Health Policy and Management, M.P.H.
Learn more about the Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management.
About the Program
The Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management (MPH-HPM) is a terminal, professional degree designed to develop practitioners in the field of public health and health services delivery who have a clear understanding of health policy, management, and health-related services and programs. Students are trained to think about the competing demands of how to manage the health of the population, improve the patient experience, and reduce system costs with a systems lens. In addition, students learn about the health policymaking process and how to evaluate the impact of policy on population health.
Applicants to the MPH-HPM program can choose between our on-campus and online programs, both of which adhere to the same competency-based curriculum and content. Only the delivery formats differ, as described below:
- The on-campus format is designed for students who prefer live interaction with instructors and fellow students; access to campus activities; and the opportunity to choose local Philadelphia fieldwork placements with the assistance of our fieldwork coordinator. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. While some courses may be offered online or in hybrid formats, most of the coursework is delivered in person over a full 16-week academic term during evening hours.
- The online format is designed for working professionals interested in a part-time program. Courses are structured to include asynchronous delivery or synchronous class meetings via Zoom. A fieldwork coordinator works with students to find appropriate placement in their preferred geographic location.
Time Limit for Degree Completion: 4 years
Campus Location: Main for in-person instruction or Online for online instruction
Full-Time/Part-Time Status: Students can complete the degree program through evening classes and online courses. Full-time students usually complete the program within two academic years. Part-time students usually take three to four years to complete their degree.
Interdisciplinary Study: Interdisciplinary MPH-HPM coursework, research, and interactions with students and faculty in other departments are encouraged to give students as broad a perspective as possible to excel in the complex, diverse, and dynamic state of public health. Through associations with the Center for Obesity Research and Education, Center for Women's Health, and others, students have access to over 100 faculty at Temple University and additional regional scholars who are actively involved in programs, research, and teaching in public health. Further, as with the other four M.P.H. degree programs offered by the College of Public Health, the M.P.H. in Health Policy and Management can be undertaken as part of these dual M.P.H. degree programs:
- D.M.D./M.P.H. with Temple University's Kornberg School of Dentistry
- J.D./M.P.H. with Temple University's Beasley School of Law
- M.D./M.P.H. with the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
- M.H.A./M.P.H. with Temple University's Fox School of Business and Management
- M.P.P./M.P.H. with Temple University's College of Liberal Arts
- M.S. Health Informatics/M.P.H. within the Temple University College of Public Health
- M.S.W./M.P.H. with the Temple University School of Social Work
For more information, visit https://www.temple.edu/academics/dual-degree-programs.
Affiliation(s): Locally, the program has long-standing research affiliations with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The Food Trust, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Health Federation of Philadelphia, Health Promotion Council, Maternity Care Coalition, Mazzoni Center, Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Prevention Point, Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), School District of Philadelphia, Temple University Health System, and numerous other community health agencies. These partnerships allow us to offer students a wide range of fieldwork opportunities to translate skills learned in the classroom to actual practice in the community.
Study Abroad: Short-term intensive study abroad courses are offered as part of the M.P.H. program of study. These courses are offered during the Summer and are open to both undergraduate and graduate students.
Accreditation: The M.P.H. is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Achieving accreditation in 1985, Temple's M.P.H. program is one of the longest established accredited M.P.H. programs in community health in the country.
Areas of Specialization: The M.P.H. degree program is offered in five specialty fields of study:
- Applied Biostatistics (APBIO)
- Environmental Health (EH)
- Epidemiology (EPI)
- Health Policy and Management (HPM)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)
In addition, a certificate in Global Health is available to all students in the M.P.H. program. Students in the MPH-HPM program may complete the transcripted Global Health concentration by taking their 9 credits of electives in Global Health coursework.
Job Prospects: Graduates with an MPH-HPM degree hold positions in a wide range of health-related settings, including state and local public health departments, federally qualified health centers, hospitals and health systems, community-based organizations, voluntary health agencies, health insurers, pharmaceutical companies, clinics, schools, and public health-related work sites. Graduates are prepared to assume leadership positions in a variety of health services and public health organizations as environmental health specialists, evaluation specialists, healthcare administrators, HIV/AIDS coordinators, infection control coordinators, marketing specialists, prevention specialists, project directors, research directors, senior health educators, and consultants. Virtually all full-time students are placed within three to six months of graduation.
