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Rutgers School of Public Health

Health Behavior, Society and Policy

PhD in Public Health-Health Systems & Policy (72 credits)

The PhD in Public Health in the Health Systems and Policy (HSAP) concentration offers doctoral studies specializing in health systems research and policy analysis. The program is designed to provide qualified and motivated students with the analytical and quantitative skills, institutional knowledge, and research experience necessary to become independent and creative scholars. Through the doctoral program, students acquire the necessary skills in contemporary policy analysis and applied quantitative research that are essential for addressing the unique problems and challenges of public health and health care delivery. Content areas for specialization and dissertation work include private and public health insurance, health care and health insurance reform, health care for vulnerable and underserved populations, determinants of risky health behaviors, and the relationship between socioeconomic status and health.

Competencies

Competencies for the PhD in Public Health -- Health Systems & Policy (72 credits)

Each Department identifies competencies for each degree offered. These competencies reflect the full range of knowledge, skills, and other attributes that a student will acquire as a result of completing the requirements for a particular degree.

Upon graduation, a student completing the PhD curriculum in Health Systems & Policy will be able to:

  • Demonstrate ability to critically analyze and interpret the scientific literature
  • Apply economic and social science theories and methods to the analyses of issues and trends in population health and health policy
  • Construct conceptual or empirical models describing the behavior of individuals and households regarding their health status
  • Construct conceptual or empirical models that predict access to and use of health care services and their enrollment in private and public health insurance
  • Apply relevant statistical techniques and software to the analyses of relevant data sets
  • Critically evaluate proposed or implemented health policy interventions and the empirical research seeking to assess the impact of policy interventions in the health care sector

Curriculum (Prior to Fall 2018)

PhD in Public Health-Health Systems & Policy (72 credits)

For Students Enrolled Prior to Fall 2018

Students seeking the PhD in Public Health- Health Systems & Policy degree must complete a minimum of 72 credits of academic work with a minimum GPA of least 3.2 overall and a 3.2 in the set of required courses specified by their department; earn no more than nine (9) credits bearing grades less than B; and complete the degree requirements within nine years. Courses are three credit hours unless otherwise noted.

  • CORE COURSES (11 credits)
    • PHCO 0501 - Health Systems and Policy
    • PHCO 0502 - Principles and Methods of Epidemiology
    • PHCO 0504 - Introduction to Biostatistics (Prerequisite: Quantitative Skills Assessment)
    • PHCO 0508 - Issues in Environmental and Occupational Health (1 credit)
    • PHCO 0510 - Issues in Health Education and Behavioral Science (1 credit)
  • REQUIRED COURSES (21 credits)
    • HBSP 0600 - Health Behavior and Policy Research Design and Methods
    • HBSP 0621 - Health Care Economics
    • HBSP 0622 – Health Politics and Policy (Spring) -or-
    • HBSP 0624 - Population Health and Public Policy
    • HBSP 0625 - Issues in Private and Public Health Insurance
    • HBSP 0630 - Topics in Health Systems & Health Care Policy
    • -also-
  • Choose one of the following four:
    • BIST 0551 - Applied Regression Analysis for Public Health Studies
    • BIST 0615 - Categorical Data Analysis
    • BIST 0650 - Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis
    • EPID 0563 - Introduction to Outcomes Research
  • RECOMMENDED ELECTIVE COURSES (16 credits)
    • HBSP 0726 - Intermediate Survey Methods
    • UGPH 0600 - Introduction to Global Public Health
    • PHEL 0580 - Independent Study in Research Methods (1-3 credits)
  • REQUIRED RESEARCH (24 credits)
    • RESH 0760 - Doctoral Research

(Fall 2018 to Fall 2019)

Curriculum for PhD in Public Health-Health Systems & Policy (72 credits)

For Students Enrolled Fall 2018-Fall 2019

Students seeking the PhD in Public Health-Health Systems & Policy degree must complete a minimum of 72 credits of academic work with a minimum GPA of least 3.2 overall and a 3.2 in the set of required courses specified by their department; earn no more than nine (9) credits bearing grades less than B; and complete the degree requirements within nine years. Courses are three credit hours unless otherwise noted and semester when each course is typically offered is noted parentheses. Students should review the Forward Schedule for long-term course planning and the Course Schedule for each semester to determine when, where, and how a course is offered.

