North Carolina, located in the southeastern United States has a diverse landscape ranging from Atlantic Ocean beaches to the Appalachian Mountains. Raleigh is the state capital and is the home state of North Carolina State, Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With an aging population of baby boomers and new mandates (Healthcare Reform), the healthcare employment marketplace will see an increase in demand for medical services. There will also be an increase in the need for qualified healthcare managers to ensure proper distribution of Healthcare services. With a wide variety of choices for universities and colleges offering master’s level degrees in healthcare management and administration, students at the University of North Carolina will have the opportunity to pursue exciting careers in healthcare management.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
Master of Health Administration
The Department of Health Policy and Managements Master of Health Administration (MHA) in Health Policy and Management is designed for those aspiring toward careers in healthcare leadership in healthcare systems, hospitals, consulting, managed care, insurance firms, non-governmental organizations, medical group practices, government agencies and other settings. The program is available in a full time residential and executive format. Curriculum for the program maintains a balance between a study of health services and public health combined with management and policy analysis, concepts, and techniques. The MHA coursework provides skills and knowledge in core management disciplines, in depth understanding of the healthcare sector, and an opportunity to pursue a specific concentration area. To complete the MHA program, students must complete 60 credit hours comprising School of Public Health, departmental and degree core courses, and elective courses for MHA students
Master of Pubic Health in Health Policy and Management
The goal for the Master of Pubic Health in Health Policy and Management program is educating leaders for future careers in the public health sector and producing the next generation of organizational and policy leaders. The MPH program is available in two formats to accommodate the specific time restraints and career goals of students including:
- The residential MPH is a professional degree intended for those students who hold a doctoral-level professional degree (e.g., JD, MD, DDS, PhD), or are in the process of completing a doctoral-level degree. The Graduate School requires a minimum residency requirement of no less than two full-time semesters, however, most students require additional time to satisfy course requirements in specific programs. Curriculum for the residential MPH Program stresses the leadership, policy, management, and professional competencies required while providing the framework for integrated coursework responsive to current and projected future demands of the health care industry. The program can be completed in as little as 24 months.
- The Executive MPH program provides students with an in depth understanding of public health philosophy, methods, and values for management and policy-related careers in the public health field. The Graduate School requires a residency requirement of no less than two full-time semesters. However, most students will need more time to satisfy the course requirements in specific programs.
- Residential Master of Science in Public Health (Health Policy and Management) – The Residential Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) is designed to prepare students for future careers in health policy analysis, planning, development, evaluation, and advocacy at local, state, federal, and international levels and in the private sector. Curriculum for the residential Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) program sustains a balance between systematic learning about health services and public health issues with management and policy analysis and concepts. The residential master’s program utilizes a team approach with students grouped in teams of three to six students completing course-related projects, assignments, and team-based exams. Students are encouraged to form informal study groups enhancing individual learning. Students are required a to fulfill at least two full semesters of residence credit. All requirements for the degree must be completed within five years from the date of admission to the program. To complete the program students are required a minimum of 60 credit hours as well as the completion of a 12-week internship, enrollment in three semesters of Professional Training and completion of a master’s paper.
Master of Public Health (MPH) in Maternal and Child Health
The Master of Public Health (MPH) in Maternal and Child Health program provides students with a core knowledge of the key influences affecting maternal health and child health, principles and methods for improving the health of mothers and children to include the methods of program planning, management, research design, consultation and policy analysis in the United States and in international settings. Program goals include preparing students to develop an interdisciplinary public health perspective focusing on population-based strategies to improve the health of mothers and children. A bachelor’s degree and at least 1 year of relevant, post-undergraduate work experience is required to apply to the program. The program is available in an online or residential format for added flexibility. The curriculum is carefully chosen for those seeking careers as a clinical or translational investigator who will assume leadership roles in research projects and research teams. Future areas of employment include:
- Program evaluator
- Project Director
- Research Associate
- Public Health Prevention Specialist (local, state and Federal government)
- Non-profits
- Local health department
The program requires 50 credit hours for completion and can be completed in 1-1/2 to 2 years.
Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) in Maternal and Child Health
The Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) in Maternal and Child Health program is designed to meet the need of those students who have a health professional or allied health professional degree, want a specialization, and want to complete their Master’s degree in one year or less. The 42-credit program can be completed in 1-1/2 to 2 year as a online program. Applicants are required to have a health or allied health degree (MD, MSN, MPH/MSW, MSW, DPT) to enter the program. Future careers for graduates of the program include: Project Director; Program Evaluator; Research Associate; Public Health Prevention Specialist in local, state and Federal government, non-profit, local health department responsible for the development of research protocols, data collection and analysis for research studies.
