Health Systems and Policy Ph.D.

The Ph.D. program in Health Systems and Policy (HS&P) in the OHSU & PSU School of Public Health provides students with advanced knowledge, analytic skills, and competencies in conducting research and developing teaching and learning skills in health systems and policy. The foundations of the HS&P Ph.D. program include public health, management theory, health services research, and policy analysis. The program curriculum is delivered by an interdisciplinary faculty from PSU and OHSU with educational backgrounds in public health, health policy, public affairs, management, economics, epidemiology, social work, psychology, systems science, and sociology. Students will generally select one of four primary emphasis areas: 1) health systems organization, financing and delivery, 2) health policy analysis, 3) health services access, quality and cost, or 4) community-based health and social services. This program provides a unique educational experience for students seeking to apply theory to practice in careers as researchers and teachers. This is achieved by building upon Oregon’s role as a leader in health systems transformation, and the formalized collaborative relationships PSU has with OHSU and with the Oregon Health Authority, as well as strong partnerships with major health systems and health insurance organizations in Oregon. The HS&P curriculum reflects the vision, mission and competencies of the OHSU & PSU School of Public Health. It prepares graduates to address the social determinants of health, and lead in the implementation of new approaches and policies to improve the health of populations. The curriculum is framed around nine competencies that reflect the expectations of doctoral programs in public health. The HS&P program includes core curricular content in health systems and public health, extensive study of policy domains and applications, and intensive training in research methods and research design. The curriculum is designed to help students integrate coursework with applied research and practice, and emphasizes community-engaged learning and scholarship.

Admission requirements

Degree Requirements

Program Rules

Research and Teaching Opportunities

The HS&P program offers students a number of research and teaching opportunities.

Graduate research assistantships

Dependent on available funds, graduate research assistantships are available each year with faculty in the School of Public Health, the Hatfield School of Government at PSU and in various research centers at OHSU. Students must apply for these by February 1 for the next academic year. Assistantships pay tuition and a small stipend. Additional summer research opportunities may be available.

Teaching opportunities

Doctoral students may wish to gain experience teaching prior to completing their program. There are a number of opportunities available within the School of Public Health, the Hatfield School of Government, the College of Urban and Public Affairs, and PSU’s University Studies program. More information is available in the HS&P handbook.