phd in economics of health

• Program Finder
• Admissions Services
• Course Directory
• Academic Calendar
• Hybrid Campus
• Lecture Series
• Convocation
• Strategy and Development
• Implementation and Impact
• Integrity and Oversight
• In the School
• In the Field
• In Baltimore
• Resources for Practitioners
• Articles & News Releases
• In The News
• Statements & Announcements
• At a Glance
• Student Life
• Strategic Priorities
• Inclusion, Diversity, Anti-Racism, and Equity (IDARE)
• What is Public Health?

Concentration in Health Economics and Policy

Offered By: Department of Health Policy and Management

Onsite | Full-Time | 4 - 5 years

• MAS Application Fee Waiver Requirements
• Master of Arts (MA) in Geography and Environmental Engineering
• Master of Arts and Master of Science in Public Health (MA/MSPH)
• Master of Arts in Public Health Biology (MAPHB)
• Master of Bioethics (MBE)
• Mission, Vision, and Values
• Student Experience
• Program Outcomes
• For Hopkins Undergraduate Students
• Master of Health Science (MHS) - Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Master of Health Science (MHS) - Department of Epidemiology
• Alumni Update
• MHS Combined with a Certificate Program
• Master of Health Science (MHS) - Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
• Alumni Highlights
• Post-Baccalaureate Program in Environmental Health for Pre-Medicine Students
• Bachelor's/MHS in Health Economics and Outcomes Research
• MHS HEOR Careers
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Master of Health Science (MHS)
• Concurrent School-Wide Master of Health Science Program in Biostatistics
• Master of Health Science - Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health
• Master of Health Science Online (MHS) - Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health
• Careers in Health Economics
• Core Competencies
• Meet the Director
• What is Health Economics
• MPH Capstone Schedule
• Concentrations
• Online/Part-Time Format
• Requirements

Tuition and Funding

• Executive Board Faculty
• Master of Science (MS) in Geography and Environmental Engineering
• Independent Professional Project and Final Essay 
• Program Objectives and Outcomes
• Internships
• Master of Science (ScM) - Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Master of Science (ScM) - Department of Biostatistics
• Master of Science (ScM) - Department of Epidemiology
• Master of Science (ScM) - Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
• ScM Faculty Advisers
• Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) in Geography and Environmental Engineering
• Bachelor's/MSPH in Health Policy
• FAQ for MSPH in Health Policy
• Field Placement Experience
• MSPH Capstone
• MSPH Practicum
• Required and Elective Courses
• Student Timeline
• Career Opportunities
• 38-Week Dietetics Practicum
• Completion Requirements
• MSPH/RD Program FAQ
• Program Goals
• Master's Essay Titles
• Application Fee Waiver Requirements
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Department of Biostatistics
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Department of Epidemiology
• Program Goals and Expectations
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Clinical Investigation
• Track in Environmental Sustainability, Resilience, and Health
• Track in Exposure Sciences and Environmental Epidemiology
• Track in Health Security
• Track in Toxicology, Physiology and Molecular Mechanisms
• PhD in Geography and Environmental Engineering Faculty Advisers
• Recent Graduates and Dissertation Titles
• PhD Funding
• PhD TA Requirement
• Recent Dissertation Titles
• JHU-Tsinghua Doctor of Public Health
• Core Course Requirements
• Concentration in Women’s and Reproductive Health
• Custom Track
• Concentration in Environmental Health
• Concentration in Global Health: Policy and Evaluation
• Concentration in Health Equity and Social Justice
• Concentration in Health Policy and Management
• Concentration in Implementation Science
• Meet Current Students
• Combined Bachelor's / Master's Programs
• Concurrent MHS Option for BSPH Doctoral Students
• Concurrent MSPH Option for JHSPH Doctoral students
• Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MD/PhD)
• Adolescent Health Certificate Program
• Bioethics Certificate Program
• Climate and Health Certificate Program
• Clinical Trials Certificate Program
• Community- Based Public Health Certificate Program
• Demographic Methods Certificate Program
• Environmental and Occupational Health Certificate Program
• Epidemiology for Public Health Professionals Certificate Program
• Evaluation: International Health Programs Certificate Program
• Food Systems, the Environment and Public Health Certificate Program
• Frequently Asked Questions for Certificate Programs
• Gender and Health Certificate Program
• Gerontology Certificate Program
• Global Digital Health Certificate Program
• Global Health Certificate Program
• Global Health Practice Certificate Program
• Health Communication Certificate Program
• Health Disparities and Health Inequality Certificate Program
• Health Education Certificate Program
• Health Finance and Management Certificate Program
• Health and Human Rights Certificate Program
• Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Prevention and Control Certificate Program
• Humane Sciences and Toxicology Policy Certificate Program
• Humanitarian Health Certificate Program
• Implementation Science and Research Practice Certificate Program
• Injury and Violence Prevention Certificate Program
• International Healthcare Management and Leadership Certificate Program
• Leadership for Public Health and Healthcare Certificate Program
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Public Health Certificate Program
• Maternal and Child Health Certificate Program
• Mental Health Policy, Economics and Services Certificate Program
• Non-Degree Students General Admissions Info
• Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Certificate Program
• Population Health Management Certificate Program
• Population and Health Certificate Program
• Product Stewardship for Sustainability Certificate Program
• Public Health Advocacy Certificate Program
• Public Health Economics Certificate Program
• Public Health Informatics Certificate Program
• Public Health Practice Certificate Program
• Declaration of Intent - Public Health Preparedness
• Public Health Training Certificate for American Indian Health Professionals
• Public Mental Health Research Certificate Program
• Quality, Patient Safety and Outcomes Research Certificate Program
• Quantitative Methods in Public Health Certificate Program
• Requirements for Successful Completion of a Certificate Program
• Rigor, Reproducibility, and Responsibility in Scientific Practice Certificate Program
• Risk Sciences and Public Policy Certificate Program
• Spatial Analysis for Public Health Certificate Program
• Training Certificate in Public Health
• Tropical Medicine Certificate Program
• Tuition for Certificate Programs
• Vaccine Science and Policy Certificate Program
• Online Student Experience
• Online Programs for Applied Learning
• Barcelona Information
• Fall Institute Housing Accommodations
• Participating Centers
• Registration, Tuition, and Fees
• Agency Scholarship Application
• General Scholarship Application
• UPF Scholarship Application
• Course Evaluations
• Online Courses
• Registration
• General Institute Tuition Information
• International Students
• Directions to the Bloomberg School
• All Courses
• Important Guidance for ONSITE Students
• D.C. Courses
• Registration and Fees
• Cancellation and Closure Policies
• Application Procedures
• Career Search
• Current Activities
• Current Trainees
• Related Links
• Process for Appointing Postdoctoral Fellows
• Message from the Director
• Program Details
• Admissions FAQ
• Current Residents
• Elective Opportunities for Visiting Trainees
• What is Occupational and Environmental Medicine?
• Admissions Info
• Graduates by Year
• Compensation and Benefits
• How to Apply
• Academic Committee
• Course Details and Registration
• Tuition and Fees
• ONLINE SOCI PROGRAM
• Principal Faculty
• Johns Hopkins RAPID Psychological First Aid
• General Application
• JHHS Application
• Areas of Study
• Important Dates
• Our Faculty
• Welcome Letter
• Descripción los Cursos
• Programa en Epidemiología para Gestores de Salud, Basado en Internet
• Consultants
• Britt Dahlberg, PhD
• Joke Bradt, PhD, MT-BC
• Mark R. Luborsky, PhD
• Marsha Wittink, PhD
• Rebekka Lee, ScD
• Su Yeon Lee-Tauler, PhD
• Theresa Hoeft, PhD
• Vicki L. Plano Clark, PhD
• Program Retreat
• Mixed Methods Applications: Illustrations
• Announcements
• 2023 Call for Applications
• Jennifer I Manuel, PhD, MSW
• Joke Bradt, PhD
• Josiemer Mattei, PhD, MPH
• Justin Sanders, MD, MSc
• Linda Charmaran, PhD
• Nao Hagiwara, PhD
• Nynikka R. A. Palmer, DrPH, MPH
• Olayinka O. Shiyanbola, BPharm, PhD
• Sarah Ronis, MD, MPH
• Susan D. Brown, PhD
• Tara Lagu, MD, MPH
• Theresa Hoft, PhD
• Wynne E. Norton, PhD
• Yvonne Mensa-Wilmot, PhD, MPH
• A. Susana Ramírez, PhD, MPH
• Animesh Sabnis, MD, MSHS
• Autumn Kieber-Emmons, MD, MPH
• Benjamin Han, MD, MPH
• Brooke A. Levandowski, PhD, MPA
• Camille R. Quinn, PhD, AM, LCSW
• Justine Wu, MD, MPH
• Kelly Aschbrenner, PhD
• Kim N. Danforth, ScD, MPH
• Loreto Leiva, PhD
• Marie Brault, PhD
• Mary E. Cooley, PhD, RN, FAAN
• Meganne K. Masko, PhD, MT-BC/L
• PhuongThao D. Le, PhD, MPH
• Rebecca Lobb, ScD, MPH
• Allegra R. Gordon, ScD MPH
• Anita Misra-Hebert, MD MPH FACP
• Arden M. Morris, MD, MPH
• Caroline Silva, PhD
• Danielle Davidov, PhD
• Hans Oh, PhD
• J. Nicholas Dionne-Odom, PhD RN ACHPN
• Jacqueline Mogle, PhD
• Jammie Hopkins, DrPH, MS
• Joe Glass, PhD MSW
• Karen Whiteman, PhD MSW
• Katie Schultz, PhD MSW
• Rose Molina, MD
• Uriyoán Colón-Ramos, ScD MPA
• Andrew Riley, PhD
• Byron J. Powell, PhD, LCSW
• Carrie Nieman MD, MPH
• Charles R. Rogers, PhD, MPH, MS, CHES®
• Emily E. Haroz, PhD
• Jennifer Tsui, Ph.D., M.P.H.
• Jessica Magidson, PhD
• Katherine Sanchez, PhD, LCSW
• Kelly Doran, MD, MHS
• Kiara Alvarez, PhD
• LaPrincess C. Brewer, MD, MPH
• Melissa Radey, PhD, MA, MSSW
• Sophia L. Johnson, PharmD, MPH, PhD
• Supriya Gupta Mohile, MD, MS
• Virginia McKay, PhD
• Andrew Cohen, MD, PhD
• Angela Chen, PhD, PMHNP-BC, RN
• Christopher Salas-Wright, PhD, MSW
• Eliza Park MD, MS
• Jaime M. Hughes, PhD, MPH, MSW
• Johanne Eliacin, PhD, HSPP
• Lingrui Liu ScD MS
• Meaghan Kennedy, MD
• Nicole Stadnick, PhD, MPH
• Paula Aristizabal, MD
• Radhika Sundararajan, MD
• Sara Mamo, AuD, PhD
• Tullika Garg, MD MPH FACS
• Allison Magnuson, DO
• Ariel Williamson PhD, DBSM
• Benita Bamgbade, PharmD, PhD
• Christopher Woodrell MD
• Hung-Jui (Ray) Tan, MD, MSHPM
• Jasmine Abrams, PhD
• Jose Alejandro Rauh-Hain, MD
• Karen Flórez, DrPH, MPH
• Lavanya Vasudevan, PhD, MPH, CPH
• Maria Garcia, MD, MPH
• Robert Brady, PhD
• Saria Hassan, MD
• Scherezade Mama, DrPH
• Yuan Lu, ScD
• 2021 Scholars
• Sign Up for Our Email List
• Workforce Training
• Cells-to-Society Courses
• Course/Section Numbers Explained
• Pathway Program with Goucher College
• The George G. Graham Lecture

