*Course schedules are subject to change due to last minute updates
Summer 2025 Planning Schedule
Last updated 4.21.2025
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Fall 2025 Planning Schedule
Last updated 4.21.2025
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Winter 2026 Planning Schedule
Last updated 4.21.2025
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Spring 2026 Planning Schedule
Last updated 4.21.2025
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SPH Course Descriptions
Descriptions of all School of Public Health courses can also be found in the course catalog of the most recent edition of the PSU Bulletin.
HSMP 502IP – Integrative Project
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
HSMP 502IP |
Course Information
The key culminating step for each MPH student is the Integrative Project (IP). Through the IP, a high-quality written product is produced, which we call the “IP paper.” Through the IP paper, students demonstrate their academic learning and public health practice skills through the synthesis of foundational and program competencies and application of those competencies to complex public health issues. The paper will take the form of a substantial written product such as a program evaluation, policy or economic analysis, grant proposal, health promotion or community engagement program plan, publishable manuscript, or other written product that demonstrates integration of three foundational (one must include Foundational Competency #6) and three program competencies. Appropriate types of written products vary by program, type of practice experience (if the two are integrated), and the student’s career goals. We recommend (but do not require) that the IP paper build upon work conducted in the Practice Experience. For example, students may write a high-quality written paper using the findings from a statistical analysis performed in support of a research project that is separate from their Practice Experience.
HSMP 509PE – Practice Experience
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
HSMP 509PE | 4 |
Course Information
Students must attend a PE orientation (via canvas.pdx.edu) prior to registering and are encouraged to attend a PE info session. Detailed information about the PE can be found on the Practice Experience SPH webpage.
PEs are a total of 4 credits and 160 “contact hours.” Students demonstrate 5 competencies via at least two deliverables, as well as submit a learning agreement (the term before PE registration), a midway progress report, a portfolio, and perform an oral presentation.
Biostats students register for BSTA 509PE. PHP students register for CPH 509PE. Epi students for EPI 504PE. ESHH students register for ESHH 509PE. HSMP students register for HSMP 509PE. HP students register for PHE 504PE.
Prerequisite
Consent of PE Coordinator required.
HSMP 541 – Organizational Behavior in Health Service Organizations
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
HSMP 541 | 3 |
Course Information
This course provides an overview of organizational theory and behavior in health services organizations. The emphasis is on developing an understanding of the factors and forces that influence the structures, behaviors and operations of various organizations that deliver health and related services. This understanding will be developed through consideration of organizations, their environments, and the roles of individuals working in management.
HSMP 544 – Leadership and Governance in Health Services
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
HSMP 544 | 3 |
Course Information
Class explores principles and practices of leadership and governance in a variety of health and human services organizations. Theories of leadership and models of governance are studied, and explored through case studies of local health and human services leaders and their governance relationships. Students also conduct self-assessments of present and future leadership practice and potential.
Prerequisite
- HSMP 541 – Org Behavior in Health Services
- HSMP 571 – Health Policy
- HSMP 574 – Health Systems Organization
HSMP 571 / 671 – Health Policy
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
HSMP 571/671 | 3 |
Course Information
Centers on an investigation of the public policy process as it affects the health care field. Specific health care policies and programs are used to explore the characteristics of the health care policy process and the factors involved in the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of health care policies and programs. Recommended corequisite: HSMP 574.
Slash Listed Courses
Doctoral students register for the HSMP 671 section.
HSMP 573 / 673 – Values & Ethics in Health
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
HSMP 573/673 | 3 |
Course Information
This course addresses issues and questions regarding values and ethics in health, with particular attention to public health practice and health policy and management. It provides students with opportunities to consider issues in health and social services that challenge values and pose ethical issues, and assists students in addressing these issues in the context of both personal and organizational values and beliefs. Specific course content includes, but is not limited to, ethical issues such as reproductive issues, emerging diseases, product liability, pharmaceutical controls, advertising, occupational and environmental issues, and research dilemmas.
Prerequisite
Completion of at least 30 credits of the graduate program
Slash Listed Courses
Doctoral students register for the HSMP 673 section.
