Health Systems and Policy Ph.D.
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 nine 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.
Program Rules
A comprehensive set of rules governing satisfactory completion of coursework, examinations, dissertation process, and timely completion of doctoral program requirements may be found in the HS&P student handbook issued to incoming students and available on the program website.
Limitation on graduate/undergraduate courses
Students in the HS&P program are strongly discouraged from using courses offered simultaneously at the 400- and 500-level in support of their degree programs. These courses must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor.
Limitation on by-arrangement courses
Admitted Ph.D. students may utilize no more than 12 credits of Research and/or Reading and Conference credits (HSMP 601 and HSMP 605). In cases where more than 12 credits are needed because of the lack of regularly scheduled classes, the student must obtain a written waiver from their advisor.
Continuous enrollment and leave of absence
All students admitted to the HS&P Ph.D. program must be continuously enrolled until graduation, except for periods in which they are absent for an approved leave. A minimum of 1 credit per quarter during the regular academic year constitutes continuous enrollment. Failure to register without an approved leave may result in termination of a student’s admission. Students may have no more than six terms of approved leave.
Grade requirement
A student who receives more than 9 credits of C+ or below in all coursework attempted after admission to the Ph.D. program will be dropped from the program.
Performance in core courses
A grade of C+ or below in a required course is not considered as a pass. HS&P students who receive a grade of C+ or below in one of the core courses will be required to repeat the course and obtain a passing grade of B- or better, prior to progressing with other coursework.