Health Services Policy and Management (HSPM) is an interdisciplinary field concerned with the promotion of personal and public health through planning, organizing, directing, controlling, coordinating and evaluating health services.
Career opportunities exist in hospitals and clinics, state and federal health care agencies, physician practices, long-term care facilities, professional organizations, consulting firms, insurance companies, health departments, and hospital and medical associations. Individuals from a wide range of undergraduate majors can expect to succeed in health administration, given the many career opportunities the field offers.
The MPH program emphasizes the management of public health agencies and public sector health services. Graduates from the MHA program find jobs in finance and business development, operations management, information technology management, human resources, patient and community relations and other fields. The Ph.D. prepares students to conduct health services research and/or teach at a university level.
The Department of Health Services Policy and Management’s mission is to be actively involved in improving quality, safety, efficiency and effectiveness of health services and health systems locally and globally. (Adopted Fall 2021).
We offer seven advanced degrees related to health services policy and management. Each graduate degree has specific application deadlines and requirements.
Yi-wen Shih's research examines mental health, health disparities and substance use (particularly opioids). She advocates for nonpharmacologic treatment of chronic noncancer pain to improve health outcomes/pain management and mitigate the opioid crisis.
The health services policy and management (HSPM) associate professor and Rural and Minority Health Research Center director was recognized with one of the National Rural Health Association's top honors: the 2023 Outstanding Researcher Award.
Hannah Price spent the final semester of her MPH program interning with the Dorn VA Medical Center. With veterans/active military in her family (including her dad and grandfathers) and circle of friends, she has always been passionate about this population.
Akeen Hamilton, Ellen Stowe and Michaela Williams are among the five University of South Carolina students and alumni selected for the 2022-2023 Presidential Management Fellowship.
The Department of Health Services Policy and Management is proud to announce the recipients of their 2023 Student Awards. These students were selected for their outstanding performance both academically and outside the classroom.
Public health major Abby Edwards, whose college experience was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, wasn't ready to leave - or to stop learning - when her 2021 graduation arrived.
USC features Arnold School alumna (MPH in Health Services Policy and Management) Chynna A. Phillips, who is the senior director of policy and research for the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina.