Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation (HPAE)
Graduate Degree Program
College: Public Health
Abstract
The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree with a concentration in Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation is a 45-credit professional degree offered by the Department of Health Policy and Management (HPM).
The MPH program in Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation is designed to train students as public health scientists and practitioners that focus practice and/or research activities on the understanding, analysis, evaluation, and development of health policy. Various agencies in the state (e.g., county and state health departments) and across the nation (e.g., NIH and CDC), including colleges/universities, health-related agencies, community groups, and even large corporations (health care systems and insurance plans), employ public health professionals with a deep understanding of health policy in order to design, implement, analyze and evaluate policies to improve the health of their constituents. This program prepares graduates to take leadership positions in government agencies, consulting companies, health care organizations such as hospitals, community clinics, or health systems corporations, as well as health policy research organizations.
The MPH concentration in Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation at the University of Maryland School of Public Health (SPH) is unique in that it focuses not only on health care policies but on the analysis and evaluation of all policies that affect the public’s health such as policies related to public health organizations and other public policies in education, housing, nutrition, and environmental pollution, among others that have an impact on population health. Students in the program benefit from the SPH's location in the DC area, with its proximity to federal government and agencies tasked with developing and implementing health policies such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in particular the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation, The Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research, the Environmental Protection Agency and Health Resources and Services Administration, as well as top private and non-profit research institutions such as RAND, Mathematica, The Urban Institute, and The Brookings Institution, which conduct high-quality, independent research and provide innovative, practical recommendations to health policy makers. Faculty in the HPM department has active collaborations with several of these agencies and institutions and students in the department have access to internships, capstone projects and post-graduation positions at these organizations. In addition, students in the program benefit from the HPM department’s close links with the State of Maryland legislature and students have interned with General Assembly members; in those experiences, they have conducted research on legislative issues, co-authored legislation, assisted in preparation for hearings, and other policy related tasks.
CONTACT
Melvin Seale, DHSc, RHIA, CCS-P, CRC
Assistant Clinical Professor & Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Health Policy and Management
School of Public Health
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Email: mseale@umd.edu
Michel Boudreaux, PhD
Associate Professor & Program Director
Department of Health Policy and Management
School of Public Health
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Email: mhb@umd.edu
Website: sph.umd.edu/phd-heatlh-services-research
Relationships: Health Administration (HLSA) Health Equity (HLEQ) Health Services (PHHS) Public Health Practice and Policy (PHPP)
Courses: SPHL HLSA
The MPH in Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation program has a two-part application process: applicants must submit the SOPHAS application (www.sophas.org), the centralized application service for schools and programs of public health, and the UMD Supplemental application. Both applications must be submitted, complete with all required documents and verified by the scheduled deadline. Applications will be reviewed when both the SOPHAS and the UMD Supplemental applications are completed and verified.
GENERAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- A Bachelor's degree
- Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
- At least one undergraduate math course
- Transcripts from all previous coursework
- English proficiency test score (TOEFL, IELTS or PTE) (international applicants)
- Statement of purpose and objectives including career and educational goals, professional experience, public health areas of interest, and faculty you are interested in working with
- Response to personal experiences question(s)
PROGRAM SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
- SOPHAS application & UMD Supplemental application
- Three letters of recommendation
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Fit between applicant's goals and expectations and program degree competencies
- Official GRE Test Score submission is not required. GRE scores won’t be reviewed
- A writing sample is optional
Note for applicants with foreign credentials:
- The SOPHAS application requires that applicants submit a WES credential evaluation
- The UMD supplemental application requires the upload of unofficial transcripts issued in the original language with a literal English translation. Visit the Graduate School website for additional information
- Evidence of English Language proficiency is required if the applicant does not hold a degree from a U.S. institution or from one of the English-speaking countries listed on the Graduate School website
-
Language scores must be submitted both to SOPHAS and UMD supplemental application
For detailed instructions on how to apply, please visit the School of Public Health Website: sph.umd.edu/graduate-application-process
Application Deadlines
| Type of Applicant | Fall Deadline | Spring Deadline | Summer Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Applicants | |||
| US Citizens and Permanent Residents | April 3, 2026 | N/A | N/A |
| The Fall priority deadline for both SOPHAS and UMD applications is December 19, 2025. | |||
| International Applicants | |||
| F (student) or J (exchange visitor) visas; A, E, G, H, I and L visas and immigrants | March 6, 2026 | N/A | N/A |
| The Fall priority deadline for both SOPHAS and UMD applications is December 19, 2025. |
RESOURCES AND LINKS
Department website: sph.umd.edu/department-health-policy-and-management
Program Website: sph.umd.edu/mph-health-policy-analysis-and-evaluation
Application Process: sph.umd.edu/graduate-application-process
Admissions FAQ: sph.umd.edu/graduate-application-faqs
| Last Name | First/Middle Name | Graduate Faculty Status | Academic Credentials | Positions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boudreaux | Michel | Full Member | B.A., Augsburg College, 2003; M.S., University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 2009; Ph.D., University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 2014 | Associate Professor, Health Administration Assistant Professor, Health Equity Assistant Professor, Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation Assistant Professor, Health Services |
| Chen | Jie | Full Member | B.S., Shanghai University, 2001; M.A., SUNY-Stony Brook, 2006; Ph.D., SUNY-Stony Brook, 2008 | Chair, Health Administration Associate Professor, Health Administration Associate Professor, Health Equity Associate Professor, Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation Associate Professor, Health Services |
| DuGoff | Eva Hisako | Full Member | B.A., Georgetown University, 2002; M.P.P., George Washington University, 2008; Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University, 2014 | Assistant Professor, Health Equity Assistant Professor, Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation |
| Fenelon | Andrew | Full Member | B.A., University of California-Santa Barbara, 2007; M.A., University of Pennsylvania, 2008; Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 2012 | Assistant Professor, Health Equity Assistant Professor, Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation |
| Roby | Dylan | Full Member | B.A., University of California-Los Angeles; D.P.H., George Washington University; Ph.D., George Washington University | Associate Chair, Health Equity Associate Chair, Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation Director, Health Equity Director, Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation Associate Professor, Health Equity Associate Professor, Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation |
| Sehgal | Neil Jay | Full Member | B.A., University of California-Los Angeles, 2002; M.P.H., University of California-Med Los Angeles, 2005; Ph.D., University of California-Berkeley, 2015 | Assistant Professor, Health Equity Assistant Professor, Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation |
| Simon-Rusinowitz | Lori | Full Member | B.S., University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, 1975; M.P.H., University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, 1978; M.A., Whitworth University, 1985; Ph.D., University of Illinois-Chicago, 1987 | Associate Professor, Health Administration Associate Professor, Health Equity Associate Professor, Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation |
| Thomas | Stephen | Full Member | B.S., Ohio State University, 1980; M.S., Illinois State University, 1981; Ph.D., Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, 1985 | Professor, Health Administration Professor, Health Equity Professor, Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation Professor, Health Services |