MPH: Public Health Policy & Management MPH
The Zilber College of Public Health offers students a choice between a fully online and a hybrid MPH in Public Health Policy & Management (PHPM).
Our program centers on the ways in which policy shapes the social, political, and economic determinants of health. Our students develop a strong understanding of policy as a tool for creating healthier and more equitable communities.
Graduates are well positioned for careers in local, state, and federal public health agencies, research institutions, non-profit organizations, and consulting firms.
Program Type
Master’s
Program Format
Hybrid, Online
Alumni Spotlight:
Kathy Staats
What inspired you to pursue an MPH in Public Health Policy & Management?
“I began my career in tobacco prevention and control. This was at a pivotal time when we were seeing the results of policies that were making lasting changes for the public’s health. Even as a young advocate, I saw how my voice could help create a better future.
I chose to pursue my MPH at UWM because I saw their staff and faculty at work in the community. I wanted my education to echo the community organizing and grassroots skills I was learning in my working world.”
About
The MPH in Public Health Policy & Management (PHPM) prepares students to become the next generation of leaders shaping and analyzing policies and programs that impact the social, political, and economic determinants of health. Taking a “health in all policies” approach, students are prepared for real world intersectoral health challenges through training in policy theory and analysis, public health economics, and quantitative and qualitative methods.
We offer the MPH in PHPM in both a fully online and a hybrid option. Please view the Online and Hybrid tabs above to determine which format better meets your needs, If you have questions about the best format for you, please reach out to zcph-info@uwm.edu.
When applying to the program, be sure to confirm that you are applying to the format you want.
Public Health Policy & Management Careers
Public Health Policy & Mangement MPH graduates go on to work for state and local health departments, federal agencies, nonprofits, research centers, policy think tanks, and advocacy organizations to analyze, develop, and implement health-related policies and programs.
Past Job Placements for Public Health Policy & Management Graduates Include:
- Local health departments across Wisconsin and beyond
- Federal agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Nonprofit organizations such as Community Advocates Public Policy Institute
- Academic research centers such as the Medical College of Wisconsin
- State agencies such as the Wisconsin Department of Health Services
- Health research consulting firms such as Mathematica
- Highly competitive fellowships such as the Wisconsin Population Health Fellowship
MPH Public Health Policy & Management (48 credits)
All students enrolled in the MPH program take a common set of core classes designed to give basic skills and knowledge of public health concepts. The core curriculum consists of at least 24-25 credit hours, including four credits for the Field Experience (3 credits) and Leadership in Public Health (1 credit) courses and a two-credit capstone seminar.
In addition to the common core, students complete the required coursework in one of six specialization tracks (total program credits in parentheses): Biostatistics (46 credits), Community and Behavioral Health Promotion (48-49 credits), Environmental Health Sciences (45 credits), Epidemiology (49 credits), Public Health Policy and Management (48 credits) or Nutrition and Dietetics (64 credits). Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in order to progress through the program.
MPH Required Common Core Courses (at least 24 credits)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| PH 702: Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
| PH 703: Environmental Health Sciences | 3 |
| PH 704: Principles and Methods of Epidemiology | 3 |
| PH 705: Principles of Public Health Policy and Administration | 3 |
| PH 706: Perspectives on Community and Behavioral Health | 3 |
| PH 708: Health Systems and Population Health | 3 |
| PH 790: Field Experience in Public Health | 3 |
| PH 791: Leadership in Public Health | 1 |
| PH 800: Capstone in Public Health | 2 |
Public Health Policy & Management Master’s Concentration Required Courses (12 credits)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| PH 776: Qualitative Approaches in Public Health Policy | 3 |
| PH 777: Quantitative Research Methods for Public Health Policy | 3 |
| PH 779: Public Health Policymaking and Policy Analysis | 3 |
| PH 781: Public Health Management | 3 |
| PH 785: Principles of Public Health Economics | 3 |
Content Elective — choose at least one (three credits)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| PH 700: Structures of Inequality and Population Health | 3 |
| PH 719: Social Justice in Public Health | 3 |
| PH 752: Public Health and Mental Health | 3 |
| PH 769: Critical Perspectives on Nutritional Epidemiology and the Food System | 3 |
| PH 784: Social and Economic Policy as Health Policy | 3 |
| PH 820: Maternal and Child Health Foundations, Policy and Practice | 3 |
| PH 859: Racial/Ethnic Health Disparities in the United States | 3 |
| ED POL 630G: Race and Public Policy in Urban America | 3 |
| HCA 800: Value Based Care Models | 3 |
| HCA 868: Health Law and Ethics | 3 |
| HI 722: Legal, Ethical and Social Issues in Health Care Informatics | 3 |
| KIN 556G: Multilevel Approaches to Changing Physical Activity and Eating Behaviors | 3 |
| NUTR 555G: Public Health Nutrition and Food Politics | 3 |
Other classes as approved by advisor.
