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This archived information is dated to the 2008-09 academic year only and may no longer be current.

For currently applicable policies and information, see the current Stanford Bulletin.

Master of Science in Health Services Research

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Health Services Research

The master's degree program in Health Services Research seeks to train students in the quantitative analysis of issues in health and medical care. The program emphasizes an individually designed program of course work and completion of a master's project under the mentorship of a faculty member. The typical student in the program is either a physician who has completed residency training and is preparing for a research career, or a student with a strong background in policy analysis who wishes to focus on problems in health or medical care. Faculty interests include outcomes research, health economics, health care organization, health care access, quality of care, decision analysis, clinical guidelines, and assessment of patient preferences and quality of life.

To receive the degree, students are expected to demonstrate knowledge of issues in health services research and the quantitative skills necessary for research in this area. Students must take at least 45 units of course work (9 of the units may be double-counted to meet other degree requirements) and write a University thesis. The course work requirements are:

  1. At least 8 units from the following group of Health Research and Policy (HRP) core courses: HRP 256, Economics of Health and Medical Care; HRP 391, Political Economy of Health Care in the United States; HRP 392, Analysis of Costs, Risks, and Benefits in Health Care.
  2. At least 6 units of graduate-level statistics courses. The sequence of HRP 261 and HRP 262 is strongly recommended.
  3. At least 3 units of HRP 283, Health Services Research Core Seminar.
  4. At least 15 units of HRP research credit from HRP 299, Directed Reading, or HRP 399, Research.
  5. An additional set of approved elective courses to complete the program total of at least 45 units.

For additional information, address inquiries to the Educational Coordinator, Department of Health Research and Policy, Stanford University School of Medicine, HRP Redwood Building, Room T138C, Stanford, California 94305-5405.

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