Online Master of Public Health with a specialization in Health Policy and Management
Learn more
If you have any questions, please call (808) 956-0919 or email phonline@hawaii.edu.
Who will benefit:
The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Online Asynchronous Master of Public Health is designed to train you in community and public health. You will gain the knowledge and skills required to develop, implement, deliver, and evaluate health programs and support services that will improve the health and well-being of your communities. You will also learn skills in performing and appraising research and in seeing health from a population perspective. Instructors in our program are experts in the fields of health disparities and applied health services research. Their work seeks to reduce negative health outcomes in marginalized communities. Individuals from diverse professions and backgrounds will benefit from a Master of Public Health degree from UH Mānoa to take their careers to the next level.
Important Dates
Classes Starting Fall 2025
Career Possibilities:
Health Policy and Management (HPM) is a diverse specialization that will prepare you for health-related work across the health services continuum from policy development, program planning, implementation and management, program and policy evaluation, and health systems leadership to achieve intended health outcomes.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment in Public Health to grow. Employment growth for Medical and Health Services Managers is expected to grow by 32% — much faster than other occupations.
Growing careers in Public Health include:
Emergency Management Directors
Epidemiologists
Public Health Educators
Public Health Services Managers
Medical and Health Services Managers
Environmental Health Specialists
Public Health Program Coordinators
Frequently Asked Questions
What Master of Public Health (MPH) specializations are offered through the online program?
Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health Policy and Management is offered at this time. The Native Hawaiian and Indigenous Health specialization may be added in the future.
Is the online program synchronous or asynchronous? Is there an in-person component for the program?
The program will be delivered as an asynchronous online program with a mandatory 3-day face-to-face orientation at the start of the program and a 3-day face-to-face research showcase at the mid-point of the program. The face-to-face components will be held on the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (UHM) campus. You will be responsible for coordinating your travel and accommodations for the face-to-face program elements.
The in-person orientation will be held in mid-August 2022. The exact date and details of the in-person program will be shared shortly after admission.
Note: The cost of the on-site component may be included with financial aid requests. The program may be focused on two days, but the third day is included to account for travel time.
If I'm enrolled in the in-person program, may I switch to the online program?
Yes, you may apply to switch from the in-person program to the online program with the approval of the specialization faculty.
Can I take some courses online and some courses in person?
No, the programs are two separate pathways to the MPH. You may apply to switch between the programs should your circumstances or preferences change.
Note: Classes may be cross-listed; for example, One Health may be listed in both UHM Outreach College (UHMOC) and regular programs with two sections merged to a single section.
Also, per UHMOC, taking courses across Outreach College-extension and the regular term is strongly discouraged; there is no mechanism in the UHM Banner registration system to restrict students from doing so.
Who will advise students?
The online program coordinator will provide programmatic support and advice to you. UHMOC will assist with registration questions and matters related to Outreach College.
How much does the program cost?
Residents and non-residents pay the same amount: $650 per credit. The total cost for the program is between $25,000-$30,000, depending on your electives.
Is financial aid available for this program?
Depending on your circumstances, financial aid may be available.
What technology is required to participate in the program?
- Reliable, fast internet is needed for streaming course videos and participating in Zoom discussions
- Personal computer with at least 2 GHz processor, 1GB RAM, 80 GB of available hard drive space, and a working video camera
- Familiarity with the Google Suite of programs, Microsoft Office Suite, and analytic software
Does the program accept faculty or student waivers?
No, the program does not accept faculty or student waviers.
Paying for your degree
Paying for School:
Fixed tuition and no surprises - Our program currently offers a low tuition rate of $650 per credit. Depending on the electives you decide on, the total cost for your Master Degree of Public Health will be between $25,000-$30,000.
Does the program accept faculty or student waivers?
No, the program does not accept faculty or student waviers.
Master of Public Health (MPH) with a specialization in Health Policy and Management:
You can complete the online MPH in 21 months. The program’s objective is to promote and protect the public’s health through the preparation of graduates for leadership careers in health services policy and management, as well as to conduct research and disseminate knowledge that will advance the organization, effectiveness, and delivery of health services. HPM courses are interdisciplinary and designed to develop students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills across the public and private sectors to address health challenges in the state of Hawaiʻi, the Asia-Pacific region, and around the world. This degree is also open to students from U.S. territories in the Pacific and International Students.
