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Master of Public Health in Healthcare Management

Gain the knowledge and skills to effectively manage healthcare systems and organizations with UMass Lowell's Master's in Healthcare Management online.

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Masters in Healthcare Management Online MPH

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One of the Most Affordable Tuitions in the Nation

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No GRE Required

Learn to manage public health programs and organizations with UMass Lowell's Master's in Healthcare Management online. Our MPH in Healthcare Management has a public health focus, including population health issues, prevention and promoting individual and community well-being. It will prepare you for roles in government agencies, non-profits and community health organizations.

The 14-course online MPH in Healthcare Management is designed to help you understand the structure, financing and operations of healthcare delivery systems. It is well suited for those with bachelor's degrees in public health, psychology, biology, clinical laboratory sciences, nutrition, and physical therapy.

Career Outlook

8.22M
Jobs (2020)
+4.4%
% Change (2020-2021)
$79.1K/yr
Median Earnings
1,278,422
Annual Openings
Source: Lightcast, 2024

UMass Lowell M.P.H. graduates have pursued careers at:

  • Boston Medical Center
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
  • Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley
  • JSS Medical Research
  • Massachusetts Department of Public Health
  • Massachusetts Medical Society
  • Partners Health Care
  • Signify Health
  • Spring Street Exchange
  • Tufts Medical Center
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
  • Vinfen
"Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 28 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations."
— Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023

Key Takeaways

  • Develop, implement and evaluate public health initiatives
  • Assume "hands-on" management of public health programs and organizations
  • Provide leadership as a thoughtful, analytical and ethical manager within the public health community
  • Support increased efficiency, effectiveness and accountability within the public health and healthcare sectors
CEPH Accredited
Accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.

Are you interested in working in health care but unsure of career paths?

Learn the difference between an HIM and an MPH degree.

Success Story

"I am walking from here with the courage, wisdom and skill set that is needed to improve the health and wellbeing of the people around me. The university has given me that. I am confident graduating from here, I can give back to the community."

Minu M.
Minu M.

Minu M.

One Success Leads to Another

Apply credits from lower credentials to higher ones. Our programs are designed to build upon themselves:

Curriculum Outline

- 14 Courses (42 Credits)

Course Descriptions

PUBH.5010 Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health (3cr)

This course introduces core concepts of social and behavioral determinants of health and provides a foundation for the analysis of social, political and economic influences on health and their role in contributing to health inequities. The core functions of public health and essential services are discussed as well as the history of public health, its philosophy and values. Upstream and downstream reforms to addressing fundamental determinants are evaluated. The influence of behavioral and psychological factors on health and disease are analyzed.

PUBH.5021 Public Health Policy (3cr)

The course focuses on expanding students' knowledge and skills for developing and evaluating contemporary public health policy in the United States and international settings. Students will gain information about the current US national health care system as it relates to emergent public health topics and priorities in the US and globally. This course will focus on competencies for designing, implementing, evaluating and advocating for evidence-based policy, program and practices.

PUBH.5060 Quantitative Methods in Health Management (3cr)

This course explores analytic methods that can be used to improve the decision making of management, clinicians and others within the healthcare industry. Students learn the conceptual foundations of quantitative analysis and common methods used in supporting decision-making; developing evidence-based practices; analyzing data and testing hypotheses. Students also learn how to use industry-standard data analysis software applications, statistical packages and common applications for the development and reporting of analytic findings.

Requirements:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

PUBH.5061 Environmental Health (3cr)

This environmental health course explores the links between human activities and environmental systems and examines how these interactions can impact human health. The course is designed to provide knowledge and skills necessary to understand how human and industrial activities such as population growth, methods of food production, pollution of the air and water, waste, the built environment, toxic substances, pest control, and global climate change can result in human diseases and impact the environment. Understanding the links between human activities and environmental systems is essential to developing effective prevention strategies and building sustainable communities.

PUBH.5070 Leadership and Management in Public Health (3cr)

The purpose of this course is to enhance the students' ability to effectively build and lead high-performing Public Health organizations. This course will integrate fundamental principles from the behavioral and social sciences to provide students with a coherent set of strategies and techniques to effectively collaborate with internal external stakeholders as well as to influence meaningful, sustainable change. This course will also provide students opportunities to self-reflect on their own leadership styles and develop growth plans.

PUBH.5110 Health Care Finance (3cr)

Provides broad exposure to the concepts and practices of healthcare finance and healthcare financial management. Teaches a practical understanding of basic healthcare financial issues, financial reporting and analysis, and provider payment structures. The course enables students to read, analyze and use healthcare financial information in today's healthcare environment.

PUBH.5120 Operations Analysis for Quality Improvement (3cr)

This course focuses on a multi-disciplinary approach to operations analysis, process redesign and quality improvement in health care. Focus is placed on the tools, methods and processes used for improving work flow processes, patient safety and performance in a variety of health care settings. Students study the history, development and principles of quality improvement in healthcare.

