The program draws from the strengths of schools across Harvard, including Harvard Kennedy School.
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Debbie Whitney
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Ask bold questions. Lead with evidence. Transform health policy.
The highly interdisciplinary PhD in Health Policy Program develops the specialized skills essential for research and teaching careers in health policy.
The PhD in Health Policy Program is administered by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) and is collaborative at its core, drawing from the strengths of FAS along with Harvard Business School, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. With more than 100 affiliated faculty across these schools, you will learn directly from leading scholars and practitioners shaping the field.
You will tailor your training by choosing one of five disciplines: decision sciences, economics, management, methods for policy research, or political analysis.
The PhD in Health Policy is awarded by the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS).
About the Program
PhD in Health Policy students typically complete the program in five to six years. The first two years focus on graduate-level coursework across Harvard’s specialized schools, anchored by a full-year core course in health policy. At the end of the second year, you will take a general exam in health policy and a concentration exam. You will then develop a dissertation prospectus and generally spend three years conducting original research and writing your dissertation.
A defining feature of the program is its emphasis on disciplinary depth. You will build expertise by specializing in one of five concentrations:
- Decision Sciences
- Economics
- Management
- Methods for Policy Research
- Political Analysis
What the Program Looks For
- Evidence of commitment to training in the field of health policy research
- A foundation of analytic and communication skills that will position you to benefit from coursework, mentoring, and the support of the broader health policy community at Harvard
- The potential to pursue PhD-level research
- Evidence of maturity, perseverance, and creativity
- Strengths in all available application materials: transcripts, work experience, letters, personal statements, and when available, test scores
Application Requirements
You must submit the following materials to the Harvard Griffin GSAS Office of Admissions by December 1 at 5 p.m. ET:
- Harvard Griffin GSAS online application
- Three letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose (instructions in the application portal)
- Personal statement (instructions in the application portal)
- Official transcripts for all colleges or universities attended
- CV
- Valid GRE General Test or GMAT scores
- Test scores are mandatory for the Management concentration
- Test scores are optional for Decision Sciences, Economics, Methods for Policy Research, and Political Analysis concentrations
- Internet-based TOEFL or IELTS scores (if applicable; minimum TOEFL score of 100 or minimum IELTS score of 7.5 required)
You must apply to a specific concentration of the program and indicate this choice in your statement of purpose. Up to two concentration areas may be specified.
Learn about current PhD in Health Policy students and their research interests. These students are registered at Harvard Griffin GSAS and delve into a range of research areas during their time at Harvard.
Graduates leave the program ready to shape health policy—advancing knowledge and strengthening policy and practice in academia, government agencies, research institutes, think tanks, foundations, and multinational corporations.
Explore recent graduates’ dissertations and learn about their job placements directly following graduation.
About 100 faculty members are active in the PhD in Health Policy Program, drawing from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences along with Harvard Business School, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School, and the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health.
Learn More About the Doctoral Programs
About the PhD in Health Policy Program
How to Apply
Applicants submit their application to the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.