Program Learning Objectives
The Program Learning Objectives for the PhD program in Health Economics are available here.
Academic Content
The doctoral program in Health Economics requires coursework in economics, preventive medicine, policy research and epidemiology. Additionally, specialized courses in pharmaceutical economics, including pharmaceutical policy, health economics, economic assessment methods, applied health econometrics and welfare theory are part of the core curriculum taught within the department. A limited number of electives in public administration, biostatistics, comparative analysis of health systems, gerontology, marketing, pricing, psychology and other related disciplines are considered on an individual basis. From the beginning of the academic program, students are encouraged to work closely with faculty on collaborative research projects.
The following areas of specialization are recommended for PhD candidates in the Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy track:
PhD Requirements
The PhD in Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy requires 64 units of graduate-level courses numbered 500 or higher (excluding 794) and a minimum of 4 units of 794. A maximum of two full courses (eight units) or their equivalent may be PMEP 790 (research) since directed research will generally be incorporated into most 500 and 600 level courses. Exceptions will be considered on an individual basis. Normally, a full-time graduate student course load is three full courses or their equivalent per semester, with a four-course maximum.
Grade Requirements
A grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 and typically considerably higher (on a scale of 4.0) must have been achieved on all graduate work at USC for the passing of the screening procedure. The Graduate School requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 on all coursework taken as a graduate student at USC. A grade of “B” (3.0) or higher must be attained in at least one graduate-level course in econometrics.
Recommended Courses
1. Satisfactory completion of the economic theory sequence with an average grade 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 (4 units)
- ECON 414 Econometric Methods (4 units)
- ECON 500 Macroeconomic Analysis on Policy (4 units)
- ECON 511 Econometric Methods (4 units)
- ECON 615 Applied Econometrics (4 units)
2. Satisfactory completion of the pharmaceutical economics and policy sequence with an average grade of B or higher:
- PMEP 509 Research Design (4 units)
- PMEP 519 Survey Research and Quality of Life (4 units)
- PMEP 529 Profitability and Preference (4 units)
- PMEP 538 Pharmaceutical Economics (4 units)
- PMEP 539 Economic Assessment of Medical Care (4 units)
- PMEP 549 Applied Pharmacoeconometrics (4 units)
- PMEP 698 Seminar in Pharmacoeconomics and Policy (4 units)
3. Three electives at the 500 level or higher from the school’s Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy Program and from the departments of Economics, Mathematical Statistics, Biometry, Epidemiology, Public Administration, Computer Sciences or other relevant fields are required.
Additional Requirements
Course Offerings
- For Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy (PMEP) courses, see School of Pharmacy.
- For Economics (ECON) courses, see the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
- For Preventive Medicine (PM) courses, see Keck School of Medicine
Schedule of Classes
For course availability for the current year see the Schedule of Classes. Most department courses are listed as TBA to facilitate scheduling course lectures around courses provided by other Departments.