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Public Health Studies, Ph.D.

Public health students meeting around table

Saint Louis University's Ph.D. in Public Health Studies provides expertise in research design, methods and dissemination in an interdisciplinary setting. Students gain a solid understanding of public health science, including the distribution and determinants of health and disease across populations.

SLU's Ph.D. program prepares students to become researchers both independently and within a team. We use an apprenticeship model that links a student with a mentor as they enter the program in order to leverage their training opportunities immediately.   

Doctoral students work with their mentors to forge their research pathways, while also working collaboratively with other students and faculty. 

Our students learn how to work collaboratively with clinic, community, government and industry partners by developing, implementing and disseminating research in domestic and international settings. Students become productive researchers presenting at local, national and international conferences; publishing their research findings in esteemed journals; and competing for research grants.

Curriculum Overview

SLU's public health Ph.D. program requires 72 credits. Students take 21 credits of core doctoral courses, 39 credits of coursework to train in their research concentration area, and 12 credits of dissertation research. Students may apply up to 24 credits of their master's degree coursework toward advanced standing. The faculty mentor and doctoral director review prior coursework to ensure competencies at both doctoral and concentration core areas.

Behavioral Science and Health Education

The behavioral science and health education concentration focuses on behavioral science and how it interacts at individual, organizational, community or societal levels. The type of research occurs in community and clinic-based environments, as well as domestically and internationally. Current areas of research for faculty include:

  • Health disparities
  • Health promotion, communication and disease prevention interventions for chronic diseases
  • Injury prevention
  • Maternal and child health
  • Nutrition and physical activity
  • Sexual and reproductive health
  • Global health

Biostatistics

The biostatistics concentration focuses on research for developing and testing statistical methods and responds to public health challenges using innovative computational and statistical programming. Current areas of research for faculty include:

  • Methodology and application of causal inference
  • Geospatial analyses to study associations between the built environment and chronic diseases
  • Optimal experimental design
  • Statistical modeling of genetic and environmental effects on co-morbidity

Epidemiology

The epidemiology concentration focuses on research about the distribution and determinants of health and disease in human populations. Current areas of research for faculty include:

  • Cancer and chronic diseases
  • Exposure assessment
  • Global health
  • Implementation research in public health settings
  • Maternal child health

Health Management and Policy

The health management and policy concentration focuses on research about policy, health economics, health care access, delivery and quality of health services and their impact on population and public health. Current areas of research for faculty include:

  • Health insurance policy and its impact on health outcomes 
  • Quality of and access to care
  • Policy change implications

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Examples of current student fieldwork and research interests include: 

  • Opioid treatment centers
  • Transgender health policy
  • Comparative effectiveness of diabetes treatments
  • Geospatial technology to respond to vast health challenges
  • Reproductive health
  • Cancer prevention
  • Adolescent mental health
  • Minority mental health

Careers

In a recent alumni survey, 96% of graduates in public health studies stated they found a job in their field before graduation, or within six months of graduation. Graduates go on to work as academics in universities and researchers at medical centers, government, non-governmental health agencies or community-based organizations.

Admission Requirements

This program is designed for individuals who already hold a master's degree in public health or a related field. The following criteria guide admission decisions.

  • Evidence of exceptional intellectual ability, analytical and writing skills necessary to complete the doctoral program requirements
  • Evidence of interest in an area of research and commitment to pursue it through the completion of a dissertation research project
  • Presence of a willing and suitable faculty mentor in one of the concentration research areas
  • A minimum 3.50 GPA in graduate work

Application Requirements

  • Application form and fee
  • Transcript(s)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Résumé or CV
  • Professional goal statement

Requirements for International Students

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students must also meet the following additional requirements:

  • Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
  • Financial documents are required to complete an application for admission and be reviewed for admission and merit scholarships. 
  • Proof of financial support that must include:
    • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at Saint Louis University
    • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University
  • Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include:
    • Courses taken and/or lectures attended
    • Practical laboratory work
    • The maximum and minimum grades attainable
    • The grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations
    • Any honors or degrees received.

WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Application and Assistantship Deadlines

All students are required to submit an application, even students currently enrolled in other programs at Saint Louis University. The Ph.D. program only accepts applications for the fall semester.

The application deadline is Jan. 15. Assistantships will be considered for top candidates.

Review Process

All admission decisions will be finalized by the end of March.

Assistantships

The doctoral program in public health has a limited number of graduate research assistantships, which are designed to allow students to work closely with a mentor on a research project. Assistantships are typically awarded for two years and provide a stipend, student health insurance and tuition waiver (up to 21 credits annually). Students will be informed about the terms and length of awards at the time of acceptance to the program. Additional funding is either provided through undergraduate teaching assistantships or faculty-research-funded projects.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The College for Public Health and Social Justice offers several ways to help finance graduate education.  Opportunities include a limited number of merit-based scholarships and graduate research assistantships.  Awards are made to applicants with the highest combinations of GPAs and test scores who complete their applications by the priority deadlines.

For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.

Accreditation 

The College for Public Health and Social Justice is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). 

CEPH-Seal

View a PDF of the Most Recent CEPH Self-Study (July 2016)  

Saint Louis University's Ph.D. program in Public Health Studies continues to improve its curriculum to match the skills and competencies graduates should have. The overall Ph.D. competencies are listed below and additional competencies are described within the concentration areas.

Domain 1: Critical Thinking

Critically evaluate, integrate and challenge existing scientific knowledge. Assess gaps in research to develop research questions.

Domain 2: Analytical Skills

Plan, design and conduct research studies. Interpret the results using inferential statistical methods and methods of qualitative data analysis.

Domain 3: Communication

Communicate clearly and effectively about scientific information for diverse audiences through scientific publications, grant applications, teaching/ training, etc. Develop partnerships in community, clinic, academic and/or governmental settings to conduct research projects collaboratively.

Domain 4: Collaboration

Work collaboratively to conduct research and provide peer review to colleagues.

Domain 5: Ethics and Professionalism

Adopt and apply ethical principles for public health research and decisions on social justice and equity in the global environment. Conduct research that requires Institutional Review Board approval.

Domain 6: Community/Cultural Orientation

Evaluate the impact of cultural, structural, legal, political, and public health and social justice on health outcomes.

Domain 7: Translation and Dissemination

Use innovative methods to communicate scientific findings and implications to diverse audiences, ensuring appropriate strategies.

Required Core Courses
BST 5100Introduction to General Linear Modeling3
PHS 6010Design and Analysis in Public Health3
PHS 6050Science, Theory and Public Health3
PHS 6040Applied Research Skills I: Primary Data Collection3
PHS 6060Applied Research Skills II: Grant Writing3
PHS 6900Professional Development3
PUBH 5010Mission and Practice of Global Public Health §3
Concentration Courses12-33
Electives *6-27
All electives must be taken at a graduate level and be pre-approved by the mentor.
Dissertation Credits
PHS 6990Dissertation Research 12
Total Hours72
A prerequisite for entry into the program is a successfully completed graduate level introductory statistics course that has been taken in the past 5 years.

No more than 24 hours of advanced standing from previous master’s work (except from SLU) can be substituted for requirements. Students will work with their mentor, program coordinator and doctoral director to review and petition for advanced standing.  Students may not petition for advanced standing until second year.

May be taken after passing the written comprehensive exam.

*

Electives for students in behavioral science and health education concentration should contain at least three quantitative methods courses taken in consultation with mentor.

§

PUBH 5010 Mission and Practice of Global Public Health is offered in asynchronous online format every semester and students may take it at any time. Students with an MPH or MSPH degree from a CEPH-accredited school or program of public health may replace PUBH 5010 with an additional 3 credits of elective courses without using Advanced Standing credits

Behavioral Science and Health Education Concentration

BSH 5400Assessment, Intervention Development, and Evaluation I3
BSH 5410Assessment, Intervention Development, and Evaluation II3
PUBH 5030Methodological Approaches to Understanding Population Health3
BSH 5450Introduction to Qualitative Methods3
Total Credits12