About the Concentration in Health Economics and Policy

The concentration in Health Economics and Policy prepares doctoral students to address the most pressing challenges in health and health care through innovative, rigorous and interdisciplinary research in the field of health economics. This program integrates traditional training in economics with practical training in health policy and health services research to train the next generation of health economists.

The curriculum offers a broad exposure to the health economics literature and public health disciplines, and stresses the policy implications of these fields of research. The curriculum stresses a foundation in applied modern microeconomic theory, economic evaluation, quantitative methods and econometrics, including PhD-level courses from the Department of Economics in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences.

Doctoral students are paired with a faculty adviser from the Health Economics concentration with similar research interests. Faculty in the Health Economics concentration are working in a variety of research areas including understanding health insurance design, the economic implications of health and health care disparities, market forces and health care prices, pharmaceutical economics, and payment design and access. Doctoral students will also have the opportunity to work with other faculty within the Department, as well as faculty from other Departments including International Health, Population, Family, and Reproductive Health, Biostatistics, the School of Medicine, School of Nursing, the Carey Business School, and the Department of Economics. Students also often work with various centers and initiatives across the University, including the Hopkins Business of Health Initiative.

What Can You Do With a Graduate Degree In Health Economics And Policy?

The program prepares students for successful research careers as health economists. Former students have gone onto careers in academia, government, research-oriented non-profits, and the private sector. Visit the  Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard to learn about Bloomberg School graduates' employment status, sector, and salaries.

View a list of selected recent graduates and dissertation titles for the PhD Concentration in Health Economics and Policy.

Curriculum for the Concentration in Health Economics and Policy

Browse an overview of the requirements for this PhD program in the JHU  Academic Catalogue  and explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School  Course Directory .

Admissions Requirements

For general admissions requirements, please visit the How to Apply page.

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores are  not required and not reviewed  for this program. If you have taken a standardized test such as the GRE, GMAT, or MCAT and want to submit your scores, please note that they will not be used as a metric during the application review.  Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all required application components.

Matthew Eisenberg, PhD, MPhil,

uses applied health economics methods to study how consumers make decisions about their healthcare.

All accepted PhD students receive a standard funding package.  As of September 1, 2023 this package includes full tuition support, a $30,000 per year stipend, individual health, dental, and vision insurance and the University Health Services clinic fee for four years.

For funding sources, please see PhD funding page .

Need-Based Relocation Grants Students who  are admitted to PhD programs at JHU starting in Fall 2023 or beyond can apply to receive a $1500 need-based grant to offset the costs of relocating to be able to attend JHU.   These grants provide funding to a portion of incoming students who, without this money, may otherwise not be able to afford to relocate to JHU for their PhD program. This is not a merit-based grant. Applications will be evaluated solely based on financial need.  View more information about the need-based relocation grants for PhD students .

Questions about the program? We're happy to help. [email protected] 410-955-2488

Skip to Content

University of Colorado Denver

• Campus Directory
• Events Calendar
• Human Resources
• Student Services
• Auraria Library
• CU Denver Police
• University Policies

Schools and Colleges

• College of Architecture and Planning
• College of Arts & Media
• Business School
• School of Education & Human Development
• College of Engineering, Design and Computing
• Graduate School
• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• School of Public Affairs

Campus Affiliates

• CU Anschutz Medical Campus
• CU Colorado Springs

Other ways to search:

• University Directory

Ph.D. in Health Economics

The Ph.D. in Health Economics is designed to train scientists to engage in modern economic research related to questions pertinent to the health care sector and to personal and public health.  It is an on-campus program. Students take courses both from the Economics Department, which is housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and from the Health Systems, Management & Policy (HSMP) Department, which is housed in the Colorado School of Public Health. The ECON coursework grounds students in rigorous economic theory and modern statistical methods, whereas the HSMP coursework connects students to institutional details of the health care sector, administrative data methods, grant writing, and the development of interdisciplinary health care research.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the Ph.D. degree in Health Economics, students will be able to:

• Understand the economic approach to studying the healthcare sector, health behaviors, and health outcomes.
• Understand how different markets function in the health care sector, such as the market for health care, health insurance, health labor (such as physicians and nursing), and pharmaceuticals.
• Understand the challenges in identifying causal relationships using health data. 
• Use and develop statistical and econometric models, based on economic theory, to analyze various economic issues and make policy recommendations.
• Communicate, in written form and verbally, theoretical and econometric findings to an audience of economics professionals and to a general audience. 

The Emphasis of the Program

Students begin the program with extensive training in microeconomic theory along with substantial exposure to applied econometrics and quantitative analysis. This training includes working with large and diverse data sets, and becoming proficient using statistical software. The Ph.D. core and elective courses provides the foundation for students to engage in innovative and original research in health economics, including evaluating the effectiveness of health interventions and health policy, and conducting economic cost-benefit analysis.

Financial Aid

General financial aid is managed and awarded to students through the CU Denver Office of Financial Aid (FAFSA code: 004508). You can find more information  here . The department offers specific financial assistance to Ph.D. students in form of partial tuition scholarships, teaching assistantships (TAs), research assistantships (RAs), and grader positions. These positions are awarded on a competitive basis, and are initially based on information provided in the student’s application to the Ph.D. program. Students admitted to the Ph.D. program are automatically considered for a gradaute assistantship position. No separate application or further information is needed.

Note: The University of Colorado Denver is a member of Western Regional Graduate Program . Qualified students admitted to this program who are residents of one of the 15 WICHE states may be eligible for in-state tuition.

Ph.D. Program Resources

• Degree Requirements
• Admission Requirements / How to Apply
• Ph.D. Student Directory

M.S. in Health Economics

Certificate Programs

Contact Information

For general admissions questions contact the Graduate School at [email protected] or 303-315-0049.

For questions about the Ph.D. in Health Economics program contact the Graduate Advisor at [email protected]

• Website Feedback
• Privacy Policy
• Legal Notices
• Accreditation

© 2021  The Regents of the University of Colorado , a body corporate. All rights reserved.

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission . All trademarks are registered property of the University. Used by permission only.

PhD in Health Economics

• Admission and Financial Aid
• Requirements for Degree Completion

Located in Los Angeles on the USC University Park Campus, the USC PhD program in health economics offers students the opportunity to help shape the future of health care through groundbreaking research and innovative policy solutions. Our multidisciplinary program offers rigorous training in microeconomics, econometrics, cost effectiveness analysis, welfare economics, public finance, epidemiology and health status measurement. Students in the program work closely with our world-renowned faculty, gaining the practical research experience needed to launch their careers.

Our program offers numerous benefits to help position our students for future success. All of our PhD students are fully funded, including tuition remission and stipend, for up to five years through teaching and research assistantships or competitive fellowships.  Many of our students participate in internships that offer real world experience and networking opportunities in industry, policy analysis and consulting.  Our department’s affiliation with the Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics provides opportunities for students to work closely with distinguished faculty from across USC on impactful projects. Bolstered in part by our strong alumni network, our students are highly sought after for positions in academia, government and industry.