Dual Master of Public Health and Master of Social Work (MPH/MSW) in Maternal and Child Health
The Dual Master of Public Health and Master of Social Work (MPH/MSW) in Maternal and Child Health is supported in conjunction with the Mother and Child Health Department at Gillings School of Public Health and the School of Social Work. Coursework for the dual degree program provides students with core knowledge of the major factors influencing with maternal health and child health, principles and methodology required to improve the health of mothers and children, and program planning, management, consultation and policy analysis both in the US and globally. Curriculum provides required skills in program planning, implementation and evaluation, scientific investigation, computer applications, interdisciplinary function and consultation and their relationship to maternal and child health. The 94 credit residential program can be completed in 1-1/2 years and is applicable to those planning a career as a clinical or translational investigator to be prepared for leadership roles in research projects and research teams. Applicants to the dual degree program are required a minimum 1 year of post-undergrad work experience, a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, and must also be admitted to the UNC School of Social Work.
Master of Science in Public Health and Master of Social Work
Through a cooperative arrangement between Mother and Child Health Department at Gillings and the School of Social Work, the programs offer a Dual Master of Science in Public Health and Master of Social Work (MSPH/MSW) in Maternal and Child Health program. The goal of this program is to prepare each student to develop a deeper perspective of public health by using a population-based strategy in solving community health problems and to address the responsibility of government and the contributions of scientific investigation and the interdisciplinary approach. Coursework for the program allow students to develop skills related to program planning, implementation and evaluation, scientific investigation, computer applications, interdisciplinary functioning; and consulting applicable to maternal and child health. The residential program requires a minimum of 94 credits for completion, including 50 credit hours for the MPH and 44 for the MSW degree. The dual program can be completed in 1½ years and is designed for those pursuing a career as a clinical or translational investigator in leadership roles in research projects and research teams. Applicants must have at least 1 year of work experience, a bachelor’s degree and required admission to the UNC School of Social Work. Future careers for graduates may include:
- Project Director
- Program Evaluator
- Research
- Public Health Prevention Specialist (local, state and Federal government)
- Non-profits
- Local health department
Job Responsibilities may include: Design, implement and evaluate public health programs to improve mother and child health outcomes
Master of Science in Public Health to Doctor of Philosophy
The Master of Science in Public Health to Doctor of Philosophy Program (MSPH-PhD) in Maternal and Child Health program provides a curriculum that allows students to gain the skills and knowledge required to pursue careers as future leaders in public health in less time than if they enrolled in each program separately. Students earn the Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) degree before enrolling in the PhD program and when approved proceed to doctoral study requirements for the PhD. The program requires a minimum of 95 credit hours and can be completed in as little as 5-6 years in a residential format. Future areas of employment for graduates include:
- Senior Research Scientist within research organizations
- College or University Professor
- Intervention development
The goal of this program is to teach students to complete research that focuses on the improvement of maternal and child health in the US and in global settings and developing and evaluating current programs and policies.
Master of Public Health with Global Track
Offered by Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC, the Online Master of Public Health with Global Track program is designed for busy working professionals. Students will gather important analytical skills as well as multi-disciplinary knowledge in designing, implementing and evaluating policies and programs that address global issues in public health as leaders in public health careers. To apply to the program students must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, pharmacy, science, social science, engineering or public health) or a professional degree (medicine, dentistry, and law) with at least 3 years of work experience. Curriculum for MPH program allows students to gain the following skills:
- Leadership in individual, organizational and community settings to improve the health of people globally
- Ability to develop effective, interdisciplinary solutions to complex public health issues
- Apply best practices to implementing knowledge and experiences in ways that promote and improve population health
With a mission (as stated by the School of Public Health) “to develop leaders in health and medical care and to train students to meet the public health and medical care challenges of the community and society at large,” students are provided an integrated, practice-based curriculum with flexibility in selecting courses both within the Leadership Program and other departments to meet the core requirements of the Public Health Leadership Program. There is a department wide minimum of 42 credit hours to complete the master’s program.
