Department of Health Policy and Management

Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health

Program URL: fairbanks.indianapolis.iu.edu/academics/doctoral/health-policy-management
School E-mail: fsphinfo@iu.edu

(Please note that when conferring University Graduate School degrees, minors, certificates, and sub-plans, The University Graduate School’s staff use those requirements contained only in The University Graduate School Bulletin.)

Curriculum

Curriculum
Courses
Faculty

Degrees Offered

Doctor of Philosophy in Health Policy and Management

Doctor of Philosophy

The PhD in Health Policy and Management program at the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health is ideal for students who are interested in developing the analytical, methodological, and professional skills needed to tackle the many health policy and management challenges facing Indiana, our nation, and the world.

As a core discipline within the field of public health, health policy and management focuses on the creation of new knowledge that informs the advancement of health services delivery within and across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

With a PhD degree in HPM, you will be well prepared to take on independent research roles as academic faculty members.
Students pursuing this degree must complete at least 90 credit hours that include advanced graduate coursework, passing a qualifying examination, and researching and defending a dissertation that makes an original contribution to the field.

The department’s distinguished faculty members instruct, mentor, and collaborate closely with students. You’ll benefit from working with faculty members who are nationally recognized for their research in health information technology, healthcare organizations, health policy and law, health impact assessment, and more.

To support this research, faculty members have a diverse research funding portfolio that includes grants and contracts from the NIH, AHRQ, SAMHSA, NCAA, CDC, and numerous Indiana state agencies.

You will have access to outside expertise through the department’s longstanding close collaborations with the IU School of Medicine, the Regenstrief Institute, the IU Kelley School of Business, the IU McKinney School of Law, the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, the Indiana Hospital Association, the Indiana State Department of Health, and top health systems and professional organizations throughout the state and nation.

Application Criteria and Requirements

Designed for students interested in pursuing careers in research and leadership in the areas of health policy, health services, and health care management.

Matriculation: Students are admitted for matriculation in the fall only.

Application deadlines: Both U.S. and international applicants: December 15

Admission to the Health Policy and Management PhD program at the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health is based on completion of a baccalaureate degree, although it is anticipated that many applicants will have completed a post-baccalaureate degree in public health or other health-related discipline.

Application, admission, and degree-granting requirements and regulations shall be applied equitably to all individuals, applicants and students regardless of age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin.

In addition to completing the SOPHAS application, you are also required to submit the following supporting documentation directly to SOPHAS. Graduate Record Examination (GRE): GRE scores are not required for admission, however, if you plan to attend the PhD program as a full-time funded student, you are strongly encouraged to submit them with your application, since some funding sources require current GRE scores (less than five years old) in order for students to be eligible. Applicants must submit GRE scores to SOPHAS using the following designation DI Code 0167.

The admission committee does not list expected minimum scores.

Statement of Purpose and Objectives: Provide an essay of approximately 750 words describing your past education, experience, and current professional career objectives. You are encouraged to comment on any or all of the following: plans you have to use your education and training; the needs and/or challenges you perceive as important in your field of study; and any personal qualities, characteristics, and skills you believe will enable you to be successful in your chosen field of study.

Resume or CV: For each position on the résumé or CV, provide the job title, employing agency, dates employed, and responsibilities held. Indicate any additional strengths or skills such as fluency in foreign languages, research experience, teaching experience, community service, and demonstration of leadership skills. Include professional certifications, honors, and awards.

Official Post-Secondary Transcripts: Transcripts from all U.S. institutions attended are required (must be sent directly from the institutions to SOPHAS). This includes previous study at Indiana University. It is strongly recommended that all transcripts be submitted no later than December 15 to allow SOPHAS adequate time to verify transcripts. Please note that it can take up to four weeks for transcripts to be verified.

World Education Services (WES) ICAP evaluation of foreign academic credentials

The Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health requires all applicants with foreign academic credentials to provide a World Education Services (WES) ICAP course-by-course evaluation of those credentials. Applicants should submit their transcripts to WES at least one month in advance of the application deadline to ensure that the evaluation is completed in time.

Through special arrangements with SOPHAS, WES will deliver its credential evaluation report directly to SOPHAS by secure electronic transmission. This expedites the delivery of the evaluation report—as well as images of the applicant’s verified transcripts—to SOPHAS and allows SOPHAS to process the report most efficiently.

Visit WES for more information

U.S. applicants who have attended post-secondary institutions outside of the U.S. as part of a study-abroad program at a U.S. college or university, do not need to provide a WES evaluation of their foreign coursework as long as it is noted on their U.S. transcript.

Please note: Upon admission to IU Indianapolis, international students will be required to provide the Indiana University Office of International Affairs with original transcripts from all universities attended in the U.S. and abroad.

Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required from persons qualified to assess your academic work; clinical, public health, or professional experiences; or leadership potential in public health. These letters should be from professional sources that can provide an unbiased, current and critical assessment of your abilities, skills, strengths, and weaknesses related to successfully completing a doctoral program.

Interview: The applicants are invited to interview at the discretion of the admission committee.

In-person interview: Applicants will be invited to participate in an in-person interview with several members of the admission committee. Alternative arrangements can be made for applicants unable to be interviewed onsite.

