PhD in Public Policy - Health Care Policy and Management in Boston United States | Northeastern University

The PhD in Public Policy is a multidisciplinary program integrating social science and legal theories with both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. Faculty from the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs guide student research and dissertations across three primary focus areas: urban/regional policy, sustainability/resilience, and health policy/management. Working closely with advisors, students design customized study plans by selecting courses from the School of Public Policy, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, and other Northeastern University departments. The curriculum begins with foundational courses in policy theory, research methods, and statistics before branching into specialized concentration courses. Through the school's research centers and faculty projects, students gain valuable insights and practical experience to advance their own research objectives. The program provides comprehensive support, enabling full-time dedication to academic and research pursuits (residency required). The Health Care Policy and Management specialization equips doctoral candidates for academic, consulting, or research analyst roles across universities, government agencies, and private organizations. This track offers rigorous training in healthcare systems, financing models, and delivery mechanisms, while examining contemporary issues like ACA implementation and payment reforms. Students develop advanced methodological skills for conducting impactful health policy research through a combination of specialized coursework and hands-on residencies within healthcare organizations. The flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum draws from policy studies, business administration, sociology, economics, research methods, law, and public health, allowing students to customize their training while acquiring diverse analytical frameworks for healthcare research.