed to meet educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification, that is required for employment in an occupation, or is advertised as meeting such requirements. For a list of programs that customarily lead to professional licensure or certification, please visit the UAB Professional Licensure and Certification webpage.
Master in Public Health with a Concentration in Health Policy and Organization
Including the Fast-Track, Accelerated Bachelors/Masters (ABM) and Online Degree Program
This program is designed for individuals who are planning on management-focused careers in public health. Perhaps you aspire to be the Executive Director of a non-profit charitable organization or a senior-level manager in a health department or federal agency. Perhaps you are a physician, nurse, pharmacist, or other clinician who wants to move from direct patient care into a supervisory position with a broad focus on the health of a community. Students in this program are introduced to the public health system and the fundamental skills necessary for practice in the public health sector and managing health care organizations. Required coursework includes basic management disciplines and selected content in economics, finance, marketing, law, and health insurance.
Curriculum
Students in this track must complete 44 credit hours. This includes the MPH core, SOPH requirements, departmental track requirements, electives and internship. Full-time students generally complete this degree in 2 years or less (4-5 semesters). Part-time students may take up to 5 years.
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MPH Core Requirements: (14 hours) | ||
| PUH 601 | This is Public Health | 1 |
| PUH 602 | Community Assessment | 3 |
| PUH 603 | Quantitative Methods in Public Health | 3 |
| PUH 604 | Programs and Policies | 3 |
| PUH 605 | Public Health Management and Evaluation | 3 |
| PUH 606 | Leadership for Evidence-Based Public Health | 1 |
| MPH Degree Requirement: (1 hour) | ||
| ENH 690 | Environmental Health Perspectives | 1 |
| Department Requirements: (9 hours) | ||
| HPO 603 | Public Health Policy | 3 |
| HPO 609 | Public Health Program Planning, Implementation and Evaluation | 3 |
| HPO 615 | Finance for Health Professionals | 3 |
| HPO Concentration Requirements: (9 hours) | ||
| HPO 601 | Health Economics | 3 |
| HPO 612 | Strategic Management in Health Programs | 3 |
| HPO 636 | Public Health and Healthcare Delivery Systems | 1 |
| HPO 637 | Design and Management of Complex Public Health Systems | 1 |
| HPO 638 | Current Issues in Public Health Policy | 1 |
| Applied Practice Experience: (3 hours) | ||
| PUH 688 | Public Health Internship | 3 |
| Approved Electives: (6 hours) | ||
| Select 6 hours from 600-level or higher (HPO) courses | 6 | |
| Integrative Learning Experience: (2 hours) | ||
| HPO 689 | HPO Integrative Learning Experience | 2 |
| Total Hours | 44 | |
Master of Public Health with a Concentration in Maternal and Child Health Policy and Leadership
Including the Accelerated Bachelors/Masters (ABM), and Online Degree Program
The MPH programs in the Maternal and Child Health concentration are designed to educate individuals who will plan, administer, and evaluate programs in maternal and child health. The programs provide information about the special problems faced by women and children, including children with special health care needs, and their families. The programs develop and integrate skills from maternal and child health, health policy and leadership and demonstrate their application in problem solving and systems development.
Curriculum
Students in this track must complete 44 credit hours. This includes the MPH core, SOPH requirements, departmental track requirements, electives and internship. Full-time students generally complete this degree in 2 years or less (4-5 semesters). Part-time students may take up to 5 years.
