{"id":553,"date":"2015-11-05T15:37:07","date_gmt":"2015-11-05T15:37:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cehhs-publichealth.utdev1.wpengine.com\/?page_id=553"},"modified":"2026-07-02T15:24:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T19:24:10","slug":"hpm","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/publichealth\/degree-programs\/mph\/hpm\/","title":{"rendered":"MPH Concentration: Health Policy and Management"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Official<\/a><\/p>\n

Campus-based and Online <\/p>\n

Health administrators manage an array of human, capital, and material resources and provide leadership within a guiding framework of established organizational goals to achieve positive outcomes related to health. A major focus of the health policy and management (HPM) concentration is to improve the graduate’s capability for population-based program management, especially in community-oriented health settings.<\/p>\n

Formerly known as health planning and administration (HPA), the HPM concentration has been available as a distinct MPH concentration of study at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville since fall 1972.<\/p>\n

The HPM program’s strengths include learning to manage and coordinate resources in the complex and political arena of health care, with new challenges frequently arising. The aspiring health administrator develops wide-ranging skills in team leadership, financial management, human resources management, communications, program planning and administration, and the facilitation of change. In addition, health policy formulation and policy impacts must be understood by managers and policy planners seeking to address such important issues as: access to care, quality improvement and assurance, cost containment, specialized needs of population groups, and partnerships with others to improve the health of the public. The UT-Knox County Academic Health Department<\/a> is one of several practice-based settings for students to develop competencies.<\/p>\n

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Consider a career in health administration<\/strong> if you view yourself as organized, skilled in setting objectives and coordinating activities to achieve those objectives, comfortable with the dynamics of a changing field, and capable of facilitating the work performance of others. The MPH degree with a concentration of study in health policy and management offers an educational route to acquiring values, knowledge and skills associated with the practice of health administration. Various undergraduate degrees offer appropriate educational preparation for graduate study in HPM, because health administrators use theories and techniques from many different disciplines. Introductory undergraduate courses in accounting, statistics and public health are standard prerequisites for degree admission at UT. Competitiveness for admission may be increased for those with prior work experience in the health field. Work settings for HPM graduates include: federal, state and local public health or other government agencies, voluntary health agencies, social services organizations, and healthcare facilities. Administrative roles in other health settings also may be of interest, especially for HPM students with clinical credentials or prior experience in the health care field.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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For more information about the HPM concentration, contact:<\/h4>\n

Assist. Professor
\nJennifer Russomanno
\njrussoma@utk.edu<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

865-974-5041<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Points of Pride:<\/h4>\n

HPM Graduates are Prepared for Career Success<\/h5>\n

HPM faculty and the APE coordinator counsel individual students regarding possible career paths and design course experiences and internships which increase opportunities for employment in various health settings. Strengths of the MPH graduates are the breadth of perspective and the ability to function professionally in the health field on a multidisciplinary basis. Effective and efficient health care program delivery requires competent health administrators. Graduates of the HPM concentration are experiencing success and professional satisfaction in a multitude of health organizations and facilities. Several HPM alumni have advanced to the top CEO positions within their organizations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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A health policy and management student develops the following competencies:<\/h2>\n