Health Economics, Systems and Policy
About HESP
At the Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, our Department of Health Economics, Systems & Policy (HESP) prepares the next generation of public health leaders to tackle some of society’s most urgent challenges. From analyzing how policies shape access to care, to modeling the economics of health systems, our students and faculty are united by a common goal: to create healthier, more equitable communities.
HESP is dedicated to improving healthcare delivery and policy through innovative research in health economics, organization of the healthcare and public health systems, implementation and improvement science, and health policy.
Here, you won’t just study policy—you’ll shape it. You’ll graduate with the skills, connections, and experiences that make you competitive in research, government, nonprofits, and global health leadership.
Our Goals
- Equip students with strong analytic, policy, and leadership skills.
- Conduct research that influences real-world health system and policy decisions.
- Partner with government, health systems, and communities to improve quality of health system structures, process, and outcomes.
- Foster a collaborative academic environment aimed at excellence for impact.
Why Choose HESP?
What makes HESP different from other public health disciplines?
- Unique Blend of Disciplines – We integrate economics, systems thinking, implementation science, and public policy to positively impact health.
- Applied Research – Students work alongside faculty on projects for local, state, national, and international agencies, community partners, and health systems.
- Strong Partnerships – Our collaborations with health systems, public health departments, nonprofits, and global organizations ensure that our work has reach and relevance across Texas and beyond.
- Student Support – From mentorship to career support, we provide guidance at every step of your journey.
Programs & Curriculum
HESP concentrations within the O’Donnell School of Public Health offer flexible programs designed to meet students where they are and take them where they want to go.
Academic Programs
- Master of Public Health (MPH) – Concentration in Health Economics Systems, and Policy
- PhD – Concentration in Health Economics, Systems, and Policy
- Graduate Certificates – Health Care and Public Health Quality Improvement
Skills You Will Build
- Critically examine/Apply a systems perspective to improve
- Examine the relationships among health systems, policies, social factors, and health.
- Critique empirical research intended to evaluate the causal impact of health policies, healthcare interventions, and public health practices.
- Identify and use data (quantitative and qualitative) to describe, monitor, and/or improve the quality of services provided by healthcare or public health organizations.
- Utilize implementation and improvement science/strategies to plan and or assess the implementation of practices designed to enhance health, public health practice, or healthcare practice and systems.
- Assess population health from an economic perspective that acknowledges the role of community, family, social, and policy factors in health care choices.
- Use evaluation tools/methods to assess the impact of health systems and/or public health policy interventions and/or programs.
Learning to Make an Impact
We believe the best learning happens when knowledge is applied.
- Experience Faculty – Our faculty has a wide range of experience collaborating with health systems, public health agencies, community organizations, policy makers, and industry to translate research into everyday action.
- Practicum Projects – Our students work with a range of health agencies to apply what is learned in the classroom to real issues affecting communities, from health financing to implementing projects to improve services to policy development.
- Capstone Experience – Showcase your skills in a culminating project that addresses a real-world challenge.
- Community Engagement – Get connected to local organizations to drive immediate impact in Dallas and beyond.
- Become involved in the Student Chapter of AcademyHealth – UT Southwestern has an active study chapter of AcademyHealth, with brings together students from across UT Sothwetern’s Scholls of Medicine, Health Professions, and Public Health interested in health policy, quality of care, and health services research.
Research That Shapes Policy and Systems
HESP faculty and students are engaged in cutting-edge research, including:
- Health economics and cost-effectiveness of interventions.
- Implementing healthcare innovations and improving quality of care
- Comparative studies of health systems and policies
- Policy evaluation and evidence translation.
- Understanding the impact of non-medical drivers of health
- Forecasting public health outcomes under different policy scenarios.
Students are not bystanders—they are active participants, co-authoring papers, presenting at conferences, and influencing policy discussions.
Examples of Special Initiatives Led by HESP Faculty Members
Advancing Implementation and Improvement Science (AIIS) Program:
The AIIS Program seeks to further enhance collaborations among UT Southwestern, affiliated health systems, community partners, and policy organizations in the pursuit of common missions to enhance the health and healthcare of the people of North Texas and beyond. The goal is to develop a system to identify potentially successful projects using implementation and improvement science – which uses rigorous, data-driven research to expand programs and improve a community’s health. In addition to members conducting implementation and improvement science studies, AIIS offers methodlolgic consultation, assistance in developing collaborations, and training in implementation & improvement sciences. Program faculty develop and evaluates team-based approaches to deliver evidence-based care and public health services, learning health and public health systems, and population-wide innovations.
Economic Valuation Unit
Utilizing HESP’s core of stellar economists, economic evaluation identifies, measures, and values the inputs and outcomes of two alternative activities, followed by a comparative analysis of their costs and consequences. The Economic Valuation Unit collaborates with research teams, health systems, and policy groups to conduct practical economic valuation projects, including cost effectiveness analysis and calculating the cost of interventions and their implementation.
Veterans’ Health Partnerships
Faculty across OSPH and UT Southwestern collaborate with the North Texas Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system to continuously enhance the care and services earned by Veterans. In HESP, we are continuing to develop enhanced health services research and evaluation of initiatives aimed at better understanding how to meet the health needs of Veterans. In addition to research, HESP and the OSPH collaborate with the UT Southwestern Medical School, North Texas VA Health Care System and Partland Health to enhance the population health perspective in the training of physicians and other health professionals.
Meet Our Students
The heart of HESP is our student community.
On the Current Graduate Students page, you’ll find:
- Spotlights & Profiles – Learn about student journeys, research projects, and career paths.
- Achievements & Awards – See how our students are recognized for excellence.
- Publications & Presentations – Explore student contributions to leading journals and conferences.
- Organizations & Leadership – Get involved with the Health Policy Student Association or Public Health Systems Club.
View our academic programs and faculty pages.