Fall 2026 Course
Open Course Registration (U-M Faculty, Students, and Staff only)
IHPI’s “Understanding and Improving the U.S. Healthcare System” residential online course is designed to provide U-M students from a variety of backgrounds with an engaging, practical, and interactive way to better understand the U.S. healthcare system. The course was updated to include 29 newer video interviews and lectures.
This 6-week course uses a mix of video-based lectures, interviews, online discussion forums, and virtual interprofessional small group activities to introduce learners to the main topics related to the historically complex U.S. healthcare system, including:
- Introduction to U.S. Healthcare
- U.S. Presidents & the Politics of Healthcare Reform
- Behavioral Health Policy and Services
- Cost, Quality, and Access to Care
- Health Equity
- Diabetes in U.S. Healthcare
University of Michigan faculty can request to access videos from the open version of the course to use in their teaching. Please contact Jason Wolfe for more information. See the full course overview outline here (requires Level 1 login).
Course content draws on the diverse knowledge and expertise of over 20 faculty members from the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation (IHPI). The course is open to students from all levels and disciplines. Students can participate as either an “open learner” (not for credit) or for 1 credit. Those interested in taking the course for 1 credit must register for PUBHLTH 626 via Wolverine Access.
Those interested in taking the course as open learners will be placed in a section where they have full access to all course materials and will not be required to complete individual or group assignments.
The fall 2026 1-credit (PUBHLTH 626) course starts on Sunday, October 4, and runs through Sunday, November 15. Students should expect approximately 2.5 hours of coursework each week.
For questions, please contact Jason Wolfe, Course Manager
MOOC originally developed by:
Matthew Davis, M.D., M.A.P.P.
Michael Rubyan, Ph.D., M.P.H.