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MPH Core Requirements: (14 hours) | ||
| PUH 601 | This is Public Health | 1 |
| PUH 602 | Community Assessment | 3 |
| PUH 603 | Quantitative Methods in Public Health | 3 |
| PUH 604 | Programs and Policies | 3 |
| PUH 605 | Public Health Management and Evaluation | 3 |
| PUH 606 | Leadership for Evidence-Based Public Health | 1 |
| MPH Degree Requirement (1 hour) | ||
| ENH 690 | Environmental Health Perspectives | 1 |
| Department Requirements: (9 hours) | ||
| HPO 603 | Public Health Policy | 3 |
| HPO 609 | Public Health Program Planning, Implementation and Evaluation | 3 |
| HPO 615 | Finance for Health Professionals | 3 |
| MCH Concentration Requirements: (9 hours) | ||
| HPO 602 | MCH Evidence-Based Strategies Seminar | 1 |
| HPO 605 | Foundations of Maternal and Child Health: Programs and Policies for Women, Children, and Families | 3 |
| HPO 630 | Health and Development: Life Course Approach | 2 |
| HPO 632 | Leadership in Maternal and Child Health | 3 |
| Choose one of the following methods courses: (3 hours) | 3 | |
| Reproductive Health | ||
| Women's Health | ||
| Perinatal Health: Issues, Data, and Policies | ||
| Applied Practice Experience: (3 hours) | ||
| PUH 688 | Public Health Internship | 3 |
| Approved Electives: (3 hours) | ||
| Select 3 hours from 600-level or higher (HPO) courses | 3 | |
| Integrative Learning Experience: (2 hours) | ||
| HPO 689 | HPO Integrative Learning Experience | 2 |
| Total Hours | 44 | |
Master of Science in Public Health with a Concentration in Outcomes Research Online
The health care field is placing increasing emphasis on the identification and measurement of clinical decision-making and cost/utility analysis. Continuing pressure for the development and measurement of both efficient and effective protocols and health care policies is the driving force underlying this emphasis. Increasingly, employers are seeking qualified analysts to study treatment effectiveness. This program is designed for individuals who want to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of specific health care treatments. You may be a physician who plans on a career in clinical research and wants to determine not only that a treatment works but that it is better than some alternatives after taking into account both cost and a patient's own treatment preferences. You may also be a non-clinician who likes solving complicated modeling problems that may involve simulation or clinical process modeling. Graduates of this track will work in clinical settings, government agencies, managed care organizations, insurance companies, health associations, pharmaceutical firms, and consulting firms analyzing cost effectiveness, utilization, and treatment effectiveness.
Curriculum
Students in this track must complete 42 credit hours. This includes the MSPH core, Outcomes Research track requirements, electives and project research. Full-time students generally complete this degree in 2 years or less (4-5 semesters). Part-time students may take up to 5 years.
All students in an MSPH, MS, DrPH, or PhD program are required to complete PUH 600: Overview of Public Health. The course must be completed in a single semester (Fall or Spring); students must complete the course by the end of their second semester in the program. Students with prior public health education (BS in Public Health or MPH) or extensive public health experience (5+ years in public health practice) may be waived from this requirement by permission of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, but this is rare.
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MSPH Core Requirements: (9 hours) | ||
| BST 611 | Intermediate Statistical Analysis I | 3 |
| BST 612 | Intermediate Statistical Analysis II | 3 |
| EPI 610 | Principles of Epidemiologic Research | 3 |
| Outcomes Research Track: (21 hours) | ||
| HPO 601 | Health Economics | 3 |
| HPO 621 | Clinical Decision Making and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis | 3 |
| HPO 623 | Pharmacoeconomics and Regulation | 3 |
| HPO 670 | Social and Ethical Issues in Public Health | 3 |
| HPO 677 | Patient-Based Outcomes Measurement | 3 |
| HPO 687 | Empirical Methods for Health Research | 3 |
| HPO 691 | Policy Analysis: Modeling and Simulation | 3 |
| Approved Electives: (3 hours) | ||
| Select 3 hours of 600-level or higher (HPO) courses | 3 | |
| Master's Directed Research (9 credit): | ||
| HPO 698 | Master’s Level Directed Research Health Policy and Organization | 9 |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
Doctor of Public Health with a Concentration in Health Policy and Organization
The DrPH degree is the highest professional degree in public health. The DrPH program in the Department of Health Policy and Organization develops leaders and research faculty who have proficiency in data analysis, management, critical thinking, teaching, and translating research into policy and practice. Students will be exposed to complex practical problems facing public health practitioners and policy-makers. The DrPH program has three concentrations (1) Health Policy and Organization, (2) Maternal and Child Health Policy, and (3) Outcomes Research.
Curriculum
All students in an MSPH, MS, DrPH, or PhD program are required to complete PUH 600: Overview of Public Health. The course must be completed in a single semester (Fall or Spring); students must complete the course by the end of their second semester in the program. Students with prior public health education (BS in Public Health or MPH) or extensive public health experience (5+ years in public health practice) may be waived from this requirement by permission of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, but this is rare.
A minimum of 62 credit hours are required to complete the degree. Students will complete at least 12 credit hours of analytical or methodological courses; 15 hours of DrPH core course, 12 hours of HPO concentration courses, 3 hours of any 700-level electives (as approved by advisor). Students must also complete the doctoral seminars (HPO 796) comprehensive examination (HPO 797), practicum (HPO 793), dissertation proposal/Proposal development (HPO 798), and dissertation research (HPO 799).