Completion of an on-site essay: Applicants participating in the interview process may be asked to write a short essay on a specific topic assigned to them using Microsoft Word. The purpose of this step is to allow the admissions committee to assess the applicant's English writing skills.

The PhD in Epidemiology admissions committee conducts interviews online for applicants who are unable to travel to Indianapolis. Note that applicants will need access to a webcam and microphone for the interview.

Proof of English Proficiency: Applicants whose native language is not English or whose academic study was done exclusively at non-English speaking institutions, must prove English proficiency by providing either official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores. Scores must be less than two years old.

The preferred minimum English language test scores for admission to the Fairbanks School of Public Health are:

• Internet-based TOEFL: minimum score of 92
• Computer-based TOEFL: minimum score of 263
• Paper-based TOEFL: minimum score of 620
• IELTS (total band score): minimum score of 7

TOEFL IELTS

SOPHAS applicants

SOPHAS applicants should use the following designations:

• TOEFL scores to SOPHAS using the following designation DI Code 5688.
• IELTS scores can be uploaded electronically to SOPHAS and official copy sent to IU Indianapolis School Code 1325.

English Language test waiver

The English Language test requirement may be waived if an applicant has earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from the U.S. or other English-speaking country.

See more information

Apply Now

You may apply online to our Health Policy and Management PhD program via SOPHAS, the centralized Schools of Public Health Application Service, SOPHAS. Remember to designate the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health as one of your school choices along with your desired program.

We'll notify you by email once your application has been received. If you have questions about the application process or about the PhD in Health Policy and Management program, contact Shawne Mathis.

Note: All applications must be verified by SOPHAS prior to the deadline to be guaranteed review by the PhD Health Policy and Management admissions committee. Applications that are not verified by the deadline are not guaranteed review. Applications take four to five weeks to be verified by SOPHAS. We recommend submitting your application to SOPHAS no later than one month prior to the deadline.

Upon offer of admission, applicants will need to complete the IU Graduate CAS, a required secondary application, by using the invitation code and link provided with the admission offer. The IU Graduate CAS application resembles the SOPHAS application. To apply, unofficial transcripts earned at bachelor's, master's, or doctorate-granting institutions must be uploaded.

Curriculum

Course Requirements

The Health Policy and Management PhD program consists of 90 credit hours and can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Students must complete the PhD courses within seven years of matriculation into the program.

After finishing their coursework, students have up to seven additional years to complete their dissertation. However, students must complete their coursework and dissertation within a 10-year period.

Public Health Foundations (9 crs.)

Take all three courses.

• PBHL-P 501 U.S. Healthcare System and Health Policy (3 credits)
• PBHL-P 510 Introduction to Public Health (3 credits)
• PBHL-P 551 Biostatistics for Public Health I (3 credits)

Health Policy and Management Foundations (12 cr.)

Take all four courses.

• PBHL-H 514 Health Economics (3 credits)
• PBHL-H 611 Policy Evaluation, Implementation, and Management (3 credits) 
• PBHL-H 658 Health Policy and Program Evaluation (3 credits)
• PBHL-H 786 Healthcare Organizations Research (3 credits)

PhD Seminars (13 crs.)

Students will be expected to take the HPM Research Seminar course four times for a total of 12 credit hours. These courses do not build on one another and need not be taken in order.

• PBHL-H747 Health Policy and Management Research Seminar (12 credits)
• PBHL-S725 Preparing for Academics in Public Health (1 credit)

Methods and Skills Courses (24 crs.)

Required Courses (15 credits)

Take all five courses.

• PBHL-B 562 Biostatistics for Public Health II (3 credits)
• PBHL-H 781 Research Design in Health Policy and Management Research (3 credits)
• PBHL-H 782 Quantitative Methods in Health Policy and Management (3 credits)
• PBHL-H 783 Qualitative Methods for Health Services Research (3 credits)
• PBHL-S 619 Health Disparities and Health Equity (3 credits)

and

Elective Courses (9 credits)

Choose three courses. Other courses may be substituted with program director approval.

• PBHL-B 552 Fundamentals of Data Management (3 credits)
• PBHL-E 606 Grant Writing for Public Health (3 credits)
• PBHL-E 635 Foundations of Public Health Informatics (3 credits)
• PBHL-E 647 Introduction to Population Health Analytics (3 credits)
• PBHL-H 628 Healthcare Information Systems (3 credits)
• PBHL-H 751 Doctoral Readings in Health Policy and Management (variable 1-3)
• PBHL-H 752 Doctoral Level Directed Research (3 credits)
• NURS-D 735 Population Health Surveillance and Management (3 credits)
• NURS-R 615 Comparative Effectiveness and Patient-centered Research (3 credits)

Minor Area (12 crs.)

Students must complete a PhD minor. The minor must contain at least four graduate courses (12 credit hours) and comply with the requirements of the minor department/unit. Students wishing to complete a minor outside of the following should consult with the program director for guidance: epidemiology, biostatistics, social and behavioral sciences, health informatics, sociology, policy analysis.

Dissertation (20 crs.)

