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For Applicants: The Ph.D. Program receives applications until March 15 for the following fall. Review of applications begins in February, and financial aid decisions are made on an ongoing basis. The Ph.D. Advisory Committee reviews the applications and pays particular attention to applicant statements in terms of defining specific scientific interests as related to potential faculty mentor research programs. Generic interests are therefore less helpful than quite specific characterizations of a student's intentions.

William True, PhD, MPH 
Director, PhD Program 
“In the PhD program, we aim to identify students who have backgrounds in the field with well characterized goals for advanced study. Students will pair with a faculty member who will mentor and direct their course of study. We want our PhD students to move efficiently through the program and take up positions in the health field where they may have impact.” 

Due to increased market demand for highly trained public health professionals, the School offers a comprehensive doctoral program. PhD students may choose one of six concentrations: behavioral science, biostatistics, environmental and occupational health, epidemiology, health management and policy, and health services research. The doctoral program allows students to study and work side-by-side with nationally known educators and researchers who serve as mentors. Recent graduates have taken positions as faculty members, with federal agencies, and within the private health care sector. 

Program objectives 
To prepare individuals for public health research and education in academic, private and public research and consulting organizations 

To provide students with expert skills in research design, methods and dissemination, a basic understanding of public health science, and expertise in one of the six concentrations

To train future public health researchers in the most efficient and effective manner, emphasizing an apprenticeship model in which students are matched on admission with mentor(s) in their chosen fields of study. 

There are three components to the PhD program. The first is a core curriculum shared across all concentrations (30 credit hours). The second component is specific to the concentrations (30 credit hours). The third component consists of the dissertation, including 12 dissertation credit hours. 

Required Shared Coursework 
Proseminar in Health Sciences Research • Science, Theory and Public Health • Applied Linear Models I – ANOVA • Health Care Ethics or Ethical Issues in Public Health • Doctoral Seminar II • Applied Linear Models II – Regression • Ethics for Researchers 

Total credit hours: 72 

Concentrations 

Behavioral Science and Health Education 

This program of study prepares professionals for leadership positions in research, teaching and practice that apply behavioral science principles to the development and evaluation of programs that promote public health. Students learn to conduct independent research and design and evaluate community based interventions at individual, organizational, community or societal levels. 

Method Core Requirements 
Behavioral Science and Public Health • Intervention Research • Health Behavior Assessment • Community Diagnosis • Organization and Change 

Field Specific Requirements 
Research Methods in Behavioral Science • Two Epidemiology Electives • One Biostatistics Elective 

Biostatistics 

This program of study prepares students to function in a variety of research organizations, policy study groups, public health organizations and academic settings as experts in research design, analytic statistical methods and data management administration. Graduates are able to direct the conduct of biostatistical operations that aim to provide planning, analysis and evaluation of research in public health, health services, epidemiology and medical care. Training emphasizes close mentorship and extensive practical experience.

Method Core Requirements 
Epidemiology Methods I & II • Advanced Epidemiology Methods • Theory of Biostatistics 

Field Specific Requirements 
Categorical Data Analysis • Survival Data Analysis • Exploratory Data Analysis • One research design course selected from the Shared Methods Core 

At least 18 credit hours of approved electives. 

Environmental and Occupational Health 

This program of study prepares professional researchers in toxic agent control, industrial hygiene, risk control and policy aspects of environmental findings. Through required and elective coursework and mentorship, students learn how to identify environmental risks in the workplace and community and how to manage risk in order to minimize its impact on human health. 

Method Core Requirements 
Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology • Exposure Assessment • Two additional courses to be identified by mentor and student from an approved list of courses

Field Specific Requirements 
Human Health Toxicology • Cases in Environmental and Occupational Health • Two courses selected from the Shared Methods Core 

At least 18 credit hours of approved electives. 

Epidemiology 

This program of study advances a student’s understanding of the distribution and determinants of health and disease in human populations. It is designed to produce academicians and well-trained practitioners of epidemiology, who are highly qualified as independent investigators and teachers. 

Method Core Requirements 
Epidemiology Methods I and II • Advanced Epidemiology Methods • Measurement in Epidemiology and Outcomes Research 

Field Specific Requirements 
Survival Data Analysis • Categorical Data Analysis • Two courses selected from Clinical Epidemiology, Chronic Disease Epidemiology or Infectious Disease Epidemiology 

At least 18 credit hours of approved electives.

Health Management and Policy 

This program of study prepares professionals for leadership positions in private and public health care organizations, academic and other research and teaching settings, as well as government and consulting positions. It focuses on the policy and politics, financing, organization, delivery and associated outcomes of health services. Drawing upon the disciplines of economics, finance, management science, political science and sociology, faculty and students are able to address societal, system and organizational health care issues in a comprehensive and systematic way. The program’s research agenda is active and diverse, with particular interest on projects involving underserved communities. 

Method Core Requirements 
Mentor and student will identify method courses from an approved list. 

Field Specific Requirements 
Health Care Organization • Health Care Economics or Health Care Financial Management or Government Financing of Health and Health Service • Health Policy • Organizational Theory and Behavior 

At least 18 credit hours of approved electives.

Health Services Research 

This program of study focuses on health outcomes from condition- specific utilization and economic aspects of health care, and the differences in individual patient and population health status/quality of life. This multidisciplinary track investigates how social factors, health technology and personal behaviors affect access to health care, the quality and cost of health care and health and well being. Health services research is a high-demand field that offers numerous research opportunities in business, government and academic settings. 

Method Core Requirements 
Epidemiology Methods I and II • Advanced Epidemiology Methods • Measurement in Epidemiology and Outcomes Research 

Field Specific Requirements 
Health Care Organization • Health Care Economics • Clinical Epidemiology or Secondary Data Analysis • Economic Evaluation 

At least 18 credit hours of approved electives. 

Dissertation (12 credit hours)

Students are permitted to choose a traditional or non-traditional academic dissertation format. The traditional format involves the proposal, the research defense, and an oral defense. The body of the non-traditional format constitutes three thematic original studies where the student must be the first author on two of these papers, but may be the second author on the third paper. At least two of the papers must either have been published or accepted for publication in high impact (as defined in the School of Public Health's Guidelines for Promotion and Tenure) peer-reviewed journals appropriate to the research question. The third paper is to be of comparable quality and must be at least under review for publication at a high impact peer-reviewed journal.