Master Degree in Nursing: Health Policy

 

Visit our new site at healthpolicypublichealth.ucsf.edu for the latest information on our specialty.

 

15-month program leading to a Master's degree in nursing with a specialty in Health Policy!

As health care reform continues to unfold, nurses need to be policy savvy and ready to use their expertise to guide and lead policy change. The Health Policy specialty prepares nurses for such work. If you want to move beyond helping individuals one at a time… to making a difference at the “bigger picture” system level, and you are a creative, entrepreneurial individual who likes to write, speak, and think about how policies may affect different groups of people, the Nursing Health Policy Master's program may be a fit for you!

What does the program require?

The latest curriculum is availble to view by clicking this link.
Courses will be completed over four regular quarters and one summer quarter, beginning in Fall quarter of each year.

All students complete courses in:

  • Theories of the Policy Process
  • Communications and Policy Leadership
  • Corporate Influences on Health and Health Care
  • Health Care Economics
  • Health Policy Research Utilization
  • Policy Proseminar and Practica
  • Policy Research Residency
  • Race and Class Factors in Health Care
  • Nursing Leadership
  • Epidemiology
  • Global Health Policy and Nursing

In addition, students may also take electives that include Comparative Health Care Systems, Economics of Managed Care, Ethics and Policy in Genetics, Health Care Institutions, Long Term Care Policies, Perspectives on Social Policy and Health, Social Policy and Aging, Future of Health and Healthcare,  and Tobacco Control Policy Issues.

Each student also completes a 240-hour summer Health Policy Residency working in a policy organization. In some cases these residencies have led to job offers for graduates.  Residencies emphasize the application of policy skills in real-world settings.

 

 What can I do with this MS degree?

Nurses with policy expertise work in advocacy organizations, medical and health maintenance organizations, legislative and regulatory offices, health care provider associations, and many other settings.

Nurses with policy expertise are employed by health services research firms, hold elective or appointive office, or work in legislative and regulatory offices at the county, state and federal levels. Others work in the legislative or policy offices of health care delivery organizations, advocacy organizations, or health care provider associations.  One can also find nurses with careers in policy and program planning at international government health organizations and non-governmental organizations, including biotechnology firms.