Most Ph.D. programs in health policy require test scores, less than five years old, on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) in addition to letters of recommendation from authority figures able to speak to an applicant’s potential as a graduate student. Future Ph.D. students are expected to have a strong academic background, regardless of undergraduate major, and a demonstrated commitment to health policy. Some programs ask for a writing sample in addition to a statement of purpose.
Ph.D. programs in health policy require generalized coursework before a student can choose a particular project to direct their research and study toward. For most programs, these generalized courses include statistics, sociological concerns, economics and an overview of health policy, and should introduce students to possible topics to concentrate their research in. After the completion of core classes, students choose their research focus. Frequent concentrations include economics, management or occupational and environmental health.
In addition to satisfactory completion of coursework, most programs require the completion of a traditional dissertation. However, some schools have allowed alternatives like the three-paper model to encourage pre-graduation publishing. Students must also pass a comprehensive exam and at least one dissertation defense.
Graduates of public health policy Ph.D. programs frequently go on to work as directors and administrators in private hospitals, ambulatory services and health marketing. America’s increase in the elderly population as a result of better health care practices has created a concurrent increase in the demand for health policy workers with a background in geriatric concerns. Those who want to stay involved in public health may choose to focus on serving underserved areas, influencing health care reform on behalf of uninsured Americans as health policy analysts, consultants and lobbyists.