Here at UC Berkeley School of Public Health, we address the world’s most pressing public health challenges through innovation and impact. Our 27-month Online Master of Public Health (MPH) program will equip you with the skills you need to drive positive change, no matter your location or career stage. This flexible, 7-semester program is crafted for working professionals dedicated to advancing public health.
Online Master of Public Health – Health Policy & Management Concentration
Our Health Policy & Management (HPM) Concentration prepares professionals to thrive in the dynamic world of healthcare. By mastering key areas such as policy, strategy, finance, and technology, students learn to shape healthcare systems, drive innovation, and lead organizations like hospitals, biotech firms, government agencies, and digital health companies.
Designed for Changemakers.
Program Overview
UC Berkeley’s HPM concentration blends policy, economics, management, and leadership training. You’ll develop a comprehensive understanding of healthcare systems, strategic decision-making, and the ability to lead in a variety of healthcare settings.
Students in the Health Policy & Management concentration learn to:
- Assess and develop health policies that improve healthcare outcomes.
- Manage and lead organizations in health systems, biotech, consulting, and public health.
- Use economic and strategic tools to address healthcare challenges.
- Implement innovative approaches to solve healthcare problems across sectors.
-
MPH Degree Course Requirements
To earn the MPH degree, all students must complete six core courses in their first year to build a strong public health foundation. These courses include:
- Health and Social Behavior (PHW200G, 3 units)
- Introduction to Environmental Health Science (PHW200F, 3 units)
- Health Policy and Management (PHW200E, 3 units)
- Introduction to Probability and Statistics (PHW142, 4 units)
- Epidemiologic Methods (PHW250, 3 units)
- Interdisciplinary Seminar (PHW289, 3 units)
-
Health Policy & Management Course Requirements
Beyond core public health coursework, HPM students must complete specialized courses in health management, economics, and policy to meet the concentration’s requirements. This includes the Graduate Certificate in Health Management (9 units) and additional courses in economics and policy (3 units each).
Graduate Certificate in Health Management Requirement (9 Units)
- Strategic Management & the Health Sector (PHW223, 3 units), and
- Organizational Behavior & Management in Healthcare (PHW224, 3 units), and
- Healthcare Finance (PHW227A, 3 units)
Economics Requirement (3 units)
- Health Economics (PHW226A, 3 units), or
- Economics of Population Health (PHW226C, 3 units)
Policy Requirement (3 units)
- Health Policy Methods (PHW220M, 3 units), or
- Biomedical Innovation Policy (PHW222A, 3 units)
-
Elective Courses
To complete the 42-unit requirement, students select 3 elective courses or pursue a specialized study area. Popular study tracks include:
Regulatory Science Courses
Interested in drug safety, market access, or the cost of prescription drugs? The Regulatory Science track focuses on tools and standards to efficiently evaluate healthcare products and improve global health.
- Comparative Health Systems (PHW209, 3 units)
- Regulatory Science, Drug Discovery, and Public Health (PHW236A, 3 units)
- Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (PHW226F, 1 unit)
Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases Courses
If you’re passionate about infectious disease control in healthcare settings, the Epidemiology and Infectious Disease track covers host-pathogen interactions, outbreak investigations, and trial designs for public health interventions.
- Epidemiologic Methods II (PHW250B, 4 units)
- Public Health Preparedness and Emergency Response (PHW257, 3 units)
- Infectious Diseases (PHW260, 3 units)
Community Health Sciences Courses
This track focuses on public health programs that improve healthcare outcomes, particularly among marginalized communities. You’ll learn how to design, implement, and evaluate community health programs.
- Program Planning (PHW205, 3 units)
- Evaluation of Health & Social Programs (PHW218, 3 units)
- Social and Behavioral Research: Introduction to Survey Methods (PHW219, 3 units)
Spatial Data Science for Public Health Courses
Interested in using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to inform healthcare decisions? The Spatial Data Science track equips students with skills to manipulate and analyze spatial data to improve public health strategies.
- Intro to GIS for Public Health (PHW272A, 3 units)
- GIS for Public Health Practice (PHW277, 3 units)
Global Health Courses
For those focused on improving healthcare globally, the Global Health track provides a transdisciplinary perspective on global public health challenges.
- Foundations of Global Health (PHW212, 3 units)
- Global Health Ethics (PHW213, 3 units)
Course Planning & Advising
The UC Berkeley Online MPH Program provides comprehensive advising to support students throughout their studies. Each enrolled student is assigned a dedicated Program Manager, in addition to a faculty advisor. The Program Manager works closely with students to plan their courses and ensure they complete the required 42 units on time.