Students in the Health Policy and Organization concentration will be required to meet concentration specific prerequisites (or their equivalent as determined by the program director and advisor). These credits do not count towards the total degree hours:
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| HPO CONCENTRATION PREREQUISITES (12 hours) | ||
| HPO 601 | Health Economics | 3 |
| HPO 609 | Public Health Program Planning, Implementation and Evaluation | 3 |
| HPO 636 | Public Health and Healthcare Delivery Systems | 1 |
| HPO 637 | Design and Management of Complex Public Health Systems | 1 |
| HPO 638 | Current Issues in Public Health Policy | 1 |
| HPO 720 | Health Insurance and Managed Care | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
DrPH Concentration in Health Policy and Organization Degree Requirements
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| DrPH Core Requirements: (15 hours) | ||
| HPO 716 | Advanced Leadership and Practice Seminar | 3 |
| HPO 717 | Seminar in Public Health Policy | 3 |
| GRD 717 | Principles of Scientific Integrity | 3 |
| BST 703 | Methods in Evidence-Based Public Health | 3 |
| PUH 685 | 3 | |
| Concentration Core: (12 hours) | ||
| AH 706 | Strategic Management Theory and Research | 3 |
| HPO 715 | Finance for Health Professionals | 3 |
| HPO 718 | Management Concepts in Public Health Programs | 3 |
| PUH 703 | Public Health Grant Writing | 3 |
| Methods Core (12 hours): | ||
| HPO 728 | Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research in Public Health | 3 |
| HPO 781 | Research Methods and Study Design | 3 |
| HPO 787 | Empirical Methods for Health Research | 3 |
| Additional 700 Level Methods Elective | 3 | |
| Approved Electives: (3 hours) | ||
| Select 3 hours of approved 700-level courses | 3 | |
| Doctoral Seminar: (Minimum 2 hours) | ||
| HPO 796 | Doctoral Seminar in Health Policy and Organization | 1 |
| HPO 796 | Doctoral Seminar in Health Policy and Organization | 1 |
| DrPH Practicum and Research: (18 hours) | ||
| HPO 793 | DrPH Practicum | 6 |
| HPO 797 | Directed Readings for DrPH Comprehensive Examination | 3 |
| HPO 798 | Doctoral Level Directed Research Health Policy and Organization | 3 |
| HPO 799 | Dissertation Research HPO | 6 |
| Minimum Course Credit Hours: | 62 | |
Doctor of Public Health with a Concentration in Maternal and Child Health Policy
The DrPH degree is the highest professional degree in public health. The DrPH program in the Department of Health Policy and Organization develops leaders and research faculty who have proficiency in data analysis, management, critical thinking, teaching, and translating research into policy and practice. Students will be exposed to complex practical problems facing public health practitioners and policy-makers. The DrPH program has three concentrations (1) Health Policy and Organization, (2) Maternal and Child Health Policy, and (3) Outcomes Research.
Curriculum
All students in an MSPH, MS, DrPH, or PhD program are required to complete PUH 600: Overview of Public Health. The course must be completed in a single semester (Fall or Spring); students must complete the course by the end of their second semester in the program. Students with prior public health education (BS in Public Health or MPH) or extensive public health experience (5+ years in public health practice) may be waived from this requirement by permission of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, but this is rare.
A minimum of 62 credit hours are required to complete the degree. Students will complete at least 12 credit hours of analytical or methodological courses; 15 hours of DrPH core course, 12 hours of HPO concentration courses, 3 hours of any 700-level electives (as approved by advisor). Students must also complete the doctoral seminars (HPO 796) comprehensive examination (HPO 797), practicum (HPO 793), dissertation proposal/Proposal development (HPO 798), and dissertation research (HPO 799).
Students in the Maternal and Child Health Policy concentration will be required to meet concentration-specific prerequisites (or their equivalent as determined by the program director and advisor). These credits do not count towards the total degree hours:
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MCH CONCENTRATION PREREQUISITES (12 hours) | ||
| HPO 602 | MCH Evidence-Based Strategies Seminar | 1 |
| HPO 601 | Health Economics | 3 |
| HPO 605 | Foundations of Maternal and Child Health: Programs and Policies for Women, Children, and Families | 3 |
| HPO 609 | Public Health Program Planning, Implementation and Evaluation | 3 |
| HPO 630 | Health and Development: Life Course Approach | 2 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
DrPH Concentration in Maternal and Child Health Degree Requirements
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| DrPH Core: (15 hours) | ||
| HPO 716 | Advanced Leadership and Practice Seminar | 3 |
| HPO 717 | Seminar in Public Health Policy | 3 |
| GRD 717 | Principles of Scientific Integrity | 3 |
| BST 703 | Methods in Evidence-Based Public Health | 3 |
| PUH 685 | 3 | |
| Concentration Core: (12 hours) | ||
| HPO 714 | Life Course Seminar | 3 |
| HPO 718 | Management Concepts in Public Health Programs | 3 |
| HPO 720 | Health Insurance and Managed Care | 3 |
| PUH 703 | Public Health Grant Writing | 3 |
| Methods Core: (12 hours) | ||
| HPO 728 | Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research in Public Health | 3 |
| HPO 781 | Research Methods and Study Design | 3 |
| HPO 787 | Empirical Methods for Health Research | 3 |
| Additional 700 Level Methods Elective | 3 | |
| Approved Elective: (3 hours) | ||
| Select 3 hours of additional 700 level electives 1 | 3 | |
| Doctoral Seminar: (Minimum 2 hours) | ||
| HPO 796 | Doctoral Seminar in Health Policy and Organization | 1 |
| HPO 796 | Doctoral Seminar in Health Policy and Organization | 1 |
| DrPH Practicum & Research: (18 hours) | ||
| HPO 793 | DrPH Practicum | 6 |
| HPO 797 | Directed Readings for DrPH Comprehensive Examination | 3 |
| HPO 798 | Doctoral Level Directed Research Health Policy and Organization | 3 |
| HPO 799 | Dissertation Research HPO | 6 |
| Total Hours | 62 | |
- 1
Must be 700 level & may be selected from anywhere within the university with advisor approval.
