HELP 2011-2012 University Catalog Health and Medical Policy, MS (SPP) Print-Friendly Page

Banner Code: PP-MS-HMP

Phone:  703-993-2280

The master’s program in health and medical policy is offered jointly by the School of Public Policy and the College of Health and Human Services.  It prepares students to become health and medical systems policy analysts, consultants, and public health advocates in the US and internationally. It provides students with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to develop improved national/international health and systems planning, decision-making and to support policy formulation for health and medical professionals, health systems development, resource allocation, and advocacy for national/international public health.  Students applying to the program will be admitted to one of two concentrations: Global Medical Policy or Health Policy .

The Global Medical Policy concentration is geared towards students interested in global medical policy formulation.  The concentration is designed to prepare students with the background knowledge, analytic skills, and strategic thinking necessary to identify medical practice and international health organizations/systems impacted by globalization.

Admission Requirements

The following requirements are for students applying to the Global Medical Policy concentration (selected at the time of application):

Completed applications for fall and spring semesters are reviewed on a rolling basis, with late applications considered on a space-available basis. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, with a preferred GPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale.

The following items must be included when applying:

• Graduate application with fee (no fee waivers)
• 750 - 1,000 word written statement of student’s goals and interest in the program
• Current résumé
• Two official transcripts of all university work completed. International students must also submit a translation of all international transcripts into English, if applicable.
• Two letters of recommendation, with at least one from an individual who is qualified to attest to the candidate’s academic potential.
• For international applicants, TOEFL scores with a minimum score of 575 on the paper-based exam; 230 on the computer-based exam; or 88 with a minimum of 20 on each of the subsections on the Internet-based exam.  IELTS will be accepted in lieu of the TOEFL;  minimum of 6.5 required.  Students may be required to take additional English language testing and/or may be referred to the Center for International Student Access for additional language preparation.
• Certificate of Financial Responsibility (for students requesting an F-1 or J-1 visa).

Submission of GRE or GMAT scores is required only for students requesting merit-based funding consideration.

Students may be admitted for nondegree study and apply a limited number of credits toward the master’s degree should they choose to apply to the degree program later, in accordance with university policy.

Academic Policies

Students admitted to an SPP program will be terminated from SPP upon receiving one grade of F and are no longer eligible to take courses in SPP. Per university regulation students are dismissed from the university after accumulating grades of F in two courses or 9 credits of unsatisfactory grades in graduate courses.