Ph.D. in Health Policy and Administration
Designed for students who want to pursue research careers in both academic and non-academic settings, the Health Policy Ph.D., is a doctoral degree focused on the organization and financing of health services, as well as the statistical methods required to do state-of-the-art empirical work in health policy, health administration, and related disciplines.
Upon completing one year of the program, you’ll select from one of three specialized tracks: health economics, healthcare management and organizations, or population health and demography. You can also complete graduate minors in gerontology or demography, or earn your dual-title Ph.D. in Demography. Recent Health Policy Ph.D. graduates have obtained tenure-track faculty positions at major research universities, opted for private research organizations, found employment at government agencies, or are currently working for private-sector firms.
The Health Policy Ph.D. Program at Penn State has prepared me with numerous opportunities to develop my skills as a health services researcher. The coursework and research experience has been outstanding, and I am confident this program has prepared me for the next phase in my career.
Ph.D. Program Details
Individual attention and support
- We typically admit three to six students per year. Keeping our program small ensures students have easy access to faculty and allows us to fund virtually all students for three or more years.
- We also regularly provide financial support to students presenting their research at conferences.
Funding
- Students entering the Health Policy and Administration doctoral program are funded through graduate assistantships and have opportunities for additional funding
Areas of research
- Learn more about ongoing research in the Department of Health Policy and Administration.
- Learn more about our Ph.D. program faculty.
Placements
- Learn about our excellent track record of placing students at top universities, research organizations, government agencies, and the private sector
How to Apply
Related Programs
- Learn about the the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program with the Penn State College of Medicine
Alyssa Altstaedter served as the Penn State Department of Health Policy and Administration Student Marshal for spring 2025 commencement. While at Penn State, she served as president of the Penn State Public Health Club and service director of the Schreyer Honors College Student Council. Congratulations, Alyssa!