Licensure: Students who complete an M.P.H. at Temple University are eligible to sit for the Certification in Public Health (CPH) exam and the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam. For information regarding credentialing in public health, see https://www.nchec.org/. Graduates may also be eligible for certification and advancement in a number of health professional associations such as the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).
Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Non-matriculated students are required to speak with an advisor before registering for classes and to obtain the permission of the professor, whether the coursework is taken in the on-campus or online format. If accepted to the program, a maximum of three courses (9 credits) may be applied toward the degree program. Exceptions to this policy relate to formal certificate programs.
Financing Opportunities: The College of Public Health and the Department of Health Services Administration and Policy offer a limited number of tuition scholarships to highly qualified applicants. Available scholarships are listed at https://cph.temple.edu/admissions/scholarships. Students may also be eligible for financial support through the Office of Student Financial Services.
Limited Teaching and Research Assistantships are available in the College of Public Health. The Graduate School website details the types of graduate student support. Assistantships are awarded on a term or annual basis. Individuals interested in a Teaching Assistant or Research Assistant position may inquire of the admissions staff. Upon admissions, interested students are sent an application for both types of positions.
Admission Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadline:
Fall: March 1
Spring: November 1
All applicants to the M.P.H. program must apply via the Centralized Application Service for Public Health (SOPHAS). The system can be accessed at https://sophas.liaisoncas.com/.
Applicants should check their application status on the SOPHAS portal often and inquire directly of SOPHAS about receipt of materials. For other questions, please contact the CPH Office of Admissions at cph@temple.edu or 215-204-5200.
Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3
From Whom: Letters of recommendation, which are completed electronically through the SOPHAS system, should be obtained from college/university faculty members familiar with academic competence. If the applicant has been out of school for an extended period of time, ensure that letters are provided by professional colleagues who can discuss your relevant academic skills, including critical thinking, research, and writing.
Coursework Required for Admission Consideration: Applicants' files are reviewed for undergraduate coursework in mathematics and/or statistics, social sciences, and writing. Applicants who completed prior graduate coursework or earned a graduate degree are expected to submit such documentations as this will be considered in the application review.
Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: All applicants must present credentials that are the equivalent of an accredited baccalaureate degree. The minimum acceptable undergraduate GPA is 3.0.
Statement of Goals: In 500 to 1,000 words, address the following questions:
- Why are you pursuing this M.P.H. program, and what are your particular areas of interest in Health Policy and Management?
- What are your future career goals, and what have you done either academically or professionally to guide your interest in Health Policy and Management?
- What is your leadership philosophy? How effective are you at working on interdisciplinary teams?
- Are there any exceptional circumstances related to previous academic performance that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider?
Standardized Test Scores:
GRE: Optional for Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 admissions. While the program takes a portfolio approach to admissions, standardized tests provide important insight into quantitative and verbal abilities. Minimum scores are 153 on the verbal section and 144 on the quantitative section if submitted. Official GRE scores should be sent to SOPHAS using code 0151. Otherwise, GRE scores are optional.
Standardized tests considered in lieu of the GRE for the MPH-HPM include DAT, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, OAT, and PCAT.
Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:
-
TOEFL iBT: 79 (send officially to SOPHAS using the SOPHAS-specific TOEFL code 5688)
-
IELTS Academic: 6.5
- PTE Academic: 53
- Duolingo: 110
Clearances: The M.P.H. program requires students to complete fieldwork education. In the M.P.H. program, it is the fieldwork site that determines the clearances, including criminal background check, FBI fingerprinting, and more, needed by a student. The results of these clearances determine whether a student may be onboarded at a respective site.
Resume: Current resume or CV required.
Transfer Credit: Graduate credits from an M.P.H. program accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) may be transferred into the M.P.H. The credits must be equivalent to coursework offered at Temple, and the grade must be a "B" or better in order to transfer. The M.P.H. advisor approves the transfer of credits based on a review of course materials provided by the student. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 9.
