In 1967 the University of Cincinnati initiated one of the first graduate programs in health planning to provide qualified professionals to staff health planning agencies. In 1974 the university began to develop an external degree program to meet the needs of employed health personnel. The program incorporates individualized, self-paced, student-directed learning toward competency goals. Enrollment is in geographic clusters for regular meetings. The curriculum includes a 36-credit core--14 credits in electives, a 9-credit Comprehensive Action Plan (field experience), and one credit for designing the individual program. More than 200 students are enrolled, 43 percent women, 14 percent minority group members. All are employed full-time. The elements and concerns of the program are briefly described: the learning resource (curriculum) units, telecommunications, intensive summer institute, quality assurance, costs and benefits, observations during the first few years, and program potential. A program evaluation by Mary Stefl looks at student characteristics, quality issues, program impact, special problems for nonresidential students, and future evaluation efforts. Tables provide data on students (sex, ethnic background, number with advanced degrees, employment status and type, enrollment trends, enrollment and program level, progress rates), completed Comprehensive Action Projects, and learning resource units offered. Descriptions of available learning resource units are appended. (MSE)