Department of Health Policy and Administration
Graduate Programs
Degree Offerings
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Master of Science (M.S.)
Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.)
Message from the Department Head
Dear Prospective Student:
A Health Policy and Administration (HPA) graduate degree opens doors to a bright,
challenging, and prosperous future. Our graduate students become leaders in one of the
nation’s largest and fastest growing industries and possess knowledge, experience, and
skills that allow them to make vital contributions to the health care field.
We appreciate your interest in an HPA degree. Our experienced faculty and staff work
closely with our students and inspire them to strive for excellence in their work, learn
through critical thinking, and produce in-depth analyses of today’s challenges in health
policy and management.
We invite you to visit our department and meet our faculty, staff, and students. Feel free to
sit in on classes and ask questions about the department or issues affecting health care today.
Dr. Dennis G. Shea
We hope you like what you see and decide to join the ranks of our graduates who are
now working and providing valuable insight into the evolving field of health policy
and administration.
Best wishes for success,
Dennis G. Shea
Professor and Head
Department of Health Policy and Administration
“We must continue to conduct research
into the reasons for health disparities and
develop appropriate policies and outreach
activities to close the gap.”
– Office of the U.S. Surgeon General
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Penn State’s Ph.D. degree program in Health Policy research scientists at universities and in private and public
and Administration seeks to train proven leaders who policy research organizations. To learn more about our
are poised to contribute new and important insights in Ph.D. program or to submit an online application, visit
health care. Students are prepared to analyze and offer www.hhdev.psu.edu/hpa/grad/phd.html.
valuable input and solutions to issues affecting health
policy and practice.
Ph.D. students receive core training in health services
organization and policy and health services research
TheSiS ToPicS
methods, and they choose one of three disciplinary op- “Caring for the Aging Baby Boomers: An Assess-
tions: (1) Economics and Health Policy, (2) Health Care ment of the Separation Behavior of Direct Care
Workers in Long Term Care”
Organizations and Management, and (3) Population
Health and Demography. In addition, HPA students Monika Setia
Supervised by Professor Peter Kemper
may complete graduate minors in Gerontology or De-
mography. An option to complete a dual-title Ph.D. in “Health Maintenance Organizations, Clinical Quality
HPA and Demography is also available. Measurement, and Market Competition: Demand and
Supply Incentives for Quality Improvement”
Students apply their core and disciplinary training in Woolton Lee
their thesis research, guided by HPA faculty who are Supervised by Professor Dennis P. Scanlon
leading researchers in several important areas:
“The Diffusion of Prescription Drugs for Alzheimer’s
• Improving preventive and chronic care systems for Disease among Medicare Beneficiaries”
vulnerable populations Chandrakala Ganesh
Supervised by Dr. Dennis Shea
• Creating the financial incentives and information
environment to support best practices in health care “Three Essays on Cancer Survivorship and
Labor Supply”
• Addressing the health care industry’s workforce
challenges and the challenges in maintaining a healthy Michael P. Markowski
U.S. workforce Supervised by Dr. Pamela Farley Short
• Assessing the impact of federal health reform “Improving Long-Term Care Management Practices
and Direct Care Worker Organizational Commitment”
Graduates of the Ph.D. program are leading research Amy L. Stott
programs in health systems and managed care Supervised by Professor S. Diane Brannon
organizations and are employed as academics and
“More new wage and salary jobs—about 19 percent,
or 3.6 million—created between 2004 and 2014 will
be in health care than in any other industry.”
– U.S. Department of Labor
Master of Science (M.S.)
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree program in Health are well prepared to serve as health services research sup-
Policy and Administration prepares individuals for re- port staff and can earn necessary skills to progress toward
search positions in academic and nonacademic settings a Ph.D., including admittance into HPA’s Ph.D. program.
or further study at the doctoral level. The M.S. curriculum allows students to combine re-
M.S. students are trained to participate in health services search training and courses in health care management,
research and conduct data analyses that support planning, health policy, and economic and organizational theory.
policy development, evaluation, and/or administration in a The flexibility of the program permits specialization in
variety of health policy and administration settings. one or more of these areas.
