Public Health Policy Interdisciplinary Concentration (PHPIC)

The School of Public Health's Public Health Policy Interdisciplinary Concentration (PHPIC) focuses on promoting the health of populations and groups through public and organizational policy.  The 12-credit curriculum, open to students pursuing an M.P.H., includes coursework that explores the way in which federal, state, local and institutional entities affect the financing, structure, and delivery of public health and medical care.   

Those who complete the PHPIC set themselves apart from the pack.  They get an opportunity to develop expertise that can be used to navigate and tackle some of the most challenging facets of public health. 

PHPIC coursework provides a better understanding of the health care system as a whole and prevention policy.  The challenging curriculum helps M.P.H. majors hone practical skills that are highly sought after in the public health and policy arenas.  Students who pursue the concentration can chose courses that emphasize:

• Understanding community dynamics
• Developing advocacy skills for public health
• Analyzing legal and policy structures
• Evaluating and implementing policies and programs
• Influencing community health
• Motivating and educating stakeholders and decision-makers
• Using policy as prevention strategy
• Eliminating health disparities through policy

Both the public and private sectors need professionals who can navigate the complicated labyrinth of government policy, law, and bureaucracy.  M.P.H. students can prepare for the challenge by completing the PHPIC. 

Requirements

A minimum of 12 credits are needed for the concentration. Each PHPIC student is required to complete:

• 3 credits in policy coursework from their home division
• a 2 credit policy course from outside their division
• a Capstone Policy Seminar
• a 3-credit practicum or internship focused in public health policy

An additional required 2 credits focused in public health policy will be taken through coursework or a plan B paper based on the approval of the policy advisor in concert with the student’s academic advisor.

The required 2 credit policy course that is from outside a student’s division of enrollment may be from another division within the School of Public Health or elsewhere in the University and must be approved by their policy advisor as providing sufficient depth beyond courses already taken.

The Policy Capstone Seminar is a 1 credit, required, interdisciplinary course focused on the skills needed to be effective in the policy arena. It will be co-taught by several faculty members.

All courses must be at a level acceptable for graduate credit (i.e., no courses below the 4000 level and at least 75% must be at the 6000 level or above).

• View a list of courses that are part of the PHPIC curriculum

For more information contact Carol Francis, PHPIC coordinator, at franc004@umn.edu or (612) 624-6952.