HSMP 574 / 674 – Health Systems Organization
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
HSMP 574 / 674 | 3 |
Course Information
This course introduces basic concepts and issues in the organization, financing, and delivery of health services. The emphasis is on the systemic aspects of health services production and delivery which address the health needs of populations with respect to death, disease, disability, discomfort, and dissatisfaction. Students will examine the inter-relationships of system structures, subsystems, and processes, as well as their interactions with the larger social, cultural, economic and political environments in which they exist. The focus is on the United States, with international comparisons used to illustrate similarities and differences.
Slash Listed Courses
Also offered as HSMP 674 and may be taken only once for credit.
HSMP 575 / 675 – Advanced Health Policy
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
HSMP 575 / 675 | 3 |
Course Information
This course enables students to deepen their understanding of local, regional, national and international health policies and policy issues with specific reference to the underlying dynamics of the policy process. Understanding the process and nature of policy choices will be emphasized – who, what, how and why of explicit and implicit decisions and choices that lead to the ultimate policy. Students will develop an understanding of how health policy can be successfully developed and sustainably implemented.
Prerequisite
HSMP 571 – Health Policy
Slash Listed Courses
Doctoral students register in the HSMP 675 section.
HSMP 576 – Strategic Management of Health Care Organizations
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
HSMP 576 | 3 |
Course Information
This course enables students to define health services delivery problems and issues, collect and analyze relevant information, and articulate solutions to strategic management issues. Course content emphasizes organizational strategic planning tools and processes, including directional strategies, internal and external environmental assessments, strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation. Students will demonstrate ability to integrate knowledge and skills developed across the curriculum by conducting focused case analyses and a situational assessment of a health organization.
Prerequisite
- HSMP 541 – Org Behavior in Health Services
- HSMP 574 – Health Systems Organization
- HSMP 587 – Financial Mgmt of Health Services
- HSMP 588 – Prog Eval & Mgmt in Health Serivcs
- and completion of at least 30 credit hours in the MPH:HMP or MPA:HA program of study.
HSMP 577 / 677 – Health Care Law & Regulation
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
HSMP 577/677 | 3 |
Course Information
Course intended to be an introduction to the American legal system and the laws that affect public health and health care. Initially, course focuses on public legal relationships between governments and individuals, and proceeds to review private legal relationships between individuals or organizations. Reviews the source of laws affecting health care, the basics of constitutional law, the right to privacy, state and federal regulation of health care, and negligence in health care. Wraps up with an introduction to cutting edge health care issues such as health care fraud and abuse compliance and medical record privacy.
Prerequisite
HSMP 571 – Health Policy
HSMP 574 – Health Systems Organization
Slash Listed Courses
Doctoral students register for the HSMP 677 section.
HSMP 578 – Performance Improvement in Health Services
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
HSMP 578 | 3 |
Course Information
This course introduces students to organizational performance improvement and illustrates applications in health services delivery. Course content draws upon literature regarding industrial quality improvement, organizational performance assessment, patient safety, and health services improvement. Students will learn to apply improvement science to redesign systems and processes to achieve performance improvement in various kinds of health services delivery organizations. Students will apply this knowledge to personal, organizational and systems level improvement projects.
Prerequisite
HSMP 541 – Org Behavior in Health Services
HSMP 574 – Health Systems Organization
HSMP 579 – Health Information Technology & Systems Management
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
HSMP 579 | 3 |
Course Information
Advances in information technology are driving fundamental changes throughout health care and transforming the health care industry. Students will gain an understanding how to manage and use health information technology systems. The course will identify the various types of health care information systems, and assess the key issues confronting the management of such systems, including business needs, the relationship between organizational needs and technology capabilities, and the management and control of IT resources in a variety of health-related organizational settings.
Prerequisite
HSMP 574 – Health Systems Organization
HSMP 580 – Health Services Human Resources Management
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
HSMP 580 | 3 |
Course Information
Overview of human resources within the context of health care organizations. Focus on the practical application of human resources management principles in the work setting through discussion of situations common in health care environments. Elements of the situation evaluated from the health care employee and health care manager perspectives. Examples of techniques, forms, and tools will be discussed.
Prerequisite
HSMP 541 – Org Behavior in Health Services
HSMP 574 – Health Systems Organization
HSMP 581 / 681 – Population Health: Policy and Practice Implications
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
HSMP 581 / 681 | 3 |
Course Information
Introduction to concepts of population health as they relate to policy and practice. In addition to exploring various meanings of the term “population health”, the course considers three primary drivers of population health: long-term demographic trends (e.g., population aging, immigration, fertility); social and economic policies (including health policy); and characteristics of the healthcare system. Special emphasis is placed on translating knowledge into effective policies and practice to address population health.
