Jefferson School of Population Health
Master of Science in Health Policy (MS-HP)
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We live in an era when the costs of health care continue to rise, access is absent for many Americans, and troubling issues around quality and safety have entered the public lexicon. Never has the preparation of leaders to guide health policy been more urgent.

Jefferson's Master of Science in Health Policy (MS-HP) prepares leaders to:

• critically analyze the organization, financing and delivery of health care;
• rigorously apply analytic skills to plan, implement, and evaluate health policy;
• produce research evidence to support policy development and change.

Graduates of the program are prepared to assume policy analysis and advocacy roles in health care provider organizations, integrated health care delivery systems, government offices, academic institutions, health services research firms and community-based or advocacy organizations.

For further information about the MS-HP program, contact JoAnne Reifsnyder, program director.

Program Goals

1. To prepare students with analytic, interpersonal and business skills to guide health care policy development and analysis.
2. To enhance healthcare workforce preparedness to address the critical policy issues of the 21^st century.
3. To contribute to the development of the evidence base in critical health policy and health services research domains.

Program Objectives

Students in this program will acquire the skills to:

1. Analyze the structure, function, and financing of U.S. healthcare benefits and systems for delivery of services.
2. Design, conduct and evaluate health policy analyses and research.
3. Access, analyze, and interpret healthcare policies, statutes and regulations.
4. Select and integrate information systems and technology to support decision making and work flow within and across healthcare settings.
5. Apply advanced management and leadership skills to develop policy approaches to improve access, quality and safety and to manage costs of health care.

Program Audiences

The MS-HP is intended for:

• Students with undergraduate degrees in public policy, economics, political science, or a healthcare field
• Professionals working within healthcare settings, healthcare plans or management companies, academic organizations, community organizations, public/government entities
• Healthcare program administrators
• Pharmaceutical industry professionals
• Health Information Technology professionals and analysts working in provider and payer systems
• Healthcare-related professionals working in organizations and trade associations
• Individuals working in public health and government or regulatory positions at the local, state, or federal level
• Healthcare providers and other healthcare system stakeholders from outside of the United States
• Professionals involved in the delivery, organization, and/or financing of health care, or seeking work in the healthcare system
• Students in professional degree programs, such as MD, BSN/MSN, PhD, JD, PharmD, who are seeking a joint master's degree in health policy

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