MS in Health Policy and Economics

Training Students to Identify the Most Effective Ways of Delivering High-Quality Healthcare at Lower Cost

Stethoscope laid on top of papers.

Our MS in Health Policy and Economics program provides a modern take on the traditional public health degree. Students learn to identify the most effective ways of delivering high-quality healthcare at lower cost through valuable real-world experience. This program provides students with a strong understanding of healthcare organization and delivery within the context of the current policy environment with specialized training in health economics, health policy, and analytic methods. Each student is paired with a faculty member for hands-on research that culminates with a capstone/portfolio project.

Unique Concentration

The MS in Health Policy and Economics program offers a more specialized approach than a traditional MPH program. We emphasize a broader policy perspective to include payment policy, health insurance coverage and structural issues related to the healthcare delivery system. Our coursework is more practice-based than theoretical. We keep our class size low so that students can build close relationships with faculty mentors  who are nationally and internationally recognized experts. Our goal is to prepare professionals to work effectively in health-related policy positions with strong analytic skills. Our alumni hold positions in data and policy analysis, healthcare consulting, project management, quality improvement, and more. Many have also gone on to pursue doctoral studies at leading institutions, including Brown, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Chicago.

Training

Our students learn innovative approaches to financing and delivering healthcare using cutting edge research methods.

During the MS in Health Policy and Economics program, students will: 

  • Develop a deep understanding of current policy initiatives.
  • Gain hands-on experience in data analysis using computing packages, such as SAS, Stata, and R. 
  • Address real-world healthcare problems through a hands-on capstone project.
  • Understand factors that influence the quality and cost of healthcare.
  • Build connections under the mentorship of experts while collaborating with NYC institutions that will shape their careers.

The MS in Health Policy and Economics program has close ties to other departments within Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell University, Cornell Tech, and NewYork-Presbyterian. Students can complete the program in 11 months.

Prerequisites for Admission

Information Sessions

Alumni Outcomes

Program Director

Mark Unruh, PhD

HPE 1 Year Student - Recommended Curriculum Progression

Students are recommended to follow the schedule below in order to ensure eligibility for graduation. The Education Team will monitor progression, but it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to track their progression to ensure they meet graduation requirements. Course offerings and course availability are subject to change.

Fall Term

Typical course load is 12 credits

Introduction to Biostatistics with STATA Lab (HBDS 5001) OR Biostatistics I with R Lab (HBDS 5005) - Required

Introduction to US Healthcare Policy & Delivery (HPEC 5001) - Required

Introduction to Health Services Research (HBDS 5002) - Required

Master’s Project 1 (HCPR 9010) - Required

Healthcare in the US - Policymaking and Political Strategy (HINF 5014) - Elective

Spring Term 

Typical Course load is 12 or 15 credits

Health Data for Research (SAS) (HPEC 5003) - Required

Introduction to Applied Econometrics for Health Policy (HPEC 5004) - Required

Master’s Project 2 (HCPR 9020) - Required

Cost Effectiveness Analysis (HPEC 5005) - Elective

Incentives in the US Healthcare System (HPEC 5007) - Elective

Summer Term

Typical course load is 9 or 12 credits

Application in Econometrics and Data Analysis (HPEC 5010) - Required

Master’s Project 3 (HCPR 9030) - Required

Study Designs and Comparative Effectiveness (HPEC 5006) - Elective

Survey Research Methods (HPEC 5008) - Elective

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