Health Policy Research

The MSHP is a two year training program that leads to a Master of Science degree.  This program is based out of the University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine in close collaboration with the Leonard Davis Institute (LDI) and the Department of Health Care Systems at the Wharton School. Building upon the trans-disciplinary nature of LDI, this program is also closely affiliated with the Annenberg School for Communication and the School of Social Policy and Practice--two schools in the University of Pennsylvania with growing interest in and commitment to the fields of health services research and health policy. The MSHP also benefits from LDI's strong connections to multiple other schools at Penn, including the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Nursing and the Law School.

The primary goal of the Master of Science in Health Policy Research training program is to train outstanding investigators in health services and policy research.  Students completing the MSHP are well situated to pursue careers in academia, non-profit organizations and health policy. Tailored educational experiences enable students to engage effectively with community partners, policy makers, and other interested stake holders.  Through mentored research students learn to plan and execute policy-relevant, patient-centered research using a variety of different methodologies including qualitative, cross-sectional, simulation, quasi-experimental, and experimental study designs. Finally, the educational experience is deepened with a two year career development lecture series that introduces students to skills essential to careers more generally, including applying for grant funding, managing a research team, negotiating a job, communicating research findings, creating a national reputation and other skills that are just as important to career success as skills in research methods.

Offline Recommendation

Penn strongly prefers that recommenders submit letters of recommendation online through the admissions system. If, however, your recommender is unable to submit an online recommendation, please follow these instructions:

1) Select the “Recommendation Form PDF Download” and download the form.
2) Complete the first section. Be sure to include the address of the appropriate admissions office — refer to the "Contact Graduate Admissions" list below. 
3) Print out the form and provide it to your recommender.

Please note:

• If you are applying to a program in Nursing, print out and provide your recommender with these special instructions for completing your letter of recommendation.
• If you are applying to a program in the School of Social Policy & Practice, print out and provide your recommender with these special instructions for completing your letter of recommendation.

4) Your recommender should send the form directly to the admissions office you designate, along with the letter of recommendation.