Health Policy and Management

Programs Degrees Major Codes Admissions
Term Deadline
Doctoral (on campus) PHD HPM Fall* December 13, 2022
Master’s (on campus) MHA HPM Fall* March 14, 2023
Master’s (on campus) MSPH HPM Fall* March 14, 2023
Doctoral (online) DrPH PHLX Fall* December 13, 2022
Master’s (online) MHA HPMX Fall* June 13, 2023
Fall Graduate School Fellowships December 13, 2022  (Recommended)
Academic Program Aid/Financial Assistance http://studentaid.unc.edu/
Director of Graduate Admissions Admissions PhD: Justin Trogdon (trogdonj@email.unc.edu)
Master’s: Karen Volmar (karen.volmar@unc.edu)
DrPH Online: John Wiesman (john.wiesman@unc.edu)
Master’s Online: Karen Volmar (karen.volmar@unc.edu)
Graduate Coordinator PhD: Kim Sieler (krsieler@email.unc.edu)
DrPH Online:  Kim Sieler (krsieler@email.unc.edu)
Master’s Online:  Kim Sieler (krsieler@email.unc.edu)
Address Department Health Policy and Management
CB# 7411, 1101 McGavran-Greenberg
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
Website sph.unc.edu/hpm
Phone 919-966-7350
Test Requirements
GRE not required
Letters of Recommendation 3
International Applicants Only TOEFL or IELTS score (no more than two years old)
Other Requirements

In addition to the University’s required application materials, applicants should review the information below for additional expectations or application requirements.

Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)
The MHA prepares students wishing to pursue management careers in health systems, hospitals, consulting firms, managed care organizations, insurance firms, non-governmental organizations, medical group practices, government agencies and other settings.

Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH)

The MSPH prepares students for careers in health systems research, and health policy analysis and evaluation at local, state, federal, and international levels as well as in the private sector.

Personal Statement (distance and master’s)
Please upload a two page (double spaced) statement addressing the following:

  • How will this degree program at UNC-CH contribute to your projected career?
  • What is your experience working in teams and what can you contribute to a team?
  • How will you contribute to a diverse, inclusive student community at Gillings?
  • Please provide any additional information that will help us to evaluate your application.

Plans for Graduate Study Page (distance and master’s)
Area(s) of Interest: Please select up to two areas of interest to you (via the Areas of Interest/Specialization drop-down box within your application).

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program looks for students with an outstanding academic record, innovative thinking, and evidence of a focus in research interests on health services research and health policy.

Personal Statement
Upload a brief essay (up to 4 pages in length) that addresses the issues listed below. Use this statement to provide the Admissions Committee with detailed information relevant to your application that is not otherwise available.

  • Why do you wish to study health policy and/or health services research?
  • Please describe any previous research experience you have had.
  • Which of our concentration areas is the closest match for your research approach and interests? Describe how the selected concentration focus will fit into your projected career plans. (Please see Plans for Graduate Study Page requirements below)
  • Discuss the way in which your past education, research and/or work experience(s) will contribute to your proposed studies at UNC.
  • Explain how your academic background, personal qualities, and/ or life experiences might: (1) contribute to health services/ health policy research and/ or (2) distinguish you from other applicants.
  • Indicate faculty members in the Department who most closely match your interests. Be specific about the areas of overlap in interest.

Plans for Graduate Study Page
Area(s) of Interest: Please select your primary and secondary concentration areas via the Areas of Interest/Specialization drop-down box within your application. Please note that this selection is essential in facilitating a match with an advisor, so careful consideration of a concentration is strongly encouraged. Referring to the research approach and required courses in each concentration is strongly encouraged before making a selection. Selecting more than two concentration areas is not required or encouraged.

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
The Program targets diverse individuals working full-time in the U.S. or internationally with substantial leadership responsibilities in communities, organizations and institutions.

Personal Statement

Essay. Upload an essay (single-spaced and no more than 5 pages) that addresses the following questions and gives us a good narrative of who you are. 

  • Why are you applying to this specific leadership-focused DrPH program and what do you specifically hope to gain from it? 
  • What are your career goals? 
  • What contributions will you bring to the cohort and how will you contribute to a diverse community? 
  • What do you consider to be your most significant professional leadership accomplishment. (Describe your role, what you accomplished, how you accomplished it, and how it improved—or should improve—the public’s health, quality of care, or and/or system/organization). 
  • How does your work experience qualify you as being mid- to senior-career? 
  • What is your biggest disappointment or failure in your work or career so far? What did you learn or how did you overcome this challenge? 
  • What is a significant risk you’ve taken in your work or career? 
  • Why do you care about the public’s health? What else do you want us to know that you think makes you a competitive candidate for this program and helps us understand your core values and being? 

*Consultation with the Director of Graduate Admissions will be required in order to be considered for admission in any semester other than Fall.