Health Care Management & Economics, PhD

The program combines intensive training in health care management and economics coupled with advanced training in a traditional business discipline.

Our program provides thought leadership and policy development in the following areas of distinction:

  • Value of technology and innovation
  • Health insurance design and reform
  • Design and impact of incentives in numerous health industry contexts
  • Competition and collaboration across the value chain
  • The broad interprofessional/multidisciplinary work of the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics

Wharton’s doctoral program is unique among similar programs because it provides a strong background in microeconomic theory, an advanced teaching of econometric and statistical techniques, a comprehensive analysis of both health economics and health care services research, and grounding in management/strategy theory and research. The doctoral program complements the course work with numerous opportunities to collaborate with faculty members in research projects exploring a wide variety of topics in the health economics and management fields.

For more information: https://doctoral.wharton.upenn.edu/health-care-management-economics/

View the University’s Academic Rules for PhD Programs.

Required Courses

A minimum of 16 course units are required.

Core Requirements
Health Care Courses
Select major field course requirements from the following list: 1
HCMG 9000Proseminar in Health Economics: Models and Methods (Taken Twice)2
HCMG 9010Proseminar in Health Economics: Health Econometrics1
HCMG 9020Special Topics in Health Economics: The Industrial Organization of Health Care1
HCMG 9030Economics of Health Care and Policy1
HCMG 9040Doctoral Seminar in Organizational Behavior and Theory in Health Care1
Statistics 1
Select one of the following course combinations:2
STAT 5000
& STAT 5010
Applied Regression and Analysis of Variance
and Introduction to Nonparametric Methods and Log-linear Models
STAT 5100
& STAT 5200
Probability
and Applied Econometrics I
STAT 5200
& STAT 5210
Applied Econometrics I
and Applied Econometrics II
STAT 5200
& STAT 5120
Applied Econometrics I
and Mathematical Statistics
ECON 7300
& ECON 7310
Econometrics I: Fundamentals
and Econometrics II: Methods & Models
Microeconomics 2
Select one of the following course combinations:2
ECON 6100
& ECON 6110
Microeconomic Theory
and Game Theory and Applications
ECON 7100
& ECON 7110
Microeconomic Theory I
and Microeconomic Theory II
6 additional courses chosen in consultation with Advisor6
Total Course Units16
1

A one-year graduate level sequence in statistics or in probability and statistics is required. Any of the following sample sequences can be used. Students may substitute other graduate level courses upon approval of the graduate director of the Statistics department.

2

A one year sequence in microeconomics is required.

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

Sample Plan of Study

First and Second Years
Coursework
Examination
Research Papers
Research Activities
Completion of Other Requirements by Field
Third Year
Directed Reading & Research
Admission to Candidacy
Formulation of Research Topic
Fourth Year and Beyond
Continued Research
Dissertation Proposal Defense
Dissertation Defense