The Ph.D. program prepares students to conduct health services research and to teach in a university setting. The program is individualized for each student, taking into account the individual’s interests, academic training, and professional experience. The emphasis is on research methods, statistics, and advanced concepts in health policy and management. Students must complete a doctoral dissertation and demonstrate the ability to conduct original research.

Learning Outcomes

• PhD students will demonstrate an understanding of public health issues and concerns and how the core public health disciplines contribute to achieving public health goals.
• Understand health care policy development and implementation and its relationship to management of health care organizations. 
• Demonstrate skills in the application of statistical techniques to health services research data through creation and defense of the doctoral dissertation. 
• Demonstrate professional written communication and oral presentation skills through the doctoral dissertation proposal, submission of the dissertation, and the dissertation defense. 

Degree Requirements (60 Post Baccalaureate Hours)