PhD Health Services Organization and Policy at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Programme overview

The HSOP doctoral program prepares students for careers in research, teaching and policy analysis in health services and policy. It is oriented toward applied research with cognates in economics, finance, operations research and decision science, political science, quantitative methods, and sociology and organizational studies.

Faculty: School of Public Health | Department: Health Management and Policy | Duration: Instructional phase typically 2 years, then dissertation | Intake: Fall; deadline December 1 | Study mode: full-time | Location: Ann Arbor, MI, United States

What you will study

Required coursework: Health and Health Services (7 credit hours), Health Services Research Methods (12 credit hours) and cognate-based theory and methods (typically 33 credit hours). The instructional phase typically takes two years, with preliminary exams in health services after year one and in the cognate after year two, followed by a dissertation.

Career pathways

About two-thirds of graduates enter academia; others work in government, nonprofit research, healthcare delivery and consulting.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Programme: Rackham application selecting Health Services Organization & Policy, indicating a primary cognate. Components: statement of purpose, personal statement, quantitative experiences statement, transcripts, three letters of recommendation. Deadline December 1, 2026 for Fall 2027; Fall admission only. No degree beyond a bachelor's is required. Admission is a holistic review weighing fit with faculty research, academic background for the cognate, letters, GPA and research potential; the class is 3-6 students from 90+ applications.

Intake: Fall; deadline December 1

Duration: Instructional phase typically 2 years, then dissertation

Apply through the official page: https://rackham.umich.edu/admissions/applying/

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