Health Services Policy and Management
Health care is one of the largest industries in the country and accounts for about one-fifth of the U.S. economy. We focus on training the managers, researchers and educators who enhance population health through better management of public and private health care organizations.
Graduate Degrees
Housed within the Arnold School of Public Health, the Department of Health Services and Policy Management offers two master's degrees and one doctorate. These programs provide focused educational offerings for successful careers in different types of health care organizations.
Our master's in public health program prepares students for management in public agencies and nongovernmental organizations. The master in health administration prepares students to become effective managers in a changing market environment. Both of our master's programs integrate classroom learning with real-world practical training by placing students in internships or graduate assistantships with local health care organizations. Finally, our doctoral program prepares researchers, policymakers and teachers of the future.
The Master of Health Administration degree (58 credit hours) provides training in management, accounting, finance, epidemiology, quantitative methods, evaluation and planning, information systems, health law, human resources and decision making for health service organizations.
Program Director: Melinda Merrell, mmerrell@mailbox.sc.edu
Program Coordinator: Sharon Gary, garysv@mailbox.sc.edu
Application information for this degree is available through The Graduate School.
The Master of Public Health degree (48 credit hours) provides training in health economics, public finance, organizational behavior, health policy and politics, community assessment, building partnerships, information systems, planning and human resources as applied to the public sector as well as a foundation in basic public health concepts.
Program Director: Elizabeth Crouch, crouchel@mailbox.sc.edu
Program Coordinator: Sharon Gary, garysv@mailbox.sc.edu
Application information for this degree is available through The Graduate School.
The Master of Health Administration Professional Format program allows working health care professionals to obtain an advanced degree in health care administration without interrupting full-time careers.
Program Director: Melinda Merrell, mmerrell@mailbox.sc.edu
Program Coordinator: Sharon Gary, garysv@mailbox.sc.edu
Application information for this degree is available through The Graduate School.
The Ph.D. in Health Services Policy and Management is structured to prepare students to conduct health services research and/or teach at the university level.
Program Director: Sudha Xirasagar, 803-576-6093, sxirasagar@sc.edu
Program Coordinator: Sharon Gary, garysv@mailbox.sc.edu
Application information for this degree is available through The Graduate School.
The dual degree in health administration and law (Juris Doctorate) is designed for students who wish to practice law as applied to issues in health care settings. The dual degree has an innovative and integrated curriculum offered by the Arnold School of Public Health and the School of Law that culminates in a Master of Health Administration in Health Services Policy and Management and a Juris Doctor, completed over a four-year period.
Application information for this degree is available through The Graduate School.
This program, offered by the Arnold School of Public Health and the College of Social Work, culminates in a Master of Public Health in Health Services Policy and Management and a Master of Social Work.
Application information for this degree is available through The Graduate School.
The Master of Public Administration / Master of Public Health (M.P.A./M.P.H.) degree is offered in conjunction with the Department of Political Science in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Application information for this degree is available through The Graduate School.
Apply to Graduate School
Learn more about The Graduate School, degree options and how to apply for admission to doctoral, master’s, certificate and combination degree programs at South Carolina.