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.