Career Opportunities

Armed with an advanced degree in Health Policy and Administration (HPA), you will leverage your Penn State education and a vast network of like-minded professionals to find a fulfilling career that delves into the various economic, sociological, psychological, and political aspects of health care.

Because of the diversity of this program, there is a seemingly endless array of positions in healthcare settings, academia, research, management and/or policymaking in which your skills and knowledge will be put to great use, including:

Business: With an advanced degree in Health Policy and Administration and the opportunity to study economics, management, and statistics, you’ll be well prepared to work for a large Fortune 500 company or start your own business. Some graduates go on to work in high-level positions in marketing, insurance, medical device manufacturing, healthcare consulting, and human resources.

Medical: The HPA graduate program prepares you for employment in a wide variety of health care settings, including hospitals, physician practices, nursing facilities, home health agencies, and public health.

Policymaking: Want to help shape the future of healthcare? With courses in the social sciences and communications and opportunities to study research methods, the HPA program helps prepare you to become a valuable member of the government or obtain an influential role in the policymaking procedure. Some graduates find work in areas such as public service, lobbying, advising and consulting, and global health.

Career Services

It is never too early in your academic experience to explore all of the career services available to you, and Penn State Career Services is an excellent place to start. You can meet with a drop-in counselor any time between 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. weekdays in the Bank of America Career Services Center to discuss your concerns or to schedule an appointment with a career counselor.

For Students: Recruiting Calendar — Take advantage of a variety of recruiting events offered right here on campus.

For Recruiters: Our Students — Learn how to hire Penn State graduates for a wide variety of positions.