MPH Functional Certificate: Healthcare Management (CAHME-accredited*)

The challenges in organizing healthcare delivery systems to improve patient care quality and achieve population-level access and equity while controlling costs have never been greater. SPH’s practice-based program in healthcare management provides graduates crucial analytical and leadership competencies to tackle these challenges. Graduates can analyze the organization, financing and delivery of healthcare; analyze effects of healthcare policy; apply project management and quality improvement tools; and lead individuals and teams to improve care delivery.

Upon graduation, students will be able to demonstrate competencies in four broad areas:

  • Analyze how the structures, processes, and outcomes observed in the organization, delivery, and financing of health services in the US are related to one another and to historical and contextual influences, and compare to those in other developed nations.
  • Apply economic and political analysis to understand causes of high costs associated with the delivery of health care services in the US, and develop and evaluate the effectiveness of possible remedies (or solutions).
  • Analyze the current policy issues that face US, state, and local communities; evaluate policies in terms of their effectiveness, efficiency, and equity; and understand the factors influencing successful policy implementation.
  • Assess how political, organizational, and occupational structures, cultures, and norms influence health care allocation, provision, policy and/or systems, and develop strategies to promote an organization’s or constituency’s position.

  • Translate visions and strategies into specific goals and plans; analyze strategic alternatives with respect to the actions and options of other organizations.
  • Critically appraise health care quality data and measurement methods for pursuing quality improvement, identify strategies for quality improvement, and apply structured approaches for implementing change.
  • Apply planning/management tools and techniques to achieve successful project completion.
  • Identify roles and applications of health information systems in managing healthcare delivery, financing, and quality assessment.

  • Set clear goals and expectations, select and bring together people with the requisite skills and knowledge, assess the contributions of others, provide clear developmental feedback, and improve one’s own performance based on feedback.
  • Identify important interests of multiple parties to understand the dynamics of conflicts and develop viable solutions to identified problems.
  • Practice structured approaches for transition from the current to the future state in implementing change.

  • Present in a clear, logical manner in formal and informal situations, communicate clearly in small and large group meetings.
  • Write and communicate in a clear, logical, and grammatical manner in a variety of formats.
  • Develop strategies for exploring career options and accurately see own strengths and development needs; establish and sustain professional networks; and apply ethical guidelines for sound professional practice.

Course Requirements

  • PM 714 Professional Development in Healthcare Management Seminar (0 cr)
  • PM 734 Principles and Practices in Non-Profit Healthcare Accounting (4 cr)
  • PM 735 Healthcare Finance (4 cr)
  • PM 736 Human Resource Management in Public Health (4 cr) or PM 776 Managerial Skills for Problem Solving (4 cr)
  • PM 755 Healthcare Delivery Systems: Issues and Innovations (4 cr)
  • PM 804 Digital Disruption in Health (2 cr)
  • PM 827 Strategic Management of Healthcare Organizations (4 cr)
  • PM 832 Operations Management in Healthcare (4 cr) or PM 835 Lean Management in Healthcare (4 cr)

Integrative Learning Experience

The ILE for the Healthcare Management certificate is designed to be completed during a student’s last semester in the program, and is focused on evidence-based management, requiring that students apply current research findings in the field of healthcare management to an applied healthcare delivery problem or question.

*Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education