Dramatic and rapid changes in the nature and structure of health care financing, organization, and delivery have continued to increase demand worldwide for high quality information about the cost, quality, and access to health care. Academia has responded to this need with an increasing number of programs in health services and health policy, especially at the masters and doctoral levels. This Directory of Training Programs in Health Services Research and Health Policy responds to a growing interest in health services research and health policy and increasing demand for information about Post Baccalaureate certificates, Master's programs, Doctoral programs, and Postdoctoral programs in these fields. It has been expanded to include health policy research programs and the health policy tracks in public policy programs as well as the core health services research programs included in our two earlier editions-1997 and 1992. Additionally, when possible, we have included more descriptive information about the programs. While the directory does not include international programs, other than the eight Canadian programs profiled, future editions may be expanded to include programs outside North America.

The Directory is accessible at: www.academyhealth.org/directory and is continuously maintained. We see this as a valuable resource for all those interested in learning more about training programs in health services research and health policy.

The Directory is intended for several different audiences:

• students searching for potential training programs;
  
• training programs interested in learning about other health services research and health policy programs;
  
• career placement offices at colleges and universities;
  
• employers looking for a source of potential employees;
  
• public and private funding organizations interested in learning more about health services research and health policy training programs; and
  
• health care and policy decisionmakers interested in potential sources of policy-relevant information and/or individuals skilled in health policy analysis and health services research and health policy.

The 1997 and 1991-92 Editions

In 1997, the Association for Health Services Research published a Directory of Training Programs in Health Services Research in conjunction with the Programme on Health Systems Research and Development of the World Health Organization (WHO). The 1997 Directory contained profiles of 205 U.S. and 45 international programs in health services research. An earlier Directory, published in 1991-92 profiles 121 U.S. and 39 international programs. In addition, information describing each program was expanded in the 1997 edition.

The purpose of the Directory was to respond to growing interest in the field of health services research and the increasing demand for information about programs providing training in this multidisciplinary field. In large part, this demand was driven by the need for high quality information on access, quality and cost by individuals at all levels of the health care community needing to make informed clinical, managerial and policy decisions.

Information profiling each training program included: program objectives, program focus, degree(s) offered, program director(s), senior faculty and primary research interests, tuition, financial aid, average completion time, average number of students, starting date, program structure, language of instruction, application requirements, application requirements, and contact information.

We have made a concerted effort to reach out to all institutions that offer (1) a formal research training program (i.e., a graduate program or a Certificate program) that prepares individuals to conduct health services research, health policy research, or research in a public policy program that contains a health track; or (2) a postdoctoral training program in health services research, health policy research or public policy (with a health track). If you are aware of a program that should be included in this Directory, or are interested in having your program profiled, please contact us. Our goal is to make this Directory as representative of the fields of health services research and health policy as possible.

What is health services research?

Health services research is "the multidisciplinary field of scientific investigation that studies how social factors, financing systems, organizational structures and processes, health technologies, and personal behaviors affect access to health care, the quality and cost of health care, and ultimately our health and well-being. Its research domains are individuals, families, organizations, institutions, communities, and populations." (This definition was approved by the Association for Health Services Research (AHSR) Board of Directors in June 2000. The Academy for Health Services Research and Health Policy is the result of a merger of AHSR and the Alpha Center in June 2000.)

What are health policy programs?

Health policy programs include both health policy research and public policy programs with a health track. Health services research relates to a specific application of health services research, with an intent to inform public and private policy decisions. It is a means of translating the research and making it responsive to current policy issues. Its research domains include individuals, families, organizations, institutions, communities, and populations.

We hope to expand this portion of the Directory in future editions.

What constitutes a health services research and/or a health policy training program?

A research training program is any organizational educational activity that awards a formal degree, a Certificate , and/or offers a postdoctoral program. It offers instruction in the following:

1) the methods, approaches and conduct of research, and
2) the application of these research methods to the fields of health services research and/or health policy, to include systematic, empirical analysis. The training program can involve one or more disciplinary perspectives.

