Program Overview

Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation (HPAE)

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).

Abstract

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 and across the nation, including colleges/universities, health-related agencies, community groups, and large corporations, employ public health professionals with a deep understanding of health policy 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, and health policy research organizations.

Program Description

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.

Faculty

The faculty in the HPM department has active collaborations with several agencies and institutions, and students in the department have access to internships, capstone projects, and post-graduation positions at these organizations. The faculty includes:

• Michel Boudreaux, Associate Professor and Program Director
• Jie Chen, Chair and Associate Professor
• Eva Hisako DuGoff, Assistant Professor
• Andrew Fenelon, Assistant Professor
• Dylan Roby, Associate Chair and Associate Professor
• Neil Jay Sehgal, Assistant Professor
• Lori Simon-Rusinowitz, Associate Professor
• Stephen Thomas, Professor

Admission Requirements

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) for international applicants
• Statement of purpose and objectives
• Response to personal experiences question(s)

Program Specific Requirements

• SOPHAS application and 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
• A writing sample is optional

Application Process

The MPH in Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation program has a two-part application process: applicants must submit the SOPHAS application and the UMD Supplemental application. Both applications must be submitted, complete with all required documents and verified by the scheduled deadline.

Application Deadlines

• Domestic Applicants: April 3, 2026
• International Applicants: March 6, 2026
• Fall priority deadline for both SOPHAS and UMD applications: December 19, 2025

Resources

• 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