Graduates of the M.S. program secure positions as research For more information about the M.S. program or to sub-
analysts in managed care organizations, government agen- mit an online application, visit www.hhdev.psu.edu/hpa/
cies, businesses, and health care organizations. They also grad/ms.html
TheSiS ToPicS
“The Association between Pregnancy Intention and
Health Behaviors among College-Age Women”
Kaitlin Primavera
Supervised by Professor Peter Kemper
“The Effect of the Program of All-inclusive Care for
the Elderly on Hospital and Nursing Home Use at
the End of Life”
Haiyan Wang
Supervised by Associate Professor Marianne Hillemeier
Brigitt Leitzell, ’07g
“The M.S. program in Health Policy and Ad- “Latent Class Structure of Caregiver Strain in Parents
ministration provided me with both the analytic of Children Diagnosed with ADHD: The Role of
and management skills necessary for my work Race/Ethnicity, Gender, Education, and Income”
as a project manager. The breadth and flexibil- Kyle Myers
ity of the program have prepared me to make Supervised by Associate Professor Rhonda BeLue
a positive impact in the field of health services
research and evaluation.”
“In their roles, health care executives have
an opportunity to make a significant
contribution to improving the health of the
communities their organizations serve.”
– American College of Healthcare Executives
Master of health Administration (M.h.A.)
The Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.) program professional networks, learn from industry leaders, and
prepares students for leadership positions in health care orga- apply their developing skills.
nizations. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation Experiential learning plays a critical role in develop-
in Health Management Education, the program specializes ing the leadership skills of students. Course projects,
in educating individuals who have great potential for health including a final capstone project, are solicited from
care leadership yet have limited experience in health care. strategic industry partners to provide students with a
The M.H.A. curriculum emphasizes a thorough under- realistic and stimulating learning opportunity. Sum-
standing of the organization and delivery of health ser- mer residencies are challenging, full-time positions, in
vices in the U.S. health care system, as well as focused which senior health care leaders mentor students and
study in areas such as health care operations manage- guide their practical learning.
ment, health care finance, and strategic planning and Graduates become executives in hospitals and health
marketing. Faculty members who teach M.H.A. courses systems, skilled nursing facilities, insurance companies,
bring the material to life with their experience. They also consulting firms, home health agencies, government
invite top executives and alumni to visit their classrooms. agencies, medical group practices, health maintenance
Co-curricular activities, such as site visits to health care organizations, and public health organizations. To learn
organizations, professional development workshops from more about Penn State’s M.H.A. program or to submit
alumni and strategic partners, and participation in na- an online application, visit www.hhdev.psu.edu/hpa/
tional case study competitions, help students develop grad/mha.html.
ReceNT ReSiDeNcY SiTeS AND STRATeGic PARTNeRS
West Penn Allegheny UPMC Physician Services Penn State Milton S.
Health System Pittsburgh, PA Hershey Medical Center
Pittsburgh, PA Hershey, PA
Highmark Blue Cross
Main Line Health Blue Shield Mount Nittany
Philadelphia, PA Pittsburgh, PA Medical Center
State College, PA
Washington Hospital Center Cleveland Clinic
Washington, D.C. Foundation Geisinger Health System
Cleveland, OH Danville, PA
Susquehanna Health
System
Williamsport, PA
“Additional demand for [health care] managers will stem from the need
to recruit workers and increase employee retention, to comply with
changing regulations, to implement new technology, and to help improve
the health of their communities by emphasizing preventive care.”
