The PhD in health services research and health policy is offered through Emory’s Laney Graduate School. This unique program combines a strong interdisciplinary and policy-oriented public health approach with rigorous social science training in either economics or organizational theory and extensive applied research.
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Tip: Enhance your application by including your career interests in the field, your research interests, and any supportive materials that demonstrate your passion and qualification for our program.
In addition to these requirements, all departments require international students to submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. All PhD candidates will need to apply through Laney Graduate School.
TOEFL scores should be at least 560 on the paper-based test or a 100 or higher on the Internet-based test. Students who earned an undergraduate degree from an institution within the United States are waived from the TOEFL requirement; those who have received a graduate degree in the U.S. or other program where English is the primary language of instruction should discuss waiving the TOEFL with the program administrator.
In special cases, advanced standing status may be granted to students who have completed a relevant master of arts or master of science degree in a related field within the last five years.
All PhD students, including international students, receive an annual stipend for the first 24 months of their doctoral study. In return for the stipend, each student is expected to function as either a teaching or research assistant in accordance with Laney Graduate School and Rollins School of Public Health policy. Stipend support after the first two years is developed in the context of the student’s research and dissertation interest.
To be considered for merit-based support, you must turn in your application by the deadline: December 1. Research assistantships and internships are available on a limited basis.
Program begins with a disciplinary focus and is built on a flexible structure. Students take courses in a base discipline (either economics or political science) along with a two-year doctoral seminar.
All PhD students must participate in the Teaching Assistant Training and Teaching Opportunities (TATTO) program. Students receive an orientation to effective teaching and a course on teaching techniques in the field and gain experience working with students as supervised teaching assistants and/or classroom instructors or co-instructors. More about TATTO
After completing all required coursework, PhD students will take a comprehensive exam. After passing the exam, students are encouraged to select a doctoral dissertation committee.
Students will also need to complete the Jones Program in Ethics. This program provides students with a foundational, cross-disciplinary introduction to the question of ethics for their research, training, and careers.
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.
Questions about the MPH and MSPH programs offered by the Department of Health Policy and Management should be addressed to the HPM Associate Director for Academic Programs, Kathy Wollenzien, M.Ed, at kwollen@emory.edu