Weill Cornell Medicine Graduate School of Medical Sciences

MS in Healthcare Policy & Research - Health Policy and Economics track

Training Students to be Leading Policy Analysts and Researchers

Our Master's track in Health Policy and Economics provides a modern take on the traditional public health degree. We train future policy analysts and researchers to identify the most effective ways of delivering high-quality healthcare at a lower cost. Students learn to apply advanced research methods from biostatistics, econometrics, and decision science to evaluate policies and programs while gaining valuable real-world experience.

This program track provides a strong foundation in healthcare research methods with specialized training in health economics, health policy, data analytics, and implementation science. Each student is paired with a faculty member for hands-on research that culminates with a capstone/portfolio project.

Unique Concentration

The Master’s track in Healthcare Policy and Economics offers a more specialized approach than a traditional MPH program. We emphasize a broader policy perspective to include payment policy, health insurance coverage, and structural issues related to the healthcare delivery system. Our coursework is more practice-based than theoretical. We keep our class size low so that students can build close relationships with faculty mentors who are nationally recognized experts. Our goal is to prepare professionals to work effectively in health-related policy positions and serve as well-trained healthcare researchers with strong analytic skills.

Our alumni hold positions in data and policy analysis, healthcare consulting, project management, quality improvement, and more. Many also go on to pursue doctoral studies at leading institutions.

Training

Our students learn innovative approaches to financing and delivering healthcare using cutting edge research methods.

During the Master’s track in Healthcare Policy and Economics, students will:

• Gain hands-on experience in data analysis.
• Learn cutting-edge computing packages, such as SAS, Stata, and R.
• Address real-world healthcare problems through a hands-on capstone project.
• Understand the factors that influence the quality and cost of healthcare.
• Build connections under the mentorship of experts while collaborating with NYC institutions that will shape their careers.

The Master’s track in Health Policy and Economics has close ties to other departments within Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell University, Cornell Tech, and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Full-time students can complete the program in 11 months, and part-time students in 18-24 months.

Pixabay / Pexels

Curriculum

Fall Term

• Introduction to Biostatistics with Stata Lab (4)
• Introduction to Health Services Research (3)
• Introduction to Operations Research in Health Policy (3)
• Introduction to US Health Care Policy and Delivery (3)
• Master's Project I and Professional Development (1)

Spring Term

• Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (3)
• Health Data for Research (SAS) (3)
• Healthcare in the US - Policy Making and Political Strategy (3)
• Introduction to Applied Econometrics for Health Policy (3)
• Master's Project II (2)

Summer Term

• Application in Econometrics and Data Analysis (3)
• Incentives in the US Healthcare System (3)
• Master's Project III (3)
• Study Designs and Methods for Comparative Effectiveness Research (3)
• Survey Research Methods (3)

Admissions Information

Admission to graduate degree programs in Population Health Sciences at Weill Cornell Medicine requires that applicants hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.

Health Policy and Economics Prerequisites

Students applying to the M.S. in Health Policy and Economics should have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a strong GPA, leadership skills, and great communication skills. Standardized test scores are not required for our program, however, some students do elect to take the GRE and GMAT exams.

Students typically come with previous programming experience in SAS, Stata, or R. However, we do not require this experience ahead of time and offer extensive training in these statistical programs.

Application Requirements

• Online Application
• Application fee: $75
• Applications received by December 1/February 1 may receive a fee waiver. Please contact us once you are ready to submit your online application materials.
  • Application fee: $75
  • Applications received by December 1/February 1 may receive a fee waiver. Please contact us once you are ready to submit your online application materials.
• Personal Statement
  Your personal statement should be no more than 2 - 3 pages in length and outline the following items:
• Your interest in the field you are applying to
• Any previous operational and/or research experiences you have in this field or a related area of study
• Your career goals and how this degree will help you achieve them
• Any skills, previous experiences, and/or other information that is not readily identified in the other items you submit that would make you an ideal candidate
  • Your interest in the field you are applying to
  • Any previous operational and/or research experiences you have in this field or a related area of study
  • Your career goals and how this degree will help you achieve them
  • Any skills, previous experiences, and/or other information that is not readily identified in the other items you submit that would make you an ideal candidate
• Resume/CV
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• These letters can be from current/former academic mentors, current/former supervisors, and/or any other individuals who can speak to your capability to succeed in a program like ours, as well as your academic, research, communication, and leadership skills.
• Once you designate your recommenders in the online application, the system will automatically contact them and provide instructions on how they can submit their letters.
• All letters must be on official school and/or company letterhead.
  • These letters can be from current/former academic mentors, current/former supervisors, and/or any other individuals who can speak to your capability to succeed in a program like ours, as well as your academic, research, communication, and leadership skills.
  • Once you designate your recommenders in the online application, the system will automatically contact them and provide instructions on how they can submit their letters.
  • All letters must be on official school and/or company letterhead.
• College Transcripts
• College transcripts should be submitted for all previous colleges attended (undergraduate, graduate, and professional)
• Official transcripts will be required upon acceptance, however, students may submit unofficial transcripts with their initial application
• For international candidates: Transcripts that meet any of the following criteria must be translated by World Education Service (WES) or Education Credential Evaluators (ECE):
• The transcript is not in English
• International student's transcript is not on a 4.0 scale
• Domestic student's transcript is not on a 4.0 scale
  • The transcript is not in English
  • International student's transcript is not on a 4.0 scale
  • Domestic student's transcript is not on a 4.0 scale

• College transcripts should be submitted for all previous colleges attended (undergraduate, graduate, and professional)
• Official transcripts will be required upon acceptance, however, students may submit unofficial transcripts with their initial application
• For international candidates: Transcripts that meet any of the following criteria must be translated by World Education Service (WES) or Education Credential Evaluators (ECE):

• The transcript is not in English
• International student's transcript is not on a 4.0 scale
• Domestic student's transcript is not on a 4.0 scale
• GRE/GMAT scores (optional)
• Scores are not required for admission.
  • Scores are not required for admission.
• TOEFL/IELTS scores are required for all international students, who have not pursued a degree at an institution that teaches their curriculum in English.
• To submit your scores, please use Institution Code: 2119
  • To submit your scores, please use Institution Code: 2119

Submitting Materials

Application review is contingent upon the receipt of all supplementary materials listed above. For questions or concerns, please e-mail us at phs-education@med.cornell.edu.

Official transcripts and test scores may be sent electronically to phs-education@med.cornell.edu.

Deadlines for Fall 2021

• Application opens: October 2, 2020
• Deadline for fee waiver and consideration for merit scholarships: December 1, 2020/February 1, 2021
• Ultimate deadline: March 15, 2021