Master of Science in HSRP
The MS program is offered to students as a foundation for continuing toward the PhD program and is designed to be completed in two years. If one is applying and would be entering UW–Madison without holding a master’s degree, one would pursue a master’s in HSRP along the way to the PhD.
During the first semester of the MS program, students will have the opportunity to spend time with School of Pharmacy faculty in the Social and Administrative Sciences Division. Students are required to select an advisor/major professor no later than the end of the second semester of their MS program.
Students must complete a master’s thesis based upon original research. The student is responsible, in consultation with their advisor, to form a thesis (oral examination) committee. There is no written examination for the MS degree. After the oral examination and approval by the thesis committee, a copy of the thesis is filed at the Memorial Library.
MS in HSRP Degree Requirement:
- Thesis Oral Defense & Thesis
- 32 Total Minimum Credits
MS Courses
Required Courses for MS in Health Services Research in Pharmacy
Completion of a set of core courses is required — at least 9 credits in core courses, 9 credits in methods of research and analysis, and 11 credits in specialty/advanced and research courses are required.
I. Core Courses (9 credits)
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Core Seminar (6 cr) - Select from the following:
S&A PHM 701: Grant Writing for Health Services Research (2 cr)
Prepare to enter professional careers requiring knowledge of grant-writing. Mechanics of proposal writing and social aspects of “grantsmanship,” skill development in identifying sources of grant funding, practice research to support applications, and tailor proposals to specific audience interests. Utilizing an iterative and peer supported process, draft parts of an R36 dissertation grant.
S&A PHM 702: Mixed Methods for Health Sciences: Purpose, Design and Approach (2 cr)
Increase awareness, understanding, and knowledge about how mixed methods research fits into the broader world of health services research. Exposure to research and lay literature in health services research in pharmacy and related fields. Improve ability to write technically, read and interpret mixed methods research articles, and discuss implications of research findings.
S&A PHM 703: Community Engagement in Health Services Research (2 cr)
Apply principles of community engagement in the field of health services research. Read and interpret relevant articles, and discuss implications of these readings. Learn existing models and practical approaches for successfully partnering with community stakeholders to address health and medication-related needs through research.
S&A PHM 704: Dissemination, Implementation and Sustainment of Change in Health Services Research (2 cr)
Apply Dissemination and Implementation (DI) as well as sustainability concepts and principals to support organizational change efforts in different healthcare settings or learn how to conduct DI/Sustainability research in their professional careers. Identify DI frameworks, appropriate implementation strategies, study designs and outcomes to address the implementation of an evidence-based practice or a specific organizational change.
Core Principles and Methods (3 credits minimum) — Select from the following:
S&A PHM 711: Research Methods for Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy Research (3 cr)
Development of skills in the methods, techniques, and problems encountered in conducting evaluations of pharmaceutical services, programs, and policies.
S&A PHM 715: Social Behavioral Theories in Pharmacy, Drug Use, and Health Behavior (3 cr)
Critical review and application of social behavioral theories, methodologies, and research to current problems in pharmacy, pharmacist communication and interaction with consumers and other providers, use of prescription and nonprescription drugs, and self-care.
II. Methods of Research & Analysis (9 credits):
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Additional Research Methods (3 credits minimum)
Consult with advisor or select from approved list in HSRP Graduate Student Handbook.
Analytic Techniques (6 credits minimum)
Consult with advisor or select from approved list in HSRP Graduate Student Handbook.
III. Specialty / Advanced Courses and Research (9 credits):
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Specialty / Advanced Courses
Select in consultation with major professor.
Note: A minimum of 6 credits must be taken outside of the School of Pharmacy for the Specialty/Advanced requirement. The Specialty/Advanced credits may include no more than 2 additional credits of course seminar and/or a 3-credit HSRP core course. The Specialty/Advanced credits cannot include more than 5 total HSRP course credits.
S&A PHM 990: Research
(credit load varies)
Total Minimum Credits: 32 credits
Doctoral Program in HSRP
All students in the PhD program are required to have a major professor/advisor. The Director of Graduate Studies serves as your temporary advisor in the summer prior to matriculation and is typically in place for the student’s first semester. Students entering the program with a master’s degree from another university must select a permanent major professor before the end of the second semester enrolled in the program.