– American College of Healthcare Executives
Around campus
Penn State’s University Park campus is nestled among the
rolling hills and mountains of central Pennsylvania. In
addition to the art, academic, athletic, and leisure activi-
ties offered at the University Park campus, State College
is abuzz with activity day and night. The town offers fine
dining, entertainment, shopping, and many other activi-
ties for graduate students. Visit www.visitpennstate.org for
links to the many events, exhibits, attractions, venues, and
pastimes available to students and visitors of Centre Coun-
ty, Pennsylvania. The University’s online visitor’s guide in-
cludes information about:
• Academic programs
• Outreach programs
• Campuses and colleges
• Alumni and friends
• News and announcements
• Research
• Arts and performances
• Libraries
• Athletics and recreation
• Lodging
• Points of interest
Penn State’s Graduate Student Association publishes
the Guide to Graduate Life, which can be found online
at gsa.psu.edu. Topics covered in this guide include
information and history about Penn State and State
College, as well as the following:
• School offices
• Student services
• Computer/library resources
• Finances
• Health care
• Moving to town
• Social events/recreation
• Graduating
Perspectives
“I began my career in health care as a registered nurse and am now
pursuing a Master of Health Administration degree. Through Penn State’s
M.H.A. program, I am able to build on my clinical knowledge base to
prepare for a leadership role within the health care industry.”
Kara Vass
M.H.A. student
“Penn State’s M.H.A. program offers an optimal integration of theory and
practice. The program equips aspiring health care leaders with fundamental
skills necessary to thrive in a highly competitive industry. Going forward,
I am confident that I will have a solid foundation on which to build an
exciting career in the health care industry and to make a difference.”
Shantanu Dholakia
M.H.A. student
“The Ph.D. program has provided me with numerous opportunities to
develop my skills as a health services researcher. The coursework and
research experience has been outstanding, and I am confident this
program has prepared me for the next phase in my career.”
Jillian Harvey
Ph.D. student
“The Ph.D. program at Penn State has prepared me well to be a topflight
health services researcher. The methodological training during the coursework
is excellent, and the practical education gained through interaction with
world-class faculty has been invaluable. I am sure that my time at Penn State
will serve as the foundation for a meaningful and productive research career.”
Grant Martsolf
Ph.D. student
“The Ph.D. program has provided me with knowledge of theory and method-
ological skills to excel as a health services researcher who contributes positively
to research on health care organizations. The experience and training I have
received are invaluable.”
Jennifer O’Hora
Ph.D. student
Degrees at Work
The training I had in HPA was ex- My training at Penn State provided me the aptitude to
cellent and prepared me very well systematically analyze large amounts of information
for my career. Faculty were consis- and translate complicated financial information into
tently available, and it is only now something that is understandable to non-financial
that I am in the same career that I leaders in the organization. Furthermore, my education
understand how difficult that can at Penn State provided me with an understanding of the
be for faculty. I think the program various aspects of hospital administration performed by
was unique in giving a health services research orientation my colleagues, allowing me to interact with them in a
to my research. more meaningful manner.
Nick Castle, 1995 Ph.D. graduate Gerry Neff, 2001 M.S. graduate
Professor, University of Pittsburgh Director of Finance, Halifax Health
Daytona Beach, FL
hPA GRADuATe STuDeNTS LAND ToP PoSiTioNS
A sampling of alumni job titles and locations:
Assistant Professor Research Scientist VP of Research
University of Alabama Duke University Hospital & Healthsystem Association
at Birmingham Durham, NC of Pennsylvania
Birmingham, AL Harrisburg, PA
health economist
Deputy Director Henry Ford Health Care System Associate Professor
RTI International Detroit, MI University of Nebraska Medical Center
Waltham, MA Omaha, NE
Practice Administrator
Senior Medical Associate Blair Orthopedic Associates and Analyst
American College of Physicians Sports Medicine Huron Consulting Group
Philadelphia, PA Altoona, PA Pittsburgh, PA
Project Manager Senior Business Analyst
International Operations Department of Ophthalmology health insurance Specialist
Cleveland Clinic University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Department of Health and Human
Cleveland, OH Pittsburgh, PA Services
Washington, D.C.
