The primary goal of the doctoral program in Health Services and Policy, is to prepare graduates in health economics, health policy, and health management and organizations. Graduates seek professional careers as researchers, teachers, and practitioners in academic institutions, government agencies, and private industry. Applicants frequently have a master’s degree in social science, management, law, nursing administration, pharmacy administration, or public health administration. The PhD requires 72 semester hours beyond the baccalaureate.

Research Interest Areas

Doctoral students in the Department of Health Management and Policy have the option to focus their coursework around a Research Interest Area in Health Economics, Health Policy, and Health Management and Organization.

Health Economics

Courses in the health economics area provide students with in-depth training in economic theory and its applications to health and health care. Students will acquire advanced theoretical knowledge and state-of-the-art analytical and econometric skills to build an outstanding career as health economists in academic departments, research organizations, and health care industries. The research interest area provides comprehensive course work that covers all main areas within health and health care economics including: demand for health and health care, economic determinants and consequences of health behaviors, health insurance, economic organization of health care markets, impact of government policy and regulation, econometric methods, and economic evaluation methods.

Health Policy

Courses in the health policy area prepare students to undertake health services and policy research to improve the care and management of illness and disability and to contribute meaningfully to enhancing individual and community health outcomes. Students will complete coursework in the basic disciplines that contribute to the fields of public and social policy (e.g., law, political science and public affairs), as well as the structure and organization of health policy making in the United States in order to develop the skills necessary to conduct health services and policy research. Students pursuing this research interest area will study the formation and implementation of health policies; the effect of health policies on the organization, financing and delivery of health services; the effect of health policies on access to, use of, and costs of health services; and approaches to improve access and effectiveness of care for vulnerable populations.  Students will be prepared for employment in academic research institutions, policy organizations, and governmental agencies and departments.

Health Management and Organization

Courses in the health management and organization research interest area prepare students to conduct research on organizational, strategic, and operational issues that confront health institutions and systems.  Health care applications of theories, concepts, and models from the fields of organizational theory (macro), organizational behavior (micro), strategic management, and operations management are emphasized.  Students may conduct research on topics such as effectiveness of health care organizations, improving the organization and management of health delivery processes, measuring performance and productivity of health care organizations, examining the relative influence of mission, culture, and financial incentives in hospitals and health organizations, and management of professional groups. Graduates find employment in academic and research organizations, integrated delivery systems, and governmental units that are interested in the impact of organizational structures and managerial practices on performance.

Choosing a Research Interest Area

Students may declare one or more of their research interest areas after the first semester of enrollment in the PhD Program after discussions with their faculty adviser and mentor team. While the advisor plays a key role in advising doctoral students, it is the philosophy of the Department to involve multiple faculty in the student’s advising team. Thus, plans of study and other forms are signed by the advisor plus all other faculty who serve on the student’s mentor team. The advisor and mentorship team are involved in initial planning sessions during orientation and annual professional development reviews for doctoral students.