Slash Listed Courses
Doctoral students register for the HSMP 681 section.
HSMP 582 / 682 – Oregon Health Policy: Lessons for State and National Reform
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
HSMP 582 / 682 | 3 |
Course Information
Reviews Oregon’s nationally recognized health reforms and examine the lessons learned for the development and implementation of health policy at the national, state and local levels. Fundamental to the course will be exploring the many issues around employing public policy to address problems around access, cost, financing and quality in health care. This will be a seminar style course with an opportunity for students to meet with and learn from experts. Expected preparation: HSMP 571 Health Policy.
Slash Listed Courses
Also offered as HSMP 682 for doctoral students
HSMP 583 / 683 – Economics of Health Systems and Policy
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
HSMP 583 / 683 | 3 |
Course Information
Health policy has a fundamental transactional nature. Economics provides a broad theoretical framework that seeks to assess and understand transactional relationships. Thus, economics has particular value as a means to diagnose the transactional problems that underpin health system dynamics and provide frameworks for proposed solutions. This course applies economic theory to assess problems in health systems and propose solutions, as well as critique existing policy and develop sound policy alternatives.
Prerequisite
Successful completion of HSMP 586 – Introduction to Health Economics, with an earned “B-” minimum passing grade
Slash Listed Courses
Doctoral students register for HSMP 683.
HSMP 585 / 685 – Implementation Science in Health Systems
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
HSMP 585 / 685 |
Course Information
Students are introduced to the practice of implementation science as a strategic means to improve implementation efforts and as a foundation for designing research to further that end. Common implementation science frameworks, models and strategies are introduced and assessed for their implications for action or measurement at the policy, system, organization and community level. This course is an elective for the Health Management and Policy (HMP) program.
Slash Listed Courses
Also offered for doctoral-level credit as HSMP 685 and may only be taken once for credit.
HSMP 586 / 686 – Introduction to Health Economics
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
HSMP 586 / 686 | 3 |
Course Information
Focuses on defining and measuring the performance of the health care sector, defining and explaining microeconomic concepts, and evaluating various policy initiatives to improve efficiency, equity, and technological progress in health care. Specific topics include description of the health care industry, production of health, measurement of health care price changes, theory of demand for health care, theory of production and cost, measurement of inputs and outputs, cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis, and structure and functioning of markets. In addition, the role of government in a private economy in dealing with market failure is discussed, especially as it relates to the goal of assuring universal access to health care. Does not require any specific preparation in economics or mathematics, although graphical presentation of economic concepts is emphasized. Recommended corequisite: HSMP 574.
Slash Listed Courses
Doctoral students register for the HSMP 686 section.
HSMP 587 – Financial Management of Health Services
| Course Code | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
HSMP 587 | 3 |
Course Information
Focuses on the analysis and administration of resources in the health care field. Among the specific topics included in this course are financial statements, budgeting, cash flow, costing, capital decision making, sources of capital and operating funds, depreciation and government reimbursement schemes, and human resources planning and management.
Interprofessional Education Course Schedule
Interprofessional education occurs when students from two or more professions learn about, from, and with each other to enhance collaboration and improve health outcomes. At least 1 credit of Interprofessional Education is required by all MPH degree programs.
Most courses with OHSU subject code IPE (Inter-Professional Education) or UNI (University Curriculum) satisfy the Interprofessional Education requirement. Other courses may also serve; consult your advisor.
For a list of IPE and UNI courses, descriptions, and their intended schedule download the spreadsheet. This list is subject to change, contact the course instructor if you would like to enroll.
Interprofessional Education
HSMP 584 / 684 – Social Policy and Public Health
HSMP 584 / 684
3
Course Information
Examines how social policies influence health, with particular attention to health equity and disparities. Students will develop skills necessary to assess the empirical evidence for, and health implications of social policies in the areas of education, agriculture/nutrition, social welfare/income transfer, employment/labor, housing/built environment, transportation, civil rights, and other policy domains.
Slash Listed Courses
Also offered for graduate-level credit as HSMP 684 and may be taken only once for credit.