Biostatistics Concentration

BST 5020Theory of Biostatistics3
BST 5025Theory of Biostatistics II3
BST 5030Statistical Programming and Study Planning: SAS3
BST 5200Survival Data Analysis3
BST 5210Categorical Data Analysis3
BST 5220Multilevel and Longitudinal Data Analysis3
BST 5400Applied Data Management3
PUBH 5030Methodological Approaches to Understanding Population Health3
Total Credits24

Epidemiology Concentration

BSH 5400Assessment, Intervention Development, and Evaluation I3
BSH 5410Assessment, Intervention Development, and Evaluation II3
BST 5030Statistical Programming and Study Planning: SAS3
BST 5200Survival Data Analysis3
BST 5210Categorical Data Analysis3
BST 5220Multilevel and Longitudinal Data Analysis3
EPI 5020Epidemiology Methods II3
PUBH 5030Methodological Approaches to Understanding Population Health3
Select two courses from the following:6
BST 5420
Sampling Theory and Survey Design in Public Health
EPI 5110
Epidemiology of Infectious Disease
EPI 5220
Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology
EPI 5250
Social Epidemiology
EPI 5120
Chronic Disease Epidemiology
EPI 5270
Cancer Epidemiology
EPI 5500
Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology
Select one course from the following:3
EPI 5120
Chronic Disease Epidemiology
EPI 5220
Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology
EPI 5250
Social Epidemiology
EPI 5270
Cancer Epidemiology
EPI 5500
Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology
Total Credits33

Health Management and Policy Concentration

BST 5030Statistical Programming and Study Planning: SAS3
EPI 5020Epidemiology Methods II3
HMP 5000Health Care Organization3
HMP 5200Health Economics3
HMP 5500Health Policy3
ORES 5160Data Management3
ORES 5430Health Outcomes Measurement3
ORES 5440Comparative Effectiveness Research3
PUBH 5030Methodological Approaches to Understanding Population Health3
Total Credits27

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Behavioral Science and Health Education Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
Participation in research symposia,conferences and journal clubs. Responsible Conduct of Research, CITI and IRB trainings  
PHS 6050 Science, Theory and Public Health 3
BST 5100 Introduction to General Linear Modeling 3
PUBH 5030 Methodological Approaches to Understanding Population Health 3
 Credits9
Spring
Participation in SLU Graduate Research Symposium, Participation in research symposia, conferences and journal clubs  
PHS 6040 Applied Research Skills I: Primary Data Collection 3
PHS 6010 Design and Analysis in Public Health 3
BSH 5450 Introduction to Qualitative Methods 3
Quantitative Methods Course * 3
 Credits12
Year Two
Summer
PUBH 5010 Mission and Practice of Global Public Health 3
 Credits3
Fall
Participation in Research Symposia (APHA) and Journal Clubs; Practice for Written Exam  
PHS 6060 Applied Research Skills II: Grant Writing 3
PHS 6900 Professional Development 3
BSH 5400 Assessment, Intervention Development, and Evaluation I 3
Critical course:  Quantitative Methods or Electives Course 3
 Credits12
Spring
Participation in SLU Graduate Research Symposium, Other Professional Conferences; Take Written Comprehensive exam. If passed exam, may begin Dissertation Research and plan for Oral Exam  
BSH 5410 Assessment, Intervention Development, and Evaluation II 3
Critical course:  Concentration Courses or Electives 9
 Credits12
Year Three
Fall
Participation in Research Symposia, Professional Conferences. Take Written Comprehensive exam. If passed exam, may begin Dissertation Research and plan for Oral Exam  
Concentration/Methods Courses or Electives 12
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits15
Spring
Participation in Research Symposia, Professional Conferences. Plan or take Oral Exam  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
Year Four
Fall
Participation in Research Symposia, Professional Conferences. Oral Exam  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
Spring
Participation in Professional Conferences; Dissertation Research (if not yet complete); Plan for Dissertation Defense  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
 Total Credits72
*

Other quantitative courses should be taken in consultation with the mentor:

  • Biostatistics, outcomes research and/or health data courses (multiple options each semester)
  • Epidemiology courses (multiple options each semester)