“I chose the Health Economics PhD program at USC for three reasons: the strong concentration of health economics faculty here as compared to traditional economics departments, the rigor of economics training compared to other applied programs, and quality of life (i.e., location in sunny Southern California and funding from a USC School of Pharmacy fellowship).”

Laura Henkhaus

Phd, health economics ’19, data scientist, hill physicians medical group, the 117th usc mann commencement | saturday, may 11, 2024.

PhD in Health Economics & Outcomes Research

Update: for the 2024 admissions cycle, gre scores are required for all applicants., application deadline: december 15, 2023, phd information session.

In this session, you can learn more about the application process, program structure, core competencies, career outcomes, and more. The session is led by Professors Anirban Basu & Josh Carlson. Watch the recording of our October 2023 information session here . Access the webinar slides. 

Opportunity

The CHOICE Institute at the UW School of Pharmacy teaches you how to influence health policy and how to advance your research all the while modeling excellence.

Our program offers an exceptional educational experience alongside highly engaged peers , faculty, and alumni . Our program is selective, accepting up to four new doctoral students a year. This allows for extraordinary access to our world-class faculty as well as peers who will challenge and engage you.

At UW, the six health sciences disciplines are co-located, allowing for innovative cross-discipline collaborations. Based in the biotech center of Seattle, The CHOICE Institute partners with numerous affiliate institutes, such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Institute for Health Metrics Evaluation, and many more . Faculty and students in pharmacy, medicine, dentistry, nursing, social work, and public health are uniquely positioned to take advantage of breakthrough research and medical technology opportunities.

Financial Support

Doctoral students admitted into the program are guaranteed to have their tuition funded for the first two years, through a combination of fellowships, research, or teaching assistantships. While students are responsible for securing the remainder of the funding for their program, funding opportunities are always available. See Funding Opportunities for more details. Research assistantship also provides health insurance at no charge for students; coverage is available for spouses and dependents for an additional fee. (You can find more information on the Graduate Appointee Insurance Program and other benefits through UW Human Resources .)

Students train in the academic disciplines essential to the comparative evaluation of medical interventions. This affects health outcomes as well as medication safety and effectiveness; students also train in the provision of economic value estimates and the applications of these to health policy. Students delve into pharmacoepidemiology and learn the importance of health technology assessment (HTA) in evaluating the consequences of different health technologies. The impact of these health technology evaluations is seen in fields across the board, from genomics to geriatrics.

CHOICE faculty, post-doctoral fellows and students conduct comparative effectiveness research, medication safety research and studies on the cost-effectiveness of healthcare interventions and health insurance, allowing them to estimate value propositions and improve decision making by patients, clinicians, and policymakers, creating a more personalized medicine experience. The program is patient-centered and relies on real-world evidence and data science, allowing students to delve into the depths of pharmacoeconomics. Students learn from leaders in the field and each other, all while enjoying the vibrant Pacific Northwest as a backdrop.

Graduate training in the program prepares students for career opportunities in:

• Academic and big data research, informatics and teaching
• Pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries
• Professional associations, health care insurance providers, and governmental agencies
• Health-systems and managed care organizations
• Non-profit organizations geared toward global health or pharmaceutical policy change

Prerequisites

• Students with master’s degrees in related fields such as epidemiology, economics, statistics, or public health are encouraged to apply. Students with professional degrees in pharmacy, medicine, or a health-related field who have strong quantitative skills are also supported.
• The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required, and special weight is given to exceptional scores on the quantitative and analytical portions.
• Other admission prerequisites include meeting the minimum Graduate School requirements. 

See Application Information for more detailed requirements and instructions.

Doctoral Degree Program Requirements

Students complete courses in the fields of biostatistics, clinical trial design and analysis, health economics, epidemiology, and health policy in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the complex and interdisciplinary environment of outcomes research as a foundation.

Total minimum credits required: 115

• Minimum of 73 credits of core coursework (47) and seminar (12)
• 27 dissertation credits
• 14 Elective Credits
• Independent Study

Milestones:

• Preliminary exams
• General Exam (dissertation proposal defense)
• Dissertation Defense

An overview of our core program can be found in the Gr aduate Student Handbook . 

PhD Program Brochure

The Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Economics (in the School of Pharmacy) offers a program of study leading to the PhD degree in Health Economics. The program focuses on microeconomics; econometrics; health economics and policy; public finance; pharmaceutical economics and policy. The program offers one track in microeconomics and a second track in pharmaceutical economics and policy.

Microeconomics Track

Students in the microeconomics track will complete the microeconomic theory and econometric sequence and course work in health economics. They will receive focused training and mentoring in health economics through collaboration on research projects.

Satisfactory completion of the economic theory sequence with a grade point average of B or higher.

At least one of the econometrics courses must be completed with a grade of B or higher. The courses recommended for fulfilling the requirements for the Microeconomics Track are:

• GSBA 602 Selected Issues in Economic Theory I Units: 3
• PMEP 509 Research Design Units: 4
• ECON 636 Health Economics I Units: 4
• ECON 693 Seminar in Applied Economics and Public Policy Units: 2
• GSBA 612 Selected Issues in Economic Theory II Units: 3
• PMEP 525 Pharmacoeconomics I Units: 4
• PMEP 526 Pharmacoeconomics II Units: 2
• PMEP 535 Behavioral Science and Policy in Healthcare Units: 4
• PMEP 544 Health Economics II Units: 4
• PMEP 547 Programming Methods for Empirical Analysis of Health Data Units: 4
• PMEP 551 Introduction to Health Econometrics Units: 4
• PMEP 552 Advanced Health Econometrics I Units: 4
• PMEP 553 Advanced Health Econometrics II Units: 4
• PMEP 698 Seminar in Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy Units: 1

Additional Requirements

Foreign Language Requirement

There is no formal foreign language requirement. However, competence in the use of one computer programming language is required for the graduate degree. Such competence can be demonstrated either by course work or examination.

Grade Point Average

A grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 and typically considerably higher (on a scale of 4.0) must have been achieved on all graduate work at USC for the passing of the screening procedure. The Graduate School requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 on all course work taken as a graduate student at USC.

Unit Requirements

The PhD in Health Economics requires a minimum of 64 units of graduate-level courses numbered 500 or higher (excluding 794) and a minimum of 4 units of 794. A maximum of two full courses (eight units) or their equivalent may be PMEP 790    (research) since directed research will generally be incorporated into most 500- and 600-level courses. Exceptions will be considered on an individual basis. Normally, a full-time graduate student course load is three full courses or their equivalent per semester, with a four-course maximum. Students may transfer and substitute up to 24 units of graduate course work from other universities to fulfill the required 64 units of graduate credit subject to the approval of the department.

Screening Procedure

The student’s progress will be reviewed after each semester and before registration for any additional course work to determine if progress has been satisfactory. The screening procedure will include satisfactory performance on written screening exams covering the major topics covered in the recommended coursework for each track.

Qualifying Exam

Upon successful completion of the first two years of course and grade requirements, and following passing of required screening procedures, the student takes a general written and oral examination on the chosen area of research emphasis after presenting a detailed written dissertation proposal. After passing these examinations, the student is admitted to candidacy for the PhD degree.

The student will select a member of the graduate faculty who will serve as his or her adviser and chair of the student’s qualifying exam committee. The student should consult the director of Graduate Studies for the Health Economics program on the selection of his or her adviser and chair of the PhD qualifying exam committee after taking the written screening examinations. The chairman of the student’s PhD qualifying exam committee advises the student on matters of curriculum and graduate opportunities. The qualifying exam committee is composed of five members. The committee chair and at least two additional members must have appointments in the student’s program. Faculty eligible to serve as committee chairs and members include tenured, tenure-track, and research faculty, teaching faculty, practitioner faculty or clinical faculty (RTPC) faculty. The committee chair and at least three members must be research active in a field relevant to the research thesis and one member of the committee must be tenured or tenure track; and the committee membership requires approval by the dean of the school. Visiting faculty may not serve on qualifying exam committees. The vice provost for graduate programs is an ex officio member of all qualifying exam committees.

The composition of all PhD qualifying exam committees must be approved by the director of Graduate Studies for the Health Economics program. The student must form his or her qualifying exam committee soon after passing the departmental screening procedure.

Dissertation Proposal Preparation

The student is required to register for two units of PMEP 790    and write a research paper on a topic suitable for a dissertation. Typically, the chair of the student’s guidance committee directs this work. The resulting essay becomes part of the student’s written dissertation proposal which constitutes the written portion of the qualifying exam.  This proposal is presented and critiqued during the oral portion of the qualifying examination.

Dissertation

After admission to candidacy, the student forms a dissertation committee comprising three faculty members, one of whom can be from an outside department. The chair of this committee is the dissertation supervisor. The student must register for PMEP 794a   , PMEP 794b   , PMEP 794c   , PMEP 794d   , or PMEP 794z    each semester, excluding summer sessions, until the dissertation and all other degree requirements are completed.

The student is expected to complete a dissertation based on an original investigation. The dissertation must represent a significant contribution to knowledge and must be defended in an oral examination administered by the dissertation committee (see the section on Theses and Dissertations ).

Student Teaching

Teaching experience is considered an integral part of the training of graduate students. As part of the general requirements for the PhD, all students are required to undergo training as an educator. This will include participating in seminars on educational techniques and hands-on teaching experiences through participation in didactic and small group teaching in the School of Pharmacy or the USC Price School of Public Policy.