The PhD degree requires a minimum of 51 credits, a doctoral minor, written preliminary examination, dissertation proposal defense (oral preliminary examination), dissertation and final PhD examinations. More detailed information is included in the student handbook.
The PhD program is designed so that a well-prepared and focused student can complete the PhD program in approximately 4-5 years.
PhD in HSRP Degree Requirement:
- Written Preliminary Examination
- Oral Preliminary Examination (Dissertation Proposal Defense)
- Dissertation & Dissertation Oral Defense (Final PhD Examinations)
- 51 Total Minimum Credits
Doctoral Degree Courses
Required Courses for PhD in Health Services Research in Pharmacy
At least 14 credits in core courses (seminar and core principles and methods), 15 credits in research and analysis (additional research methods, analytic techniques), and 22 credits in specialty/advanced courses is required.
I. Core Courses (14 credits)
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Core Seminar (8 cr) - Select all of the following:
S&A PHM 701: Grant Writing for Health Services Research (2 cr)
Prepare to enter professional careers requiring knowledge of grant-writing. Mechanics of proposal writing and social aspects of “grantsmanship,” skill development in identifying sources of grant funding, practice research to support applications, and tailor proposals to specific audience interests. Utilizing an iterative and peer supported process, draft parts of an R36 dissertation grant.
S&A PHM 702: Mixed Methods for Health Sciences: Purpose, Design and Approach (2 cr)
Increase awareness, understanding, and knowledge about how mixed methods research fits into the broader world of health services research. Exposure to research and lay literature in health services research in pharmacy and related fields. Improve ability to write technically, read and interpret mixed methods research articles, and discuss implications of research findings.
S&A PHM 703: Community Engagement in Health Services Research (2 cr)
Apply principles of community engagement in the field of health services research. Read and interpret relevant articles, and discuss implications of these readings. Learn existing models and practical approaches for successfully partnering with community stakeholders to address health and medication-related needs through research.
S&A PHM 704: Dissemination, Implementation and Sustainment of Change in Health Services Research (2 cr)
Apply Dissemination and Implementation (DI) as well as sustainability concepts and principals to support organizational change efforts in different healthcare settings or learn how to conduct DI/Sustainability research in their professional careers. Identify DI frameworks, appropriate implementation strategies, study designs and outcomes to address the implementation of an evidence-based practice or a specific organizational change.
Core Principles and Methods (6 credits minimum) — Select from the following:
S&A PHM 711: Research Methods for Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy Research (3 cr)
Development of skills in the methods, techniques, and problems encountered in conducting evaluations of pharmaceutical services, programs, and policies.
S&A PHM 715: Social Behavioral Theories in Pharmacy, Drug Use, and Health Behavior (3 cr)
Critical review and application of social behavioral theories, methodologies, and research to current problems in pharmacy, pharmacist communication and interaction with consumers and other providers, use of prescription and nonprescription drugs, and self-care.
II. Methods of Research & Analysis (15 credits):
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Additional Research Methods (3 credits minimum)
Consult with advisor or select from approved list in HSRP Graduate Student Handbook.
Analytic Techniques (6 credits minimum)
Consult with advisor or select from approved list in HSRP Graduate Student Handbook.
III. Specialty / Advanced Courses and Research (22 credits):
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Select in consultation with major professor:
- Minor Option A or Option B (9 credits minimum)
- Other Non-minor Elective Courses (13 credits minimum)
- S&A PHM 990: Research
(credit load varies)
Total Minimum Credits: 51 credits
* Note: Students entering the HSRP PhD program following completion of a master’s degree from another institution should be aware of the Graduate School’s Minimum Graduate Residence Credit Requirement, which can be satisfied only with graduate-level courses taken as a graduate student at UW–Madison. Thirty-two (32) credits must be completed prior to achieving dissertator status and may include master’s degree credits taken at UW–Madison. For more information on the types of courses which are acceptable to count, see the Minimum Graduate Residence Credit Requirement of the Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures.
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