College of Public Health

Courses

Health Management and Policy

The Department of Health Management and Policy educates health care executives to assume leadership roles in an increasingly complex and dynamic health care system. Graduates hold key positions in all areas of health management and policy, both in the United States and abroad.

The department's degree programs rank among the foremost in the field. They include the Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.), which is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education, and a Doctor of Philosophy in health services and policy. The Ph.D. program offers core training in health services research and a range of specializations, including health economics, health outcomes, health policy, and management and organizations.

The department's faculty also presents the policy and administration subtrack of the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), which prepares students to lead public health organizations; see Master of Public Health Program in the Catalog.

The department also offers joint degree programs with the Tippie College of Business (M.H.A./M.B.A.), the College of Law (M.H.A./J.D.), and the department of Urban and Regional Planning (M.H.A./M.A.). Students who wish to pursue an integrated program combining an M.H.A. with a master's degree in another field should discuss their plans with both academic units and indicate their interest when they apply to the M.H.A. program.

Master of Health Administration

The M.H.A. requires 60 s.h. of graduate credit (usually two academic years of full-time study). Transfer credit and course waivers may be accepted, but all students are expected to complete a minimum of 54 s.h. during their course of study.

Core courses in management, economics, law, managerial finance, and financial accounting provide students with necessary business skills. Students also may take course work in other areas, such as business, urban and regional planning, and aging studies.

Students work with their advisors to create a plan of study that incorporates required courses and elective course work that supports their career goals in areas such as operations management, managed care, or financial management.

During the first year, students are introduced to the social, political, economic, and financial environments of health care organizations. The concepts, tools, and techniques of effective managerial decision making, planning, and control also are presented.

During the second year, students pursue in-depth applications of management concepts and develop skills in areas relating to their special interests and career objectives.

REQUIRED COURSES

ELECTIVES

Summer Internships, Fellowships, Residencies

Many M.H.A. students complement their academic training with a postgraduate fellowship or residency. Such experiences provide opportunities to observe, develop, and demonstrate practical management techniques and skills and to develop connections with colleagues. The department takes an active role in helping students identify and secure fellowship and residency positions.

Joint M.H.A./M.B.A.

This combination leads to an M.H.A. in health management and policy and an M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration). It requires 75 s.h. of graduate credit and normally is completed in two-and-a-half to three years. Separate admission to each degree program is required.

Joint M.H.A./J.D.

The program leads to an M.H.A. in health management and policy and a J.D. in law. It requires a minimum of 126 s.h. of postbaccalaureate credit and usually takes four years to complete, although students who enroll in the accelerated law program may complete it in less time. Separate admission to each degree program is required. Students register only for law courses during their first year.

Joint M.H.A./M.A. in Planning

The program leads to an M.H.A. in health management and policy and an M.A. in urban and regional planning. It requires 76 s.h. of graduate credit and can be completed in three years. Separate admission to each degree program is required.

Doctor of Philosophy

The program is oriented toward applied, interdisciplinary research. Students develop mastery of theories and research methodologies necessary to study the complex American health system.

The Ph.D. requires at least 90 s.h. of graduate credit. Students may apply up to 30 s.h. of credit earned for master's degree work toward the Ph.D.

REQUIRED COURSE WORK

EXAMINATIONS

Students take the comprehensive examination at or near the end of their formal course work. The comprehensive exam focuses on the student's specific area of research and theoretical interest.

DISSERTATION

Admission

Students from a variety of academic backgrounds are admitted to the department's graduate programs.

Applicants to the M.H.A. program should hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. No specific undergraduate major is required, but prospective applicants are strongly advised to complete introductory courses in accounting, economics, and statistics and to gain facility in using spreadsheet and presentation software. A cumulative g.p.a. of at least 3.00 is required. M.H.A. program applicants must submit scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test (a combined verbal and quantitative score of 1100 or above is preferred) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (a score of 600 or above is preferred); official MCAT, VAT, LSAT, or DAT scores are accepted in place of GRE or GMAT scores. Previous work experience in health care is preferred.

Applicants to the Ph.D. program should have a bachelor's or master's degree. Experience in health care and a master's degree in health administration, public health, or health planning are excellent preparation for the program. A graduate degree in social science, management, economics, or law is acceptable, depending on the applicant's background and career goals. A cumulative g.p.a. of at least 3.25 is usually required. All Ph.D. applicants must submit GRE scores (a combined verbal and quantitative score of 1100 or above is preferred).

All applicants must submit academic transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of objectives form (contact the Department of Health Management and Policy). Applicants to the Ph.D. program also are required to submit a sample of scholarly writing.

International applicants to the M.H.A. or Ph.D. program who do not hold a baccalaureate or more advanced degree from an accredited college or university in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada (except Quebec), Australia, or New Zealand must score at least 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based), or 100 (Internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). International applicants who score 550-599 (paper-based), 213-249 (computer-based), or 81-99 (Internet-based) are required to take English fluency courses. Applicants who score below those ranges are not considered for admission.

Students begin the program in fall semester. Campus visits are encouraged, and personal interviews are required before admission. The admissions committee conducts telephone interviews with applicants unable to interview on campus.

Financial Support

Research assistantships generally are awarded on the basis of student merit and the department's need. Assistantships afford valuable experience in health services research and management projects. Research assistants work 10-20 hours per week and must apply for reappointment each year. Research assistantships provide a stipend and some tuition assistance and entitle students to resident tuition.

Opportunities also exist for part-time employment both on and off campus. For information and financial aid application forms, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Alumni Association

Graduates maintain their Iowa connection and learn about news of their classmates, the department, and faculty members and students through the Alumni Newsletter.

The Department of Health Management and Policy and its alumni association jointly sponsor the Annual Iowa Health Care Executive Symposium each fall. Renowned speakers from across the country present a variety of symposium topics. Health care leaders, alumni, educators, students, and friends of the department attend the symposium, which offers students a high quality educational experience in addition to the opportunity to network with faculty and alumni.

Resources

Department of Health Management and Policy faculty members are involved in a wide range of research topics and methodologies and have research grants and contracts of $7 million in the center. This large research portfolio provides excellent training opportunities for students.

Courses