MPH in public health leadership and policy to launch

The first class of students in East Tennessee State University’s new Master of Public Health (MPH) concentration in public health leadership and policy will enter the university in fall 2023.

The program is designed to meet the needs of working professionals and diverse students both online and onground. This is the fifth concentration in the MPH Program in the College of Public Health, joining biostatistics, community health, environmental health, and epidemiology.

Offered through the Department of Health Services Management and Policy, this concentration will prepare graduates for leadership roles through an applied curriculum focused on practice and interprofessional experiences. Graduates will be ready to lead public health organizations using budgeting, finance, strategic planning, human resources, and population health management skills. Graduates will also be prepared for leadership roles in policy design, implementation, and analysis.

Dr. Kate Beatty led the development of the concentration. Drs. Hadii Mamudu, Manik Ahuja, and Ginger Bastian also served on the planning workgroup.

Students can tailor their program of study with a focus on leadership and management or with a focus on policy development and evaluation.

“We developed this MPH concentration after meeting with public health leaders across Tennessee to identify what was needed for the field of public health as we move forward from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said

Beatty, Associate Professor, Health Services Management and Policy.

“As the Central Appalachian region is burdened with health and social inequities, this program will train and develop the next generation of graduates who will solve many of the health problems we face and ultimately reduce health disparities in the region, state, and nation.”

“This new addition to our MPH offerings will produce well-trained public health professionals with the ability to lead effectively through tactical and analytical skills,” added Dr. Randy Wykoff, Dean of the College of Public Health. “Our faculty will prepare students to become collaborative, influential public health leaders with relevant, practical toolsets to conduct health disparities research and lead, motivate, and serve multidisciplinary teams in today’s workforce.”