Twin Cities campus

This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.

 
Twin Cities Campus

Health Services Research, Policy, and Administration M.S.

School of Public Health - Adm
School of Public Health
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
School of Public Health, MMC 819, D305 Mayo Memorial Building, 420 Delaware Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-626-3500; fax: 612-624-4498)
Email: sph-SSC@umn.edu
Website: http://www.sph.umn.edu
  • Program Type: Master's
  • Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2012
  • Length of program in credits: 46 to 52
  • This program does not require summer semesters for timely completion.
  • Degree: Master of Science
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the General Information section of this website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
The master of science in health services research, policy, and administration (M.S.-HSRP&A) is an excellent program for those who wish to develop their analytical capabilities to contribute to healthcare management, health services research, or health policy work. The M.S.-HSRP&A focuses on the organization, delivery, and quality of health services. It deals with policy issues related to costs, access, and quality of health services and equitable distribution of health resources. The core curriculum is a multidisciplinary examination of the social, political, and economic forces that affect the organization, financing, and delivery of healthcare services. Students develop analytical capabilities that may be applied to healthcare management, health services research, or health policy work. Strong quantitative skills are essential. The program's core quantitative emphasis is enhanced by interest areas in program evaluation, analytic healthcare management, and health services research applications.
Program Delivery
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program is 3.00.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
Preferred GRE scores from exams taken before August 1, 2011, are: Verbal: 500, Quantitative 500, Analytical Writing: 3.5.
Applicants must submit their test score(s) from the following:
  • GRE
    • General Test - Verbal Reasoning: 153
    • General Test - Quantitative Reasoning: 144
    • General Test - Analytical Writing: 3.5
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
  • TOEFL
    • Internet Based - Total Score: 100
    • Paper Based - Total Score: 600
  • IELTS
    • Total Score: 7.0
  • MELAB
    • Final score: 80
The preferred English language test is Test of English as Foreign Language.
Key to test abbreviations (GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the General Information section of this website.
Program Requirements
Plan A: Plan A requires 33 to 36 major credits, 6 credits outside the major, and 10 thesis credits. The final exam is oral.
Plan B: Plan B requires 37 major credits and 9 credits outside the major. The final exam is oral. A capstone project is required.
Capstone Project: A written research project that demonstrates knowledge of a topic within the field of health services research.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
A minimum GPA of 3.00 is required for students to remain in good standing.
Focus Requirements
Plan A: Outcomes Research (49-52 credits)
PUBH 6341 - Epidemiologic Methods I (3.0 cr)
PUBH 6342 - Epidemiologic Methods II (3.0 cr)
PUBH 6343 - Epidemiologic Methods III (4.0 cr)
PUBH 6450 - Biostatistics I (4.0 cr)
PUBH 6451 - Biostatistics II (4.0 cr)
PUBH 6742 - Ethics in Public Health: Research and Policy (1.0 cr)
PUBH 6863 - Understanding Health Care Quality (2.0 cr)
PUBH 8813 - Measurement of Health-Related Social Factors (3.0 cr)
PUBH 8810 - Research Studies in Health Care (3.0 cr)
PUBH 6862 - Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in Health Care (3.0 cr)
PUBH 6724 - The Health Care System and Public Health (3.0 cr)
PUBH 6864 - Conducting Health Outcomes Research (3.0 cr)
PUBH 8777 - Thesis Credits: Master's (1.0-18.0 cr)
Electives (6 credits)
-OR-
Plan B: Research and Policy (46 credits)
PUBH 6341 - Epidemiologic Methods I (3.0 cr)
PUBH 6450 - Biostatistics I (4.0 cr)
PUBH 6451 - Biostatistics II (4.0 cr)
PUBH 6751 - Principles of Management in Health Services Organizations (2.0 cr)
PUBH 6832 - Economics of the Health Care System (3.0 cr)
PUBH 6806 - Principles of Public Health Research (2.0 cr)
PUBH 6802 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)
PUBH 6835 {Inactive} (2.0 cr)
PUBH 6855 - Medical Sociology (3.0 cr)
PUBH 6470 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)
PUBH 6724 - The Health Care System and Public Health (3.0 cr)
PUBH 6742 - Ethics in Public Health: Research and Policy (1.0 cr)
PUBH 7784 - Master's Project Seminar: PHAP and HSRP&A (1.0 cr)
PUBH 7894 - MS in Health Services Research, Policy, and Administration Plan B Project (1.0-5.0 cr)
Electives (9 credits) chosen from a structured interest area
Joint- or Dual-degree Coursework:
Joint Degree Program with Law and M.S. in Health Services Research, Policy, and Administration (J.D./M.S.). Students may take a total of 9 credits in common among the academic programs.
 
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PUBH 6341 - Epidemiologic Methods I
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: PubH 6320PubH /6341
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Introduction to epidemiologic concepts and methods: (1) Study design (randomized trials and observational studies); (2) Measures of exposure-disease association; (3) Casual inference and bias; (4) Confounding and effect modification.
PUBH 6342 - Epidemiologic Methods II
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Methods and techniques for designing, implementing, analyzing, and interpreting observational epidemiologic studies, including cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies.
PUBH 6343 - Epidemiologic Methods III
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Analysis/interpretation of data from various epidemiological study designs. SAS used to demonstrate epidemiological/statistical concepts in data analysis. prereq: [6342, 6451] with a grade of at least B- or instr consent
PUBH 6450 - Biostatistics I
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
This course will cover the fundamental concepts of exploratory data analysis and statistical inference for univariate and bivariate data, including: ? study design and sampling methods, ? descriptive and graphical summaries, ? random variables and their distributions, ? interval estimation, ? hypothesis testing, ? relevant nonparametric methods, ? simple regression/correlation, and ? introduction to multiple regression. There will be a focus on analyzing data using statistical programming software and on communicating the results in short reports. Health science examples from the research literature will be used throughout the course. prereq: [College-level algebra, health sciences grad student] or instr consent
PUBH 6451 - Biostatistics II
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
This course will cover more advanced aspects of statistical analysis methods with a focus on statistical modeling, including: ? two-way ANOVA, ? multiple linear regression, ? logistic regression, ? Poisson regression, ? log binomial and ordinal regression, ? survival analysis methods, including Kaplan-Meier analysis and proportional hazards (Cox) regression, ? power and sample size, and ? survey sampling and analysis. There will be a focus on analyzing data using statistical programming software and on communicating the results in short reports. Health science examples from the research literature will be used throughout the course. prereq: [PubH 6450 with grade of at least B, health sciences grad student] or instr consent
PUBH 6742 - Ethics in Public Health: Research and Policy
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Introduction to ethical issues in public health research/policy. Ethical analysis. Recognizing/analyzing moral issues.
PUBH 6863 - Understanding Health Care Quality
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Introduction to assessing/assuring quality of care. Emphasizes both process and outcomes approaches, paralleling interest in appropriateness/effectiveness of care. Issues around creating needed behavioral changes.
PUBH 8813 - Measurement of Health-Related Social Factors
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
How social factors such as innovativeness, compliance, religiosity, and stress are measured and tested for reliability and validity. Relationships between theory, concepts, variables, data. prereq: Intro stat course, understanding of simple correlations or instr consent
PUBH 8810 - Research Studies in Health Care
Credits: 3.0 [max 6.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Introduction to philosophy of science, conceptual modeling, experimental design, survey/sample design, issues relevant to health services research. prereq: [Grad or professional school] student or instr consent
PUBH 6862 - Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in Health Care
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Government regulations. New technologies. Diagnosis/treatment protocols. Strengths, limitations, appropriateness of different approaches. prereq: instr consent; introductory econ course recommended
PUBH 6724 - The Health Care System and Public Health
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Overview of health care delivery, finance systems within public health context. Components of health care system: financing, role of employers/public programs, health care delivery system, managed care. Collaborative interventions between managed care, public health. prereq: Public health or grad student or instr consent
PUBH 6864 - Conducting Health Outcomes Research
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Major concepts/principles in conducting health outcomes research that evaluates medical care. Developing study designs matched to research questions. Frequently used study designs. Evaluating health outcomes. Analytical approaches. prereq: Introductory course in epidemiology or health services research methods or instr consent
PUBH 8777 - Thesis Credits: Master's
Credits: 1.0 -18.0 [max 50.0]
Grading Basis: No Grade
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
(No description) prereq: Max 18 cr per semester or summer; 10 cr total required [Plan A only]
