PhD in Health Policy and Management

Like other PhD programs, the PhD in HPM is a research-focused degree that provides students with in-depth training in interpreting scientific research, identifying important research questions, designing research studies, and applying sophisticated, often quantitative, research methods to answer research questions.

The PhD in HPM differs from other PhD programs, such as epidemiology, in that it trains students to ask different types of research questions. For example, researchers in HPM are interested in understanding how different laws, managerial strategies, or organizational structures affect things like access to healthcare, cost of healthcare, and quality of health care.

To answer these types of questions, HPM researchers are trained to apply relevant statistical and econometric methods to large datasets, often with the goal of inferring causal relationships. Similarly, HPM PhD students also obtain experience in acquiring and managing large datasets, such as those from surveys, insurance claims, or electronic health records.

The HPM PhD program is best suited for students interested in academic careers in health policy and management. In other words, the program prepares students to become faculty members in departments of health policy and management or similar departments. Similar departments may be called “health services research,” “health services administration,” or something else.

To prepare students for academic jobs, the program provides students with training and experiences in reading, interpreting, writing, critiquing, developing, executing, and publishing peer-reviewed academic research. The program will also provide students with sufficient training and experience in teaching so they can be competitive for faculty jobs that involve teaching and research. The aforementioned training will also prepare students for research-oriented jobs in non-academic settings, such as government agencies or private research firms.

The HPM PhD program will not prepare students to be administrative leaders in healthcare delivery organizations, such as hospitals. If you are interested in the “doing” of management rather than “thinking” about how to design research studies, collect data, and analyze data that may inform practice, consider the Master of Health Administration degree. Similarly, the HPM PhD program will not prepare students to be public health administrators, business consultants, or policymakers.

Yes, the program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. However, full-time applicants are preferred. PhD training requires a significant time commitment to coursework, research collaborations, peer interactions, and mentorship. Therefore, only exceptional part-time students with flexible schedules will be considered. In particular, the program expects the following minimum commitment from part-time students to ensure their successful development as an HPM researcher.

• Part-time students will enroll in at least 6 credit hours of coursework each semester (fall, spring, and summer). Many courses will be offered on weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
• On a weekly basis, part-time students will maintain an in-person presence (8-10+) hours in the Department of Health Policy and Management. This time will be spent collaborating on research projects, attending research seminars, and in other activities that are important to students’ development as an HPM researcher.
• Part-time students are not eligible for full funding support (i.e., tuition, stipend, and insurance).

The PhD in HPM is a distinct degree from other degrees, including a Master of Public Health (MPH). Therefore, it is expected that students will transfer very few or no credits. However, once accepted, students may request to have courses transferred from another accredited university or program if they received a grade of "B" or better in the courses. The HPM PhD program director and faculty will review and approve or deny requests for transfer. Requests are evaluated on a case by case basis.

No. A very limited number of courses may be offered online.

For full-time students only, the program will typically provide funding support in the form of tuition remission, a stipend to cover living expenses, and health insurance. This support typically requires a 20 hour per week work assignment.

See the tuition rates and estimate your total costs using the tuition calculator on our Cost & Finances page.

Yes, contact Mary Beth Ryan to schedule an appointment.

Applicants will be reviewed as they are received, and decisions may be made on a rolling basis. The deadline for both U.S. and international applicants is December 15.

The number of students admitted each year varies and typically ranges between two and four.

Applications for the HPM PhD program will be reviewed by the program's admissions committee after the priority application deadline and then as they are received.

A committee of faculty from the HPM department reviews applications to assess each candidate’s:

• Potential to excel in PhD coursework
• Commitment to a research-focused degree program
• Interest in a research career
• Fit with the HPM program and faculty in terms of research interests

Following the committee review, top candidates will be invited for an interview (in person, phone, or video conference) to further assess their candidacy.

Admission to the HPM PhD program requires completion of a baccalaureate degree, although it is anticipated that many applicants will have completed a post baccalaureate degree. Other minimum admission requirements include:

• A cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all prior completed degree programs.
• A letter grade of B or higher in all courses applied toward prerequisites.
• Competitive scores on the GRE or other related graduate entrance exam.
• Minimum TOEFL/IELTS scores if your first language is not English:
  • Internet-based TOEFL: minimum score of 106
  • Computer-based TOEFL: minimum score of 263
  • Paper-based TOEFL: minimum score of 620
  • IELTS (total band score): minimum score of 7

While GRE scores are not required for admission, if you plan to attend the PhD program as a full-time funded student, you are strongly encouraged to submit GRE scores with your application, since some funding sources require current GRE scores (less than five years old) in order for students to be eligible.

Applicants must apply through the SOPHAS system. SOPHAS is the centralized Schools of Public Health Application Service. Paper applications are not accepted.

Yes, in addition to applying to SOPHAS, all applicants will be required to complete an abbreviated application to the IU Indianapolis online graduate and professional admissions application system, accessible through the link provided in the SOPHAS application.

You will be asked to submit email addresses for your recommenders as part of the SOPHAS online application. After your online application is submitted, recommendation forms and submission instructions will be sent electronically to your recommenders.

In addition to completing the online application, the following documents should be submitted to SOPHAS:

• Official transcripts from all U.S. colleges and universities attended. Transcripts should be submitted directly from the institution.
• World Education Services (WES) ICAP course-by-course evaluation for all post-secondary foreign institutions attended.
• Current résumé or CV
• GRE or other graduate exam test scores. GRE scores should be sent directly from the testing service (ETS).
• TOEFL score for applicants whose native language is not English.
• A scholarly writing sample for which you are the sole author (e.g., published article or class paper).

Please check with SOPHAS for current application costs.

You will receive notification via email when we have received your application from SOPHAS.

No, GRE subject tests are not required.

No, photocopies are not sufficient. Official test scores are required and must go to SOPHAS directly from the testing service. If you have scores from testing services other than ETS (GRE), contact them to find out if they submit scores to SOPHAS. If they do not, you may have them sent to IU Indianapolis.

Yes, you must have your test scores sent to SOPHAS.

Yes, you must have your transcripts sent to SOPHAS.

A bachelor's or higher degree from a country designated by IU Indianapolis as predominantly native-English speaking is required to exempt you from taking the TOEFL exam or providing other acceptable proof of English proficiency. For more information, please visit the IU Indianapolis international admissions page.

The SOPHAS application system requires a World Education Services (WES) ICAP course-by-course evaluation for all post-secondary foreign institutions attended. The admissions committee will use this document to guide them in their decisions for international students. When the committee recommends admission for an international applicant, IU Indianapolis’s Office of International Affairs will conduct their own evaluation to finalize the admission process.

If accepted students are expected to matriculate in the fall semester. In special circumstances other arrangements may be possible.

Once accepted, your main points of contact are the HPM PhD program director, Justin Blackburn, and associate director of graduate affairs, Shawne Mathis. Feel free to reach out to them with any questions.

The on-campus housing options include campus apartments, residence halls, and townhomes.

Students register for classes online. Registration details will be sent to all admitted students over the summer.

Applicants providing proof of a score 100 or higher on the TOEFL exam, or 7.5 on the IELTS exam are exempt from the requirement to take the EAP exam at IU Indianapolis. Applicants with scores lower than these levels are required to take the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) exam. Note that this test is for students who have students who have been accepted and enrolled. It is not an application requirement.

IU Graduate School policy states all coursework for the PhD needs to be completed within the seven years prior to passing the program’s qualifying exam.

If admitted, your admission is valid for 10 years. Coursework must be completed in seven years or less, and the dissertation must be completed within the 10-year limit.