As the nation’s health care delivery system continues to undergo fundamental changes, there is an increasing need for skilled graduates who can effectively analyze and evaluate health policy. To meet this growing demand, a new Master of Science in Health Policy degree program offered by the University of Iowa Department of Health Management and Policy equips students with advanced training in health policy analysis.

“This is a degree program for the next generation of students who want to work in health policy,” says Brian Kaskie, associate professor of health management and policy. “Graduates of this program will be prepared to work in health policy at the state and federal level, as well as consulting firms and large health care delivery systems in Iowa and across the country. They’ll also be well prepared to continue graduate studies in health services research, medicine, or law.”

Policy makers and organizations that support the health care enterprise require analysts trained in both policy development and rigorous evaluation methods, says Kaskie, because decisions will need to be evidence-based and policies will require evaluation that can definitively improve or reject new approaches.

“This degree program is designed for students who are interested in contributing to the formation and implementation of health policy and shaping the operations of large health care systems,” adds Kaskie. “The analytical skills, knowledge content, and theories that are emphasized in this curriculum will help them to successfully advance into leadership positions within health policy organizations and health care delivery systems.”

The MS in Health Policy degree program:

• Prepares students with a range of qualitative and quantitative skills to analyze and evaluate health policy content, formation, implementation, and outcomes.
• Trains students for careers in government relations, policy analysis, and health services research in a variety of private and public settings. It is also designed to prepare students for further study at the doctoral level.
• Facilitates expanded student involvement in research; policy analysis; and engagement, dissemination, and outreach activities.

“As an alumna of the college, I believe this addition is a great option for students,” says Sara Imhof (PhD ’06), a health policy analyst for The Concord Coalition, a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to educating the public about federal budget issues and their consequences for the future. Imhof also serves as the coalition’s director of education and grassroots advocacy.

“The MS degree program combines the best of our existing faculty and curriculum with new teaching approaches and placement opportunities,” Imhof continues. “I’m excited to serve as one of the program’s mentors and look forward to helping students prepare for a successful career in health policy.”

For more information about the MS in Health Policy degree program, visit cph.uiowa.edu/ms-in-health-policy or contact Brian Kaskie at brian-kaskie@uiowa.edu.