• PBHL-H 799 Dissertation Proposal (4 credits)
• PBHL-H 800 Dissertation Research (16 credits)

Other Degree Requirements for the PhD in Health Policy and Management

Public health coursework

Health Policy and Management PhD students without a graduate degree, certificate or coursework in public health will be required to complete online introductory modules on environmental health and social and behavioral sciences to ensure they have basic competencies in all five core public health areas. This is a requirement of the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH), the Fairbanks school’s accrediting body.

PhD advisory committee

The department of health policy and management will assign the student to an advisory committee after completion of the first year in the PhD program. The advisory committee will include at least two health policy and management faculty; one member may be from another discipline.

The advisory committee will approve the student’s program of study and counsel the student until he or she passes the qualifying examination. The chair of the PhD advisory committee will be a full-time faculty in the department of health policy and management. Faculty who meet the IU Indianapolis Graduate School guidelines will be eligible to serve as dissertation advisors.

Minor area

The student will select at least one minor from outside the department of health policy and management. The PhD minor typically includes four graduate-level courses, complies with requirements of the respective minor department or program, and must be approved by the student’s advisory committee.

Examples of minors include: bioethics, international research ethics, biostatistics, epidemiology, health economics, medical sociology, medical anthropology, nursing administration, business administration, and bioinformatics.

Qualifying examinations

The written qualifying examination is designed to assess the student’s attainment of the stated health policy and management PhD competencies and is taken after the coursework for the PhD has been completed. Students who fail the qualifying examination are normally allowed to retake it once.

Students who have passed the qualifying examination must enroll each semester (excluding summer sessions) for dissertation credits. Once students have accumulated 90 credit hours in completed coursework and dissertation credits, they may maintain continuous enrollment by enrolling in G901 for six credit hours at a cost of $150. Students can enroll in G901 for no more than six semesters.

The department of health policy and management will monitor the students’ progress toward the PhD degree and will make recommendations to the University Graduate School regarding the nomination to candidacy, the appointment of a research committee, the defense of the dissertation, and the conferring of the PhD degree.

Dissertation

The dissertation will be written on an original topic of research and presented as one of the final requirements for the health policy and management PhD degree. The student’s dissertation research committee will be comprised of members of the graduate faculty.

The chair of the dissertation research committee must be a regular faculty member in the department of health policy and management, and a full member of the graduate faculty.

The student will submit to the IU Indianapolis Graduate Office, acting for the University Graduate School, a two-page prospectus of the dissertation research and the membership of the research committee at least six months before the defense of the dissertation.

After the committee has reviewed the dissertation, the decision to schedule the defense will be made. The student will then present and defend the dissertation orally in a public forum before the committee. Following the dissertation defense, all deficiencies must be adequately addressed to obtain approval by the dissertation research committee.

Health Policy and Management Doctoral Program Director: Justin Blackburn, Ph.D.

Doctoral Minor in Health Policy and Management

Program E-mail: fsphinfo@iu.edu  

Departmental URL: fairbanks.indianapolis.iu.edu/academics/doctoral/minors/hpm

(Please note that when conferring University Graduate School degrees, minors, certificates, and sub-plans, The University Graduate School’s staff use those requirements contained only in The University Graduate School Bulletin.)

The IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health offers a PhD minor in Health Policy and Management that provides students with a foundation in the concepts and methods of health policy and management research.

These concepts and methods draw on many disciplines, including economics, organizational theory and behavior, informatics, sociology, psychology, and statistics. Therefore, this minor is ideal for students from many schools including the IU Schools of Nursing, Dentistry, Medicine, Liberal Arts, Physical Education and Recreation, Health Rehabilitative Sciences, Law, and Public and Environmental Affairs. Students in other School of Public Health doctoral programs are also welcome in the minor.

The doctoral minor in Health Policy and Management is a rigorous, highly focused 12-credit hour minor that serves as a useful complement to many major areas of study. You will learn theoretical concepts and how to apply them. Accomplished and research-productive faculty in the Department of Health Policy and Management will serve as advisors and instructors for students choosing this minor. By completing this minor, you will be able to:

• Critically appraise research streams in healthcare management, health policy, and health services research and identify important new research questions.
• Understand foundational theories and concepts used in healthcare management, health policy, and health services research and apply them to novel research studies.
• Identify and understand the strengths and weaknesses of study designs frequently used in healthcare management, health policy, and health services research.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses to answer critical healthcare management, health policy, and health services research questions.

Students who wish to obtain a doctoral minor from the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health must earn a grade of “B” or better in the coursework for the minor. Courses in which a grade of “B-” or lower is earned will not apply toward completion of the minor.

Health Policy and Management Minor Curriculum

Choose any four of the following 3-credit courses:

• PBHL-H 747 Health Policy and Management Research Seminar (may be taken up to 2 times on different topics)
• PBHL-H 786 Healthcare Organizations Research
• PBHL-H 781 Research Design in Health Policy and Management
• PBHL-H 782 Quantitative Methods in Health Policy and Management
• PBHL-H 783 Qualitative Methods in Health Services Research

Other courses may be taken if approved by the student's minor advisor.