Health Policy PhD programs

[2011healthpolic]

---

Members do not see this ad.

What are people's thoughts on the best health policy PhD programs? I'm particularly interested in job placement not just in academic sectors but in the federal gov't and in research orgs as well. I look forward to hearing your thoughts! Thank you!

 

[nietzsche754]

What are people's thoughts on the best health policy PhD programs? I'm particularly interested in job placement not just in academic sectors but in the federal gov't and in research orgs as well. I look forward to hearing your thoughts! Thank you!

My public health law professor advised me that if I was really interested in health policy and law in addition to considering a PhD I might also want to consider a joint MPH and JD program. He originally got a PhD in Biology and went back and earned a JD himself. This actually intrigued me because I do feel like depending on what you want to do in policy being able to practice law yourself might be a huge advantage in the job market. I know the job market for law overall is bad but very few lawyers have educational expertise in the area they practice in (for instance my professor is an environmental lawyer). It's a little quicker than a PhD and in some places you can go to law school part time and work your way through getting experience at the same time. It's something to think about I know I'm thinking about it. 🙂

 

[Dx253]

My public health law professor advised me that if I was really interested in health policy and law in addition to considering a PhD I might also want to consider a joint MPH and JD program. He originally got a PhD in Biology and went back and earned a JD himself. This actually intrigued me because I do feel like depending on what you want to do in policy being able to practice law yourself might be a huge advantage in the job market. I know the job market for law overall is bad but very few lawyers have educational expertise in the area they practice in (for instance my professor is an environmental lawyer). It's a little quicker than a PhD and in some places you can go to law school part time and work your way through getting experience at the same time. It's something to think about I know I'm thinking about it. 🙂

This is very interesting what you brought up in regards to a joint MPH and JD program. I had never thought of that combo prior to reading your post. I'm just curious if you know of any programs that offer an MPH/JD degree.

Thanks in advance

 

[nietzsche754]

I do. Here at UT-Houston Dr. Hacker who I've mentioned runs a joint MPH/JD program with the University of Houston law school where he is an alumni. However I have to say I doubt you would actually save a lot of time as opposed to completing the degrees seperately. A MPH without a thesis here will only take 16 months. Law school only takes 3 years and the joint degree would take 4 years so you might knock off a semester. If law school is where you wish to get a doctorate then a thesis won't help your chances of admission anyway.