The information in each profile is not intended to be exhaustive. For more detailed information, please contact the program directly.

Multiple programs offered by a single university, college or institution are listed separately when there are substantial differences in the program objectives and focus, the admission process or other significant elements. "N/A" indicates that information for the field was not provided by the program or is not applicable to the program. Note: Not all sections display the same information. For example, U.S. citizenship/permanent resident status was collected for Section 4 (Postdoctoral Training Program) only.

University Name
Program Name

Degree Offered: Indicates the type of Certificate, Master's, or Ph.D. offered.

Program Objectives: Describes the primary intent of the health services and/or health policy research training program.

Program Focus: Describes the disciplinary focus of the program.

Program Structure: Indicates the type of instruction provided, including full-time and part-time study, evening instruction, off-campus programs, continuing education, distance/online learning, summer institute, other.

Application/Admission Requirements (if applicable):

Application Fee: Identifies the fee that must be submitted with the application.

Application Deadline: Identifies date(s)-usually a month-when all applications must be received.

Required Interview: Indicates whether an interview (in person or telephone) is required as part of the program's admissions process.

Required Tests: Lists all entrance examinations (e.g., GRE) and/or other tests (e.g., TOEFL, Millers Analogies, etc.) that are required.

Average Test Scores: Lists the median or mean of test scores required for admission.

Required Grade Point Average: Lists the minimum grade point average required for admission.

Prior training or course work required/desired: Lists all degrees and/ or coursework that must be completed prior to applying to the program.

Personal Essay: Notes if a personal essay is required for admission into the program.

Experience: Identifies all field and/or employment experience that is required.

U.S. Citizen and/or Permanent Resident Status: Indicates if candidate is required to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. [Note. This field applies to the Postdoctoral Training Program section only.]

Other Requirements: Lists other activities or prerequisites that are required.

Contact Information: Provides name, title, address, phone, fax, e-mail, and website information for the program contact.

Program Director(s) and Title(s): Lists the full name(s) and title(s) of the Director(s) of the training program.

Number of Program Faculty Actively Involved in the Program: Lists the number of full-time and part-time faculty.

Key Faculty Members and Their Areas of Research: Provides a listing of the key faculty and their areas of research. In some instances, programs elected to not fully complete this section. Please contact the program directly for a complete listing.

Average Number of Students Enrolling in Each Year's Class: Provides the average number of students enrolled or accepted into each degree program for each academic year or term.

Full-time Graduate Tuition for residents and non-residents: Provides the tuition rate for the academic year for residents and non-residents.

Average Cost of Books and Supplies, per Semester: Provides the average cost of books and supplies, per semester.

Main Sources of Financial Support: Lists the main sources of financial support, e.g., fellowships, traineeships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, loans, salary stipends, own funds, other.

Proportion of Students Receiving Financial Aid: Provides the proportion of students receiving financial aid in this program.

Percentage of Students Receiving Full-Tuition as Part of the Financial Aid Package: Lists the percentage of students receiving full-tuition as part of their financial aid package.

Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid and a Stipend or Salary: Lists the percentage of students receiving financial aide who are given a stipend or salary for general living expenses.

Average Amount of Stipend or Salary per Year: Lists the average stipend or salary amount for those students receiving salaries or stipends.

Postdoctoral Benefits: Lists all benefits available to postdocs, e.g., health insurance, retirement, etc.

Postdoctoral Position Time Limit: Indicates if there is a time limit to the number of years an individual can be in this postdoctoral position (e.g., two years). When applicable, the number of years will be listed.

Average Time to Complete Degree/Certificate: Identifies the average length of full-time study required to complete each degree/certificate.

Starting Date: Lists the typical starting date (month) for each degree program's entering class.

The programs included in AcademyHealth's training directory have paid to be included in this resource. The information contained in their profiles is provided by the programs themselves and has not been verified by AcademyHealth. The listing of programs is not comprehensive.