Language requirements:
Most applicants whose native language is not English are required to take an English Language Proficiency test. We currently accept TOEFL iBT (including TOEFL iBT Home Edition),TOEFL Essentials, IELTS Academic (including IELTS Online), Duolingo English Test, and select Cambridge English Scale tests (C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency). Scores from tests taken at home/online, when administered by the test provider following standard procedures, are accepted. Scores based on multiple test administrations (sometimes called “superscores”), such as TOEFL MyBest scores and the IELTS One Score Retake, are also accepted.
Applicants may submit unofficial scores while applying for admission. However, admitted students are required to submit official scores in order to enroll at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. If applicable, you must submit TOEFL MyBest scores and the IELTS One Score Retake. Official scores should be sent directly to Graduate Division Student Services. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) code for University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa is 4867. Test scores cannot be more than two years old.
Learn more about our TOEFL requirements here.
About the MPH program:
Our program focuses on the decisions, plans, and actions organizations and governments take to achieve health promotion and care goals. Delivering high-quality, cost-effective health care and developing policies that lead to health and the reduction of disparities are complex and dynamic processes that integrate topics from a diversity of disciplines and sub-disciplines. These include, but are not limited to: health services research, program management and administration, evaluation, political science, environmental science, human rights, ethics, anthropology, and sociology, among others.
Courses of study leading to the Online Master of Public Health are designed to provide you with a broad background for professional practice in the field of public health at state, national, and international levels.
Why UH? Specializations are what set us apart:
The Office of Public Health Studies (OPHS) at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health currently offers the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree specializing in epidemiology, health policy and management, Native Hawaiian and Indigenous health, and social and behavioral health sciences.
Who will benefit:
The Master of Public Health is designed to train you in community and public health. You will gain the knowledge and skills required to develop, implement, deliver, and evaluate health programs and support services that will improve the health and well-being of your communities. You will also learn skills in performing and appraising research and in seeing health from a population perspective. Instructors in our program are experts in the fields of health disparities and applied health services research. Their work seeks to reduce negative health outcomes in marginalized communities. Individuals from diverse professions and backgrounds will benefit from a Master of Public Health degree from UH Mānoa to take their careers to the next level.
Learning outcomes:
Health Policy and Management is a diverse specialization that will prepare you for health-related work across the health services continuum from policy development, program planning, implementation and management, program and policy evaluation, and health systems leadership to achieve intended health outcomes.
All courses have a foundation in issues that impact population health and healthcare systems, including environmental health, disease prevention, health informatics, Indigenous health, ethics, and behavioral and cultural issues.
Possible career outcomes:
HPM is a diverse specialization that will prepare you for health-related work across the health services continuum from policy development, program planning, implementation and management, program and policy evaluation, and health systems leadership to achieve intended health outcomes.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment in Public Health to grow. Employment growth for Medical and Health Services Managers is expected to grow by 32% — much faster than other occupations.
Growing careers in Public Health include:
Emergency Management Directors
Epidemiologists
Public Health Educators
Public Health Services Managers
Medical and Health Services Managers
Environmental Health Specialists
Public Health Program Coordinators
Qualifications for admission:
Health Policy and Management applicants must meet the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Graduate Division’s admission requirements. Applicants must have computer skills in word processing, spreadsheet construction, and web applications. Preference may be given to students with health, administration, economics, human services, or social science training. Work experience in health care or human services is preferred, but not required.
Student Experience:
An education that fits your life – Work toward your degree without giving up your life; online asynchronous classes allow for flexible year-round learning.
Learn on your time:
Because of our Aysnchronus schedule, you can attend classes whenever you want. There are breaks built into the program calendar that allows you to take the time you need to break away from coursework.
Winter break
December 18 through January 10.
Summer break
May 13 through August 3.
Summer Sessions
There is an option to take courses during the Summer Sessions term. Summer Sessions runs from May 23 through August 12.
Online and on-campus – Our academic advisors and learning specialists are with you every step of the way.
Paying for School:
Our program currently offers a low tuition rate of $650 per credit. Depending on the electives you decide on and time to degree, the total cost for your Master Degree of Public Health will vary.