Doctor of Philosophy in the Field of Health Policy

Program Directors: A. Dor, L. Ku

The PhD in health policy develops scholars who are skilled at critically assessing the political, economic, legal, and social aspects of health policy and management. Students learn to apply innovative research tools to analyze processes and outcomes in healthcare delivery and public health settings to make informed decisions. Special emphasis is placed on the United States's health policies, systems, and population health.

Based in Washington, DC, the PhD in health policy program immerses students in a multidisciplinary scholarly environment working with faculty in the Department of Health Policy and Management and other GW experts conducting research and policy analyses in pursuit of improvements in health access, equity, costs, and outcomes and shaping the health and public health policy debate at national, state, and other levels  Program students benefit from faculty mentorship and proximity to experts and agencies immersed in the most current topics of health policy and public health in the hub of health policy decision-making and debate. The program prepares PhD candidates with the proper training to be an integral part of creating future solutions to public health challenges and a transformed healthcare system.

Visit the Milken Institute School of Public Health website for additional information about academic programs and information about GWSPH. Graduate admissions information, including application requirements and deadlines, can be found on the GWSPH Graduate Admissions website.

The following requirements must be fulfilled: 48 credits, including 10 credits in PhD core courses, 20 credits in program-specific courses, at  least 10 credits in elective courses; 8 credits in dissertation research; and successful completion of a comprehensive examination.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required
PhD core courses (10 credits)
PUBH 6080	Pathways to Public Health
PUBH 8099	Doctoral Topics (PhD Seminar: Cross Cutting Concepts in Public Health ONLY)
PUBH 8418	Applied Statistical Analysis
PUBH 8416	Study Design and Evaluation Methods
PUBH 6421	Responsible Conduct of Research
PUBH 8435	PhD Dissertation Proposal Development
Program-specific courses (20 credits)
PUBH 8620	Seminar: Foundations of U.S. Health Policy
PUBH 6340	Health Economics and Finance
PUBH 8405	Advanced Topics: Health Economics Research
PUBH 8622	Healthcare Payments, Systems, and Delivery Models
PUBH 8404	Advanced Topics: Health Systems and Health Policy Research
PUBH 8417	Qualitative Research Methods and Analysis
PPPA 8022	Econometrics for Policy Research
Dissertation Research (8 credits)
PUBH 8999	Dissertation Research (8 credits)
Electives
At least 10 credits in elective courses. A recommended list of electives is available in the program guide.
Comprehensive examination
Successful completion of a comprehensive examination is required.

Graduation requirements as follow:

1. Credits: Successful completion of 48 credits.
2. Comprehensive examination: Once the course of study is completed, students are required to pass the comprehensive exam to be officially admitted to the candidacy phase.
3. Dissertation: PUBH 8435 dissertation proposal writing plus 8 credits in dissertation research are required. Once the proposal has been successfully defended and the dissertation research credit requirements has been met, the oral defense may be scheduled.
4. Grade-point average: A minimum overall grade-point average of B (3.0).
5. Time limit: The degree must be completed within seven years.