› Health Policy and Administration
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
Learn how to successfully manage the challenges in the health care industry
› Health Policy and Administration
Understanding Health Care Fully
› BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE
The Health Policy and Administration program in Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development is designed to help you understand all aspects of health care. With courses in the liberal arts, business administration, and health sciences, you can learn how to successfully manage the challenges in the health care industry, one of the fastest-growing fields in the United States. As a successful student in Health Policy and Administration, your career may help to shape health care delivery and quality in the United States and around the world. Additionally, your role in health care can help organizations and governments understand the current trends so that they make well-informed decisions. You may work as a health services manager or health analyst who is capable of responding to changes in health care law, regulations, and technology. Or you may gather and analyze data to inform industry providers or policymakers. This can occur in all types of health care organizations from major teaching hospitals to rural solo practice physician offices, in small service-oriented agencies or in large global companies. Overall, the Health Policy and Administration program offers you a number of opportunities to learn and get experience in the industry, including internships and study abroad opportunities. These experiences can help you become a leader in areas such as health care, business, consulting, and public service.
› Program overview A bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in Health Policy and Administration can help you shape health care around the world. Learn about the social sciences, business, and health care in relation to today’s health service delivery system. You will also explore how the government works with organizations and communities to affect health care. The program is versatile and can be customized to meet your career goals. Through courses and minors you can emphasize different management functions, like finance or human resources, different types of organizations, like hospitals or physician practices, or different areas of health, like mental health or aging. You may also use your education in Health Policy and Administration to pursue advanced degrees in areas such as business, law, medicine, allied health, or health administration. If you are interested in working in health care, including business careers in insurance, supply companies, consultants; or the medical field such as in hospitals, physician practices, or nursing facilities; or as a policymaker at the local, state, or federal level, the Health Policy and Administration program may be right for you.
Minor
The minor in Health Policy and Administration is designed to help you to gain skills and knowledge that will prepare you for work in the health care field. Students in Health Policy and Administration and the College of Information Sciences and Technology have the opportunity to receive a minor in Information Sciences and Technology/ Health Policy and Administration. This minor helps you build expertise in the field of health care information technology applications or health informatics.
Integrated B.S. and M.H.A.
The Integrated Degree Program allows qualified students to earn both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.) degree in five years.
› Careers Overview Because the program is so versatile, graduates from Health Policy and Administration can choose from a wide range of career opportunities. You may work in a business environment, become an elected official, or work directly in health care. Business
Medical
If you are interested in working for a large Fortune 500 company or want to start your own business, a degree in Health Policy and Administration may be the right choice for you. With opportunities to study economics, management, and statistics, you can get a firm foundation in business. Some graduates go on to work in areas such as marketing, insurance, medical device manufacturing, health care consulting, and human resources.
Successful students may also find work in the medical field. The Health Policy and Administration program is designed to give you a well-rounded view of health care. If you would like to work in a hospital or with health care providers, the Health Policy and Administration program might be for you. There are many areas in health care that you could work in, including hospitals, physician practices, nursing facilities, home health agencies, and public health.
Graduates can work in many provider organizations, such as hospitals and multi-hospital health systems, physician practices, and continuing care retirement communities. Work can also be found in health care supply organizations, such as pharmaceutical and medical device companies, medical and health supply companies, and service support companies.
Policymaking If you would like to help to shape the future of health care, a degree in Health Policy and Administration may be the choice for you. With courses in the social sciences and communications and opportunities to study research methods, you could become a valuable member of the government or one of the many supporting roles in the policymaking procedure. Graduates find work in areas such as public service, lobbying, advising and consulting, and global health.
The work you do can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities in every area of health care
› Health Policy and Administration
Department of Health Policy and Administration The Pennsylvania State University 604 Ford Building University Park, PA 16802 814-863-2900 hhd.psu.edu/hpa
Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to minorities, women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and other protected groups. Nondiscrimination: http://guru.psu.edu/policies/AD85.html (UNDG16069) U.Ed. HHD 16-069