The Certificate in Health Economics, Financing and Outcomes trains students to identify and implement cost-effective interventions that improve health outcomes in an increasingly interconnected world. The certificate is intended to complement any ongoing Georgetown graduate program.
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About the Program
The Graduate Certificate in Health Economics, Financing and Outcomes (HEFO) trains students in health economics and research, equipping them with the skills to analyze health financing systems, evaluate the cost-effectiveness of interventions, and assess health outcomes and equity. Designed to complement any advanced degree at the university, HEFO prepares students to work across global health, policy, development, and security to drive cost-effective, impactful health investments.
The certificate program is offered by the Initiative on Health Economics, Financing and Outcomes (IHEFO), a faculty initiative research hub within the School of Health. IHEFO works to improve health systems financing and conducts health economic outcome research across the globe.
Why Complete the Health Economics, Financing and Outcomes Certificate?
This program will equip students with a strong foundation in health economics concepts and advanced modeling skills, enabling them to address real-world challenges in health financing across both domestic and international settings.
Students will learn to analyze and compare health policies, interventions and technologies, and to conduct rigorous health economic and outcomes research using real-world data.
The program places particular emphasis on applications within the health technology and pharmaceutical industries, preparing graduates to inform evidence-based decision-making and resource allocation in healthcare systems.
Why Georgetown?
Georgetown University has strong interdisciplinary expertise in global health, health economics and public policy, as well as proximity to major health policy institutions and international organizations in Washington, D.C.
The university’s close connections with government agencies, research institutes and the health technology and pharmaceutical industries provide students with access to real-world data, policy processes, and applied research opportunities. Together with Georgetown’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking and global engagement, this environment makes it an ideal setting for training future leaders in health economics, financing and outcomes research.
Who Can Apply
- Students already enrolled in advanced degree programs across the University may apply.
- This program provides training in health economics that complements students’ primary degree program.
Health Economics, Financing and Outcomes Certificate Requirements
Students are required to complete 15 credits as follows:
- Two core 3-credit courses for a total of 6 credits; and
- Three (if 3-credits) or more (if 1.5-credit) elective courses for a total of 9 credits
- There are three categories of electives: Micro and Macro-Economics, Statistics and Econometrics, and Health Systems & Policy. Students must select a total of 3 credits in each elective category. If you have already taken one of these electives, you don’t have to select another one (you will just have to provide proof of your grade). Also, if you think that one of the courses (minimum level required: 5000) that you took or want to take is not in the elective list and is relevant for the HEFO certificate, you can submit a formal request to the certificate directors (Professors Vincent Turbat and Wu Zeng).
The basic structure of the required courses will be as follows:
- Two core courses (2 x 3 credits):
- Health Economics and Financing (GLOH-5517) in the Fall semester; and
- Economic Evaluation Modeling in Health (GLOH-6620), with a prerequisite (the prerequisite course can be taken as a HEFO certificate elective) in statistics or econometrics, in the Spring semester
- 9 credits of elective courses, from an approved list or by petition (1.5 or 3 credits)
A maximum of six of the total 15 certificate credits may be achieved by “double-counting” courses that students take to satisfy their home program degree requirements.
In addition, students must achieve:
- A minimum grade of B+ in the core courses
- An overall GPA of 3.0 and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 for certificate courses
The HEFO graduate certificate does not require an internship.
Program Eligibility
The HEFO certificate is open to all graduate students at Georgetown. Applicants must be enrolled in a Georgetown University graduate degree program in order to qualify for the certificate. This certificate is not offered on a standalone basis.
Apply to the Health Economics, Financing and Outcomes Certificate Program
Complete the form linked here to apply to the Health Economics, Financing and Outcomes Certificate program.
Program Contacts
Contact the program directors with questions about the HEFO certificate program:
- Vincent Turbat, PhD (vmt24@georgetown.edu)
- Wu Zeng, PhD (wz192@georgetown.edu) .