HRP-MS - Health Policy (MS)

University requirements for the M.S. degree are described in the "Graduate Degrees" section of this bulletin.

Health Policy investigates how social factors, financing systems, organizational structures and processes, health technologies, and personal behaviors affect the accessibility, quality and cost of health care and ultimately our health and well-being.  The Master’s Degree in Health Policy provides students with the skills to conduct and interpret research in health policy and clinical decision-making.

The MS program is typically completed in two years. 

All candidates must satisfactorily complete 45 units of graduate course work with a 3.0 (B) or better, as well as a master’s thesis that represents original health policy research. In addition to satisfying the core course requirements, students must take additional courses in one of four concentration areas - clinical decision-making, empirical methods, health policy, or implementation science.

The Health Policy Masters Program’s core faculty interests include outcomes research, health economics, health care organization, health care access, implementation science, quality of care, decision analysis, clinical guidelines, and assessment of patient preferences and quality of life.

For additional program information, including (but not limited to) program and course requirements, faculty lists, admissions information, requirements and deadlines see the program website. Please address inquiries to the Health Policy Admissions Team at hrpadmissions@stanford.edu.

Applications to the program must be submitted through the Stanford Graduate Admissions website by clicking on "Apply Now."

Transfer credit is not accepted for the master's degree.

Stanford Health Policy (SHP) is committed to providing academic advising in support of graduate student scholarly and professional development. When most effective, this advising relationship entails collaborative and sustained engagement by both the advisor and the advisee. As a best practice, advising expectations should be periodically discussed and reviewed to ensure mutual understanding. Both the advisor and the advisee are expected to maintain professionalism and integrity.

Faculty advisors guide students in key areas such as selecting courses, designing and conducting research, developing teaching pedagogy, navigating policies and degree requirements, and exploring academic opportunities and professional pathways.

Graduate students are active contributors to the advising relationship, proactively seeking academic and professional guidance and taking responsibility for informing themselves of policies and degree requirements for their graduate program.

SHP programs adhere to the advising guidelines and responsibilities listed by the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education and in the Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures manual.  

For a statement of University policy on graduate advising, see the Graduate Advising section of this bulletin.

Stanford Health Policy (SHP) conducts rigorous research that lays the foundation for better domestic and international health policy and health care. Drawing upon our multidisciplinary research, the MS program provides advanced students with the skills to conduct independent research in health policy.