Test Waivers: Graduates with a terminal degree from a U.S. medical school, foreign-trained physicians who have obtained licensure to practice in the United States, and those with a Ph.D. or with an excellent undergraduate record and 7 to 10 years or more of public health or healthcare professional experience may have the GRE requirement waived.
Program Requirements
General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 42
Required Courses:
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
College Core Course | ||
HRPR 5001 | Current and Emerging Issues in Public Health and Health Professions | 0 |
Public Health Core Courses | ||
ENVH 5004 | Environmental Health | 1.5 |
EPBI 5002 | Biostatistics | 3 |
EPBI 5005 | Applied Analysis of Health | 1.5 |
EPBI 5101 | Fundamentals of Epidemiology | 3 |
HPM 5006 | Political and Economic Aspects of Health | 3 |
SBS 5001 | Fundamentals of Public Health | 3 |
SBS 5002 | Program Planning, Theory, and Practice | 3 |
Health Policy and Management Courses | ||
HPM 8008 | Health Economics | 3 |
HPM 8013 | Research Methods in Health Policy | 3 |
HPM 8015 | Public Health Policy and Legal Issues | 3 |
Electives 1 | 9 | |
Select three from the following: | ||
Technology for Population Health | ||
Technology for Healthcare Financial Management | ||
Principles of Emergency Management | ||
Leadership and Management in Non-Profit Organizations | ||
Public Health Advocacy | ||
Forced Migration and Refugee Health | ||
Community Outreach in Public Health | ||
Healthcare Quality and Safety | ||
Man-Made Disasters: Radiological, Chemical and Biological Terrorism | ||
Comparative Health Policy | ||
M.P.H. Fieldwork Experience | ||
HPM 9289 | MPH Fieldwork I | 3 |
HPM 9389 | MPH Fieldwork II | 3 |
Total Credit Hours | 42 |
1 | An alternate elective may be selected with the approval of the Program Director. |
On-Campus Full-Time MPH-HPM
Year 1 | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credit Hours | |
EPBI 5002 | Biostatistics | 3 |
HPM 5006 | Political and Economic Aspects of Health | 3 |
HRPR 5001 | Current and Emerging Issues in Public Health and Health Professions | 0 |
SBS 5001 | Fundamentals of Public Health | 3 |
Term Credit Hours | 9 | |
Spring | ||
ENVH 5004 | Environmental Health | 1.5 |
EPBI 5005 | Applied Analysis of Health | 1.5 |
EPBI 5101 | Fundamentals of Epidemiology | 3 |
SBS 5002 | Program Planning, Theory, and Practice | 3 |
Term Credit Hours | 9 | |
Summer | ||
HPM 8015 | Public Health Policy and Legal Issues | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Term Credit Hours | 6 | |
Year 2 | ||
Fall | ||
HPM 8008 | Health Economics | 3 |
HPM 8013 | Research Methods in Health Policy | 3 |
HPM 9289 | MPH Fieldwork I | 3 |
Term Credit Hours | 9 | |
Spring | ||
HPM 9389 | MPH Fieldwork II | 3 |
Electives | 6 | |
Term Credit Hours | 9 | |
Total Credit Hours: | 42 |
Online Part-Time MPH-HPM
Year 1 | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credit Hours | |
SBS 5001 | Fundamentals of Public Health | 3 |
SBS 5002 | Program Planning, Theory, and Practice | 3 |
Term Credit Hours | 6 | |
Spring | ||
EPBI 5101 | Fundamentals of Epidemiology | 3 |
HPM 5016 | Public Health Advocacy | 3 |
Term Credit Hours | 6 | |
Summer | ||
HIM 5106 | Technology for Population Health | 3 |
HPM 5006 | Political and Economic Aspects of Health | 3 |
Term Credit Hours | 6 | |
Year 2 | ||
Fall | ||
HPM 5014 | Leadership and Management in Non-Profit Organizations | 3 |
HPM 8015 | Public Health Policy and Legal Issues | 3 |
Term Credit Hours | 6 | |
Spring | ||
ENVH 5004 | Environmental Health | 1.5 |
EPBI 5002 | Biostatistics | 3 |
EPBI 5005 | Applied Analysis of Health | 1.5 |
Term Credit Hours | 6 | |
Summer | ||
HRPR 5001 | Current and Emerging Issues in Public Health and Health Professions | 0 |
Term Credit Hours | 0 | |
Year 3 | ||
Fall | ||
HPM 8013 | Research Methods in Health Policy | 3 |
HPM 9289 | MPH Fieldwork I | 3 |
Term Credit Hours | 6 | |
Spring | ||
HPM 8008 | Health Economics | 3 |
HPM 9389 | MPH Fieldwork II | 3 |
Term Credit Hours | 6 | |
Total Credit Hours: | 42 |
Minimum Grade to be Earned for All Required Courses: B-
Culminating Events:
Fieldwork Practicum:
Students are required to synthesize and integrate the knowledge acquired in coursework and other learning experiences and to apply theory and principles in a situation that approximates some aspect of professional practice through an internship or practicum experience with a public health agency, health services organization, or under the supervision of a faculty preceptor. The M.P.H. fieldwork experience serves as the applied practice experience as required by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the accrediting body for schools and programs of public health, for completion of the Master of Public Health degree. In addition, this applied practice experience provides the student with the opportunity to develop expertise in a topic area and to contribute original and independent observations to a body of knowledge.
