The Department of Health Policy & Management is proud to offer a  Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) in Health Services Research and Policy. 

The purpose of this degree program is to provide graduate level education and professional development opportunities for individuals entering a career in health services research and policy. The program meets an ongoing need for public health researchers who focus on cost, access and quality of the health care system. Graduates will be prepared to conduct research on policy issues affecting the organization, financing and delivery of health care and public health services.

The goals of the program are to provide graduates with contemporary training in research design and methods appropriate for studying the health care system, experience in developing an NIH style grant proposal, and experience in writing for publication and presenting results at a scientific meeting, and teaching. Students will be expected to identify an area of focus that informs the substance and provides the theoretical framework for their research. Upon completing the program, graduates will be prepared for positions in academia, government or the private sector as experts in health services research and policy.

The Ph.D. in Health Services Research and Policy requires a minimum of 72 credits. Students will work with their academic advisor to develop an area of focus with at least 14 credits (included in the 72 credit total) that focuses on a discipline or area of interest. The area of focus is the opportunity for students to gain specialized skills and knowledge relevant to their chosen research area.

The courses for the area of focus can be based in a traditional discipline, an established field, or can be thematically linked based on the students’ interests and goals. For example, students may choose from a traditional discipline such as economics, psychology, sociology or bioethics. Others may choose to focus on a technical area such as quantitative or qualitative research methods or survey design, or a substantive area such as quality and patient safety, gerontology, pharmacoeconomics, substance abuse, or mental health.

For further information about the degree, please email the program coordinator,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 412.624.3625.