Seminar Requirements

Every student is recommended to take and satisfactorily complete 4 units of research seminars chosen from ECON 693   , PMEP 698    or the equivalent. At least one of these seminars must be related to the student’s major field, and the same seminar may be taken more than once. Before completing the dissertation, it is recommended that the student present at least one original research paper in a seminar of his or her choice. This paper should typically consist of original results contained in the student’s dissertation.

Three electives at the 500 level or higher from the School of Pharmacy’s Health Economics Program and from the departments of economics, mathematical statistics, biometry, epidemiology, public administration, computer science or other relevant fields are required.

Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy Track

Students in the pharmaceutical economics and policy track will specialize in areas such as cost-effectiveness, comparative effectiveness, drug therapy outcomes and organization of pharmaceutical markets. They will receive focused training and mentoring in pharmaceutical economics and policy through collaboration on research projects.

Satisfactory completion of the pharmaceutical economics and policy sequence with an average grade of B or higher

• PMEP 527 Pharmacoeconomics III Units: 4
• PMEP 539 Economic Assessment of Medical Care Units: 4

The student is required to register for 2 units of PMEP 790    and write a research paper on a topic suitable for a dissertation. Typically, the chair of the student’s guidance committee directs this work. The resulting essay becomes part of the student’s written dissertation proposal, which constitutes the written portion of the qualifying exam. This proposal is presented and critiqued during the oral portion of the qualifying examination.

Every student is recommended to take and satisfactorily complete 4 units of research seminars chosen from PMEP 698    or the equivalent. At least one of these seminars must be related to the student’s major field and the same seminar may be taken more than once. Before completing the dissertation, it is recommended that the student present at least one original research paper in a seminar of his or her choice. This paper should typically consist of original results contained in the student’s dissertation.

A minimum of three electives at the 500 level or higher from the School of Pharmacy’s Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy Program and from the departments of economics, mathematical statistics, biometry, epidemiology, public administration, computer science or other relevant fields are required.

List of Electives

• ECON 401 Mathematical Methods in Economics Units: 4
• ECON 415 Behavioral Economics Units: 4
• ECON 419 Advanced Econometrics Units: 4
• ECON 500 Microeconomic Analysis and Policy Units: 4
• ECON 513 Practice of Econometrics Units: 4
• ECON 601 Microeconomic Theory I Units: 4
• ECON 603 Microeconomic Theory II Units: 4
• ECON 604 Game Theory Units: 4
• ECON 611 Probability and Statistics for Economists Units: 4
• ECON 615 Applied Econometrics Units: 4
• ECON 688 Empirical Industrial Organization Units: 4
• HCDA 506 Foundations of Insurance and Global Access Units: 3
• HCDA 507 Foundations of Product Development and Commercialization Units: 3
• MEDS 500 Basic Concepts in Global Health Units: 4
• PM 510L Principles of Biostatistics Units: 4
• PM 511aL Data Analysis Units: 4
• PM 511bL Data Analysis Units: 4
• PM 511cL Data Analysis Units: 4
• PM 512 Principles of Epidemiology Units: 4
• PM 523 Design of Clinical Studies Units: 3
• PM 536 Program Evaluation and Research Units: 4
• PM 552 Statistical Methods in Clinical Trials Units: 3, 2 years
• PM 560 Statistical Programming With R Units: 2
• PSYC 426 Motivated Behaviors and Addiction Units: 4

• Faculty Intranet

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS

• Prospective Ph.D.s
• Fields of Study

Health Economics

Institute for policy research.

The Institute for Policy Research (IPR) is the home of many research groups and centers.  IPR faculty publish their research in many of the leading journals for their particular discipline, in addition to working paper series, chapters, books, monographs, and reports.

Northwestern’s vibrant health economics community produces leading research on population health and the organization of health care markets. Faculty and students working in the area of health economics engage closely with other fields, including industrial organization, labor and public, and development. In addition to faculty in the department, there are leading health economists in Kellogg’s Strategy group and the School of Education and Social Policy. The Buehler Center at the Feinberg School of Medicine further has an active and growing group of economists and public health researchers. The department and Kellogg’s Strategy group jointly offer a two-quarter, second-year sequence that provides students with an in-depth look at a range of theoretical models and empirical applications in health and health care economics. The department holds a weekly Applied Microeconomics seminar; faculty and students working on health care topics also frequently attend the Strategy seminar and seminars held by the Institute for Policy Research (IPR).

• Skip to Content
• Catalog Home
• Institution Home
• Graduate Catalog /
• The Wharton School /

Health Care Management & Economics, PhD

The program combines intensive training in health care management and economics coupled with advanced training in a traditional business discipline.

Our program provides thought leadership and policy development in the following areas of distinction:

• Value of technology and innovation
• Health insurance design and reform
• Design and impact of incentives in numerous health industry contexts
• Competition and collaboration across the value chain
• The broad interprofessional/multidisciplinary work of the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics

Wharton’s doctoral program is unique among similar programs because it provides a strong background in microeconomic theory, an advanced teaching of econometric and statistical techniques, a comprehensive analysis of both health economics and health care services research, and grounding in management/strategy theory and research. The doctoral program complements the course work with numerous opportunities to collaborate with faculty members in research projects exploring a wide variety of topics in the health economics and management fields.

For more information: https://doctoral.wharton.upenn.edu/health-care-management-economics/

View the University’s Academic Rules for PhD Programs .

Required Courses

A minimum of 16 course units are required.

A one-year graduate level sequence in statistics or in probability and statistics is required. Any of the following sample sequences can be used. Students may substitute other graduate level courses upon approval of the graduate director of the Statistics department.

A one year sequence in microeconomics is required.

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2023 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

Sample Plan of Study

Print options.

Print this page.

The PDF will include all information unique to this page.

A PDF of the entire 2023-24 catalog.

A PDF of the 2023-24 Undergraduate catalog.

A PDF of the 2023-24 Graduate catalog.

• Youth Program
• Wharton Online

Health Care Management & Economics

Wharton’s phd program in health care management and economics provides an interdisciplinary health services research focus applicable across private and public sectors..

The program combines intensive training in health care systems and health services research with advanced training in a traditional business discipline.

Our program provides thought leadership and policy development in the following areas of distinction:

• Value of technology and innovation
• Health insurance design and reform
• Design and impact of incentives in numerous health industry contexts
• Competition and collaboration across the value chain
• The broad interprofessional/multidisciplinary work of the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics

Wharton’s doctoral program is unique among similar programs because it provides a strong background in microeconomic theory, an advanced teaching of econometric and statistical techniques, a comprehensive analysis of both health economics and health care services research, and grounding in management/strategy theory and research. The doctoral program complements the course work with numerous opportunities to collaborate with faculty members in research projects exploring a wide variety of topics in the health economics and management fields.

For more information on courses and sample plan of study,  please visit the University Graduate Catalog .

Disciplinary Clusters

The purpose of the disciplinary cluster is to equip candidates to conduct research in their areas of choice and to teach in fields in addition to Health Care Management and Economics. The courses may be drawn from the following clusters:

• Economics/Public Management
• Operations and Information Management
• Statistics/Epidemiology
• Finance/Accounting
• Public Policy and Management

Student Involvement in the Department

Students participate in faculty-supervised projects as research fellows, starting in the second year of the program. This work provides first-hand knowledge of research methods and design and often furnishes the basis for a dissertation topic. It also teaches students the art of securing funding for research, which is important for any aspiring health services researcher. Students are also expected to participate in the Leonard Davis Institute’s Research and Policy Seminar Series, which feature external speakers working on cutting-edge health services research projects and policy issues. In addition to regular seminars, all PhD students are expected to participate in the department colloquium, which features discussion of research in progress by faculty members, students, and guests.

Get the Details.

Visit the Health Care Management and Economics website for details on program requirements and courses. Read faculty and student research and bios to see what you can do with a Health Care Management and Economics PhD.

Associate Director Joanne Levy Email: [email protected]

Health Economics

The study of health economics focuses on the economic behavior of individuals; providers; insurers; and international, federal, state, and local governments and actors as their actions affect health and medical care. This includes financing health care, provider payment systems, and restructuring health systems.

Primary Faculty in Health Economics

Anna Sinaiko Benjamin Sommers Meredith Rosenthal Joseph Newhouse

News from the School

From public servant to public health student

Exploring the intersection of health, mindfulness, and climate change

Conference aims to help experts foster health equity

Building solidarity to face global injustice

Maya Lozinski

University of chicago, md-phd in health economics admissions – phd departments.

This is a continuation of my series on joint degrees in medicine and social sciences, in response to frequently asked questions from undergraduates.

Health economics can be studied in numerous types of PhD departments, with a range of flavors.  Here I have listed some of the key considerations when deciding where to pursue a PhD.  I then discuss how these vary between Economics Department, Public Policy Schools, and Public Health Schools

Key Considerations:

• Coursework: Coursework will consume a substantial amount of your time as an early PhD student. Those courses should teach skills and subject matter you want to learn.
• Peer and Faculty Research Interests: Your peers and faculty will shape your research topics and provide critical feedback on your work. Your will have to convince them your research is interesting and robust. Their perspective and research background will profoundly shape your research questions and taste.
• General Pros and Cons: Some additional considerations to have in mind.

