Master of Science Programs
The Four-Semester (80 CREDITS) Master of Science (SM) Program - the department's largest - is designed for students who are building professional careers in health-related fields and who aspire to leadership roles. The program emphasizes professional skills and concepts, a solid grounding in the substance of health problems, rigorous quantitative training, and a curriculum that combines professional, academic, and field activities. Acquired knowledge is applied to practical situations through a required summer internship and an applied field research program.
- Applicants must have at least two years of experience in public health (exceptions occasionally made for outstanding candidates) and
- An academic record, particularly in quantitative and analytical courses, that shows significant potential in the areas of health policy and management.
The Two-Semester (42.5 CREDITS) Master of Science (SM) Program - is designed for physicians (and other candidates with advanced degrees) who are pursuing research careers and desire intensive exposure to analytic and quantitative skills. The program is appropriate for students interested in domestic or international research questions.
- Applicants generally hold graduate medical or other professional degrees and have significant interest in health services. They typically expect to devote a substantial portion of their careers to research, particularly in health services, cost-effectiveness analysis, and clinical decision making. For more information on these programs, call Anne Occhipinti at (617-432-4511).
Environmental Science and Risk Management Program
The Environmental Science and Risk Management Program, sponsored jointly by Environmental Health (EH) and HPM, offers students an integrated education in environmental science, risk analysis, and decision making. Students must have strong quantitative backgrounds in physical science, engineering, social or management science, as well as several years of experience in the environmental field. The program is closely linked to the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis.
The Master of Science (SM) is a four-semester degree program aimed at students interested in solving problems at the interface between environmental science and public policy. The Doctor of Science (SD) degree, which requires two to three years of work beyond the SM, is designed for students interested in research in environmental risk assessment and decision making.
**Please contact EH (617-432-3351) or HPM (617-432-4511) about specific degree requirements.
Master of Public Health Concentrations
The Master of Public Health (MPH) Program is designed for students who hold a health-related professional masters or doctoral degree. HPM participates in this program through two concentrations: Health Care Management and Law and Public Health. For more information, applicants should contact the MPH office (617-432-3530).
Doctor of Philosophy Program in Health Policy
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program in Health Policy , awarded by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, is designed for students seeking teaching careers in institutions of higher learning or research careers in health policy. PhD students specialize in decision sciences, economics, ethics, organizational behavior, political analysis, or statistics and evaluative science. Inquiries should be addressed to the program's Director (617-496-5506).