About PhD Program
Health services research is a multidisciplinary field of scientific investigation that examines the uses, costs, quality, accessibility, delivery, organization, financing and health outcomes of healthcare systems in the U.S. and elsewhere. Health services researchers investigate and interpret the complexities of healthcare systems. In particular, they study how social factors, financing systems, organizational structures and processes, health technologies, and individual and group behaviors affect access, cost and quality of care. The research domains of health services research center on groups, organizations, institutions, communities and populations.
The PhD in Health Policy & Management prepares expert health services researchers for careers in academic settings or in public and private organizations where advanced research and analytic skills are required. It is a post-master’s program and graduate-level statistics coursework is required for admission. The program consists of 3 stages with prerequisite curriculum representing 6 core areas of health policy and management. Students are expected to maintain continuous enrollment and to complete in a minimum of 4 academic years.
KUMC HP&M graduates conduct research in health policy, health services research, and public health including the causes and consequences of health disparities, how the healthcare system impacts the health and wellbeing of patients and workers, and the impacts of health policy on households with different socio-economic characteristics.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA
PhD degree program in Health Policy and Management, located in the Population Health department at the University of Kansas, will be accepted from individuals with the following credentials:
- A master’s degree in health policy and management or a related field including, but not limited to, health services administration, public policy, public health, public administration, business, economics, social sciences, biological sciences, or nursing.
- Minimum GPA of 3.5 (on a scale where 4.0 = A) for all post-baccalaureate coursework.
- At least one graduate-level statistics course.
The need for additional foundational coursework will be evaluated on an individualized basis during the Admissions process.
PhD Funding Coverage
To address the funding needs of our doctoral students, the Program works with students individually to assess their employment situation and financial need. Population Health doctoral students are enrolled full-time and are funded either through half-time employment in the healthcare or related field, through assistantships in the private sector, or through departmental assistantships.
Application Requirement
The application process is almost completely online. You may access our application form via KUMC Application Service Software. The following materials are required to apply for the PhD program in the Population Health department:
- A completed Graduate Application for Admission to the University of Kansas.
- A $60 non-refundable application fee (for both domestic and international applicants). The application fee of $60 is paid when you click SUBMIT from the online application. Applicants can pay by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express or by Electronic Check. U.S. banks only. Application fees are non-refundable. Electronic checks will be held for approximately six business days while the check clears.
- Three academic letters of recommendation. Applicants must provide the names and e-mail addresses of three (3) academic references who are qualified to comment on their potential success in a doctoral program. Please notify your references that they will receive an e-mail form “KU Medical Center requesting them to complete an online reference form. They should also upload a letter of reference in addition to completing the form.
- A Statement of Career Objectives and Purpose(uploaded to the system). Please address the following items as a part of your response:
- Future career objectives and justification for seeking a PhD
- Potential research aims and areas of interest
- Identify program fit and how you match with the program
- Transcripts of all post-secondary academic work. Arrange to have one official copy of each transcript from every college and university that you have attended sent directly to:ku_phd-hpm@kumc.edu
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general exam scoresare not required.
- A copy of the applicant’s master’s thesis, graduate-level research paper or other example of the applicant’s scholarly research writing (uploaded to the system or e-mailed to the above address)
- A copy of the applicant’s resume or curriculum vitae (uploaded to the system).
- International Applicants. Students submitting international applications have additional requirements, as follows:
- TOEFL scores will be considered as part of the application. The test must have been taken within two years of the first semester of enrollment. When submitting test scores to KUMC, please submit only original scores sent directly from the testing agency. Photocopies will not be accepted. For testing purposes, the ETS school code is 6895. Only international applicants with IBT-based TOEFL
Application Deadline,
Dec 15, 2024
Application Fee,
A $60 non-refundable application fee (for both domestic and international applicants).
