Public health policy includes the ideas or plans for action related to economics, organization and management, programs, and clinical outcomes. All of these factors influence public health. Students in the Department of Health Policy and Organization (HPO) develop skills in managing and leading the development of policy in a variety of settings.

Students in our concentrations learn policy skills relevant to the practice and scholarship of public health. Health Policy and Organization focuses on skills needed for leading and managing public health organizations. Health Policy focuses on building the analytical skills required to recommend or evaluate systems or policy changes. Those students with a particular interest in the complex health considerations for the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) population can gain additional skills in comprehensive systems development and evaluation from a Life Course approach. Outcomes Research, emphasizing the clinical side of public health, focuses on the evaluation of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of specific health care interventions or treatments.

Our faculty, staff, and students are highly engaged in “real world” public health. We partner with local, state, national, and international agencies to understand the impact of policies on populations and systems. Our research and scholarly practice utilize tools from economics, management, program assessment, and evaluation to address public health issues for vulnerable populations.

Degree Programs

Research and Practice

Faculty