MS in Healthcare Decision Analysis

UPC campus

Master the Business of Healthcare

USC Healthcare Decision Analysis is a specialized graduate program that directly prepares you for business careers in healthcare, biopharmaceuticals, consulting, health insurance, and medical technology.

Our real-world STEM training provides strategic management tools and actionable insights for improving healthcare value, access, reimbursement, and health outcomes.

All program courses emphasize project-based learning allowing active exploration of real-world healthcare business challenges.

Lectures from leading industry executives offered across all program courses provide unique access to critical insights from experts in their respective fields.



Program Benefits

Shraddha Hakani

How did the program help launch your career in the healthcare industry?

“The MS in Healthcare Decision Analysis program molded me from a student to a professional. Coming straight from undergraduate, the program provided practical experiences through internship/fellowship opportunities and course projects, and it prepared me to land my first step in the healthcare industry. The HCDA program helps students gain problem-solving skills and provides up-to-date industry knowledge and technical skills to apply in our future career opportunities.”

Shraddha Hakani

MS Healthcare Decision Analysis ’20

Sr. Manager, Precision Medicine Marketing at AstraZeneca
Fnu Rahool

How did the program help prepare you for your career?

“I started as a clinical operations intern at AbbVie and was fortunate to have multiple offers before even graduating from the HCDA program. Now I’m a clinical project associate at Gilead Sciences. I’m looking forward to using my clinical knowledge to make a positive impact on patients’ lives. The HCDA program has helped me grow personally and professionally. When you present for in-class exercises, you build relationships and showcase your skills to professors who are already working in industry.”

Fnu Rahool

MS Healthcare Decision Analysis ’20

Clinical Trial Manager (Global), Rare Disease, Kinevant Sciences
Jorge Farias

Why did you decide to pursue the MS in Healthcare Decision Analysis in addition to the PharmD degree?

“I chose to pursue USC’s Healthcare Decision Analysis program because I knew the curriculum would provide me with a better understanding of today’s health care landscape by focusing on topics such as health economics, pricing, reimbursement, managed care, and health policy.”

Jorge Farias

PharmD ’13, MS in Healthcare Decision Analysis ’16

Oncology, Field Medical Outcomes & Analytics Director at Pfizer
Jing Chen

Do you have any advice to the students who are following in your footsteps?

“This is the best healthcare decision analysis program in the world. Upon graduation, you will receive offers from Johnson & Johnson, IQVIA, PwC, Deloitte, and many more, just as I did. Don’t hesitate to network with people, including but not limited to our alumni and industry leaders.”

Jing Chen

MS Healthcare Decision Analysis ’21

Health Economics Analyst at IQVIA Real-World Solutions
Olivia Lee

Why did you choose the Healthcare Decision Analysis program?

“The Healthcare Decision Analysis program was recommended to me by a mentor who believed this would be an invaluable career asset to me. As the program was structured with classes on the weekends, I was able to work full-time while obtaining my degree. Upon completion of the program, I have been exposed to more job opportunities and promotions within my field.”

Olivia Lee

MS Healthcare Decision Analysis ’16

Senior Associate Director of Value Evidence and Outcomes, Boehringer Ingelheim
Kevin Ambrose

What inspired you to pursue a master’s in Healthcare Decision Analysis?

“I was drawn to the Healthcare Decision Analysis program because of its focus on the intersection of business, healthcare and pharmaceuticals. I acquired a deep understanding of the healthcare field which has helped me excel in my career in medical affairs. As an added bonus, I was able to easily use my employer’s tuition benefits towards the program.”

Kevin Ambrose

PharmD ’03, MS Healthcare Decision Analysis ’22

Medical Account Director, Novo Nordisk