Health Economics (PhD)

Microeconomics Track

Satisfactory completion of the economic theory sequence with a grade point average of B or higher. At least one of the econometrics courses must be completed with a grade of B or higher:

• ECON 601 Microeconomic Theory I Units: 4 or
• GSBA 602 Selected Issues in Economic Theory I Units: 3

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• ECON 603 Microeconomic Theory II Units: 4
• ECON 609 Econometric Methods Units: 4
• ECON 611 Probability and Statistics for Economists Units: 4
• ECON 615 Applied Econometrics Units: 4

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• Satisfactory completion of the health economics sequence with a grade point average of B or higher:

• ECON 636 Health Economics I Units: 4
• ECON 693 Seminar in Applied Economics and Public Policy Units: 2 or
• PMEP 698 Seminar in Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy Units: 1
• PM 511aL Data Analysis Units: 4
• PM 511bL Data Analysis Units: 4
• PMEP 509 Research Design Units: 4
• PMEP 519 Survey Research and Quality of Life Assessment Units: 4
• PMEP 529 Risk, Probabilities and Preferences Units: 4
• PMEP 544 Health Economics II Units: 4

Additional Requirements

Three electives at the 500 level or higher from the School of Pharmacy’s Health Economics Program and from the departments of economics, mathematical statistics, biometry, epidemiology, public administration, computer science or other relevant fields are required.

Qualifying Exam

The student will be assigned to a member of the graduate faculty who will serve as his or her temporary adviser until the formation of a qualifying exam committee. The student should consult the health economics director of graduate studies on the appointment of a PhD qualifying exam committee after taking the written screening examinations. The chairman of the student’s PhD qualifying exam committee advises the student on matters of curriculum and graduate opportunities. The qualifying exam committee comprises three to five members, at least one of whom can be from outside the department; at least two members must specialize in the student’s area of emphasis; and at least three of the members must be suitable for service on the student’s dissertation committee. The composition of all PhD qualifying exam committees must be approved by the health economics director of graduate studies. The student must form his or her qualifying exam committee soon after passing the departmental screening procedure.

Screening Procedure

The student’s progress will be reviewed after each semester and before registration for any additional course work to determine if progress has been satisfactory. The screening procedure will include satisfactory performance on written screening exams covering the major topics covered in the recommended course work for each track.

Seminar Requirements

Every student is recommended to take and satisfactorily complete 4 units of research seminars chosen from ECON 693 , PMEP 698  or the equivalent. At least one of these seminars must be related to the student’s major field, and the same seminar may be taken more than once. Before completing the dissertation, it is recommended that the student present at least one original research paper in a seminar of his or her choice. This paper should typically consist of original results contained in the student’s dissertation.

Dissertation Proposal Preparation

The student is required to register for two units of PMEP 790  and write a research paper on a topic suitable for a dissertation. Typically, the chair of the student’s guidance committee directs this work. The resulting essay becomes part of the student’s written dissertation proposal which is presented and critiqued during the oral portion of the qualifying examination.

Qualifying Examination

Upon successful completion of the first two years of course and grade requirements, and following passing of required screening procedures, the student takes a general written and oral examination on the chosen area of research emphasis after presenting a detailed written dissertation proposal. After passing these examinations, the student is admitted to candidacy for the PhD degree.

Dissertation

After admission to candidacy, the student forms a dissertation committee comprising three faculty members, one of whom can be from an outside department. The chair of this committee is the dissertation supervisor. The student must register for PMEP 794a , PMEP 794b , PMEP 794c , PMEP 794d , PMEP 794z  each semester, excluding summer sessions, until the dissertation and all other degree requirements are completed.

The student is expected to complete a dissertation based on an original investigation. The dissertation must represent a significant contribution to knowledge and must be defended in an oral examination administered by the dissertation committee (see the section on Theses and Dissertations ).

Student Teaching

Teaching experience is considered an integral part of the training of graduate students. As part of the general requirements for the PhD, all students are required to undergo training as an educator. This will include participating in seminars on educational techniques and hands-on teaching experiences through participation in didactic and small group teaching in the School of Pharmacy or the USC Price School of Public Policy.

Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy Track

Satisfactory completion of the economic theory sequence with a grade point average of B or higher. At least one of the econometrics courses must be completed with a grade of B or higher:

• ECON 401 Mathematical Methods in Economics Units: 4
• ECON 500 Microeconomic Analysis and Policy Units: 4
• ECON 609 Econometric Methods Units: 4
• ECON 611 Probability and Statistics for Economists Units: 4
• ECON 615 Applied Econometrics Units: 4

•  

• Satisfactory completion of the pharmaceutical economics and policy sequence with an average grade of B or higher:

• PMEP 509 Research Design Units: 4
• PMEP 519 Survey Research and Quality of Life Assessment Units: 4
• PMEP 529 Risk, Probabilities and Preferences Units: 4
• PMEP 538 Pharmaceutical Economics Units: 4
• PMEP 539 Economic Assessment of Medical Care Units: 4
• PMEP 549 Applied Pharmacoeconometrics II Units: 4
• PMEP 698 Seminar in Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy Units: 1

Additional Requirements

A minimum of three electives at the 500 level or higher from the School of Pharmacy’s Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy Program and from the departments of economics, mathematical statistics, biometry, epidemiology, public administration, computer science or other relevant fields are required.

Qualifying Exam Committee

The student will be assigned to a member of the graduate faculty who will serve as his or her temporary adviser until the formation of a qualifying exam committee. The student should consult the pharmaceutical economics and policy director of graduate studies on the appointment of a PhD qualifying exam committee after taking the written qualifying examination. The chairman of the student’s PhD qualifying exam committee advises the student on matters of curriculum and graduate opportunities. The qualifying exam committee comprises three to five members, at least one of whom can be from outside the department; at least two members must specialize in the student’s area of emphasis; and at least three of the members must be suitable for service on the student’s dissertation committee. The composition of all PhD qualifying exam committees must be approved by the pharmaceutical economics and policy director of graduate studies. The student must form his or her qualifying exam committee soon after passing the departmental screening procedure.

Screening Procedure

The student’s progress will be reviewed after each semester and before registration for any additional course work to determine if progress has been satisfactory. The screening procedure may include satisfactory performance on written screening exams covering the major topics covered in the recommended course work for each track.

Seminar Requirements

Every student is recommended to take and satisfactorily complete 4 units of research seminars chosen from PMEP 698  or the equivalent. At least one of these seminars must be related to the student’s major field and the same seminar may be taken more than once. Before completing the dissertation, it is recommended that the student present at least one original research paper in a seminar of his or her choice. This paper should typically consist of original results contained in the student’s dissertation.

Dissertation Proposal Preparation

The student is required to register for 2 units of PMEP 790  and write a research paper on a topic suitable for a dissertation. Typically, the chair of the student’s guidance committee directs this work. The resulting essay becomes part of the student’s written dissertation proposal, which is presented and critiqued during the oral portion of the qualifying examination.

Qualifying Examination

Upon successful completion of the first two years of course work and grade requirements, including the passing of required screening procedures, the student takes a general written and oral examination on the chosen area of research emphasis after presenting a detailed written dissertation proposal. After passing these examinations, the student is admitted to candidacy for the PhD degree.

Dissertation

After admission to candidacy, the student forms a dissertation committee comprising three faculty members, one of whom can be from an outside department. The chair of this committee is the dissertation supervisor. The student must register for PMEP 794a , PMEP 794b , PMEP 794c , PMEP 794d  and PMEP 794z  each semester, excluding summer sessions, until the dissertation and all other degree requirements are completed.

The student is expected to complete a dissertation based on original investigation. The dissertation must represent a significant contribution to knowledge and must be defended in an oral examination administered by the dissertation committee (see the section on Theses and Dissertations).

Student Teaching

Teaching experience is considered an integral part of the training of graduate students. As part of the general requirements for the PhD, all students are required to undergo training as an educator. This will include participating in seminars on educational techniques and hands-on teaching experiences through participation in didactic and small group teaching in the School of Pharmacy.