What Can I Do with My Health Care Management and Policy Major?
Overview
The health care management and policy program focuses on the role of health care organizations and policies in improving the health of individuals and their communities and offers rigorous preparation in the structure and dynamics of health systems, the policy environment, the management of health service organizations, and other factors that influence population health. The curriculum offers two tracks including a health policy analysis track and health management track. In the health policy analysis track, students are exposed to how the government operates and how policy is developed around the country’s health care system. In the health management track, students gain a broad understanding of complex health systems. The senior year includes a year or semester-long internship in health management or health policy. Students and graduates distinguish themselves by demonstrating a comprehensive grasp of all aspects related to delivering high-quality healthcare.
Graduates of the program are prepared to enter a wide variety of health service delivery organizations and the organizations that regulate, finance and supply health services. Opportunities include staff positions in hospitals, community clinics, medical group practices, health systems corporations, health insurance companies, professional associations, pharmaceutical and supply companies, government agencies, consulting companies and public relations firms.
Skills
Critical technical skills for those interested in healthcare management include business administration, budgeting, data analysis, and quality assurance. Additionally, soft skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, leadership, and teamwork are equally essential in this field. For those interested in health policy, the above-mentioned soft skills will be advantageous, in addition to technical skills in data gathering and analysis, effective written communication and staying well-informed in current politics.
Internship Opportunities
A significant number of healthcare management and policy majors in the School of Health actively engage in internships. Students have gained relevant experience working for consulting companies (e.g., Capitol Street, BCG, Booz Allen Hamilton, Marwood Group, and ICF) as well as nonprofits (e.g., March of Dimes, HCA Healthcare, National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and Lifelong AIDS Alliance), hospitals (e.g., Georgetown University Medical Center and Mount Sinai Health System), pharma and medical devices (e.g., Becton Dickinson, Pfizer and McKesson), insurance (e.g., Build America Mutual, Mercer, The Cigna Group), legal firms (e.g., Estlund), investment banking (e.g., TELECO Capital), and in the local, state, and federal government (e.g., DC Office of Planning, Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and with Senators). Participating in volunteer work for a nonprofit organization, involvement in a campus student club, collaborating on research with a faculty member, and/or exploring international study opportunities are also valuable ways to gain experience.
Where are Georgetown Health Care Management and Policy Majors Now?
Review these Post Graduation Outcomes to learn more about where Georgetown alumni with healthcare management & policy majors have gone post-graduation for work or continuing education. Filter by first major to get an idea of what life after Georgetown looks like. Past graduates have been hired in various roles in various settings, including:
- Health and Life Sciences Consulting: Analyst, Associate, or Research Assistant at companies, such as Accenture Federal Services, Guidehouse, Bain & Company, Boston Consulting Group, Kx Advisors, L.E.K. Consulting, Deloitte, PwC, EY, L&M Policy Research, Optum, and McKinsey & Co.
- Other For-Profit Companies, including pharma, insurance, law, tech, and investment banking: Finance Leadership Development Program Analyst at Becton Dickinson, Policy & Investment Associate at Capstone LLC, Delivery Analyst at Anytime Fitness, Client Services Associate at Phreesia, Investment Banking Analyst at LifeSci Capital, Paralegal at Peckar & Abramson P.C., Associate Program Manager at Syneos Health, Associate Account Strategist at Google, and Advisory Services Analyst at UnitedHealthGroup
- Nonprofits: Research Associate at West Health and Kaiser Family Foundation
- Healthcare Facilities: Financial and Operations Management Associate at Northwell Health and Business Analyst at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Healthcare Operations Intern for Asbury Communities
- Government: Representative in the Governor’s Office at the State of CA Constituent Affairs, Congressional Aide for U.S. Congress, Legislative Correspondent for U.S. Senate, and Health Policy Analyst at the Center for Health Information and Analysis.
Consider that some graduates choose to take a gap year before enrolling in graduate studies. Many choose to pursue graduate studies in programs such as a Master of Science in specialities such as epidemiology or health economics or attend medical or law school. As a result, graduates pursuing medical school, for example, may choose to work in clinical and/or research positions post-graduation.
You’ll see in many cases that alums are using majors in a wide variety of ways, and your major doesn’t always equal your career path.
Where can I go to learn more?
The industry guide on healthcare consulting, administration, and policy provides information on how to get connected outside of Georgetown, student organizations to join, and key organizations, along with tips to prepare your application and apply. At the career center, you can meet with a Career Exploration Counselor for general guidance on concerns, goals, and strategies to move forward in your career decision-making, or an Industry Advisor specializing in specific career paths like health and science. Schedule an appointment on Handshake.
To learn more about the academics of a healthcare management & policy major and/or speak to faculty, visit the School of Health website.