MPH Concentration in Health Systems Management and Policy
The Health Systems Management and Policy concentration introduces students to the fundamental functional areas of management within the context of health services, taking a systems approach that examines legal, ethical, and policy concerns facing the health sector. Courses also address the dynamics of the workforce, logistics of healthcare delivery, and strategies to deliver effective and efficient healthcare and health-related programs. Courses emphasize active management in planning, financing, implementing, evaluating, and maintaining complex systems.
The 45-credit hour MPH curriculum is designed to prepare students to improve the health of populations worldwide through strengthening health systems, building stronger communities and facilitating healthy behaviors in an increasingly globalized world.
Concentration Competencies
- Identify the main components and issues of the organization, financing and delivery of health services and public health systems in the U.S. and other contexts.
- Describe the legal and ethical bases for public health and health services.
- Explain methods of ensuring community health safety and preparedness.
- Discuss the policy process for improving the health status of populations.
- Apply the principles of program planning, development, budgeting, management and evaluation in organizational and community initiatives.
- Apply principles of strategic planning and marketing to public health.
- Apply quality and performance improvement concepts to address organizational performance issues.
- Apply "systems thinking" for resolving organizational problems.
- Communicate health policy and management issues using appropriate channels and technologies.
- Demonstrate leadership skills for building partnerships.Employment Opportunities for Graduates
Employment Opportunities for Graduates
Students concentrating on the offerings of this focus area can anticipate careers in leadership and management in the public or private sector, whether domestically, in other industrialized nations or in emerging economies. Specific settings for such careers include institutions that deliver preventative, curative, or palliative care to individuals; entities engaged in funding health sector programs or in payment for care; government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) focused on public health; settings devoted to policy formulation; and enterprises providing goods and services in support of the above.
School Required Core Courses
BIOS 6030 Introduction to Biostatistics
EPID 6030 Epidemiologic Methods I
GEHS 6030 Survey of Environmental Health
TRMD 6010 Biological Basis of Disease
GCHB 6030 Social and Behavioral Aspects of Global Health
GHSD 6030 Principles of Health Systems Administration and Management
Department Required Course
GHSD 6010 Comparative Health Systems
Concentration Required Courses
GHSD 6320 Managerial Communications
GHSD 6380 Organizational Behavior
GHSD 6780 Information Systems
GHSD 6500 Introduction to Health Care Accounting
GHSD 6540 Managerial Accounting
GHSD 6450 Health Economics OR GHSD 6110 Health Economics for Developing Countries
GHSD 7660 Health Policy Analysis OR GHSD 6830 International Health Policy
Concentration Strongly Recommended Courses
For Students with Primarily U.S. Career Interests:
GHSD 6360 Human Resource Management
For Students with Primarily non-Domestic Career Interests:
GHSD 6490 Policy Options on Medical Products and Technologies
GHSD 6350 The Other Drug War: Essential Drugs, Contraceptives & Health Commodities
Note: the student will make up the remaining credits toward the total of 45 with electives.
Model Course Schedule
Click here
Culminating Experience
The Department of Global Health Systems and Development offers two options for students to complete this graduation requirement: a comprehensive exam or a public health analysis. This activity should be completed in the student’s final semester.
Culminating Exam: The first option for completing the culminating experience will be a comprehensive exam developed by the school (Part A: which will test the student's knowledge of the core course material) and the department (Part B: which will test the student's knowledge in the major areas represented by the departmental core course). This exam will be given only three times each year and it is the student's responsibility to be present in New Orleans to take the exam on the given day. Students must arrange their schedules accordingly.
Public Health Analysis: The Public Health Analysis is a formal, professional written document much like a peer reviewed journal article. The Public Health Analysis is a substantive review and discussion of the body of knowledge in a selected field of public health. The report should thoroughly and completely address the selected topic. GHSD will require that the final report be presented to the faculty advisor no later than one month prior to the date of graduation.
Practicum
The Department of Global Health Systems and Development requires a period of practical training (the Practicum) of a minimum of 250 hours, usually in the summer between the second and third semesters (for those enrolling in fall). The practicum provides students with experience in an actual health delivery or development setting, program or project, in which students apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their coursework to practical settings. The specific outline and reporting requirements of the practicum are detailed in the SPHTM field practicum handbook.
Health Systems Management and Policy Faculty
Claudia Campbell
Mark Diana
Sambe Duale
David Hotchkiss
Hugh Long
Lizheng Shi
Joni Steinberg - Concentration Lead
Thomas Stranova
For more information contact:
Meredith Sugarman
Senior Program Coordinator
E-mail: sugarman@tulane.edu
Phone: 504-988-5429
Location: Tidewater Building, 19th Floor
