GPHAP Program Details

To be officially accepted in the GPHAP, all students must be enrolled and pursuing a master’s degree, J.D. degree, or medical degree from one of the participating professional schools at the University.

The Graduate Program in Health Administration and Policy allows students to choose a course of study in health care and health policy that closely matches their interests and career plans to developments in this changing field. Like many of the graduate programs at the University of Chicago, GPHAP is an interdisciplinary program that draws faculty and students from professional schools on campus–the Booth School of Business, the Harris School of Public Policy, The Law School, Pritzker School of Medicine, and the Crown Family  School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. GPHAP students benefit from the alternative perspectives on health care presented by professors and students from the different programs.

Building upon the core training provided by the participating professional schools, GPHAP prepares leaders in health administration and policy by providing students with additional coursework and practical experience in the health care field.  Through field placements or internships, students apply theoretical and analytical tools in a practical setting. All students must fulfill the core requirements of their respective schools, required courses for either of the GPHAP certificate programs (U.S.-focused or global health), a practicum, and co-curricular activities. Students who successfully complete the program will be awarded a Certificate in Health Administration and Policy in addition to the degree awarded by their respective graduate schools. GPHAP is a two-year program and not available to one-year AM students. It is available to evening-weekend and part-time students who will take longer than two years to complete the program.

The Curriculum

The Graduate Program in Health Administration and Policy (GPHAP) allows students to choose a course of study that closely matches their interests and career plans. However, being an interdisciplinary program, we encourage students to broaden their horizons and experience multiple perspectives. Doing so gives our students the analytical skills and training that can be applied to real problems in the health care field.

Academic Requirements

Students must maintain a grade of “B” or higher in the introductory course. All of the courses taken to fulfill the GPHAP requirements must be taken for a grade and not taken on a pass/fail basis.

Practical Requirements

GPHAP students must complete a supervised practicum as part of their training, providing the opportunity for students to apply theoretical knowledge to real life administrative and policy challenges. The practicum requirement can be fulfilled in a number of ways:

  • Summer Internships,
  • GPHAP Erikson or Quern Fellowships,
  • Field Placements (for Crown Family School students),
  • Research Assistantships or Internships,
  • Professional Experience (with approval from the GPHAP Director).

Choosing a Track

GPHAP offers two tracks for accepted students: the U.S.Health Track and the Global Health Track. Both tracks require a four-course sequence including one introductory course taken in the Spring quarter of the first year, one capstone course taken in the Spring quarter of the second, and two health electives.

Co-curricular Requirements

Students are expected to attend three health-related workshops, seminars, lectures or GPHAP special events offered on campus each quarter (to total 18) and must provide a short synopsis of each event attended. Students who are enrolled in GPHAP for more than two years, such as medical students, may submit fewer per quarter to reach the total of 18 co-curriculars.

Student produced video, by: Rachael Mazzella (Booth ’18), Christine Head (Crown ’18), Riddhima Mishra (Harris ’18), and Ben Bowman (Pritzker ’20)