Our program's mission is to train the next generation of health services researchers and to prepare them to provide leadership in the field. Our graduates pursue research careers in top-tier universities, research and policy-making organizations, the health care industry, and government agencies. In recognition of the complex issues facing health services today and tomorrow, we are committed to training students who will contribute to the health of diverse populations by producing high-quality research on important topics and translating the results to practice and policy. The PhD Program in Health Services consistently ranks among the best. Our program offers exceptional instruction in research methods, evaluation, health care systems, health policy research, and the social determinants of health.<br><br>This area of emphasis provides PhD students with greater depth and preparation to conduct research about the performance of health care and public health systems. Students must complete an organizational theory course to fulfill the PhD Program's theory course requirement. An additional organizational theory course is required for this area of emphasis. A course in clinical epidemiology is required because clinical studies of health system effects on clinical health outcomes are common in this field. Because studies of health systems often require longitudinal data for patients, providers, health care organizations, insurance plans and other units, students also are recommended to learn statistical methods for analyzing correlated data.