Requirements:

Graduate level or permission

PUBH.5150 Applied Health Economics (3cr)

Students explore the economic dimensions of healthcare by considering the input, output, production and costs of producing quality healthcare which meets demand and evaluates the behavior of supply. Students consider provider payer systems and aspects relative to private and public health insurance in determining market power and competitive markets. Common economic evaluation methods are introduced to measure health service feasibility, and promote value judgment in the realm of healthcare reform and regulatory compliance.

PUBH.5750 Epidemiology and Biostatistics (3cr)

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of disease in human populations, and the risk factors associated with diseases. This course provides an introduction to epidemiology and the associated biostatistical methods that constitute the principal quantitative methods for disease prevention. Topics include: measures of disease frequency, measures of central tendency and spread, rates and risks, precision and validity, bias, simple linear regression, and the important study designs (population surveys, cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies).

Requirements:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

PUBH.6070 Healthcare Information Systems (3cr)

This course provides a broad-range overview of the healthcare information systems industry, its history, recent developments and continuing challenges, as well as a practical understanding of healthcare information systems acquisition and implementation. Topics include EMR, Data, CMS Quality Programs, Clinical Integration and health information exchange.

PUBH.6660 MPH Practicum (3cr)

This practicum is the first of two culminating experiences in the MPH program that requires a student to apply theories and principles from coursework in a public health setting. A work experience is a required component of this course. Work experiences must be directly related to the student's major field of study and an integral component of the curriculum. The practicum is a planned, supervised and evaluated practice experience under the supervision of a qualified preceptor. Students meet in a seminar with a faculty member who oversees the practicum experience. Students will finish work on their final applied practice project during the practicum and integrated practical learning courses.

PUBH.6670 Integrated Practical Learning (3cr)

This course is designed as the second of two applied learning courses following PUBH.6660 MPH Practicum. It is a culminating experience for students in the MPH program. Students in this course will demonstrate the mastery of a body of public health knowledge and achievement of the MPH competencies. They will do this through completing their practicum experience and developing a high-quality written product.


Program Requirements

To be recommended for a University of Massachusetts Lowell master's degree, candidates must satisfy all of the general requirements below, plus any additional requirements that may be required by the department through which the program is offered. Any additional requirements for this program are either listed below or may be found in the University's Graduate Program Catalog.

General Requirements:

  • Students must complete the program of study designed by the Department in which they are enrolled and approved by the University.
  • Satisfactory grades in all subjects offered for the degree must be earned. See Academic Standing.
  • All financial obligations, including tuition, fees and expenses, must be satisfied as evidenced by completion.
  • Upon completion of all their courses, graduate degree candidates must submit a signed Declaration of Intent to Graduate (DIG) form to their coordinator. The coordinator will apply them in SIS, Graduation Tracking.

Graduate Program Policies

In applying for a degree program or registering for courses, each student assumes full responsibility for knowledge of and compliance with the definitions, regulations and procedures of UMass Lowell as set forth on our website. For additional information, please refer to the Graduate Program Policies found within the UMass Lowell Graduate Catalog.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition at UMass Lowell is typically half the cost of private colleges, and our online tuition is among the lowest in the nation. Tuition for online programs offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same whether you live in-state, out-of-state or outside of the U.S.

Spring 2025 Tuition

Cost Per Credit Cost Per 3-Credit Course*

Graduate

Online $600 $1,800
All other On Campus courses1 View Here
*Tuition is priced on the listed credit hour unless the contact hour is different. Tuition is then based upon the listed contact hour.
1Applies to graduate on campus courses excluding select courses

Additional Costs

Cost
Term Registration Fee $30
Returned Check Fee $30
Graduate Degree and Certificate Application $50

Please note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.

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Looking for Financial Assistance?

UMass Lowell offers a variety of financial aid and scholarship options.

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Applying into a Graduate Degree Program

You can apply anytime. There are no deadlines. Applications are accepted throughout the year.

All applicants must submit:
    • An application
    • An application fee ($50)
    • A statement of purpose
    • Two letters of recommendation
    • Official test scores
        • GRE not required
        • If English is NOT the national language in your home country, please submit one of the following English proficiency tests:
            • TOEFL: minimum acceptable score is 79
            • IELTS: minimum acceptable score is 6.5
            • Duolingo: minimum acceptable score is 115
            • ASC English: minimum acceptable level is 6
            • Pearson Test of English: minimum acceptable score is 53

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.000 GPA from an accredited institution
  • Prerequisites: Grades of C or better in required, prerequisite college-level courses. These include a minimum one semester of statistics and one semester of either biology or anatomy and physiology. Applicants who are missing prerequisites may be admitted with the provision that they meet with their advisor before or during their first semester and develop a plan of study to complete the prerequisites during the first year

Additional Information

F1 student visas may be available for full time on-campus students.

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Questions Regarding Your Graduate Application?

Email Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu or call 800-656-4723 (for U.S. students) or 978-934-2390 (for international students).

For General Assistance:

For general questions about registering for courses or to find out who the advisor is for your graduate program, call 800-480-3190. Our admissions and advising teams are here to help!

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