Health Policy and Management MPH

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. Coursework is structured to include synchronous classes held via Zoom and asynchronous activities. A fieldwork coordinator works with students to find appropriate placement in their preferred geographic location.

For more information about the on-campus or online MPH program, please contact the CPH Office of Admissions at cph@temple.edu or 215-204-5200.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 4 years

Campus Location: Main for in-person instruction or Online

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: Full-time students usually complete the program within two academic years, while 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 other MPH degree programs offered by the College of Public Health, the MPH in Health Policy and Management can be undertaken as part of these dual MPH degree programs:

DMD/MPH with Temple University's Kornberg School of Dentistry
JD/MPH with Temple University's Beasley School of Law
MD/MPH with the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
MHA/MPH with Temple University's Fox School of Business and Management
MPP/MPH with Temple University's College of Liberal Arts
MS Health Informatics/MPH within the Temple University College of Public Health
MSW/MPH with the Temple University School of Social Work

For more information, visit https://www.temple.edu/academics/dual-degree-programs or contact the CPH Office of Admissions at cph@temple.edu or 215-204-5200.

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 MPH program of study. These courses are offered during the Summer and are open to both undergraduate and graduate students.

Accreditation: The MPH is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Achieving accreditation in 1985, Temple's MPH program is one of the longest established accredited MPH programs in the country.

Areas of Specialization: The MPH degree program is offered in six specialty fields of study:

Applied Biostatistics (APBIO)
Environmental Health (EH) – not currently offered
Epidemiology (EPI)
Health Policy and Management (HPM)
Nutrition (NUTR)
Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)

Students in the Health Policy and Management MPH program may complete transcripted College of Public Health certificate programs by taking their 9 credits of electives in the relevant coursework. For questions about certificates, please contact the CPH Office of Admissions at cph@temple.edu or 215-204-5200.

Job Prospects: Graduates with an MPH-HPM degree hold positions in a wide range of health-related settings, including clinics, community-based organizations, federally qualified health centers, health insurers, hospitals and health systems, pharmaceutical companies, public health-related work sites, schools, state and local public health departments, and voluntary health agencies. 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/Certification: Students who complete an MPH at Temple University are eligible to sit for the Certified in Public Health (CPH) exam offered by the National Board of Public Health Examiners and the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) exam offered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC). For more information about credentialing in public health, visit 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: 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.

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.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: March 1
Spring: November 1

All applicants to the MPH 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 the MPH in Health Policy and Management, and what are your particular areas of interest in the field?
What are your future career goals, and what have you done either academically or professionally to guide your interest in public health and to begin preparation toward your career goals?
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. While the program takes a portfolio approach to admissions, standardized tests provide important insight into quantitative and verbal abilities. If submitted, minimum scores of 153 Verbal and 144 Quantitative are desired. Official GRE scores should be sent to SOPHAS using code 0151.

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

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 PhD 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. To request a waiver or if you have other questions, contact the CPH Office of Admissions at cph@temple.edu or 215-204-5200.

Resume: Current resume or CV required.

Laptop: Beginning in Fall 2020, all incoming students in the College of Public Health are required to have a laptop. Academic programs in the college are technology intensive. They incorporate statistical and database analyses; utilize specialized tools for athletic training, kinesiology and physical therapy; stream audio and video for communication sciences; facilitate online interactive counseling for social work; and foster clinical experiences and online assessments. The laptop requirement enables the College of Public Health to improve opportunities for active learning and provide greater access to specialized software and required tools in and out of the classroom, better preparing students for the workforce. Learn more about device specifications and suggested vendors. Students can use excess financial aid (i.e., funds that are reimbursed after all tuition and fees are paid) to meet student needs, including the purchase of a laptop. Scholarships may also provide funding.

Transfer Credit: Graduate credits from an MPH program accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) may be transferred into the MPH. The credits must be equivalent to coursework offered at Temple, and the grade must be a "B" or better in order to transfer. The MPH program director 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.

Clearances: The MPH program requires students to complete fieldwork education. In the MPH program, it is the fieldwork site that determines the clearances, such as criminal background check and FBI fingerprinting, needed by a student. The results of these clearances determine whether a student may be onboarded at a respective site.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:

Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 42

Required Courses:

Course List
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 5006	Biostatistics and Applied Analysis of Health	4.5
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 5014	Leadership and Management in Non-Profit Organizations	3
HPM 8008	Health Economics	3
HPM 8015	Public Health Policy and Legal Issues	3
Electives ¹		9
Select three from the following:
HIM 5101	Fundamentals of Health Informatics
HIM 5102	Applications of Computer Programming in Health Informatics
HIM 5106	Technology for Population Health
HIM 5111	Technology for Healthcare Financial Management
HIM 5129	Health Data Analysis
HIM 5256	Global Health Informatics
HIM 5299	Introduction to Language Processing and Text Mining for Health Professionals
HPM 5007	Principles of Emergency Management
HPM 5016	Public Health Advocacy
HPM 5107	Forced Migration and Refugee Health
HPM 5122	Healthcare Quality and Safety
HPM 5131	Health Policy Analysis
HPM 5132	Comparative Health Systems: Local, National, and Global Perspectives
HPM 8013	Research Methods in Health Policy
HPM 8014	Comparative Health Policy
MPH Fieldwork Experience
HPM 9289	MPH Fieldwork I	3
HPM 9389	MPH Fieldwork II	3
Total Credit Hours		42

An alternate elective may be selected with the approval of the Program Director.

On-Campus Full-Time MPH-HPM

Year 1
Fall
EPBI 5101	Fundamentals of Epidemiology	3
HPM 5006	Political and Economic Aspects of Health	3
SBS 5001	Fundamentals of Public Health	3
	Term Credit Hours	9
Spring
ENVH 5004	Environmental Health	1.5
EPBI 5006	Biostatistics and Applied Analysis of Health	4.5
HPM 5014	Leadership and Management in Non-Profit Organizations	3
	Term Credit Hours	9
Year 2
Summer I
HRPR 5001	Current and Emerging Issues in Public Health and Health Professions	0
SBS 5002	Program Planning, Theory, and Practice	3
	Term Credit Hours	3
Summer II
Elective		3
	Term Credit Hours	3
Fall
HPM 8008	Health Economics	3
HPM 9289	MPH Fieldwork I	3
Elective		3
	Term Credit Hours	9
Spring
HPM 8015	Public Health Policy and Legal Issues	3
HPM 9389	MPH Fieldwork II	3
Elective		3
	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 5006	Political and Economic Aspects of Health	3
	Term Credit Hours	6
Summer
HPM 8015	Public Health Policy and Legal Issues	3
Elective		3
	Term Credit Hours	6
Year 2
Fall
ENVH 5004	Environmental Health	1.5
EPBI 5006	Biostatistics and Applied Analysis of Health	4.5
	Term Credit Hours	6
Spring
HPM 5014	Leadership and Management in Non-Profit Organizations	3
Elective		3
	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 8008	Health Economics	3
HPM 9289	MPH Fieldwork I	3
	Term Credit Hours	6
Spring
HPM 9389	MPH Fieldwork II	3
Elective		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 MPH 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, MPH in Health Policy and Management students are expected to complete a fieldwork experience. The required deliverable for the MPH fieldwork requirement is a final evaluative paper. Students must demonstrate their proficiency and the application of theory and principles in the paper.