Senior Manager Finance officer
Merck & Co. Inc. United States Public Health Service Vice President
West Point, PA Washington, D.C. Challenger, Gray, and Christmas
Dallas, TX
Research Associate Group Practice Manager
Hiroshima University U.S. Air Force Post–Doctoral Fellow in
Hiroshima, Japan Scott AFB, IL health economics
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
“Health care jobs are found throughout the country, but
they are concentrated in the largest states—in particular,
California, New York, Florida, Texas, and Pennsylvania.”
– U.S. Department of Labor
Admissions
The Health Policy and Administration admissions pro- and professional effectiveness. Evidence for this requirement
cess identifies and admits students who display the like- typically comes from written materials supplied as part of
lihood of success in HPA research and academic degree the application process, including any available examples of
programs and their future careers. scholarly or professional writing and appraisals by profes-
sionals who have had the opportunity to observe the oral
Admissions criteria
and/or written communication skills of the candidate.
Admission decisions are based on standardized exams, previ-
ous academic records, evidence of professional activities, bio- Application Procedures
graphical materials, the student’s personal statement, and ap- Admission to Penn State graduate programs requires
praisals by well-qualified scholars and professionals who have application to the Graduate School. Prospective stu-
had an opportunity to observe the applicant’s performance. dents will complete an online application and submit
required graduate program materials to the HPA de-
For graduate degree programs, the Graduate Record Exam
partment. Admission is granted jointly by the Graduate
(GRE) scores are used in the evaluation process. In the
School and the HPA department.
M.H.A. program, Graduate Management Admission Test
(GMAT) scores also are accepted for admission review. The HPA department reviews applications beginning in
October of each year. The department encourages stu-
In the MHA program, standardized test scoring may be
dents to apply as early as possible to be among the first
waived for applicants with five or more years of health
applicants for consideration. All application materials
care related work experience.
must be received in the department by February 1 to re-
Applicants must have the ability to take initiative, work ceive full consideration for admission and financial aid;
independently, organize their own work effectively, applications submitted after this date may have a reduced
meet schedules of performance, and discipline them- chance for admission and financial aid.
selves to complete tasks.
For more information and to access the online application,
Applicants must also possess excellent communication visit www.gradsch.psu.edu.
skills. Communication skills significantly affect academic
Faculty
Rhonda BeLue, Ph.D. (Cornell University), Marianne Hillemeier, Ph.D. (The University
Associate Professor of Health Policy and Ad- of Michigan), Associate Professor of Health
ministration. BeLue’s teaching and research Policy and Administration. Hillemeier’s
interests are in health disparities in families teaching and research focuses on the extent
and children, evaluation methodology, and and causes of racial/ethnic health disparities
medical decision making. among children and adolescents.
Office: 604-N Ford Building rzb10@psu.edu Office: 504-S Ford Building mmh18@psu.edu
S. Diane Brannon, Ph.D. (Cornell Univer- Kyoungrae Jung, Ph.D. (University of Minne-
sity), Professor of Health Policy and Admin- sota), Assistant Professor of Health Policy and
istration. Brannon’s teaching and research Administration. Jung’s teaching and research
interests are in organizational and managerial interests include consumer information, pro-
factors in nursing homes and how those factors vider incentives, and quality of care.
influence outcomes of care. Office: 601-H Ford Building kuj11@psu.edu
Office: 601-D Ford Building f8z@psu.edu
Peter Kemper, Ph.D. (Yale University), Professor
Jonathan Clark, Ph.D. (Harvard University), of Health Policy and Administration. Kemper’s
Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Admin- teaching and research interests include long-term
istration. Clark’s teaching and research interests care delivery and financing, managed care, and
center on strategy, innovation, and organizational research and evaluation design.
design in the hospital industry. Office: 504-Q Ford Building pxk14@psu.edu
601-A Ford Building jrc24@psu.edu
Deirdre McCaughey, Ph.D. (University of
Joe Dionisio, CPA, B.S. (Point Park College), Manitoba), Assistant Professor of Health Policy
Professor of Practice and Director of External and Administration. McCaughey’s teaching
Relations and M.H.A. Professional Develop- and research interests include workplace safety,
ment. Dionisio’s teaching interests include health employee stress and well-being, and knowledge
care financial management, finance, managing transfer/utilization in health services.
