Health Services Research Graduate Programs

Health Services Research Graduate Programs and Curriculum

Graduate programs in health services research can prepare you for a career in an interdisciplinary and dynamic field. The majority of programs prepare students for careers as researchers who analyze and assess health services, processes, and policies. Most programs emphasize the following areas:

• economics and statistics
• the outcomes of particular processes and policies
• the cost-effectiveness of different modalities of care
• the use of technology in facilitating services
• healthcare policy
• research methodology

Most health services research graduate programs confer either a M.S. (master or science) or M.P.H. (master of public health) degree. They generally take two years to complete and require coursework and a thesis. Earning your health services research graduate degree could prepare you for a career in the field or for a related Ph.D. program.

Health Services Research Career Paths

Those with a graduate degree in health services research may enjoy a variety of career options. They could work for private, public, and non-profit agencies in settings including hospitals, government offices, and regional service centers. They could analyze policies, design and evaluate programs, research the effects of health campaigns, and work as advisors to healthcare administrators. They come from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds and have education or experience in industries such as nursing, epidemiology, public health, medicine, political science, sociology, and psychology. They may work with educators, doctors, nurses, health managers, health administrators, and other healthcare professionals.

The variety of career options for healthcare services research professionals enables students to align their studies with their intended career path. Students should carefully consider with whom they want to work and for what specific purpose, this can increase the chances of landing a job by finding an internship within a specialized field of interest. It is also wise to seek a mentor who can help make the most of your studies, and guide you in applying them to your intended career.

Health Services Research Salary and Job Outlook

Salaries in the field of health services research vary depending on the location, organization, and specific area of research. Working for private corporations in the biochemical industry, for example, is likely to pay more than working for the World Health Organization or a local government.

Health educators earn an estimated $45,830 per year. Health services managers earn an estimated $84,270 per year. Political scientists earn an estimated $107,420 per year, and statisticians earn an estimated $72,830 per year. These fields provide just a few examples of the many areas in which health services researchers’ work.

The majority of fields within the healthcare industry are expected to grow by 20-40 percent between now and the year 2020. This growth, in conjunction with the breadth, scope, and complexity of healthcare initiatives, directives, and policies, indicates the need for health services researchers should be in greater demand between now and 2020.

The chart below outlines some of the salaries for industries in which health services researchers might work:

Data according to

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Management/Medical-and-health-services-managers.htm/

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/political-scientists.htm

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Math/Statisticians.htm

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm