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 seven 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
Information about the HS&P Ph.D. program and all application forms may be found at https://ohsu-psu-sph.org/apply-phd-health-systems-policy/. For further assistance, contact the program administrator at applysph@ohsu.edu. Application materials must be submitted electronically through SOPHAS, the centralized application service for public health-related education programs. More information on the SOPHAS online application system can be found at https://sophas.org/. Applications are not accepted in hard copy or via email. Applications are accepted for fall admission only; the early application deadline is December 1st and the final deadline is January 31st. Early submission to facilitate processing through SOPHAS is strongly encouraged.
All admitted students must have completed a masters degree from an accredited institution. Admissions standards include a GPA of at least 3.5 at a relevant masters program; combined verbal and quantitative GRE scores above 326 and 4.5 analytic; minimum TOEFL of 213 computer-based or 550 paper-based.
Degree Requirements
Prerequisites
Admitted students who have completed a relevant masters degree in health management/policy will be able to waive portions of the required curriculum. All students are required to fulfill prerequisite courses of the equivalent of Epidemiology I, Introduction to Biostatistics, and Foundations of Public Health; students entering with an MPH will usually have completed such content.
Credit requirements
The program includes 104-116 required credits, including 21-27 credits in required core courses, 19-21 credits in policy courses, 12 credits in health systems courses, and 19-23 credits in research design and analytic methods courses. Students are required to enroll in a one-credit health systems and policy dissertation seminar each quarter during their first two years of coursework to help prepare them for the dissertation process (up to 6 credits). Finally, students complete 27 credits of dissertation preparation. Additional major requirements include a written and oral comprehensive exam at the completion of course requirements and before advancement to the dissertation, a written dissertation proposal with an oral defense, and a final written dissertation with an oral defense.
The credits are distributed as follows:
| | Required core courses | 21-27 |
| | Policy courses | 19-21 |
| | Health systems courses | 12 |
| | Research design and analytic methods | 19-23 |
| | Dissertation seminar | 6 |
| | Dissertation credits | 27 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 104-116 |
Each admitted student's past masters coursework will be reviewed upon admission and a determination made regarding waiver of courses. A program of study will then be developed with the assigned advisor. No waiver of credit will be given for professional experience.
Core coursework
The required core courses (21-27 credits) should be completed early in the program of study.
| HSMP 641 | Organizational Behavior in Health Service Organizations | 3 |
| HSMP 671 | Health Policy | 3 |
| HSMP 673 | Values and Ethics in Health | 3 |
| HSMP 674 | Health Systems Organization | 3 |
| HSMP 677 | Health Care Law and Regulation | 3 |
| HSMP 686 | Introduction to Health Economics | 3 |
| HSMP 660 | Contemporary Research in Health Systems and Policy | 3 |
NOTE: A student who has completed an MPH in health management and policy or a comparable masters degree could potentially waive some or all of the first six courses in the core.
Policy coursework
Three courses are required; students then select three electives based upon their interests in relevant policy domains (19-21 credits total). Relevant electives are listed on the HS&P website and in the HS&P student handbook.
| HSMP 575 | Advanced Health Policy | 3 |
| PAP 616 | Policy Process | 3 |
| USP 615 | Economic Analysis of Public Policy | 4 |
| | Three policy electives | 9-12 |
Health systems coursework
One course is required; students then select three electives based upon their interests in health systems (12 credits total). Relevant electives are listed on the HS&P website and in the HS&P student handbook.
| PHE 622 | Health and Social Inequalities | 3 |
| | Three health systems electives | 9 |
Research design and methods coursework
Students will complete three research design courses (9-11 credits), one of which is required, and three courses on analytic methods (10-12 credits), one of which is required. Relevant electives are listed on the HS&P website and in the HS&P student handbook.
Research design
| HSMP 689 | Research Design in Health Services | 3 |
| | Two research design electives | 6-8 |
Analytic methods
| PHE 520 | Qualitative Research Design | 3 |
| | or | |
| USP 683 | Qualitative Analysis | 4 |
| | Two analytic methods electives | 6-8 |
Doctoral seminar in health systems and policy
Students enroll in a one-credit seminar (HSMP 607) each quarter during their first two years to help prepare them for the dissertation process; they are encouraged to continue to attend the seminar throughout their entire program. The seminar meets regularly with a selected faculty mentor to discuss research topics, including critical evaluation of health systems and policy research, framing research questions, proposal writing, the grant application process, data collection and synthesis, human subjects review, dissertation writing and presentation, the review process, program requirements, and publication opportunities. Students present their developing work at the seminar to receive peer feedback. HSMP 607 Seminar may be taken for up to 6 credits.
Comprehensive examination
Students must pass a written and oral comprehensive examination at the conclusion of course requirements before they may proceed to the dissertation. This examination assesses the student’s competence in integrating, analyzing and critiquing the diverse bodies of knowledge covered in the HS&P curriculum. The examination committee consists of three HS&P/SPH faculty.
Dissertation research
The dissertation process is designed to evaluate the student’s ability to successfully conduct a substantial, independent, applied research project. The dissertation represents the culmination of a student’s doctoral studies. The dissertation is critiqued by the dissertation committee, and presented in an oral defense. The dissertation committee consists of 4-5 relevant HS&P or SPH faculty. Students register for
HSMP 603 Dissertation for a minimum of 27 credits during the research and writing of the dissertation.
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 and in various research centers. 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.