PhD in Health Policy and Health Services Research in Philadelphia United States | Temple University

The Health Policy and Health Services Research Ph.D. program is overseen by the Department of Health Services Administration and Policy. Distinctive in its approach, this program equips students with skills to conduct mixed-methods research analyzing how health policies influence public health outcomes, healthcare accessibility, service usage, and the reduction of health inequities. Students gain expertise in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, employing original data collection and existing datasets to study health policy formation, execution, and effects. With a focus on health services, economics, outcomes research, administration, and leadership, the program examines health disparities, public health strategies, and clinical results to shape evidence-based policies. Participants learn to create, assess, and apply health policies across various jurisdictions (local, state, national, international) and sectors (private and public). This Ph.D. curriculum: delivers cross-disciplinary training, cultivates analytical and theoretical approaches to public health challenges, and instills professional ethics and values in future public health leaders.

All Health Policy and Health Services Research doctoral candidates complete core coursework covering comparative health policy, economics, legal frameworks, policy theory, and essential public health research methodologies. Following these foundational studies, students pursue advanced coursework in their specialization area while collaborating with faculty on research projects. Program participants partner closely with professors to investigate critical public health concerns like healthcare quality improvement, cost analysis, disparity reduction, and policy development for population health priorities including aging, chronic conditions, mental health, risky behaviors, substance abuse, and injury prevention.