Doctoral Program in Public Health Studies
(PhD)
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here to download current curriculum.
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 students
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 programs 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.