  • PREREQUISITES
    • PHCO 0501 - Health Systems and Policy (or equivalent)
  • CORE COURSES (9 credits)

    MPH from an accredited school or program meets Public Health core requirements. PHCO 0502 and PHCO 0504 must be completed before Year 1, Fall semester (e.g., online summer before) if student does not have graduate level coursework in these two areas.

    • PHCO 0502 - Principles and Methods of Epidemiology
    • PHCO 0504 - Introduction to Biostatistics (Prerequisite: Quantitative Skills Assessment)
    • PHCO 0512 - Public Health Foundations
  • REQUIRED COURSES (24 credits)

    The following represents a typical course schedule and the order in which courses would be taken for a student in the PhD program. Schedule is subject to change.

    YEAR 1 COURSE
    CREDITS
    FALL
    		 BIST 0535 - Biostatistical Computing (formerly Biometrics Computing) (Mon, 6-8pm)
    3
    EPID 0656 - Intermediate Epi Methods (Mon, 3-5pm)
    3
    HBSP 0724 - Population Health and Public Policy (Tue, 3-5pm)
    3
    HBSP 0703 - Evaluation and Research Design for Public Health Interventions
    (Wed, 3-5pm)
    3
    RESH 0700 - Doctoral Colloquium1
    0
    TOTAL
    12
    SPRING
    		 BIST 0551 - Applied Regression Analysis for Public Health Studies2 (Thu, 6-8pm)
    3
    HBSP 0726 - Intermediate Survey Research Methods
    3
    NEW: Theories and Models for Public Health (under development)
    3
    RESH 0700 - Doctoral Colloquium1
    0
    RESH 0760 - Doctoral Research
    2
    TOTAL
    11
    YEAR 2 COURSE
    CREDITS
    FALL
    		 BIST 0615 - Categorical Data Analysis (Wed, 6-8pm)
    3
    Specialization Courses
    6
    RESH 0700 - Doctoral Colloquium1
    0
    RESH 0760 - Doctoral Research
    2
    TOTAL
    11
    SPRING
    		 Specialization Courses
    9
    RESH 0700 - Doctoral Colloquium1
    0
    RESH 0760 (Section 000) - Doctoral Research: Dissertation Proposal Seminar
    3
    TOTAL
    12
    YEAR 3 COURSE
    CREDITS
    FALL
    		 RESH 0700 - Doctoral Colloquium1
    0
    RESH 0760 - Doctoral Research
    9
    TOTAL
    9
    SPRING
    		 RESH 0700: Doctoral Colloquium1
    0
    RESH 0760 - Doctoral Research
    8
    TOTAL
    8
  • REQUIRED SPECIALIZATION COURSES (15 credits) Note: Students should review the Course Descriptions in the School Catalog for specific information about prerequisites required for courses.
    • HBSP 0621 - Health Care Economics
    • HBSP 0625 - Issues in Private & Public Health Insurance 
    • HBSP 0630 - Topics in Health Systems & Health Care Policy
    • HBSP Elective - Elective (6 credits) Selected with advisor approval
  • REQUIRED RESEARCH (24 credits)
    • RESH 0760 (Section 000) - Doctoral Research: Dissertation Proposal Seminar (3 credits)
    • RESH 0760 - Doctoral Research (21 credits)

    • All PhD students are expected to engage in research activities with their faculty advisor.

