Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Policy and Management
Offered By: Department of Health Policy and Management
Onsite | Full-Time | 4–5 years
About the PhD in Health Policy and Management Program
The PhD in Health Policy and Management is a full-time doctoral program designed to prepare students to conduct original, investigator-initiated research that advances the field of public health policy.
The program combines rigorous coursework with personalized research mentoring. It includes a shared core curriculum plus specialized courses based on your chosen concentration. Students select a concentration during the application process.
Concentration Areas
Concentration in Bioethics and Health Policy
This concentration is designed for students who want to conduct independent research on ethical issues in public health policy, research, and practice. Areas of focus may include research ethics (domestic and international), learning health systems, emerging biomedical technologies, public health genetics, national and global food policy, and access to care and health priority setting.
By the end of the program, students are prepared to conduct independent empirical research at the intersection of bioethics, public health, and health policy and develop both practical and normative ethical recommendations for real-world public health challenges.
View more program information about the Concentration in Bioethics and Health Policy.
Concentration in Health and Public Policy
This concentration is for students committed to preventing major public health problems through effective policy solutions. Students learn to develop, analyze, implement, and evaluate public health policies aimed at improving population health.
Research in this concentration is interdisciplinary and may focus on areas such as environmental and occupational health policy, injury prevention and control, social policy and health equity, and prevention science and public health practice
View more program information about the Concentration in Health and Public Policy.
Concentration in Health Economics and Policy
This concentration prepares doctoral students to conduct innovative, rigorous research on the economics of health and healthcare. The curriculum emphasizes applied microeconomic theory, quantitative methods, and econometric techniques and applications.
Students take advanced coursework in health economics through the Department of Economics in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, gaining strong analytical and methodological skills to support independent research in health policy and economics.
View more program information about the Concentration in Health Economics and Policy.
Concentration in Health Services Research and Policy
This concentration prepares doctoral students to conduct innovative and rigorous research on health care delivery using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The curriculum provides broad training in research design, data analysis, and evaluation, along with opportunities for in-depth study in key areas such as public health informatics, quality of care and patient-centered outcomes research, health care for older adults, and health care disparities.
Students gain hands-on experience working with diverse datasets and real-world health services challenges, equipping them to shape policies that improve care delivery and outcomes.
View more program information about the Concentration in Health Services Research and Policy.
Curriculum for the PhD in Health Policy and Management
Browse an overview of the requirements for this PhD program in the JHU and explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School .
What Can You Do With a Graduate Degree In Health Policy And Management?
Our graduates graduates pursue research careers in top-tier universities, research and policy-making organizations, the health care industry and government agencies. Visit the Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard to learn about Bloomberg School graduates' employment status, sector, and salaries.
Admissions Requirements
For general admissions requirements, please visit the How to Apply page.
Prior Graduate Degree
Not required, but highly recommended.
Prior Work Experience
Not required, but successful applicants generally have 2-3 years of full-time work experience in a related field.
Standardized Test Scores
Standardized test scores are required for this program. This program accepts the following standardized test scores: GRE. Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all application components.
Tuition and Funding
For general information regarding tuition and fees, visit the Bloomberg School’s Tuition and Fees page.
Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the JHU PhD Union, the minimum guaranteed 2025-2026 academic year stipend is $50,000 for all PhD students with a 4% increase the following year. Tuition, fees, and medical benefits are provided, including health insurance premiums for PhD student’s children and spouses of international students, depending on visa type. The minimum stipend and tuition coverage is guaranteed for at least the first four years of a BSPH PhD program; specific amounts and the number of years supported, as well as work expectations related to that stipend will vary across departments and funding source. Please refer to the to review specific benefits, compensation, and other terms.
Need-Based Relocation Grants
Students who are admitted to PhD programs at JHU starting in Fall 2023 or beyond can apply to receive a need-based grant to offset the costs of relocating to be able to attend JHU. These grants provide funding to a portion of incoming students who, without this money, may otherwise not be able to afford to relocate to JHU for their PhD program. This is not a merit-based grant. Applications will be evaluated solely based on financial need. .
Contact Us
Questions about the program? We're happy to help.
HPM_Admissions@jhu.edu