Economics Departments and Business Schools

• Coursework: Macroeconomics, microeconomics, theory-oriented econometrics (first year); Economics field courses in topics such as labor economics, public economics, industrial organization, etc. (second year).
• Peer and Faculty Research Interests: Similar to field course topics. Industrial organization, trade, behavioral economics, macroeconomics, labor economics, etc.
• Pros: Arguably the most prestigious. Most robust training in economic and statistical theory. Broad training lets you easily bring new methods and concepts to health economics. Easier to get jobs in a range of departments across the spectrum.
• Cons: Very little of the material covered in courses will explicitly health focused (<10%). Vast majority of your audience be economists who don’t know or care that much about healthcare. You will need to convince them why your research topic is interesting and applicable outside of healthcare (They will not be satisfied if your research question *only* addresses an important problem in healthcare; the problem must also be broadly “economically interesting”).   Most of your audience will think JAMA (and other top medical journals) are second rate journals.

Public Policy Departments

• Coursework: Microeconomics and causal inference oriented econometrics (first year); Economics field courses and various elective courses as desired (e.g. methods courses in CS or stats; Subject matter courses on energy, environment, education, etc).
• Peer and Faculty Research Interests: Applied microeconomics on topics such as crime, international development, social programs, educations, healthcare, etc.
• Pros: Robust training in economic and statistical methods. Training is more applied and less theoretical, with more direct applicability to health. Broad training lets you port new methods and concepts from subjects to health. For example, the techniques used to study judicial sentencing and teacher performance can be adapted to study physicians. More respect for applied problems. One can generally move to a healthcare policy or management department afterwards (transitions to economics department seem to be more challenging).
• Cons: A minority of material covered in courses will be health focused (<20%). Again, most of your classmates will not study healthcare, so there will still be some pressure to make you research “economically interesting” outside of healthcare. Finally, nobody understands what a “Public Policy” degree is (I just tell people I study health economics to avoid confusion over the term “Public Policy”).

Healthcare Policy and Management Departments

• Coursework: Statistics and Econometrics; Microeconomics; Introduction to the US Healthcare system.
• Peer and Faculty Research Interests: Healthcare policy, healthcare management, healthcare administration, etc.
• Pros: The training is more focused on healthcare. People will respect if you work on big problems healthcare, even if they are “only” relevant in the context of healthcare. Peers and faculty will have a much higher baseline level of knowledge about the healthcare system. You may have more support and resources to draw on for navigating complex healthcare datasets and institutional details.
• Cons: Overall, the training is more narrowly focused on health economics and domain specific healthcare knowledge. You may not get as broad a perspective on methods, theories, and issues in other areas of economics (e.g. labor, IO, etc). On the one hand this saves a lot of time that would be spent learning irrelevant material. On the other hand, it may limit your ability to arbitrage across fields, by bringing new developments in, say, public economics, to health economics.

Public Health Schools (Health Services/Health Economics Track)

• Coursework: Biostatistics, Health Services Research methods (very applied, relatively non-theoretical causal inference methods), Introduction to the US Healthcare System, Epidemiology, Introduction to Grant Writing
• Peer and Faculty Research Interests: Health services research in various areas, biostatistics, epidemiology.
• Pros: Research is often more clinically relevant. Formal curriculum includes grant writing (nearly 100% of MD-PhDs researchers are in grant funded departments, even if they study social sciences) and faculty are also expert advisors in grant writing. People have more respect for domain specific knowledge, which is a strength/interest of MD-PhD students.
• Cons: Researchers from public health schools often end up more narrowly focused on a very specific domain of health or healthcare (similar to healthcare management schools). They become experts in the payment systems for exactly one type of healthcare, such as nursing homes, or the costs of various drugs for specific type of cancer. Domain specific knowledge is highly useful, but it can come at the cost of more rigorous economics training. The research is often deeper in the weeds and contextually rich but sometimes lacks a connection to the fundamental economic forces at work. Research agendas tends to focus around a domain topic (e.g. cancer drug costs), rather than a particular method or theoretical approach. Also, it may be challenging to move to the other types of departments discussed previously from a public health department.

Final Thoughts :

• The best training path is the one that fits your interests. If you don’t know what that is, look where researchers you admire did their training (Important Note: This often fairly different from where they work now. Most economists in public health schools did their PhD in healthcare policy departments and most economists at health policy departments did their PhDs at Economics/Business schools).
• In my observation, people tend to move in the direction of studying more applied problems over the course of their research career. One’s PhD is often the high-water mark of theoretical and, for many, cutting edge methodological knowledge.
• Transitions seem to be easier in the direction of: Economics (most theoretical, least applied) à public policy à healthcare management à public health (least theoretical, most applied).
• A reasonable strategy is to aim for a program which is slightly more theoretical and less applied than the work you ultimately aspire to do. One advisor told me that you need to overtrain a bit for the research that you want to do. You should always aim to use research methods that you understand more than strictly necessary, theories which you know forwards and backwards, etc. This strategy helps you avoid mistakes and do robust research.
• All that said, when picking a PhD department, there’s no wrong choice of discipline! People do creative and impactful work in all varieties of methods, subject areas, and disciplines.

Browser does not support script.

• Undergraduate
• Executive education
• Study Abroad
• Summer schools
• Online certificate courses
• International students

Meet, visit and discover LSE

MPhil/PhD Health Policy and Health Economics

• Graduate research
• Department of Health Policy
• Application code L4ZC
• Starting 2024
• Home full-time: Open
• Overseas full-time: Open
• Location: Houghton Street, London

The MPhil/PhD Health Policy and Health Economics at LSE covers the choice, design, analysis, and evaluation of health and social care policies, institutions and practice in Low-, Middle-, and High-Income settings. This is an interdisciplinary programme, drawing on disciplines relevant to the research topic, and the health-specific and social care-specific application of an array of social sciences.

The programme trains students to undertake research that employs the tools of policy and economic analysis and qualitative and quantitative empirical techniques in order to understand, critically appraise, and evaluate the complexities of health and social care policy and practice in a global context.

You will be exposed to a range of different theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches, and will be expected to learn technical and conceptual skills, so that you will become autonomous in carrying out research in line with your progression, and will demonstrate deep and synoptic understanding of your field of study.

You are expected to take training and transferable skills courses, including the core course in Advanced Health Policy and Health Economics. You can choose other taught courses tailored to your existing academic foundations and research interests, and streamed around health policy or health economics subject areas.

You will become a member of a vibrant and exciting research community, with access to the Department of Health Policy's affiliated research centres and supervision by expert faculty. The long-established and highly regarded research centres affiliated with the Department are:  LSE Health ,  Care Policy and Evaluation Centre at LSE (CPEC) , the  National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)  School of Social Care Research (SSCR), the African Health Observatory , the  European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies , and the  Global Health Initiative (GHI) , with a total of over 70 academic staff based across these centres.

Programme details

For more information about tuition fees and entry requirements, see the 'Fees and funding' and 'Assessing your application' sections.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements for mphil/phd health policy and health economics.

The minimum entry requirement for this programme is a merit (60 per cent and above, or equivalent) in a relevant master's degree.

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet our minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission. 

If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK then have a look at our  Information for International Students  to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Assessing your application

We welcome applications for research programmes that complement the academic interests of members of staff in the Department. Details about the supervisory interests of staff members can be found on the Department of Health Policy’s website . If you share research interests, you are welcome to apply.

Please note that admission to the doctoral programme will not be made by prospective supervisors, but by the Department's PhD Programme Directors: Professor Andrew Street, Dr Mylene Lagarde, Dr Justin Parkhurst and Dr Huseyin Naci. Admission is subject to there being appropriate supervisory expertise and support available in the Department.

What we take into consideration

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including:

• academic achievement (including existing and pending qualifications with certified transcripts)
• statement of academic purpose
• research proposal of maximum 2,500 words
• writing sample of between 2,500 and 7,000 words. It must be typed in English. If not in English originally, you should translate the piece yourself. If an article, preference is for single-authored; if an essay, preference is for one from your most recent programme of study. The piece of written work is ideally related to your proposed topic of research or more broadly, to the discipline or area for which you are applying.

The above listed guidance is set by the Department of Health Policy and is specific to your application to the MPhil/PhD programme in Health Policy and Health Economics.

You may wish to review  the School's central guidance on supporting documents here . The  main steps of your application  are outlined by the School. You can familiarise yourself with  a range of likely interview questions  ahead of writing your application as well. You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency. You do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE, but we recommend that you do.  See our English language requirements  for further information. LSE's International Students Visa Advice Team will be able to competently advise on any visa queries you may have.

When to apply

The application deadline for this programme is 23 May 2024,  but it is advantageous to apply well before the deadline. To be considered for any LSE funding opportunity, you must have submitted your application and all supporting documents by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section for more details.

Fees and funding

Every research student is charged a fee in line with the fee structure for their programme. The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover  living costs  or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2024/25 for MPhil/PhD Health Policy and Health Economics

Home students: £4,829 for the first year (provisional) Overseas students: £22,632 for the first year

The fee is likely to rise over subsequent years of the programme. The School charges research students in line with the level of fee that Research Councils recommend. The fees for overseas students are likely to rise in line with the assumed percentage increase in pay costs (ie, 4 per cent per annum).

The Table of Fees shows the latest tuition amounts for all programmes offered by the School.

The amount of tuition fees you will need to pay and any financial support you are eligible for will depend on whether you are classified as a home or overseas student - otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Further information about fee status classification.

Scholarships, studentships and other funding

The School recognises that the  cost of living in London  may be higher than in your home town or country, and therefore provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.

