Academic Programs

Students may choose a general or specialized track and are encouraged to develop areas of emphasis with their faculty mentors.

students in class


Postdoctoral Program in Health Services

This program has been training postdoctoral students for over twenty-five years. The majority of our trainees have been physicians with an interest in clinical research and they have chosen to obtain a MPH/MS degree in health services. They recognize that the skills obtained with this degree can jump start their research careers. Our long history of training postdoctoral students in health services research has resulted in many excellent physician role models for fellows to emulate. We admit physicians from primary care and subspecialties, which creates a stimulating intellectual environment.
Non-physician postdoctoral trainees with a degree in a non-health services field may want to pursue an MPH/MS degree in health services. Those with a PhD in a health services-related field often prefer to pursue an independent research program and career development toward a junior faculty position by writing grants, such as K awards. Non-physician postdoctoral trainees pursue individually-tailored course work and research experience to learn new skills. They spend most of their time conducting research under mentor supervision.

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PhD Program in Health Services

This doctoral program trains health services researchers and health policy analysts for careers in academic institutions, health delivery systems, public health departments, government agencies, and the private sector. An in-residence program, it prepares students to conduct high-quality independent, collaborative research and policy analysis by offering multidisciplinary, applied research opportunities on a wide variety of topics under the close mentorship of faculty. Students obtain advanced knowledge of the determinants of population health and of the health care system and they are exposed to several competing theoretical frameworks for conceptualizing both population health and the provision of health care. They develop research skills to identify and critically analyze the social, behavioral and health system effects on health and how organization, delivery, financing, and management of health services affect system performance.  

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Master of Health Administration (MHA)

The Two-year, In-residence Program

This interdisciplinary program uses both a managerial and clinical perspective to guide students in mastering theoretical knowledge and analytical skills applicable to management roles in "real world" health care settings such as hospitals, medical groups, managed care organizations, and long-term care facilities.  It prepares students for careers in management, planning, consulting, and policy-making.

In addition to the core MHA degree program, we offer three concurrent degree programs with our academic partners, the University's Schools of Business, Public Affairs and Medicine - leading to MHA/MBA, MHA/MPA, and MHA/MD degrees.


The Executive MHA Program

Designed for mid-career clinically oriented health professionals and managers, building on their experience, this degree program is closely modeled on the in-residence program.  It offers advanced curriculum in planning, organizing, and implementing programs that improve the cost-effectiveness and quality of patient care.


The Certificate Program in Medical Management

The four-course CPMM is designed to introduce experienced practitioners to principles of health services management.  Students may apply CPMM credits to the Executive MHA program.

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Master of Public Health (MPH)

The Two-year, In-residence MPH in Health Services

The MPH in Health Services is a 2-year graduate thesis degree program that offers analytical and practical skills to candidates who have some experience in health and who want to assume positions of greater responsibility in improving the public's health and the quality of health care services. It offers specialized study in maternal and child health, health analysis and process, social and behavioral sciences, and health care and population health research, (the latter track serves mostly experienced clinicians entering the program). The MPH in Health Services also offers formal concurrent degree programs in conjuction with other University of Washington schools. MPH/MPA, MPH/MSW, MPH/MD, MPH/JD, MPH/MAIS, MPH/MN, and MPH/MSD concurrent degree programs are available In addition to its reputation for excellence in teaching and research, the MPH Program in Health Services provides outstanding learning opportunities with public health researchers and practitioners throughout the University community, the Northwest Region, and globally.

General questions about the MPH, MS or affiliated concurrent programs can be directed to hservmph@u.washington.edu


The Extended MPH Degree Program

The Extended MPH Degree Program is an accredited, nationally recognized partial distance learning, partial on-site program for professionals in healthcare or connected to public health who wish to earn a Master's degree in Public Health through the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at the University of Washington. Its integrated curricula concentration is in health services management and includes environmental, educational, and personal health approaches to the solution of public health problems. Additional pathways in health education and maternal and child health are also available.

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Master of Science in Health Services

Students in the MS degree program pursue a curriculum that focuses on research methods in health services, and weekly join MPH students in one of the MPH track seminars as an integrating experience. Historically, students in the MS program have attended the Health Care and Population Health Research seminar and have been mentored by the faculty of the Health Care and Population Health Research Track. MS students are also encouraged to pursue certificates offered by programs in the School of Public Health and Community Medicine. The MS degree program is often chosen by physicians and post-doctoral fellows and is sometimes undertaken as the first step toward a doctorate in Health Services.

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Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics and Health Information Management

The Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics and Health Information Management addresses the use of data in health care and focuses on areas such as patient data systems and electronic records. The program also offers a Post-baccalaureate Certificate.

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Undergraduate Major in Public Health

The major introduces undergraduates to public health issues such as emerging infectious diseases, chronic diseases, access to health care and modes of health care delivery, the geography of health, the effects of environment on health and disease, and the tools medical researchers use to understand the biological mechanism of disease and the modes of disease spread, prevention, and cure.

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