PUBH 6341 - Epidemiologic Methods I
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: PubH 6320PubH /6341
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Introduction to epidemiologic concepts and methods: (1) Study design (randomized trials and observational studies); (2) Measures of exposure-disease association; (3) Casual inference and bias; (4) Confounding and effect modification.
PUBH 6450 - Biostatistics I
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
This course will cover the fundamental concepts of exploratory data analysis and statistical inference for univariate and bivariate data, including: ? study design and sampling methods, ? descriptive and graphical summaries, ? random variables and their distributions, ? interval estimation, ? hypothesis testing, ? relevant nonparametric methods, ? simple regression/correlation, and ? introduction to multiple regression. There will be a focus on analyzing data using statistical programming software and on communicating the results in short reports. Health science examples from the research literature will be used throughout the course. prereq: [College-level algebra, health sciences grad student] or instr consent
PUBH 6451 - Biostatistics II
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
This course will cover more advanced aspects of statistical analysis methods with a focus on statistical modeling, including: ? two-way ANOVA, ? multiple linear regression, ? logistic regression, ? Poisson regression, ? log binomial and ordinal regression, ? survival analysis methods, including Kaplan-Meier analysis and proportional hazards (Cox) regression, ? power and sample size, and ? survey sampling and analysis. There will be a focus on analyzing data using statistical programming software and on communicating the results in short reports. Health science examples from the research literature will be used throughout the course. prereq: [PubH 6450 with grade of at least B, health sciences grad student] or instr consent
PUBH 6751 - Principles of Management in Health Services Organizations
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Understanding of and improvement in the competencies of managers in organizations, particularly as applied to health services and public health organizations. prereq: [Public hlth MPH or MHA or certificate] student or [environmental health MS or PhD] student or dentistry MS student or instr consent
PUBH 6832 - Economics of the Health Care System
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Examines applications of microeconomic principles to the U.S. health care system. Topics include demand for medical care, insurance theory and selection issues, provider payment, competition in health care markets, the health care workforce, pharmaceutical prices and innovation, health care spending growth, quality of care, externalities, the relationship between income and health, and the economics of the opioid epidemic. Prerequisite: an introductory economics or microeconomic theory course ? or permission of the instructor.
PUBH 6806 - Principles of Public Health Research
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Evaluation of public health research literature and planning for independent research projects. Formulation of research question, research design, sampling techniques, use of research concepts, and data analysis. Data collection techniques, including questionnaires, interviews, and data analysis. prereq: Pub hlth or grad or professional school student or instr consent
PUBH 6855 - Medical Sociology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Introduction to common theoretical/empirical approaches used by sociologists to study health/illness. How content reflects social inequalities in health/illness. Social processes that shape experience of health/illness. prereq: [[Grad or professional school] student, previous experience with statistical software] or instr consent
PUBH 6724 - The Health Care System and Public Health
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Overview of health care delivery, finance systems within public health context. Components of health care system: financing, role of employers/public programs, health care delivery system, managed care. Collaborative interventions between managed care, public health. prereq: Public health or grad student or instr consent
PUBH 6742 - Ethics in Public Health: Research and Policy
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Introduction to ethical issues in public health research/policy. Ethical analysis. Recognizing/analyzing moral issues.
PUBH 7784 - Master's Project Seminar: PHAP and HSRP&A
Credits: 1.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Students participate in exercises to improve written/verbal communication, enhance skills related to giving constructive feedback. Ways that public health administration/policy is practiced. How to integrate knowledge into individually designed master's project. prereq: Public health administration/policy major or health services research/policy/administration major
PUBH 7894 - MS in Health Services Research, Policy, and Administration Plan B Project
Credits: 1.0 -5.0 [max 10.0]
Grading Basis: S-N only
Typically offered: Every Spring
Plan B project. prereq: [Health Services Research, Policy/Administration] MS student