• Undergraduate
  study (draft)
• Graduate
  study (draft)
• Professional
  study (draft)
• Program
  search
• Policies and procedures
• VCU
  Courses
• VCU
  Faculty
• About
  VCU

Healthcare Policy and Research, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Sabik, Dr. Lindsay
Graduate Program Director

For inquiries contact:
Grant, Kate
Program Coordinator
kagrant@vcu.edu
(804) 828-5329

Admission requirements summary

The Ph.D. program in Healthcare Policy and Research trains students to use economic and statistical frameworks and methods to address health policy issues. With an interdisciplinary and integrated curriculum, the program is designed to prepare individuals for academic careers or senior research positions in government or the private sector. The program requires 38 credits of course work in methodological and policy training plus a minimum of 12 credits of electives and a minimum of nine credits of dissertation research.

Sample curriculum

The sample curriculum provides one example of how the course requirements are met during the first two years. Additional course options are available where indicated.

A cumulative GPA of 3.0 must be maintained. Students must receive a minimum grade of B for all required courses. A student who receives a grade of C in a required course shall repeat the course. A second grade of C in a required course shall result in dismissal from the program. At the discretion of the HCPR Doctoral Committee, a student who is retaking a required course may still be eligible to take the comprehensive examination and to start the dissertation prior to repeating the course.

At the end of the second year of required course work, students will take a written comprehensive examination designed to evaluate the student’s ability to: 1) integrate course material; 2) demonstrate critical thinking and evaluation of the literature in healthcare policy and research; and 3) demonstrate quantitative analysis skills.

After passing the written comprehensive examination, the student will schedule the proposal defense within 12 months. Following successful defense of the proposal, the student will prepare three manuscripts of publishable quality that will comprise the body of the dissertation and will orally defend the dissertation. It is anticipated that students will complete the program in four to five years. All requirements for the Ph.D. degree must be completed within six years from the date of admission to the degree program. Extensions may be approved in extenuating circumstances.

For additional information, see www.healthpolicy.vcu.edu.

Program admission requirements

1. College-level course in calculus with a minimum grade of B.
2. Graduation from an accredited university or its equivalent, with a master’s degree in a related discipline (e.g., economics, public health, public policy, health administration, public administration). Applicants must have completed relevant course work (including microeconomics and introductory statistics) or have professional experience in a health-related field (two years minimum) that provides an appropriate background for graduate level study in healthcare policy and research.
3. Graduate Record Exam within the past five years with minimum scores equivalent to 500/153 verbal, 600/148 quantitative. Analytic writing scores of 4.5 preferred. A writing sample may be requested.
4. Applicants from countries where English is not the primary and official national language must submit official Test of English as a Foreign Language scores. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based test or the equivalent on the computer-based or Internet-based test is required. The Doctoral Committee may require that students complete and pass VCU ESL course prior to matriculation, if necessary.
5. Applicants who hold an international degree will have their qualifications reviewed by the credentials evaluator of the VCU Global Education Office’s credentials evaluator.
6. Three letters of recommendation from individuals who are in a position to judge the applicant’s ability to engage in interdisciplinary graduate study in healthcare policy and research are required. At least one recommendation must be from an individual who can comment on the applicant’s academic qualifications (e.g., former instructor or adviser).
7. A written statement of professional intent that includes the proposed area of research interest.
8. A curriculum vitae or resume.
9. A recent writing sample, such as a first author, peer-reviewed publication; a master’s thesis; a book chapter; a policy brief or report; or a graduate course paper. An undergraduate course paper may be substituted if none of the above is available.
10. Prospective students must be available to interview either in person or teleconference via technology such as Skype.

To apply please visit www.graduate.vcu.edu/admission/prospective/apply.html.

Comments/feedback about this site   |   Bulletin (catalog) archives/printer-friendly bulletins   |   About these bulletins

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia
Contact us: bulletin@vcu.edu