Doctor of Public Health with a Concentration in Outcomes Research
The DrPH degree is the highest professional degree in public health. The DrPH program in the Department of Health Policy and Organization develops leaders and research faculty who have proficiency in data analysis, management, critical thinking, teaching, and translating research into policy and practice. Students will be exposed to complex practical problems facing public health practitioners and policy-makers. The DrPH program has three concentrations (1) Health Policy and Organization, (2) Maternal and Child Health Policy, and (3) Outcomes Research.
Curriculum
All students in an MSPH, MS, DrPH, or PhD program are required to complete PUH 600: Overview of Public Health. The course must be completed in a single semester (Fall or Spring); students must complete the course by the end of their second semester in the program. Students with prior public health education (BS in Public Health or MPH) or extensive public health experience (5+ years in public health practice) may be waived from this requirement by permission of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, but this is rare.
A minimum of 62 credit hours are required to complete the degree. Students will complete at least 12 credit hours of analytical or methodological courses; 15 hours of DrPH core course, 12 hours of HPO concentration courses, 3 hours of any 700-level electives (as approved by advisor). Students must also complete the doctoral seminars (HPO 796) comprehensive examination (HPO 797), practicum (HPO 793), dissertation proposal/Proposal development (HPO 798), and dissertation research (HPO 799).
Students in the Outcomes Research concentration will be required to meet concentration-specific prerequisites (or their equivalent as determined by the program director and advisor). These credits do not count towards the total degree hours:
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| CONCENTRATION PREREQUISITES (6 hours) | ||
| HPO 601 | Health Economics | 3 |
| HPO 720 | Health Insurance and Managed Care | 3 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
DrPH Concentration in Outcomes Research
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| DrPH Core: (15 hours) | ||
| HPO 716 | Advanced Leadership and Practice Seminar | 3 |
| HPO 717 | Seminar in Public Health Policy | 3 |
| GRD 717 | Principles of Scientific Integrity | 3 |
| BST 703 | Methods in Evidence-Based Public Health | 3 |
| PUH 685 | 3 | |
| Concentration Core: (12 hours) | ||
| HPO 721 | Clinical Decision Making and Cost Effectiveness Analysis | 3 |
| HPO 777 | Patient-Based Outcomes Measurement | 3 |
| HPO 791 | Policy Analysis: Modeling & Simulation | 3 |
| PUH 703 | Public Health Grant Writing | 3 |
| Methods Core: (12 hours) | ||
| HPO 728 | Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research in Public Health | 3 |
| HPO 781 | Research Methods and Study Design | 3 |
| HPO 787 | Empirical Methods for Health Research | 3 |
| Additional 700 Level Methods Elective | 3 | |
| Approved Electives: (3 hours) | ||
| Select 3 hours of any 700-level electives 1 | 3 | |
| Doctoral Seminar: (Minimum 2 hours) | ||
| HPO 796 | Doctoral Seminar in Health Policy and Organization | 1 |
| HPO 796 | Doctoral Seminar in Health Policy and Organization | 1 |
| DrPH Practicum & Research: (Minimum 18 hours) | ||
| HPO 793 | DrPH Practicum | 6 |
| HPO 797 | Directed Readings for DrPH Comprehensive Examination | 3 |
| HPO 798 | Doctoral Level Directed Research Health Policy and Organization | 3 |
| HPO 799 | Dissertation Research HPO | 6 |
| Total Hours | 62 | |
- 1
Must be 700 level & may be selected from anywhere within the university with advisor approval.