PhD, Health Services Research

1. To acquire a strong foundation of knowledge in the organizational, policy, economic and social factors which influence health and health services delivery;
2. To acquire foundational and advanced research skills which result in the ability to develop an independent project in health services research;
3. To demonstrate the ability to complete an independent project in health services research;
4. To demonstrate oral and written communication skills appropriate for the dissemination of knowledge in health services research to both academic and professional/practitioner audiences

The Ph.D. in Health Services Research requires a minimum of 50 credits organized in four modules. Together with their advisor, students select 5 elective courses. After completing coursework, students must pass a written qualifying exam. All students then take an oral proposal defense before admission to candidacy. Once a candidate, students focus on their dissertation, culminating in an oral dissertation defense.

See the PhD program plan and competency checklist.

See the tentative schedule for HPM courses.

* The elective courses in the cognate area (track) are selected by the student and approved by the advisor.

PhD students are actively engaged in faculty research programs and their own independent scholarship. Participation in research activities ramps up in the first two years as students build and hone their skills. By the 3rd year, many students are formally employed as research assistants on faculty projects. Student scholarship is a critical component of the department’s research portfolio. Below are a few selected student-led journal manuscripts.

Andrew Andersen, Erin O’Rourke, Marshall Chin, et al. Promoting Health Equity and Eliminating Disparities Through Performance Measurement and Payment. Health Affairs 37(3); 2018.

Ivy Benejenk, Luisa Franzini, Dylan Roby, and Jie Chen. Disparities in Audio-only Telemedicine Use among Medicare Beneficiaries during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Medical Care 59(11); 2021.

Taehyun Kim, Daniel Marthey, and Michel Boudreaux. Contraceptive Access Reform and Abortion: Evidence from Delaware. Health Services Research 58(4); 2023.

Elle Pope and Neil Sehgal. Characterizing Industry Payments to US Teaching Hospitals and Affiliated Physcians: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Open Payments Datasets from 2016 to 2022. Health Affairs Scholar 1(2); 2023.

Liyang Xie, Michel Boudreaux, and Luisa Franzini. Maryland’s Global Budget Revenue Program: Impact on Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Admissions and Infant Mortality. Medical Care. 59(8); 2021.

All admitted PhD students receive 2 years of funding (stipend, tuition remission, and fringe benefits). In conjunction with that funding, students serve as teaching and graduate assistants. After the 2nd year, students either join an externally funded project led by a faculty member or obtain their own independent support. Our students have obtained external support from AHRQ, RWJF, NQF, and other sources. Others have obtained internal support from competitive University of Maryland awards.

The department also offers competitive ad-hoc support for travel and for the purchase of dissertation materials (data, software, etc.). Many students obtain limited-time support through paid internships with federal agencies (e.g. AHRQ) that provide excellent opportunities to learn about non-academic research, policy and practice environments.

The PhD program prepares students for careers in research and leadership in diverse settings. Graduates of the PhD program go on to careers in the public, private, and academic sectors. Recent placements include organizations such as PCORI, NIH, HRSA, CDC, VHA, Mathematica, NORC, Dartmouth College, Tulane University, Texas A&M University, University of Maryland, Baltimore County and the University of Pittsburg.