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Master of Science in Health Services Research (MS-HSR)

The Department of Health Management and Policy is pleased to offer the Master of Science in Health Services Research (MS-HSR). Students interested in pursuing careers in health services research will find this an attractive degree option. The program, which builds on our internationally recognized MHSA and MPH programs, is designed to provide intensive coursework and field study in health services research methods. It permits students to take advantage of our combined strengths in cutting edge health policy and health services research and our innovative health policy and health management curriculum. The MS-HSR curriculum outlines the necessary core requirements and electives.

The goals of the MS-HSR degree are:

• To enable students to identify and conduct health services research concerning current and future health policy issues in a variety of public and private sector research settings.
• To provide students with hands-on experience working with Health Management and Policy and other School of Public Health faculty on current health services research projects that deal with both policy and management issues in today's society.
• To introduce students to the broad array of research designs and methods that characterize modern health services research.
• To provide students with deep and broad knowledge and understanding of the US health care and public health systems and, thus enable students to frame and conduct policy-relevant health services research.

As with our other master's degree programs, the MS-HSR is a two year program of intensive study. Students are expected to complete school-wide course requirements in epidemiology and biostatistics, along with core courses in the health services system, economics, and politics. However, the focus of the degree is on courses in research methods, a summer apprenticeship working with a faculty member on a research project (or with an external organization conducting health services research), and a thesis (based on independent research) to be completed in the second year.

The degree program provides a framework that enables students to obtain more research-focused methodological training than students typically select in our other master's programs. As part of the training, students work on faculty research projects during the school year and for their summer internship. During the second year, conduct a research analysis and prepare a thesis in the format of a manuscript to be submitted for publication.

We anticipate that program graduates will take positions with a broad array of public and private organizations engaged in health services and health policy research. For example, private consulting firms and research organizations, insurance companies, university-based research programs, managed care organizations, health foundations, and advocacy groups all rely on highly trained researchers to accomplish their missions. The new master's degree program will train researchers for employment in all of these venues. It is specifically designed to produce highly trained graduates with research skills that are valued in the marketplace.

Admission to the MS degree program is based on a rigorous set of criteria including: 1) prior academic achievement; 2) demonstrated experience in some type of social science research or health services research; 3) a commitment to a career in health-related research; and 4) evidence of leadership ability. Before applying to the MS-HSR program, we encourage prospective students to contact the department to discuss the criteria for admission and to ensure that there is a good fit between the degree program and a student's background and career interests.

The MS in Health Services Research is a degree within the Rackham Graduate School. Applicants must make sure that they complete the appropriate Rackham Graduate School application and choose the degree titled "Health Services Research" because several other departments in the Rackham Graduate School offer degrees with similar titles.

MS-HSR applicants will be eligible for all sources of funding available to all of our master's degree applicants, including scholarships, financial aid, and support from research projects.

"The caliber of instruction and design of this degree program has exceeded my expectations. I anticipate the MS degree program to attract high-caliber students who are devoted to understanding and improving health services, and who have questions regarding research in health services that can best be answered here at Michigan."

David Klipp
MS-HSR candidate 2006

Peter Jacobson, J.D., M.P.H., Professor in the Department of Health Management and Policy, is a faculty advisor for students in the MS-HSR degree program.