Health Policy and Administration Master's Degree Course of Study

Health Policy and Administration students must complete a total of 50 semester hours.  This includes 39 credits of introductory, core, and capstone courses; 5 credits of electives; 3 credits of internship; and 3 credits for a graduate project or 5 credits for a thesis.

The Program is designed to facilitate both full-time and part-time participation.  The time required for completion of the program will vary for each student depending on course load.  The minimum for a full-time student is likely to be two years.  Part-time students will require additional time depending upon the intensity of study.  According to the Washington State University Graduate School, "The time limit for use of graduate credit toward a master's degree is six years from the beginning date of the earliest course applied toward the degree."  Most courses are scheduled beginning at 4:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in the new Academic Center Building on the Riverpoint Higher Education Campus in Spokane next to the Spokane River.

Through the core courses, students develop basic understanding and experience in managing health care systems in the context of enhancing community health status.  A multidisciplinary systems perspective helps students develop knowledge and skills in communication, ethics, interpersonal relations, team-building, management, and delivery of cost-effective health care.

Internships, fellowships, research assistantships, and special projects enhance the experience of Washington State University's Health Policy and Administration students.  Flexible, individualized programs are suitable to a variety of career goals.

The Graduate Planning Sheet assists students in determining their Program of study, based on the established HPA Course Rotation Schedule.

Health Policy and Administration Doctorate

Washington State University does not currently offer a doctorate in Health Policy and Administration.  Washington State University offers a Individual Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program.  The Individual Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program at Washington State University offers an individually tailored Doctor of Philosophy degree. The program provides a unique opportunity for graduate students who wish to develop and achieve a doctorate outside the auspices of an established degree program.  IID students identify the three main disciplines (at minimum) that support and provide coursework in the interest areas.  Individual Interdisciplinary Doctoral students have taken coursework in the Health Policy and Administration Program.