Prepare for a career in healthcare management with Penn State's Health Policy and Administration degree.
Penn State’s health policy and administration (HPA) Bachelor of Science program prepares students for careers in the healthcare industry as well as for graduate studies in business, law, medicine or allied health fields, health administration, health services research or policy and public health.
In September 2020, a HPA Consortium was established to enrich student experiences and share talented faculty. The HPA Consortium exists through a Memorandum of Understanding among seven campuses – Abington, Beaver, Harrisburg, Hazleton, Lehigh Valley, Mont Alto and Shenango. The campuses offer shared courses through the Digital Learning Collaborative. Courses are also offered in person on the home campuses.
To date, the HPA Consortium has offered a host of dividends for students and campuses alike, including:
- Student access to the widest array of preferred courses every semester
- Coordination of course schedules and delivery modes
- Supplementation to locally offered courses
- Access to a larger array of academic program minors not readily available at the student's home campus
- Optimization of faculty resources with a variety of expertise
Why Study HPA?
The HPA program offers a flexible course structure that allows you to tailor your classes to your individual goals. Supporting courses let you explore specific areas of interest including:
- health sciences
- nursing
- nutrition
- business administration
- finance
- management
For more information on the HPA curriculum, visit the HPA: Overview / Courses page.
Post-Graduation Opportunities
Graduate Studies
The HPA program readies students for graduate studies at multiple possible locations within Penn State, such as University Park, Harrisburg, and even online through World Campus:
- Penn State Harrisburg School of Public Affairs Master of Health Administration (MHA)
- 36-credit program
- Evening and Saturday classes
- University Park Master of Health Administration (MHA)
- 45-credit program
- World Campus Master of Health Administration (MHA)
- 45-credit program
- Online
- Cohort model
Career Opportunities
A health policy and administration degree and the healthcare industry offer students a vast array of growing job opportunities. HPA students are prepared to work in a variety of healthcare organizations, including:
- healthcare providers (hospitals, physician practices, nursing facilities, home health agencies, etc.);
- health insurers (nonprofit and commercial insurers, health maintenance organizations, etc.);
- healthcare consulting firms.
For a full list of future HPA career opportunities, visit the HPA: Careers and Job Opportunities page.
Many US states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.