Evaluative Paper:
For the applied practice experience to fulfill the requirements of HPM 9289 and HPM 9389, M.P.H. in Health Policy and Management students are expected to complete a fieldwork experience. The required deliverable for the M.P.H. fieldwork requirement is a final evaluative paper. Students must demonstrate their proficiency and the application of theory and principles in the paper.
Courses
HPM 5005. International Health Studies Abroad. 6 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
HPM 5006. Political and Economic Aspects of Health. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
HPM 5007. Principles of Emergency Management. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
HPM 5008. Seminar in Global Health. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
HPM 5014. Leadership and Management in Non-Profit Organizations. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
HPM 5016. Public Health Advocacy. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
HPM 5107. Forced Migration and Refugee Health. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
HPM 5111. Community Outreach in Public Health. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
HPM 5122. Healthcare Quality and Safety. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
HPM 5190. Special Topics. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
HPM 5202. Man-Made Disasters: Radiological, Chemical and Biological Terrorism. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
HPM 5208. History of U.S. Public Health. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
HPM 5500. Seminar in Current Issues in Public Health. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
College Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: College of Public Health, Social Work.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
HPM 8002. Research Seminar in Public Health. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
HPM 8003. Political-Economic Aspects of Public Health. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
HPM 8005. Theor Hlth Policy Making. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
HPM 8008. Health Economics. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
HPM 8013. Research Methods in Health Policy. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
HPM 8014. Comparative Health Policy. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
HPM 5006|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently
OR PBHL 5006|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently.
HPM 8015. Public Health Policy and Legal Issues. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
HPM 5006|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently
OR PBHL 5006|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently
OR HPM 8003|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently
OR PBHL 8003|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently.
HPM 8112. Public Health Program Evaluation. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
HPM 9083. Readings and Conference in Public Health. 1 to 3 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
HPM 9189. MPH Capstone Seminar. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
HPM 9289. MPH Fieldwork I. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
(EPBI 5002|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (EPBI 5005|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (EPBI 5101|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (HPM 5006|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (SBS 5001|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (SBS 5002|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently
OR SBS 5102|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
HPM 9389. MPH Fieldwork II. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
HPM 9991. Public Health Research Project. 1 to 3 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
HPM 9994. Preliminary Examinations. 1 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
HPM 9995. Public Health Law Research Project. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Pre-requisites:
(JUDO 9189|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (EPBI 8012|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)
HPM 9996. Masters Res in Pub Hlth. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
HPM 9998. Dissertation Proposal Research. 1 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Degree Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Degrees: Doctor of Philosophy.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Pre-requisites:
HPM 9994|Minimum Grade of P|May not be taken concurrently.
HPM 9999. Dissertation Research. 1 to 6 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Student Attribute Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Student Attributes: Dissertation Writing Student.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Contacts
Program Web Address:
https://www.temple.edu/academics/degree-programs/health-policy-and-management-mph-hp-hpam-mph
Department Information:
Department of Health Services Administration and Policy
Ritter Hall Annex, 5th Floor (004-09)
1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6005
215-204-8726