Master of Public Health - Health Services Administration

Program Overview

The MPH in Health Services Administration at UB is a 47-credit hour program, typically completed over two years for full-time students, with a flexible part-time option available for working professionals. It integrates foundational public health coursework with specialized training in health policy, management, and administration. The program aims to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to manage healthcare services, develop health policies, and address the challenges of healthcare delivery systems. A required field training experience provides invaluable hands-on experience in real-world public health or healthcare administration settings, and the program culminates in a culminating project, allowing students to demonstrate mastery of core public health competencies and concentration-specific skills through an applied public health problem.

CEPH Accredited: Yes, the School of Public Health and Health Professions at the University at Buffalo is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). CEPH is the recognized accrediting body for schools and programs of public health in the United States. This accreditation signifies that UB's MPH program meets rigorous quality standards for public health education, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for professional practice and eligible to sit for the Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential. The School received its latest reaccreditation in September 2023, underscoring its continued excellence.

Curriculum: The 47-credit curriculum for the MPH in Health Services Administration provides a strong foundation in public health and in-depth knowledge of healthcare management and policy. Foundational MPH courses typically include "Introduction to Epidemiology," "Statistical Analysis I," "Environmental Health," "Introduction to Health Care Organization," and "Study of Health Behavior." The concentration-specific courses delve into "Health Care Finance," "Health Policy," "Health Care Management," "Health Economics," and "Quality Management in Health Care." Students also select elective courses to further specialize their knowledge. The competency-based curriculum ensures students develop skills in areas such as financial management, strategic planning, policy analysis, and leadership within health organizations.

Research Focus: While the MPH in Health Services Administration is a professional degree, it is grounded in evidence-based management and policy analysis, often drawing upon research methodologies. Faculty within the Department of Health Behavior and other relevant departments in the School of Public Health and Health Professions are engaged in research related to healthcare access, quality of care, health disparities, health policy effectiveness, organizational behavior in healthcare, and the efficiency of health service delivery. Students have opportunities to apply research principles in their coursework and especially in their culminating projects, which often involve analyzing real-world health services data or evaluating existing programs and policies.

Industry Engagement: The MPH in Health Services Administration program at UB is highly focused on preparing graduates for direct entry into leadership and management roles within the diverse healthcare and public health sectors. The program actively fosters connections with hospitals, health systems, public health departments, managed care organizations, long-term care facilities, consulting firms, and non-profit health organizations. The required field training experience is a critical component, providing students with invaluable practical experience, professional networking opportunities, and exposure to the operational and strategic challenges faced by healthcare administrators. This practical training ensures graduates are equipped with marketable skills in healthcare management, policy analysis, and strategic planning, directly aligning with industry needs.

Global Perspective: The MPH in Health Services Administration at UB inherently fosters a global perspective by addressing healthcare systems and public health challenges that are universal, albeit with diverse approaches across nations. The program encourages students to consider global health policies, comparative healthcare systems, and the international flow of health resources and challenges. Understanding different models of healthcare delivery and funding across the world provides valuable insights. As a major public research university, UB attracts a diverse international student body and faculty, enriching the learning environment with varied cultural viewpoints and different approaches to health services administration and public health problems from around the world. This exposure prepares graduates to contribute effectively to global health initiatives and work with diverse populations.