The program trains students for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Policy and Management (HPAM). It aims to develop researchers, educators and policymakers who can contribute to improving the health of populations around the world. The program will equip students with a broad knowledge of theoretical underpinnings, nuanced understanding of experimental design, and a detailed knowledge of rigorous empirical methods to advance research in management and policy. Students will also have applied experience communicating and interpreting findings based on these techniques to appropriate policy and management audiences. Students' area specializations will likely reflect the major strengths of the HPAM faculty which include health care cost, access, and quality with a focus on health disparities.
Applicants must meet the school's admission requirements for entrance into Doctoral programs. The HPM faculty conduct interviews with applications and match the applicant with a faculty with similar research interests who is able to mentor a doctoral student.
Revised for Fall 2022
Degree Program Competencies
- Create conceptual models based on existing theoretical frameworks that can be applied to public health policy and management research questions.
- Design a testable health policy and management research question with a suitable theoretical framework and study design.
- Estimate impacts of health policies or management practices using appropriate research methods and statistical analyses.
- Design teaching and learning experiences grounded in pedagogical best practices in a chosen area of expertise.
- Develop a grant proposal for a public health research study with a compelling scientific narrative, description of investigator capacity, timeline, and budget.
Degree Program Requirements
Students must complete 48 credit hours of coursework and doctoral studies beyond the baccalaureate, with a minimum of 30 didactic hours at Tulane, within the doctoral program. Up to 18 Credits can be transferred from Master’s degree.
PhD Foundational Requirements–12 credits
- SPHL 6020 Foundations in Public Health (3 credits)
- SPHL 6060 Epidemiology for Public Health (3 credits)
- SPHL 6050 Biostatistics for Public Health (3 credits)
- SPHL 6070 Health Systems Policy and Management (3 credits)
- HPAM 7660 Health Policy Analysis (3 credits)
- HPAM 6450 Health Economics (3 credits)
PhD Core Courses–12 credits
- SBPS 8760, or EPID 7120 Social Determinants of Health II, or or Epidemiological Methods II (3 credits)
- IHSD 8250 Advanced Research Methods in Global (3 credits)
- SPHL 8080 Public Health Pedagogy (3 credits)
- SPHL 7500 Public Health Grant Writing (3 credits)
Concentration-Specific PhD Required Courses–12 credits
- HPAM 8310 Organizational Theory and Assessment (3 credits)
- HPAM 8410 Cost Benefit and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (3 credits)
- HPAM 8770 Research Design and Methods (3 credits)
- HPAM 8350 Policy Analysis with Natural Experiments and Panel Data (3 credits)
PhD Elective Courses–6 credits
Electives are selected from relevant advanced level courses offered within the department, school, or university in consultation with an academic advisor. 6 credits minimum; Additional credits as needed to reach 48 credit graduation requirement and fulfill PhD Foundation Course requirements.
Educational teaching assistant experience
All PhD students at SPHTM are required to serve as a teaching assistant (TA) for two SPHTM courses while enrolled in the PhD program. Students should register for Teaching Assistantship Educational Experience (0 credits) during the terms they complete each TA requirement.
*All other program requirements (e.g. research ethics, comprehensive exam, prospectus, and dissertation) remain the same across the old and revised programs, as outlined in the SPHTM PhD Handbook.
Please visit the university course catalog for:
Department Interim Chair: Lizheng Shi, PhD, MsPharm, MA
Program Director: Charles Stoecker, PhD
Department Administrator: Alison Rinehart
Email: hpam@tulane.edu
Phone: (504) 988-5428
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