A culture of collaboration encourages scholars to use the full range of university resources to design policy-relevant multidisciplinary research projects. Through IHPI, scholars work with faculty in the many strong units located within a short distance such as the Medical School; School of Nursing; School of Public Health; School of Public Policy; Institute for Social Research; VA Center for Clinical Management Research; College of Literature, Science and the Arts; and other schools and departments.
The curriculum is fundamentally designed to support innovative, fellow-driven original research. Throughout their fellowship, Scholars are guided by a mentorship committee of experienced faculty selected specifically for each scholar. Bi-weekly mentee meetings led by the program directors allow groups of scholars to discuss progress in their projects and receive feedback from each other and faculty.
Scholars select their research projects to take advantage of close, long-standing linkages. These include nearby ongoing community-based research in settings such as the Prevention Research Center, the Detroit Community ─ Academic Urban Research Center; statewide policy centers; and strong University and VA regional health systems. At the conclusion of the first year, scholars receive a master's degree in Health and Health Care Research.
Specific Course Requirements
A minimum of 32 credit hours is required for the M.S. degree with 16 credits taken in both fall and winter terms.
Final Examination
Students take a midterm and final exam each term.
Key Courses
Social & Cultural Aspects of Research on Health & Society (2 semesters)
This course introduces students to methods for evaluating critical issues in health and health care from a behavioral, societal, and cultural perspective. Students examine the use of the behavioral and social sciences and humanities to study health and health care, including evaluations of past research and suggestions for future work.
Research Design & Analysis (2 semesters)
During this course, students develop competency in research design and data analysis using state-of-the-art methods for health services and health policy research.
Laboratory in Research Methods & Analysis (2 semesters)
The accompanying laboratory enables students to master the use of statistical and qualitative methods software. Specific modules emphasize independent problem solving and generation of analysis plans, converting study objectives into a specific and actionable analytic design.
Leadership & Career Development (2 semesters)
This course aims to help students develop their leadership purpose and skills to impact health care at a systems level. The leadership curriculum is designed to augment the scholarship curriculum so that learners will have the motivation and foundational knowledge to advance their research to create positive change for health care and society.
Research on Health Care Delivery, Financing & Policy (2 semesters)
This course presents and stimulates investigation and discussion of a broad array of topics in health care and health policy to provide clinician-researchers with extensive context for their aspirations and efforts. The course aims to provide students with rigorous training in health policy analysis and illustrate how meaningful, timely research can inform policymaking.
Research Practica (2 semesters)
In this independent study course, students progress from crafting an initial research question to analyzing secondary data to designing and presenting a research plan.