organized delivery systems, and leadership. Office: 601-F Ford Building dxm68@psu.edu
Office: 601-C Ford Building jdd19@psu.edu
Patricia Miranda, Ph.D. (The University of
Elizabeth Farmer, Ph.D. (Duke University), Michigan), Assistant Professor of Health Policy
Professor of Health Policy and Administration. and Administration. Miranda’s teaching and
Farmer’s teaching and research interests are in research interests focus on social and cultural
research methods, program evaluation, mental determinants of population health, health dis-
health, and children’s services. parities, vulnerable populations, Latino popu-
Office: 601-E Ford Building emf13@psu.edu lations, and cancer prevention.
Office: 601-G Ford Building pym1@psu.edu
Jessica Mittler, Ph.D. (Harvard University), As- Dennis Shea, Ph.D. (Rutgers University), Profes-
sistant Professor of Health Policy and Administra- sor and Head of Department of Health Policy and
tion. Mittler’s teaching and research interests in- Administration. Shea’s teaching and research focus
clude quality and access to care, market dynamics, on health policy for aging populations, financing
organization and individual behavior, managed for mental health, long-term care, prescription
care, and program and policy evaluation. drug coverage, and socioeconomic disparities in
Office: 601-L Ford Building jnm14@psu.edu health care access for the elderly.
Office: 604-E Ford Building dgs4@psu.edu
John Moran, Ph.D. (The Pennsylvania State
University), Assistant Professor of Health Policy Pamela Farley Short, Ph.D. (Yale University),
and Administration. Moran’s teaching and re- Professor of Health Policy and Administration
search interests include the economic impact of and Director of the Center for Health Care and
cancer, vulnerable populations, health insurance, Policy Research. Short’s teaching and research in-
and causal inference. terests are concerned with the financing of health
Office: 504-T Ford Building jrm12@psu.edu care through public and private health insurance,
the implementation and evaluation of national
Dennis Scanlon, Ph.D. (The University of Michi- coverage reforms, and the personal and social costs
gan), Professor of Health Policy and Administration of cancer. Her research emphasizes the causes and
and Professor-in-Charge of the M.S./Ph.D. Pro- consequences of changes in individuals’ health,
gram. Scanlon’s teaching and research interests relate health insurance, and employment over time.
to consumer information and health care markets, Office: 504-E Ford Building pxs46@psu.edu
health insurance and HMO plan performance, and
measurement of quality. Karen Volmar, M.P.H., J.D. (Boston University).
Office: 504-U Ford Building dxs62@psu.edu Associate Professor of Health Policy and Adminis-
tration and Executive Director, M.H.A. program.
Mark Sciegaj, Ph.D. (Brandeis University). Volmar’s teaching and research interests are in
Associate Professor of Health Policy and Ad- health policy, managed care, health law, human
ministration. Sciegaj’s teaching and research resources, and comparative health systems.
interests include issues of consumer-directed Office: 501-K Ford Building kmv10@psu.edu
care, workforce development, policy imple-
mentation, program evaluation, and multi-
cultural issues in health and aging.
Office: 601-F Ford Building mxs838@psu.edu
Department of Health Policy and Administration
604 Ford Building
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
“Biomedical discoveries cannot improve people’s health without research
to find out how to apply these within different health systems, population
groups, and diverse political and social contexts.”
– World Report on Knowledge for Better Health
(World Health Organization)
contact us for more details concerning the hPA graduate
degree admissions process.
Visit www.hhdev.psu.edu/hpa/grad
Graduate Staff Assistant
Department of Health Policy and Administration
The Pennsylvania State University
604 Ford Building
University Park, PA 16802-6500
HPAGrad@psu.edu
814-863-2859 • 814-863-2905 (fax)
www.hhdev.psu.edu/hpa
This publication is available in alternative media on request. Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce. (HPA12006) U.Ed. HHD 12-006