Doctor of Philosophy in Health - University of K

The PhD in Health Policy and Management at the University of Kansas Medical Center is a post-master's program that prepares students for careers in health services research. The program emphasizes understanding healthcare systems, research methods, and policy analysis. Graduates are equipped for roles in academia, public organizations, and private companies where advanced research and leadership skills are required.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Doctor of Philosophy in Health Policy and Management (PhD) is a post-master's, competency-based program in health services research. The program is designed to prepare high-level health services researchers for careers in academic settings or in public and private organizations where advanced research, leadership, and analytic skills are required. The program focuses on the multidisciplinary field of health services research, which examines the uses, costs, quality, accessibility, delivery, organization, financing, and health outcomes of healthcare systems both domestically and internationally. The program emphasizes understanding the complexities of healthcare systems and how social factors, financing systems, organizational structures and processes, health technologies, and individual and group behaviors affect access, cost, and quality of care. Coursework is offered on the University of Kansas Medical Center campus, and continuous, full-time enrollment in the program is preferred.

Outline:

The PhD program is structured in three stages:

Stage 1:

Focuses on basic courses in health policy, health systems, culture, occupations, health care management, and quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Students immediately begin participating in the research process through a series of 1-credit-hour immersion courses taken within the first two semesters alongside other basic courses.

Stage 2:

Involves specialization in a specific substantive area of either policy or management-related research, or a combination.
Students delve into advanced statistical analysis and research methods.
Includes a teaching seminar and practicum.

Stage 3:

Consists of the doctoral dissertation, which demonstrates the development, execution, and results of original research.
Students work primarily with their dissertation advisor and doctoral committee to prepare and defend their dissertation proposal and to carry out and complete their dissertation research project.
Two options for the written dissertation: the traditional book format or a three-publishable articles format.
The written dissertation is formatted and published according to university guidelines.

Course Schedule:

A typical plan of study is provided, outlining the coursework for each year of the program:

Year 1:

Fall: HP&M 901, HP&M 903, HP&M 910, Regular attendance at the Population Health Research Colloquium.
Spring: HP&M 870, HP&M 873, HP&M 904, Regular attendance at the Population Health Research Colloquium.
Summer: Optional summer enrollment.

Year 2:

Fall: HP&M 875, HP&M 906, HP&M 905, Regular attendance at the Population Health Research Colloquium.
Spring: HP&M 885, HP&M 912, Quantitative Methods Course, Regular attendance at the Population Health Research Colloquium.
Summer: Optional summer enrollment.

Year 3:

Fall: HP&M 991 (or other course in consultation with Advisor), HP&M 886, Regular attendance at the Population Health Research Colloquium.
Spring: HP&M 991 (or other course in consultation with advisor), Regular attendance at the Population Health Research Colloquium.
Summer: HP&M 999.

Year 4:

Fall: HP&M 999.

Individual Modules:

The program requires successful completion of the following Health Policy and Management core courses:

HP&M 870: Research Inquiry: Defining and Supporting the Research Problem; Research Design and Analysis (3 hours)
HP&M 873: Statistical Applications Using Large Data Bases (3 hours)
HP&M 875: Modeling in Health Services Research (3 hours)
HP&M 885: Instructional Methods in Health Services Education (1 hour)
HP&M 886: Applied Health Services Research (3 hours)
HP&M 887: Practicum in Health Services Education (2 hours)
HP&M 901: Doctoral Seminar in Health Policy (3 hours)
HP&M 903: Doctoral Seminar in Quality and Safety (3 hours)
HP&M 904: Doctoral Seminar in Health Care Occupations and Culture (3 hours)
HP&M 905: Doctoral Seminar in Social Determinants of Health (3 hours)
HP&M 906: Doctoral Seminar in Comparative Health Systems (3 hours)
HP&M 910: Health Services Research Methods (3 hours)
HP&M 912: Qualitative Health Research (3 hours)
HP&M 999: Dissertation (1-12 hours)

Assessment:

Degree Requirements:

Cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least a 3.0 for all KU graduate coursework.
Successful completion of the University's Research Skills and Responsible Scholarship requirement prior to the semester the Oral Comprehensive Examination is scheduled.
Successful completion of the required sequence of health services research methods courses (HP&M 870, HP&M 873, HP&M 875, HP&M 886, and HP&M 910) meets the Research Skills requirement.
Successful completion of the research ethics modules within HP&M 870, HP&M 886, and HP&M 910 meets the Responsible Scholarship requirement.
Successful completion of the KUMC Human Subjects Projection training module during the first semester of enrollment and maintenance of certification throughout tenure in the PhD Program.
Successful completion of preliminary examinations in quantitative analysis, general health policy and management research, and a specialization area.
Successful completion of the Residence Requirement by enrollment in full-time status a minimum of two semesters prior to the semester the Oral Comprehensive Examination is scheduled.
Successful completion of the Oral Comprehensive Examination.
Successful completion of the Post-Comprehensive Enrollment requirement.
Successful completion of the Final Oral Examination (dissertation defense).
Successful Dissertation Submission and Publication (according to Office of Graduate Studies policy).

Teaching:

Teaching Methods:

The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, group discussions, case studies, research projects, and presentations.
Students are encouraged to participate actively in class and to engage in critical thinking and analysis.

Faculty:

The program is taught by experienced faculty members who are experts in their respective fields.
Faculty members are actively engaged in research and provide students with mentorship and guidance.

Careers:

The PhD in Health Policy and Management prepares graduates for careers in:

Academic settings (teaching, research, administration)
Public and private organizations (policy analysis, program evaluation, research, management)

Other:

The program emphasizes the development of professional attributes, such as critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Students are encouraged to engage in research and to present their findings at conferences and in publications.
The program includes a strong emphasis on ethical conduct in research and practice.

Assessment:

Coursework: Grades are assigned for all courses, and a minimum GPA is required for graduation.
Preliminary Examinations: Students must pass written examinations in quantitative analysis, general health policy and management research, and a specialization area.
Oral Comprehensive Examination: Students must pass an oral examination that covers the core curriculum.
Dissertation: The dissertation is a major assessment component and requires the development, execution, and defense of original research.