PhD in Health Services Research and Health Policy
PhD in Health Services Research and Health Policy
On This Page
Programs Overview
The PhD in Health Services Research is a full-time program that trains researchers in the fields of health policy, health economics, health management, and health services research. Students take doctoral-level classes in the Department of Economics, the Department of Health Policy and Management, the Goizueta business school, and elsewhere throughout the university. The program prepares students for a variety of research-focused careers in academia, think tanks, foundations, government agencies, pharmaceutical firms, and consulting.
Curriculum
Required Courses
Students in our program take classes in one of two tracks: economics, or organizations and management. All students in the program take classes in statistical methods, research design, and health policy seminar. Students have room to take electives, which could be any graduate-level class at Emory or nearby universities (Georgia State, Georgia Tech).
Economics Track
Students in the economics track take graduate-level classes in the Department of Economics, alongside students pursuing a PhD in economics. The economics track prepares students to apply economic theory to evaluate topics in health and health policy.
Organizations and Management Track
Students in organizations and management take advanced and doctoral-level courses in Emory’s Goizueta School of Business. The track prepares students to examine questions pertaining to access, quality, cost of health care and health outcomes. Students in this track will learn how theories and concepts from fields such as organizational behavior and technology management can be applied to medicine and health care organizations.
Other Degree Requirements
All PhD students must participate in the Teaching Assistant Training and Teaching Opportunities (TATTO) program. This includes a three-day summer teacher training workshop (normally taken in the summer before the second year in the PhD program), serving as a teaching assistant during the second and third years in the program and practical experience in statistical consulting.
All PhD students are required to complete and defend a dissertation. Students are encouraged to begin exploring potential research topics as soon as they enter the program by meeting with faculty advisors.
The doctoral dissertation must meet the requirements of both the department and Laney Graduate School. In particular, the dissertation must make a new contribution to the student’s field of study or present a unique new interpretation on existing knowledge. Students are required to pass an oral defense of the dissertation proposal.
Admissions
Admissions Requirements
The application includes:
Application to the Laney Graduate School
- Three letters of recommendation
- Statement of Purpose: in 500-1000 words, please describe your previous research experiences or training that have led you to apply to this program. Include a discussion of your current research interests, how this program aligns with those interests, and your long-term goals after completing your doctoral degree.
- Transcripts from each post-secondary institution you have attended
- Resume/CV
- GRE scores
- TOEFL scores for international students
- Optional diversity statement
Applicants do not need to have a master’s degree. Please identify at least two Department of Health Policy and Management faculty members with whom you are interested in working. You do not need to contact the program or faculty before applying. We give equal attention to all applications, regardless of whether applicants know faculty or have had prior contact with them.
Contact
Get in Touch:
Ilana Graetz, director of graduate studies