Coursework is normally completed during the first and second years of full-time study. Between 4-10 half courses are required. Courses are chosen from the list of recommended courses for each curriculum area.

Required courses include:

• 2 terms (half-courses) of the Doctoral Seminar in Health Policy;
• 2-3 specialty field courses in a single field (health economics, political studies, or health systems & society);
• up to 2 breadth field courses outside the student’s specialty field, one in each of the two fields other than the chosen specialty; and,
• up to 3 methodology courses, including both quantitative and qualitative or mixed methods.

Students without prior graduate training in a given area are required to take the maximum number of required courses for that area. Students who have completed relevant graduate courses prior to admission may had selected course requirements waived at the time of admission to the Health Policy PhD program. A minimum of 4 half-courses (2 doctoral seminar courses, 2 specialty field courses) may not be waived and must be taken while the student is enrolled in the Health Policy PhD program.

The specific courses offered each year varies. The course list for the 2022-2023 academic year is available here.