Methods and Practice Electives — Choose at least two (six credits)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| PH 726: Community Assessment | 3 |
| PH 727: Program Planning and Implementation in Public Health | 3 |
| PH 728: Program Evaluation in Public Health | 3 |
| PH 729: Survey Research Methods in Public Health | 3 |
| PH 763: Epidemiology for Equity | 3 |
| BUS ADM 766: Marketing for Non-profit Organizations | 3 |
| BUSMGMT 706: Managing in a Dynamic Environment | 3 |
| ED POL 601: Foundations of Community-Based Organizations | 3 |
| ED POL 602: Proposal Writing and Fundraising Skills for Community-Based Organizations | 3 |
| GEOG 726: Geographic Information Science | 4 |
| HCA 823: Strategic Planning in Health Care Organizations | 3 |
| HCA 865: Financial Management for Health Care Organizations | 3 |
| HCA 869: Health Care Compliance | 3 |
| HI 700: Introduction to Health Care Informatics | 3 |
| HI 723: Health Care Systems Applications—Administrative & Clinical | 3 |
| HI 742: Computational Intelligence in Health Informatics | 3 |
| NONPROF 791: Nonprofit Advocacy and Public Policy | 3 |
| PUB ADM 630: Budgeting and Finance in the Public Sector | 3 |
| URBPLAN 791: Introduction to Urban Geographic Information Systems for Planning | 3 |
Other classes as approved by advisor.
Please note: All courses are subject to change. Please consult the Academic Catalog for the most up-to-date information.
Public Health Policy & Management Competencies
- Integrate ethical principles into public health policy, practice, and research by ensuring respect for diverse values, beliefs, and cultures and the dignity of individuals and communities.
- Conduct policy analysis in public health policy, identifying and assessing policy options, outcomes, and potential contributions to population health and health disparities.
- Apply policy theory to identify the actors, structures and forces that influence and shape the public health policy process.
- Analyze quantitative data to assess the relationship between policy, policy malleable factors, and public health relevant outcomes.
- Collect and analyze qualitative data to inform public health policy recommendations.
- Describe best-practice leadership and management principles as they relate to public health practice.
Online
The fully online MPH in Public Health Policy & Management offers a high degree of flexibility while still providing an interactive and engaging curriculum.
- Coursework is 100% asynchronous and remote, allowing you to gain graduate level training in public health policy without needing to travel to Milwaukee.
- You can choose between enrolling full time, completing your MPH in two years, or spacing out your classes over a maximum of seven years.
- For the required MPH field experience, the Zilber College will help you find a placement as close to your home community as possible.
Cost per credit
$725
The online MPH program is the same price if you reside in-state or out-of-state. There are no extra fees.
Online MPH-PHPM (48 credits): $34,800
For local students or students planning to relocate to Milwaukee, UWM also offers a hybrid MPH in Public Health Policy & Management. The hybrid program allows students to choose their preferred format for core MPH courses and provides access to a broad range of in-person electives.
Hybrid
The hybrid MPH in Public Health Policy & Management allows you to take classes both in-person, at our Milwaukee, WI campus, and online. If you are local to Milwaukee, this option provides maximum flexibility to tailor your program to your goals.
- Choose between in-person and online asynchronous options for your MPH core classes and electives.
- You’ll have access to the full range of electives at UWM, as well as campus resources such as the University Recreation Fitness Center
- You can choose between enrolling full time, completing your MPH in two years, or spacing out your classes over a maximum of seven years.
Tuition for the hybrid program follows the standard on-campus model, with reduced tuition rates for Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Midwest residents.
For students who prefer a fully remote option, UWM also offers a 100% online and asynchronous MPH in Public Health Policy & Management.
Faculty
D. Phuong (Phoenix) Do, PhD
Professor, Public Health Policy/Epidemiology
dphuong@uwm.edu
414-227-3250
Zilber 356
Areas of expertise: Socioeconomic health policies; racial/ethnic segregation and neighborhood effects; health disparities; quantitative methodologies
Xiaobei (Shel-bay) Dong, PhD
Assistant Professor, Public Health Policy
dong7@uwm.edu
Zilber 309
Areas of expertise: Health services research; health disparities; Medicare; Medicaid; aging; disabilities
Linnea Laestadius, PhD, MPP
Associate Professor, Public Health Policy
llaestad@uwm.edu
414-227-4512
Zilber 325
Areas of expertise: Health and technology; qualitative methods; health communication; tobacco control
Renee Scampini, PhD
Teaching Faculty II
scampin2@uwm.edu
414-251-9126
Zilber 315
Areas of expertise: Hunger and poverty policy; food systems; anti-racist praxis; community involved