The master's program in health and medical policy prepares students to become analysts and informed decision-makers at the local, state, and national levels, to be policy consultants, to support the work of foundations, or to engage with public health and advocacy organizations in the U.S. and abroad. Students are expected to graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to analyze health policy issues; examine health system approaches; formulate new policies; and support policy development in health care financing, healthcare delivery system innovations, and the allocation of scarce resources.
Students will learn how health care services in the U.S. are delivered and paid for, how well the U.S. health care system performs from an individual and societal perspective, and how various key stakeholders influence the formation and development of health policy.
Admissions
Requirements
Applicants must meet the admission standards and application requirements specified in Graduate Admissions and must apply using the online Application for Graduate Admission. The application process is competitive, and applications are considered for the fall and spring semesters. For application deadlines and detailed application requirements, refer to the CHHS Admissions website.
Policies
For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Transfer of Credit
Students may transfer a maximum of 12 credits from graduate courses taken at other institutions or taken at Mason in non-degree status. Transfer credit is subject to university and college policies and must be approved by the program director and the dean. Students who enroll initially through non-degree studies should seek course advising through the department and should submit their application to the MS program in their first semester of study.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 42
Core Courses
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Health Delivery and Policy Issues | ||
HAP 635 | Role of Government in Health Care and Public Health | 3 |
HAP 652 | Essentials of Health Insurance and Managed Care | 3 |
HAP 715 | Health Economics | 3 |
HAP 742 | Health Policy Development and Analysis | 3 |
HAP 764 | Health Policy and Government Payment Systems for Health Care Services | 3 |
Public Policy Process | ||
PUBP 730 | US Institutions and the Policy Process | 3 |
PUAD 615 | Administrative Law | 3 |
PUAD 750 | Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations | 3 |
Policy Analysis | ||
HAP 602 | Statistics in Health Services Management | 3 |
HAP 645 | Introduction to Health Services Research | 3 |
HAP 719 | Advanced Statistics in Health Services Research I | 3 |
POGO 646 | Policy and Program Evaluation | 3 |
Capstone | ||
HAP 793 | Final Project in Applied Health Policy | 3 |
Total Credits | 39 |
Electives
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select three credits from the following: | 3 | |
Courses not listed below must be approved by the student's advisor. | ||
Leadership and Organizational Behavior | ||
Regulatory Requirements for Health Care Systems | ||
Policy Development and Analysis for Community Health Programs | ||
Financial Management in Health Systems | ||
Health Care Security Policy | ||
Health Policy Leadership | ||
Legal Issues in Health Administration | ||
Health Promotion Methods | ||
Health Behavior Theory | ||
Health Program Planning and Evaluation | ||
Behavioral Research Methods | ||
Introduction to Epidemiology | ||
Biodefense Strategy | ||
Global Health Security Policy | ||
Emergency Planning and Preparedness | ||
Hazard Mitigation Policy | ||
Emergency Preparedness: Interagency Communication and Coordination | ||
Policy Analysis | ||
Advocacy and Lobbying | ||
Virginia Politics, Policy, and Administration | ||
Professional Writing for Policy | ||
Policy Systems Analysis and Management Science | ||
Administrative Law and Public Policy | ||
Lobbying and Interest Representation | ||
Media and Public Policy | ||
Federal Institutions and Management | ||
Social Entrepreneurship and Public Policy | ||
Or advisor-approved elective course | ||
Total Credits | 3 |