This programme is currently eligible for LSE PhD Studentships , and  Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding . Selection for the Studentships is based on receipt of an application for a place - including all ancillary document, before the relevant funding deadline. Students that hold LSE PhD Studentships will be expected to contribute to the teaching in the Department of Health Policy.

Funding deadline for the first round of LSE PhD Studentships and ESRC funding: 15 January 2024 Funding deadline for the second round of LSE PhD Studentships: 25 April 2024

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas.  Find out more about financial support. Office of Health Economics (OHE) Studentship  

This programme is also currently eligible for a studentship funded by the  Office of Health Economics  (OHE). For further details, please  see here .

Funding deadline for OHE studentship: 25 April 2024 Care Policy and Evaluation Centre (CPEC) Studentship 

The Care Policy and Evaluation Centre (CPEC) affiliated to the Department of Health Policy is currently recruiting for two full-time MPhil/PhD studentships, with a start date of October 2024.  

The Centre hosts the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Adult Social Care (ASCRU) and is a partner in the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Economics of Social and Health Care (ESHCRU). New 5-year programmes of work will start in both Units from January 2024.   

For further details, please see here .  

Funding deadline for CPEC studentship: 28 February 2024 

External funding 

There may be other funding opportunities available through other organisations or governments and we recommend you investigate these options as well. For example:

• Wellcome Trust
• Health Foundation
• Commonwealth Fund

Further information

Fees and funding opportunities

Information for international students

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.  

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students . 

1) Take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest (found in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of this page). 

2) Go to the International Students section of our website. 

3) Select your country. 

4) Select ‘Graduate entry requirements’ and scroll until you arrive at the information about your local/national qualification. Compare the stated UK entry requirements listed on this page with the local/national entry requirement listed on your country specific page.

Programme structure and courses

The programme is based around a set of taught courses which provide you with the skill set necessary to undertake your research in your chosen thesis area. In the first year, you will register initially for the MPhil programme, and undertake specific training in research methods as required. In subsequent years, you will continue your research under the guidance of your supervisors, participate in seminars and present your work.

Throughout the programme, you also have the option of taking relevant courses provided by the PhD Academy, and offered by other academic departments, after discussion with your supervisor/s. The preference is for students to select from the courses offered by the Department of Health Policy or the Department of Methodology. However, courses from other departments may be taken, subject to the approval of the supervisor/s and that of the hosting departments. 

Advanced Health Policy and Health Economics The PhD programme will be centred around this core course. Alongside a set of traditional and bespoke lectures, the course includes a series of seminars given by faculty in the Department of Health Policy and external speakers, thereby guaranteeing exposure to different materials, research areas, and theoretical and analytical techniques. The course will provide you with insights into the breadth of work in the areas of health and social care policy and health economics, and will act as a supportive critical forum for discussion of each PhD student's work-in-progress. The course features a journal club where key articles are critically appraised. In the second and third years of enrolment, full-time students will be required to participate in work-in-progress seminars where students present work relating to their theses and contribute fully to discussions on their colleagues' work, and will be encouraged to attend external conferences.

Optional courses to the value of one unit

Second year

Advanced Health Policy and Health Economics See above

Fourth year

For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page .

You must note, however, that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.  

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s  Calendar , or contact the relevant academic department for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the  updated graduate course and programme information page.

Supervision and progression

Supervision.

You will have a Supervisory Team, consisting of a primary and one or two secondary Supervisors. It is a requirement that at least one of the Supervisory Team is a member of the Department’s teaching faculty.

The primary supervisor will be based in the Department of Health Policy, encompassing the affiliated research centres and units: LSE Health, the Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU at LSE), the National Institute for Health Research School for Social Care Research (NIHR SSCR) and the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies.

The role of primary supervisor is to help define the area of research, advise on sources, choice of materials and methods, and advise on attendance at courses and seminars. Later on, the primary supervisor will discuss the preparation and writing of the student's thesis. This supervisor will also attend to administrative matters, including the annual progress reviews, appointment of examiners, and arrangements for examinations.

The secondary supervisor is likely to be based in the Department of Health Policy, or may be based in another department at LSE. The secondary supervisor's role involves keeping in touch with the student's work, providing additional specialist inputs from time to time, contributing second opinion in the face of difficult choices, and stepping in for the primary supervisor in case of absence or illness.

Progression and assessment

You are required to undertake Major Review (also known as the Upgrade) in the Spring Term of your first year. Following Major Review, a decision is taken whether to upgrade you from MPhil to the PhD programme. In order to earn the upgrade, you need to meet a number of criteria, including achieving a certain grade in taught courses, submitting a 5,000-word thesis document detailing your thesis proposal.

For students who successfully upgrade to PhD enrolment, there will be another review in second and third year of full-time study. Students will need to meet specific criteria to progress to each following year.

Student support and resources

We’re here to help and support you throughout your time at LSE, whether you need help with your academic studies, support with your welfare and wellbeing or simply to develop on a personal and professional level.

Whatever your query, big or small, there are a range of people you can speak to who will be happy to help.  

Department librarians   – they will be able to help you navigate the library and maximise its resources during your studies. 

Accommodation service  – they can offer advice on living in halls and offer guidance on private accommodation related queries.

Class teachers and seminar leaders  – they will be able to assist with queries relating to specific courses. 

Disability and Wellbeing Service  – they are experts in long-term health conditions, sensory impairments, mental health and specific learning difficulties. They offer confidential and free services such as  student counselling,  a  peer support scheme  and arranging  exam adjustments.  They run groups and workshops.  

IT help  – support is available 24 hours a day to assist with all your technology queries.   

LSE Faith Centre  – this is home to LSE's diverse religious activities and transformational interfaith leadership programmes, as well as a space for worship, prayer and quiet reflection. It includes Islamic prayer rooms and a main space for worship. It is also a space for wellbeing classes on campus and is open to all students and staff from all faiths and none.   

Language Centre  – the Centre specialises in offering language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences. We offer pre-course English for Academic Purposes programmes; English language support during your studies; modern language courses in nine languages; proofreading, translation and document authentication; and language learning community activities.

LSE Careers  ­ – with the help of LSE Careers, you can make the most of the opportunities that London has to offer. Whatever your career plans, LSE Careers will work with you, connecting you to opportunities and experiences from internships and volunteering to networking events and employer and alumni insights. 

LSE Library   –   founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. It stays open late, has lots of excellent resources and is a great place to study. As an LSE student, you’ll have access to a number of other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide. 

LSE LIFE  – this is where you should go to develop skills you’ll use as a student and beyond. The centre runs talks and workshops on skills you’ll find useful in the classroom; offers one-to-one sessions with study advisers who can help you with reading, making notes, writing, research and exam revision; and provides drop-in sessions for academic and personal support. (See ‘Teaching and assessment’). 

LSE Students’ Union (LSESU)  – they offer academic, personal and financial advice and funding.  

PhD Academy   – this is available for PhD students, wherever they are, to take part in interdisciplinary events and other professional development activities and access all the services related to their registration. 

Sardinia House Dental Practice   – this   offers discounted private dental services to LSE students.  

St Philips Medical Centre  – based in Pethwick-Lawrence House, the Centre provides NHS Primary Care services to registered patients.

Student Services Centre  – our staff here can answer general queries and can point you in the direction of other LSE services.  

Student advisers   – we have a  Deputy Head of Student Services (Advice and Policy)  and an  Adviser to Women Students  who can help with academic and pastoral matters.

Student life

As a student at LSE you’ll be based at our central London campus. Find out what our campus and London have to offer you on academic, social and career perspective. 

Student societies and activities

Your time at LSE is not just about studying, there are plenty of ways to get involved in  extracurricular activities . From joining one of over 200 societies, or starting your own society, to volunteering for a local charity, or attending a public lecture by a world-leading figure, there is a lot to choose from. 

The campus 

LSE is based on one  campus  in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, many of the streets around campus are pedestrianised, meaning the campus feels like a real community. 

Life in London 

London is an exciting, vibrant and colourful city. It's also an academic city, with more than 400,000 university students. Whatever your interests or appetite you will find something to suit your palate and pocket in this truly international capital. Make the most of career opportunities and social activities, theatre, museums, music and more. 

Want to find out more? Read why we think  London is a fantastic student city , find out about  key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners . Don't fear, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about  London on a budget . 

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Health Policy

Median salary of our PG students 15 months after graduating: £38,000          

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

• Health and Social Care  
• Education, Teaching and Research            
• FMCG, Manufacturing and Retail              
• Government, Public Sector and Policy   
• Consultancy

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2020-21 were the fourth group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

Recent doctoral graduates who were supervised by staff in the Department of Health Policy went on to be employed in international organisations such as the WHO, IMF, World Bank, European Union, OECD, African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, and the United Nations. Some joined national and regional Ministries of Health, the English NHS - and others went on to work with consultancy firms, pharmaceutical companies, and think tanks such as The King's Fund and the Health Foundation.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Support for your career

Alongside leading organisations' career presentations and events, LSE Careers also offers  resources and bespoke advice to assist PhD students with their career progression within or outside of academia. 

If you have any questions about the programme, please contact:  [email protected] .

Find out more about LSE

Discover more about being an LSE student - meet us in a city near you, visit our campus or experience LSE from home. 

Experience LSE from home

Webinars, videos, student blogs and student video diaries will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study at LSE for those that aren't able to make it to our campus.  Experience LSE from home . 

Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, drop into our office or go on a self-guided tour.  Find out about opportunities to visit LSE . 

