The Department of Health Systems and Population Health (HSPop) prepares students for the front lines and the front office, ready to conduct the unfinished work of improving the well-being of communities in the United States and throughout the world. We envision a future where systems effectively, efficiently, and equitably promote the health of all populations. We are committed to working with partners in public health and health care systems to prepare leaders, design solutions, and conduct innovative research that is translated into practice and policy.
9 Academic Degree Programs
BS: Health Informatics & Health Information Management
MHA: In-Residence; Executive
MHIHIM: Health Informatics & Health Information Management
MPH: Community-Oriented Public Health Practice (COPHP) MPH; Online MPH; HSPop MPH (concentrations: Generalist, Social & Behavioral Sciences, Health Systems & Policy)
MS: HSPop MS (concentrations: Generalist, Clinical and Translational Research)
PhD: Health Services (areas of emphasis: Evaluative Sciences & Statistics, Health Behavior & Social Determinants of Health, Health Economics, Occupational Health, Implementation Science, Training in Equity & Structural Solutions for Addictions)
437 Students (’23-24)
| Graduate Students | 357 |
| Undergraduate Students | 80 |
| Women | 79% |
| Underrepresented Minorities | 56% |
| International | 6.5% |
5,700+ Alumni
We train students for influential careers in health systems management, education, program design and evaluation, health promotion, public health practice, research, advocacy and policy analysis.
93% Job Placement
Percentage of job-seeking HSPop graduates employed, based on a 2024 survey of 975 alumni.
405 Faculty
| Regular | 47 |
| Adjunct | 89 |
| Clinical & Affiliate | 229 |
| Emeritus | 33 |
| Research | 7 |
103 Staff
| Research Staff | 30 |
| Total Student Employees | 24 |
3 Research & Practice Centers/Programs
Our faculty and students collaborate with community partners through the Health Promotion Research Center (HPRC), the Northwest Center for Public Health Practice (NWCPHP), and the Center for Anti-Racism and Community Health (ARCH).
Part of the highly-regarded UW School of Public Health, ranked #2 among publicly-funded schools of public health in the U.S., #6 among all public health schools in the U.S.
– U.S. News & World Report, July 2024
Proven Impact
- Advancing public health legislation
- Improving nutrition in public schools
- Assessing cancer risk and treatments
- Evaluating health insurance reform
Innovation Mindset
- Protecting equitable access to contraception and reproductive care
- Tackling health disparities as a fundamental charge of managers and leaders in health care
- Building partnerships between researchers and communities
- Teaching the intersection of war and public health
- Championing patient-centered health care methods
- Developing interventions to reduce fentanyl overdose deaths
Public Health as a Philosophy
- Leading, along with other academic units, the UW’s Population Health Initiative
- Providing training, research, and evaluation for state, local, and tribal public health agencies in six Northwest states
- Partnering with organizations including Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Fred Hutch, Seattle Children’s, and local health departments to improve health and well-being
Leading-Edge Student Experience
- Solving real-world problems as part of capstone and practicum projects
- Helping communities reduce health disparities by addressing social determinants of health
- Providing analysis and research to support local and national health organizations