MhC in Health Policy Emphasis at Boise State University
The Health Policy emphasis area is a particularly interdisciplinary area of the MHS program. Intended to broadly train health advocates to work in the private, public, and non-profit sectors, this emphasis area features courses taught by faculty in the Master of Public Administration program, as well as faculty in Economics and Health Sciences. The interdisciplinary nature of the curriculum in this emphasis area ensures that students will develop an excellent understanding not only of mainstream public health concepts, but also of how to influence policymaking decisions on a number of levels. Administration in the Public Sector (PUBADM 500) provides a strong overview of important issues in public administration, and Public Policy Process (PUBADM 501) focuses on how decisions and policies are made within governmental and other institutions. Organization Theory (PUBADM 502) focuses on theories of organizational behavior and management in the public and non-profit organizations, and Health Economics (ECON 440G) addresses economics and ethics in the health care delivery system. Current Issues in Health Policy (MHLTHSCI 550) provides the explicit link to public health, with its focus on access to and quality of health care in the public sector.
Applicants who wish to complete a MHS degree with an emphasis in Health Policy must be approved by both the MHS program director and the director of the Master of Public Administration program.
The interdisciplinary curriculum and other training experiences in the Health Policy emphasis area prepare graduates to effectively work in numerous settings, particularly in the public and non-profit sectors. A list of organizations that past graduates have worked for, or are qualified to work for, include:
Blue Cross
Coram Healthcare
Focus Bio-Inova, Inc.
Healthwise, Inc.
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Primary Care Health Clinic
Southwest District Health Department
St. Alphonsus and St. Luke’s Hospitals
Veteran Administration Medical Center