LSE visits you

Student Marketing, Recruitment and Study Abroad travels throughout the UK and around the world to meet with prospective students. We visit schools, attend education fairs and also hold Destination LSE events: pre-departure events for offer holders.  Find details on LSE's upcoming visits . 

How to apply

Register your interest

Browse potential supervisors

Related Programmes

Mphil/phd social policy.

Code(s) L4ZA

MRes/PhD Economics

Code(s) L1U4

MSc Global Health Policy

Code(s) L4UO

Request a prospectus

• Name First name Last name
• Address Address Line 1 Address Line 2 City County Postcode Country

Speak to Admissions

Content to be supplied

Our cookies

We use cookies for three reasons: to give you the best experience on PGS, to make sure the PGS ads you see on other sites are relevant , and to measure website usage. Some of these cookies are necessary to help the site work properly and can’t be switched off. Cookies also support us to provide our services for free, and by click on “Accept” below, you are agreeing to our use of cookies .You can manage your preferences now or at any time.

Privacy overview

We use cookies, which are small text files placed on your computer, to allow the site to work for you, improve your user experience, to provide us with information about how our site is used, and to deliver personalised ads which help fund our work and deliver our service to you for free.

The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience.

You can accept all, or else manage cookies individually. However, blocking some types of cookies may affect your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.

You can change your cookies preference at any time by visiting our Cookies Notice page. Please remember to clear your browsing data and cookies when you change your cookies preferences. This will remove all cookies previously placed on your browser.

For more detailed information about the cookies we use, or how to clear your browser cookies data see our Cookies Notice

Manage consent preferences

Strictly necessary cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems.

They are essential for you to browse the website and use its features.

You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. We can’t identify you from these cookies.

Functional cookies

These help us personalise our sites for you by remembering your preferences and settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers, whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, then these services may not function properly.

Performance cookies

These cookies allow us to count visits and see where our traffic comes from, so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are popular and see how visitors move around the site. The cookies cannot directly identify any individual users.

If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site and will not be able to improve its performance for you.

Marketing cookies

These cookies may be set through our site by social media services or our advertising partners. Social media cookies enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They can track your browser across other sites and build up a profile of your interests. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to see or use the content sharing tools.

Advertising cookies may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but work by uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will still see ads, but they won’t be tailored to your interests.

Course type

Qualification, university name, phd degrees in health economics.

15 degrees at 14 universities in the UK.

Customise your search

Select the start date, qualification, and how you want to study

About Postgraduate Health Economics

Health economics focuses on how financial resources are allocated in order to improve and optimise healthcare outcomes. Health economists examine the costs and benefits of healthcare services, analysing factors which inform healthcare policymaking. Studying a PhD in health economics represents the highest level of academic work within the field and involves extensive research into an area of interest.

There are 13 universities in the UK which offer a PhD in health economics. As a top-level research degree, admission requirements typically include a very strong undergraduate degree in a related subject and a master’s level qualification is often preferred. Significant experience in the field is usually expected and candidates also need to submit a proposal for their research work or join an existing research group active at the university.

What to Expect

You can expect to perform extensive research in the economic aspects of healthcare; a lot of this work will be self-directed. You’ll read a large quantity of research papers and information sources into your field of choice while developing your dissertation, which is usually between 60,000-80,000 words in length. PhD courses typically take between three and six years to complete and in this time, you’ll learn advanced research methods and develop superb written skills, as you communicate your research through your writing.

Assessment can include essays, presentations and oral exams; however, the dissertation is the main form of assessment. After submitting it, you’ll come back later and formally defend it against an academic panel. Once this is done, the PhD is complete and you’ll be considered a specialist in your area of research, confidently able to find senior roles in a wide variety of organisations, whether it be in finance, governance, education or sustainability.

Related subjects:

• PhD Health Economics
• PhD Applied economics
• PhD Development Economics
• PhD Econometrics
• PhD Economics
• PhD Environmental Economics
• PhD International Economics
• PhD Macroeconomics
• PhD Microeconomics
• PhD Social Economics

• Course title (A-Z)
• Course title (Z-A)
• Price: high - low
• Price: low - high

Primary Care and Population Health MPhil/PhD

Ucl (university college london).

The Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care brings together five research departments whose interests span the life course from Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £6,035 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £2,930 per year (UK)

Health Economics PhD

Bangor university.

The PhDprogramme will provide students with research skills relevant to employment in the academic and university sector, Health Service Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

Health Economics & Health Technology Assessment PhD

University of glasgow.

Our aim is to be the world-leading centre for health economic and health technology assessment research and education, working to improve Read more...

• 5 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)

Population Health Sciences PhD, MPhil

University of leicester.

The Department of Population Health Sciences offers supervision for the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - full-time and Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

Brunel University London

Research profile Health Economics experts at Brunel aim to improve health and wellbeing through improved decision-making. We focus on Read more...

• 6 years Part time degree: £2,355 per year (UK)

Health Economics, PhD

Swansea university.

Health economics is at the core of innovation, health technology assessment, prioritisation and programme budgeting within the UK NHS Read more...

• 6 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

Population Health Sciences PhD/MD/MPhil - Diabetes Research Centre

Health economics and policy phd, lancaster university.

The PhD in Health Economics and Policy meets the needs of those wishing to gain a deep and critical insight into health economics theory, Read more...

• 5 years Online/Distance degree: £4,350 per year (UK)

PhD/MPhil Health Economics

University of manchester.

Programme description Our PhD/MPhil Health Economics programme enables you to undertake a research project that will improve understanding Read more...

DPhil in Population Health

University of oxford.

The DPhil in Population Health is a doctoral research programme intended to provide you with training in research, an in-depth knowledge Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £9,500 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £4,750 per year (UK)

PhD in Health Economics

University of york.

Our research degree in Health Economics gives you independence to specialise in a topic of your choice. Your degree will provide you with Read more...

Population Health Sciences PhD

University of bristol.

The Department of Population Health Sciences is part of Bristol Medical School. Staff in the department participate in extensive national Read more...

• 6 years Distance without attendance degree: £2,379 per year (UK)
• 4 years Distance without attendance degree: £4,758 per year (UK)
• 4 years Full time degree: £4,758 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,379 per year (UK)

Population Health & Environmental Sciences Research MPhil/PhD MD/(Res)

King's college london, university of london.

The School of Population Health & Environmental Sciences is one of seven Schools that make up the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine at Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £6,120 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £3,060 per year (UK)

The University of Edinburgh

Research profile The Usher Institute supervises postgraduate research students in a wide range of population health disciplines, including Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree
• 6 years Part time degree

MPhil/PhD Health Policy and Health Economics

London school of economics and political science, university of london.

The MPhil/PhD Health Policy and Health Economics at LSE covers the choice, design, analysis, and evaluation of health and social care Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £4,829 per year (UK)

Course type:

• Distance learning PhD
• Full time PhD
• Part time PhD

Qualification:

Related subjects:.

• Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
• Centres & Institutes
• Centre for Health Policy
• Melbourne Health Economics

PhD in Health Economics

Find out more about the phd experience from:, michelle tew, xinyang hua, chris schilling, why study a phd with the health economics unit.

We are a world class group of researchers producing cutting-edge research of high quality and impact. We provide a diverse range of research interests . We hold close links with leading clinical research across the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, and other researchers forming part of the University of Melbourne Health Economics Group (UHMEG). The latter draws on those from the Nossal Institute, Melbourne Institute, and Department of Economics. We also work closely with the ISPOR Victorian Student Chapter to provide support to PhD students.

A particular strength of the Health Economics Unit is its collaborative relationship with clinicians and health care providers. This provides an applied lens to our research and access to rich patient datasets and clinical expertise. We have collaborative research projects across the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Royal Women’s Hospital, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Hospital, St Vincent’s Hospital, Austin Health, Western Health, Northern Health, Walter and Eliza Institute and Doherty Institute.

We provide an active and growing PhD program with structured mentoring and an active seminar series. A talented and dynamic current PhD cohort provides a great community of support and will enhance your PhD experience. We place a critical emphasis on the development of early career researchers and provide regular training and mentoring sessions. International visitors are regularly hosted and the unit has key collaborations with the University of Oxford, University of Michigan, University of Sheffield, University of Birmingham, University of York and University of Antwerp.

You can find further information about the Doctor of Philosophy - Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences here .

PhD opportunities are generally available through supporting application for a University of Melbourne postgraduate scholarship, although additional funds and stipends are sometimes available.  Further information is available here .

We look forward to hearing from you and discussing the opportunity to join our vibrant and talented PhD group.

For further information or to express interest please contact the Health Economics Group at [email protected] .

Associate Professor Kim Dalziel

Head Health Economics Unit Centre for Health Policy

Current higher degree students

Completed phds.

Michelle Tew - Advancing economic evaluation  methods for better medical decision making through real-world longitudinal data , 2020 Xinyang Hua -  Health economics and chronic disease, with a specific focus on diabetes , 2018 Chris Schilling -  Increasing the value from individual-level observational data: practical applications in health economics , 2017 Foruhar Moayeri - Health-related quality of life; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and smoking , 2016 Rachel Knott - Empirical studies in socioeconomic-related health inequalities , 2015 Thomas Lung - Health economics, simulation modelling and Type 1 diabetes mellitus , 2015

Selected publications

Below are some selected publications of former graduate students undertaken while doing PhDs at the University of Melbourne:

TEW, M., DALZIEL, K ., Thursky, K., Krahn, M., Abrahamyan, L., Morris, A. M., & CLARKE, P . (2021). Excess cost of care associated with sepsis in cancer patients: Results from a population-based case-control matched cohort .  PloS one ,  16 (8), e0255107.

