About PhD Program,
The Doctor of Philosophy in Health Services Research is designed to prepare students to conduct high-quality research addressing important health services issues through intensive education in research methods.
Students will be provided opportunities for advanced training in health policy, organization theory, and health economics along with applied knowledge in specific substantive areas of health policy or management.
Students in the PhD program will receive financial support in the form of an assistantship and/or tuition stipend. For more information, contact the PhD program directly.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Prior to admission to the PhD program, students are expected to have successfully completed courses for their PhD work in the following areas: rural health, basic statistics, epidemiology, and health policy and administration. Students entering the program without appropriate foundation courses in these areas will do so with the understanding that courses in these areas must be taken prior to their comprehensive examinations. The departmental doctoral committee will be responsible for noting deficiencies upon admission.
Students who are admitted to the PhD program generally will have completed a master’s degree in a relevant discipline, or a terminal professional degree (e.g. MD, JD, PharmD) prior to matriculation. Admitted students who have attained only a bachelor’s degree will have to complete an additional 32 semester hours of coursework.
PhD Funding Coverage,
There are two main types of graduate assistantships available for PhD students:
- Graduate Assistantship – Teaching (GAT)
- Graduate Assistantship – Research (GAR)
All graduate students offered assistantships must complete human resource and other training modules before they are processed into the payroll system.
Assistantship positions typically require employment for 20 hours per week. PhD students holding assistantships must be registered full-time, which is defined as at least 9 semester hours during the Fall and Spring semesters, and zero to 6 hours during the summer, depending on the level of summer support (see GA registration requirements). Assistantships terminate upon failure to maintain the minimum enrollment requirement.
For the 2020-2021 academic year, the total compensation for both types of assistantships includes a monthly salary of $2,008 plus payment of tuition and fees to cover the minimum enrollment requirement. Students serving in these roles also are eligible for health insurance benefits.
Most applicants who are accepted for enrollment in the PhD program will receive an offer of assistantship support for the first two academic years, subject to the student’s acceptable performance of assistantship tasks and acceptable academic progress in the PhD program. Historically, the PhD program has been able to provide assistantship support for all enrolled students through the completion of their dissertation research (typically four years).
Application Requirement,
- Statement of Purpose:
Describe why you want to pursue a PhD in Health Services Research at Texas A&M University. Your statement of purpose should include:
Your career goals and general areas of research interest
Reasons why a PhD in Health Services Research will facilitate attainment of your career goals.
Reasons for interest in the PhD program at Texas A&M University, including any specific faculty with research expertise you believe might be suited to your research interests.
- A current Curriculum Vitae
- Official Transcripts:
Official transcripts from each U.S. and English-speaking Canadian college-level institution attended must be sent to SOPHAS.
Applicants with academic records from institutions outside the U.S. and English-speaking Canada should send a World Education Services (WES) ICAP Course-by-Course evaluation to SOPHAS.
- Official Test Scores:
The GRE is NOT required for applicants to the Fall 2023 entering term. The GRE has temporarily been waived as an admissions requirement.
- Three Letters of Recommendation:
These should be academic references from individuals affiliated with an institution of higher education who are familiar with the applicant’s prior academic performance. Letters should be submitted to SOPHAS.
- Writing Sample:
Applicants must submit a writing sample that demonstrates their analytical and writing skills. Preference is given to samples in which the applicant is the sole and/or primary author.
Examples include journal articles, research papers, thesis/dissertation, and/or capstone projects.
Application Deadline,
Jan 15, 2025
Application Fee,
Please refer official website
