Health Policy and Services

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Impact Comes Through Public Health Policy

Examine the political, economic and social factors that impact the development and implementation of health care laws and regulations. Learn the role that health care organizations, nonprofits, advocacy groups and government agencies play in creating effective public health strategies at the local, state and federal levels. Develop analytical skills that can be utilized in multiple capacities throughout the policymaking arena. USC’s online MPH in Health Policy and Services can prepare graduates to make an impact on public health on a wide scale.

Transcript

Health services and policy involves decisions, plans and actions that are undertaken to achieve specific health care goals within a society. Public health policies work to improve communities through research, public service, community partnerships and education. This track is best suited for students that have a desire to work with law-makers and government officials, are strong writers and are comfortable reading documents containing legal language, and also have a desire to advocate for, and be involved in, policy change. In this track you will learn to formulate, analyze and implement public health policies and organize others around advocacy and policy development. You'll learn to write, analyze, and make comments on bills and other legislative or regulatory actions. Also you'll learn to review and access the impact of proposed or existing legislation on an organization or a population sub group. You'll also learn other tools to improve health care policy and the health care delivery system through advocacy, education and research. Potential jobs in this specialty might be government affairs specialist, public health policy analyst, and community advocate. Still have questions? Your academic advisor can help you choose the track that is right for you.

Benefits of Pursuing a Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Services

Opportunities for Career Advancement

Enter a field with substantial growth potential and qualify for roles requiring an advanced degree.

Ability to Make an Impact

Gain expertise in specific aspects of public health that can allow you to advocate for positive health policy change.

Flexible Scheduling

Complete in a way that fits your busy schedule and allows you to keep outside commitments.

Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Services Career Paths

When it comes to the world of health policy and services, there is a great deal of career flexibility. This is due to the number of interdisciplinary organizations that collaborate to make laws and regulations, as well as the type of skills required to successfully write them.

Job titles in health policy and services and policy include:

Medical and health services manager: approximate median annual salary $101,340**
Manager, government and regulatory affairs: approximate median annual salary $108,800*
Manager, health policy and research: approximate median annual salary $75,600*
Senior health policy analyst: approximate median annual salary $83,570*
Medical director: approximate median annual salary $233,210*

*Payscale

**U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Typical Work Settings for Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Services Graduates

State or local public health departments
County or city governing bodies
Nonprofit organizations
Hospitals or physician groups
Advocacy organizations (e.g., American Cancer Society)
Governing bodies
Government agencies (e.g., U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Services Job Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 28% job growth in medical and health services manager occupations between 2021 and 2031 — much higher than the national average. The BLS notes that this will likely be due to increased demand for policy assessments and improvements. Health care organizations will also need political scientists to analyze and advocate for their policies.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Why Choose USC for Your Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Services?

USC’s MPH in Health Policy and Services program is 100% online and offers a level of flexibility that allows students to learn and study at their own pace. Students enrolled in the MPH program receive personalized instruction and mentorship provided by USC’s faculty of industry experts. They can also forge connections through the school’s network of 400,000 Trojan alumni.

Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Services Online Curriculum

USC’s Health Policy and Services concentration contains a total of 20 units in addition to the general MPH requirements. It consists of four required courses. Students choose one of two additional courses to complete the program.

Public Health Policy - Required Courses

PM 504

Quality in Health Care

4 Units

The course will examine quality assessment at different levels of the health care system, including health plans, physicians, hospital and integrated system performance. The course will examine the influence of the micro perspectives such as the workforce, organizational structure and payment incentives on health care quality. Macro perspective includes strategic planning, alliance, competition, marketing and technology at the health care systems level. The students will also evaluate how quality of health care relates to health outcomes and population health.

PM 547

Public Health Policy and Politics

4 Units

PPD 503

Economics for Public Policy

4 Units

Students are introduced to Economic Thinking (ET). Developers survive and prosper by making a very large number of good forecasts and acting on them, accepting the risk that accompanies any action. Developers live in a sea of information and do best if they process the incoming data better than others. ET helps on three levels: we better understand:
1) economic trends;
2) the evolving policy environment; and
3) local conditions (location, location, location). This course will also equip students to benefit from other RED courses such as market analysis, approvals, finance and law

PPD 542

Policy and Program Evaluation

4 Units

Public Health Policy - And choose one of these courses:

PM 529

Environmental Health: An Epidemiological Approach

4 Units

PM 577

Global Health, Law and Human Rights

4 Units

The course identifies and discusses the complex interactions among law, health and human rights, with particular emphasis on the use of human rights norms and standards for public health thinking and practice. The course provides the basis for literacy about modern human rights and the links to public health, including core principles, key documents, institutions and practices.

Frameworks for analysis of the interactions between health and human rights will be introduced and applied, including effect of health law, policies and programs on human rights, health consequences of human rights violations, and the linkages between promoting and protecting health and promoting and protecting human rights. Topics including sexuality, reproductive health and HIV/AIDS will be used to illustrate and explore practical applications of human rights to global health

Frequently Asked Questions

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