Concentration in Health Services Research and Policy

The PhD concentration in Health Services Research and Policy provides a firm grounding in public health principles, research and evaluation methods, policy analysis and numerous content areas related to health and health services delivery and population health. The program at Johns Hopkins is one of the oldest and most respected of its type in the nation.

In this concentration, students acquire the conceptual and methodological tools needed to conduct research, program evaluation, and policy analysis and synthesis to advance the state of knowledge. The curriculum emphasizes the following areas: public and private sector health insurance and financing, organization and delivery of health care, methods for measuring and improving quality and safety of medical care, methods to measure personal and population health status, methods for assessing the impact of government health care policy on individuals and populations, and patient-centered outcomes research and comparative effectiveness research methods for assessing the impact of technology and treatments on patient outcomes. Emphasis is placed on special need populations, such as older adults, minorities, persons with mental illness and substance abuse, high burden diseases, and disabilities.

The development of research and analysis methods, as well as content knowledge is also stressed. In addition to careers in academia, the program prepares students for leadership careers as health services researchers and health care policy analysts working in public or private agencies or organizations. There are many research opportunities within research centers of the Department and elsewhere within the Johns Hopkins University and Health System. Also the Baltimore-Washington area is the home to the largest concentration of public and private health services research and health care policy analysis organizations in the world. Formal and informal relationship with these agencies, including research practicas, thesis collaborations and part-time employment are encouraged and facilitated.

The program prepares students for successful research careers in health services and outcomes. Former students have gone onto careers in academia, government, research-oriented non-profits, and the private sector. Visit the Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard to learn about Bloomberg School graduates' employment status, sector, and salaries.

View a list of selected recent graduates and dissertation titles for the PhD Concentration in Health Services Research and Policy.

Browse an overview of the requirements for this PhD program in the JHU Academic Catalogue, explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School Course Directory, and find many more details in the program's Student Handbook.