The U.S. health care system is plagued with persistent challenges in access, cost, quality, and equity. Students in this concentration gain detailed insights into the complex U.S. health care system, including public health, health care delivery, payment and finance, and state and national reform efforts. Students learn the research and analytical frameworks essential for making change, and then apply those skills to issues such as health disparities and access, drug pricing, reproductive health, maternal and child health, pandemic response, substance use and mental health problems, and more.
Depending on their focus, students choose from one of two tracks: Health Policy and Behavioral Health Policy.
Students in the health policy track concentration combine classwork with internships, fellowships, and opportunities to work on in-house research projects, putting them in an immediate position to take their careers to the next level. Graduates of the health policy concentration regularly land jobs in national, state or municipal governments, research organizations, think tanks, foundations, not-for-profit organizations or in Congress or state legislatures. Others go on to PhD programs.
Students in the behavioral health policy track gain detailed insight into the U.S. behavioral health care system, including prevention, treatment and harm reduction strategies known to save lives. They engage in rigorous coursework and pursue career-building opportunities through internships, fellowships, and in-house research projects, putting them in an immediate position to take their careers to the next level. Graduates of the behavioral health concentration regularly land jobs in nonprofit and for-profit organizations, research organizations, and consulting firms as technical expert leads, advisory services analysts, and research analysts. Some also continue on to pursue a PhD.