TEW, M., DALZIEL, K., CLARKE, P. , Smith, A., Choong, P. F., & Dowsey, M. (2020). Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs): can they be used to guide patient-centered care and optimize outcomes in total knee replacement? .  Quality of Life Research ,  29 (12), 3273-3283.

TEW, M., CLARKE, P. , Thursky, K., & DALZIEL, K. (2019). Incorporating future medical costs: Impact on cost-effectiveness analysis in cancer patients .  PharmacoEconomics ,  37 (7), 931-941.

HUA, X., ERREYGERS, G. , Chalmers, J., Laba, T. L., & CLARKE, P. (2017). Using administrative data to look at changes in the level and distribution of out-of-pocket medical expenditure: An example using Medicare data from Australia. Health Policy. Early online.

HUA, X. , McDermott, R., Lung, T., Wenitong, M., TRAN-DUY, A. , Li, M., & CLARKE, P. (2017). Validation and recalibration of the Framingham cardiovascular disease risk models in an Australian Indigenous cohort. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. [Epub ahead of print].

SCHILLING, C., PETRIE, D ., Dowsey, M. M., Choong, P. F., & CLARKE, P . (2017). The Impact of Regression to the Mean on Economic Evaluation in Quasi‐Experimental Pre–Post Studies: The Example of Total Knee Replacement Using Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative . Health Economics. Volume 26(12).

MOAYERI, F., HSUEH, Y., CLARKE, P., & DUNT, D. (2016). Do Model-Based Studies in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Measure Correct Values of Utility? A Meta-Analysis . Value in Health. Jun;19(4):363-73.

ONG, JJ ., Fairley, CK., Carroll, S., Walker, S., Chen, M., Read, T., ... & CLARKE, P. (2016). Cost-effectiveness of screening for anal cancer using regular digital ano-rectal examinations in men who have sex with men living with HIV . Journal of the International AIDS Society, 19(1).

LUNG, TW. , CLARKE, PM ., Hayes, AJ., Stevens, RJ., & Farmer, A. (2013). Simulating lifetime outcomes associated with complications for people with type 1 diabetes . Pharmacoeconomics, 31(6), 509-518.

KNOTT, R. , Cass, A., Heeley, E., Chalmers, J., Peiris, D., & CLARKE, P . (2012). How fair is Medicare? The income-related distribution of Medicare benefits with special focus on chronic care items . Medical Journal of Australia, 197(11), 625-630.

• Utility Menu

44d3fa3df9f06a3117ed3d2ad6c71ecc

• Administration
• PhD Program

The Ph.D. Program in the Department of Economics at Harvard is addressed to students of high promise who wish to prepare themselves in teaching and research in academia or for responsible positions in government, research organizations, or business enterprises. Students are expected to devote themselves full-time to their programs of study.

The program prepares students for productive and stimulating careers as economists. Courses and seminars offered by the department foster an intellectually active and stimulating environment. Each week, the department sponsors more than 15 different seminars on such topics as environmental economics, economic growth and development, monetary and fiscal policy, international economics, industrial organization, law and economics, behavioral economics, labor economics, and economic history. Top scholars from both domestic and international communities are often invited speakers at the seminars.  The Harvard community outside of the department functions as a strong and diverse resource. Students in the department are free to pursue research interests with scholars throughout the University. Faculty of the Harvard Law School, Kennedy School of Government, and Harvard Business School, for example, are available to students for consultation, instruction, and research guidance. As a member of the Harvard community, students in the department can register for courses in the various schools and have access to the enormous library resources available through the University. There are over 90 separate library units at Harvard, with the total collections of books and pamphlets numbering over 13 million.  Both the department and the wider University draw some of the brightest students from around the world, which makes for a student body that is culturally diverse and likely unequaled in the range of intellectual interests of its members. These factors combine to add an important dimension to the educational process. Students are able to learn from one another, collaborate on research projects and publications, and form bonds that are not broken by distance once the degree is completed and professional responsibilities lead them in different directions.

• Program Requirements
• Job Placement
• Financial Support

• Buy Lexington Monopoly
• Current Issue
• Health Kentucky
• Advertise in The Lane Report
• Ad Dimensions
• Construction
• Economic Development
• Hospitality
• State Government
• National Government
• Manufacturing
• Real Estate
• Transportation
• Philanthropy
• Wealth Management
• Workforce Development
• Big Moves Submissions
• Executive Profile Submission
• Sponsored E Blast Submission
• Seeking Employment
• Submit Your Upcoming Event
• Lane Report
• General Questions
• Writer’s Guidelines
• Privacy Policy

• Google Plus

Public Health graduate merges business with public health

LEXINGTON, Ky. — University of Kentucky College of Public Health (CPH) senior Golden Mashindi, a first generation American with roots in Zimbabwe, has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Now, as he looks toward his post-graduation days, Mashindi intends to use that spirit to bridge the gap between health and business.

“I plan to continue to learn and develop the skills needed to be an effective entrepreneur and organizational leader as I step into the realm of health care and other niche business opportunities I am passionate about,” he said.

Running his own business,  Jet Ski Indy , has taught Mashindi valuable lessons in leadership and administration, and his CPH course work taught him a surprising amount about research and components to start initiatives.

“Being a business owner is not easy work, but the research, writing and marketing opportunities that we get through the bachelor of public health program made starting and running my business easier,” he said.

Golden graduated this May and plans to pursue an MBA to further develop his entrepreneurial skills.

“From this, I want to start health care organizations to create equal opportunities for health around Kentucky, Indiana and back home in Zimbabwe where I come from. Anybody can work for a health care organization, but I picture myself creating organizations for communities to run and have the resources they need,” Mashindi said.

Golden recently received the College of Public Health’s Promising Practitioner Award, which recognizes a B.P.H., M.P.H., or Dr.P.H. student with potential to influence public health practice in Kentucky communities.

The Entrepreneur 

Growing up, Golden spent his childhood watching others explore the Indiana lake near his home. The high cost and strict age restrictions of boat rentals kept him on the sidelines.

That changed during his freshman year of college. Determined to create his own path, Mashindi worked through the school year and saved enough money to buy a 1996 WaveRunner — his first jet ski. That purchase became the catalyst for an entrepreneurial journey he could never have anticipated. It wasn’t just about owning a jet ski; it was about discovering a way to connect his community to the lake and himself to the world of business.

The summer after his freshman year at UK, Mashindi and his best friend came up with the idea for renting out jet skis to allow more young people to enjoy the water. His old WaveRunner attracted a lot of his peers to the water.

“The idea of Jet Ski Indy was born from there since our friends wanted that same first-time experience with the lake. So, we bought more jet skis and created a business opportunity for our Indiana community,” shared Mashindi.

He was seeking opportunities to expand his education and gain business knowledge and was directed to the Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship,  which connects entrepreneurs with mentors, Kentucky Angel Investors and free access to downloadable books and templates.

“I started the program shortly after creating Jet Ski Indy, and this created a great opportunity for us to solidify our operational plans and build business models. From this program, we received a grant that helped us start Jet Ski Indy before our first operating season,” Mashindi said.

The business took off as more people expressed interest in renting jet skis, but the path wasn’t without challenges. When the marina they’d hoped to work with canceled just one week before their first booking, Mashindi and his friend were left with significant debt and no access to the lake on which they had planned to operate.

“At this point, we had to pivot and create a new logistical plan, and that’s where our unique business model was born — jet ski deliveries,” Mashindi said.

Mashindi and his friend decided to offer jet ski deliveries across Indiana, allowing customers to rent jet skis for any public body of water. This flexibility set Jet Ski Indy on the path to success. The innovative model also laid the groundwork to expand into other states, including Kentucky, Ohio and Illinois. With determination, Golden overcame the initial challenges and created a thriving business that continues to grow and evolve.

Public Health and the future 

While Mashindi was developing a plan for his jet ski rental business, he was also pursuing a traditional path toward a career in public health care at the University of Kentucky. However, his interests broadened as he progressed through his studies, and he became interested in the field of public health, which offered a broader perspective on health care and community wellness.

His advice to other students is to follow their passions and not be afraid to take risks. He encourages them to explore different fields, even if they seem unrelated to their career goals, because doing so helps develop a well-rounded perspective.

“You’d rather fail trying than never try at all,” he said, urging students to embrace challenges and seek opportunities for growth.

From studying pre-medicine to eventually majoring in public health, Mashindi found the University of Kentucky to be a place of exploration and discovery.

More information on Jet Ski Indy can be found  here.

You may also like

Ky Ag Development Board OK’s $5.8M for diversification projects

• National hotel brand opens 130-room property in Louisville

• UofL opens new west Louisville dental clinic

Popular Stories

• Eastern Kentucky exploring economic growth with nuclear energy

Markey patient’s rare survival helps advance brain cancer research

• Mint Julep Experiences acquired by local investors

The Lane Report

• Ky Ag Development Board OK’s $5.8M for diversification projects
• Markey patient’s rare survival helps advance brain cancer research
• LMPD getting long-range drones in $100K technology pilot program
• Inaugural Bingham Endowed Chairs for Teaching Excellence at Transylvania University selected
• We Lead CS virtual computer academy begins in fall
• UK appoints new Agricultural Economics chair