Master of Public Health with Healthcare and Prevention Track
The Master of Public Health with Healthcare and Prevention Track (MPH/ HC&P) curriculum provides physicians and medical students with population perspectives and skills to utilize this perspective in clinical and community settings. The 42 credit hour program can be completed in as little as 1 year in a full-time format. For added flexibility the program is also available in a part-time basis on campus in Chapel Hill. Typically medical students pursue the MPH/HC&P degree after the clinical year, between the third and fourth years of medical school. However, some students choose to complete the program in a fellowship program or after starting their professional careers. Students are required to meet all required School of Public Health core courses and to meet all general competencies in core concepts of population health. Core courses required for this program include: Clinical Epidemiology, Quantitative Methods for Health Care Professionals, Health Care in the United States, Strategies of Prevention for Clinicians, and Environmental Health. Elective courses include population sciences (health assessment, policy development, health care assurance), assessment of health literature, as well as other areas targeting specific areas of interest and career goals. Students are required to complete a master’s paper, a practicum experience, an oral presentation, and a written comprehensive examination.
Master of Public Health with Health Care and Prevention Track
The Master of Public Health (MPH) with Health Care and Prevention (HC&P) concentration is specifically designed to train medical students, physicians, and surgeons with a population perspective, and with the skills to integrate their clinical and public health training to improve the health of populations. Graduates of this program pursue careers in positions in medical schools, policy agencies, or with healthcare delivery systems as medical directors, or other leadership roles. Coursework provides an ability to function as clinicians with a focus on populations, using data from studies of populations to provide better care for individuals, organizing healthcare in order to maximize contributions of clinical care of individuals to the health of the public (using data from health services research) and participating in initiatives benefiting the health of the public beyond individual clinical care on its own. Curriculum allows graduates to bridge the health gap between individual and population approaches. Because applicants will vary widely in their interests and career goals in the health care system, the curriculum is maximally flexible, with a number of different options for satisfying core requirements. A practicum, a master’s paper, a comprehensive examination, and an oral presentation are also required and the 42-credit program can be completed in one year.
Master of Public Health with Leadership Track
Curriculum for the Master of Public Health with Leadership Track Program focuses on solving public health problems by the application of public health science at a population level. Coursework for the program familiarizes students with core fundamentals in public health practice and science, with an emphasis integrating the sciences with the administrative and leadership functions required by health professionals in public health. The Leadership emphasis is based on the three core foundations of public health:
- Assessment
- Policy development
- Assurance of conditions in which people can be healthy
Courses for the program are available in both distance and residential formats (not all courses are offered in both formats). Emphasis is on the development of communication and political skills required to succeed in leadership roles in public health agencies. The MPH degree in the leadership concentration requires student to fulfill a 3-credit public health field practicum requirement providing an opportunity for students to integrate course work into new settings. The Distance Learning Leadership MPH students must attend a three-day Leadership Symposium on-campus in August (serves as a program launch and orientation). Consulting with an advisor, Distance Students elect a focus area reflecting their individual interests.
Master of Public Health with Occupational Health Nursing Track
The Master of Public Health with Occupational Health Nursing Concentration provides nurses with an interdisciplinary education, training, and research experience that is more appropriate to occupational health nursing. The mission of the program (as stated by the university) is “providing education and training in occupational health nursing and encouraging research in occupational and environmental health and related fields to promote worker health and safety”. The MPH program with a concentration in Occupational Health Nursing uses theory and concepts in a framework to prepare them to become occupational health nurse specialists for leadership and management positions in industry, government, and other occupational health settings. The program is available in a traditional on campus format or as distance education format. The objectives for the Occupational Health Nursing Track Include:
- Providing MPH training both on-campus and via distance education and on-campus
- Provide OHN Certificate program via distance education
- Provide interdisciplinary learning opportunities and experiences
- Provide integrated learning through practicum experiences
- Provide opportunities for demonstration of mastering of knowledge learned including master’s paper publications, and presentations
- Offer continuing education/outreach to the occupational safety and health community
Accreditation
The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
The Commission on Accreditation of Health Management Education (CAHME)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Contact
University Of Carolina at Chapel Hill
135 Dauer Drive
3101 McGavran-Greenberg Hall
CB #7420
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7420
(919) 966-7250
E-Mail: [email protected]
Program Website
With dramatic changes such as the increasing age of the population, new mandates for healthcare availability for all people in the US and people remaining active later in life, the healthcare industry will continue to see an increased demand for medical services. The effect will be an increase in physicians, patients, procedures, and healthcare facilities. Healthcare managers are those professionals who organize and manage medical information and staffs within the healthcare industry. Those pursuing Master’s in Healthcare Management degrees will fill this growing segment of the employment marketplace. There are many great choices for accredited Healthcare Management and public health programs found at the University of North Carolina.