    Notes:
    1PhD students should register for RESH 0700-Doctoral Colloquium each Fall and Spring semester they are enrolled at the School of Public Health.
    2With Advisor approval, may substitute with BIST 0610 - Advanced Regression Methods for Public Health Studies

Curriculum (Fall 2020 and After)

Curriculum for PhD in Public Health-Health Systems & Policy (72 credits)

For Students Enrolled Fall 2020 and After

Students seeking the PhD in Public Health-Health Systems & Policy degree must complete a minimum of 72 credits of academic work with a minimum GPA of least 3.2 overall and a 3.2 in the set of required courses specified by the concentration; earn no more than nine (9) credits bearing grades less than B; and complete the degree requirements within seven years. Courses are three credit hours unless otherwise noted and semester when each course is typically offered is noted parentheses. Students should review the Forward Schedule for long-term course planning and the Course Schedule for each semester to determine when, where, and how a course is offered.

  • PREREQUISITES Do not count toward the 72-credit PhD curriculum. MPH from an accredited school or program meets prerequisite requirements. PHCO 0502 and PHCO 0504 must be completed before Year 1, Fall semester (e.g., online summer before) if student does not have graduate-level coursework in these two areas.
    • PHCO 0501 - Health Systems and Policy (or equivalent)
    • PHCO 0502 - Principles and Methods of Epidemiology
    • PHCO 0504 - Introduction to Biostatistics [Prerequisite: Quantitative Skills Assessment]
  • PHD IN PUBLIC HEALTH CORE COURSES (9 credits)
    • PHCO 0512 - Public Health Foundations (Spring) If a student holds an MPH from a CEPH-accredited school or program of public health, course is waived, but not the credits.
    • ENOH 0701 - Public Health Research Ethics (Spring-Even Years)
    • HBSP 0700 - Advances in Public Health Theories (Fall-Odd Years)
  • REQUIRED CONCENTRATION COURSES (36 credits) Note: Students should review the Course Descriptions in the School Catalog for specific information about prerequisites required for required courses and recommended electives.
    • HBSP 0621 - Health Care Economics (Fall/Spring)
    • HBSP 0624 - Issues in Private and Public Health Insurance (Spring)
    • HBSP 0701 - Grant Writing for Public Health, Behavioral and Biomedical Research (Fall-Even Years)
    • HBSP 0703 - Evaluation and Research Design for Public Health Interventions (Fall-Even Years)
    • HBSP 0724 - Population Health and Public Policy (Fall)
    • HBSP 0726 - Intermediate Survey Research Methods (Summer)
    • HSAP 0661 - Health Care Policy
    • BIST 0535 - Biostatistical Computing (Fall/Spring)
    • BIST 0551 - Applied Regression Analysis for Public Health Studies1 (Fall/Spring)
    • BIST 0615 - Applied Categorical Data Analysis (Fall)
    • EPID 0656 - Intermediate Epidemiologic Research Methods (Fall/Spring)
  • RECOMMENDED ELECTIVE COURSES (3 credits)
    • Selected with Advisor approval
  • REQUIRED RESEARCH (24 credits)
    • RESH 0701 - Doctoral Colloquium I (0 credit) Taken in Fall and Spring in Year 1
    • RESH 0702 - Doctoral Colloquium II (0 credit) Taken in Fall and Spring in Year 2
    • RESH 0760 - Doctoral Research (20 credits)
    • RESH 0761 - Doctoral Research: Dissertation Proposal Seminar (3 credits) Taken in Spring in Year 2
    • 1611-5556 - Ethical Scientific Conduct (1 credit) [Offered through School of Graduate Studies] Taken in Spring in Year 1
  • OTHER REQUIREMENTS (0 credits)
    • Pass Qualifying Exam (written and oral) Typically completed at the end of Year 2
    • RESH 0730 – PhD Seminar (0 credit) Attend PhD seminar once per month for Fall and Spring semesters, every year
    • Earn a Teaching Certificate from Rutgers Teaching Assistant Program (TAP) [0 credits] or complete HBSP 0724 - Effectively Teaching and Training Adults (3 credits)
    • Complete Ethical Scientific Conduct Refresher (0 credit) Taken in Year 5
    • All PhD students are expected to engage in research activities with their faculty advisor.

    • Notes:
    1With Advisor approval, may substitute with BIST 0610 - Advanced Regression Methods for Public Health Studies