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In addition to the overall Master of Public Health degree competencies, Health Policies and Programs graduates will be able to:

1. Assess the health care system in the United States, including the role of the public health disciplines;
2. Employ analytic skill in health economics and health policy analysis;
3. Demonstrate understanding of public policy analysis, program evaluation, and health law;
4. Analyze ethical issues and implications of cultural diversity in health policy and management;
5. Develop competencies in applying analytic and evaluation methods to health care issues;
6. Develop leadership, interpersonal and communication skills; and
7. Apply critical thinking skills and knowledge to a policy or program issue in public health or health services.

In addition to meeting the admission requirements for the Master of Public Health degree, applicants should also meet these concentration prerequisites: 

• Public health course prerequisites: None
• Prerequisite undergraduate courses: Micro-economics, Accounting.
• Undergraduate majors are diverse and include: Life sciences, social sciences, business, or health professions.
• Work experience:  Preferred, but not required.
• Minimum undergraduate GPA: 3.0 upper division (some exceptions made if GRE exceeds minimum requirements) AND GRE minimum preferred scores (see 6.2 Admission Tests Information). 
• Applicants admitted to the M.H.A. or an M.P.H. with a concentration in the Department of Health Policy and Management who have a score on the GRE Verbal of Analytical Writing test which is below the 40th percentile may be required to take REA 2105—Critical Reading and Writing—or an equivalent English composition course, during the first semester of enrollment, and pass with a grade of “B” or better in the class. 

Program Coursework

*CH=Credit Hours; Pre-reqs= prerequisite courses unless noted as CR (co-requisite) or CC (Concurrent requisite)

1. During 2^nd semester meet with advisor and begin planning field experience. See http://health.usf.edu/publichealth/academicaffairs/fe/. May be met through the Peace Corps Master’s International option.
2. Any grade below a C (C- to F) is required to be retaken.  The grade will be included in the student's GPA.
3. The College Reserves All Rights to Repeal And/or Modify.
4. Supervised Field Experience

• Students with little or no professional experience: 3 hours minimum. 
• Students with relevant professional experience: 1 hour minimum.
• Students with substantial work experience can negotiate a reduced number of hours with their advisor (e.g., 1 or 2 hours) if the student has meaningful experience (involving decision-making) in a health care or related organization

Examples of common elective options

• PHC 6104 Management of Public Health Programs (3)
• PHC 6148 Strategic Planning and Health Care Marketing (3)
• PHC 6114 Managed Care (2)
• PHC 6420 Health Care Law, Regulation and Ethics (3)