Biostatistics Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
Participation in SLU Graduate Research symposium, Journal Clubs, Responsible Conduct of Research, CITI and IRB trainings  
BST 5020 Theory of Biostatistics 3
BST 5100 Introduction to General Linear Modeling 3
PHS 6050 Science, Theory and Public Health 3
PUBH 5030 Methodological Approaches to Understanding Population Health 3
 Credits12
Spring
Participation in SLU Graduate Research Symposium, Journal Clubs, CITI and IRB Trainings  
BST 5025 Theory of Biostatistics II 3
BST 5030 Statistical Programming and Study Planning: SAS 3
PHS 6010 Design and Analysis in Public Health 3
PHS 6040 Applied Research Skills I: Primary Data Collection 3
 Credits12
Year Two
Summer
PUBH 5010 Mission and Practice of Global Public Health 3
 Credits3
Fall
Participation in Research Symposia, APHA and Professional Conferences, Journal Clubs; Practice for Written Exam  
BST 5200 Survival Data Analysis 3
BST 5210 Categorical Data Analysis 3
BST 5400 Applied Data Management 3
PHS 6060 Applied Research Skills II: Grant Writing 3
PHS 6900 Professional Development 3
 Credits15
Spring
Participation in SLU Graduate Research Symposium, Other Professional Conferences, Journal Clubs; Practice for Written Exam  
BST 5220 Multilevel and Longitudinal Data Analysis 3
Critical course:  Concentration/Methods Courses or Electives 3
 Credits6
Year Three
Fall
Participation in Symposia and Other Professional Conferences; Take Written Comprehensive exam. If passed exam, may begin Dissertation Research and plan for Oral Exam  
Critical course:  Concentration/Methods Courses or Electives 12
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits15
Spring
Participation in Symposia and Other Professional Conferences; Plan Oral Exam  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
Year Four
Fall
Participation in Professional Conferences; Dissertation Research. Take Oral Exam  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
Spring
Participation in Professional Conferences; Dissertation Research (if not yet complete); Plan for Dissertation Defense  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
 Total Credits72

Epidemiology Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
Participation in Research Symposia and Journal Clubs, Responsible Conduct of Research, CITI and IRB trainings  
BST 5100 Introduction to General Linear Modeling 3
PHS 6050 Science, Theory and Public Health 3
PUBH 5030 Methodological Approaches to Understanding Population Health 3
 Credits9
Spring
Participation in SLU Graduate Research Symposium, and Journal Clubs, Responsible Conduct of Research, CITI and IRB trainings  
BST 5030 Statistical Programming and Study Planning: SAS 3
EPI 5020 Epidemiology Methods II (Critical course:   (or EPI 5960 Capstone)) 3
PHS 6010 Design and Analysis in Public Health 3
PHS 6040 Applied Research Skills I: Primary Data Collection 3
 Credits12
Year Two
Summer
PUBH 5010 Mission and Practice of Global Public Health 3
 Credits3
Fall
Participation in Research Symposia, APHA and Professional Conferences, Journal Clubs; Practice for Written Exam  
BST 5200 Survival Data Analysis 3
BST 5210 Categorical Data Analysis 3
PHS 6060 Applied Research Skills II: Grant Writing 3
PHS 6900 Professional Development 3
 Credits12
Spring
Participation in SLU Graduate Research Symposium, Other Professional Conferences, Journal Clubs; Practice for Written Exam  
BST 5220 Multilevel and Longitudinal Data Analysis 3
EPI 5960 Capstone in Epidemiology 3
Critical course:  Concentration/Methods Courses or Electives * 6
 Credits12
Year Three
Fall
Participation in Symposia and Other Professional Conferences; Take Written Comprehensive exam. If passed exam, may begin Dissertation Research and plan for Oral Exam  
Concentration Courses or Electives or Advanced Standing Credits * 12
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits15
Spring
Participation in Symposia and Other Professional Conferences; Take Written Comprehensive exam. If passed exam, may begin Dissertation Research and Plan for Oral Exam  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
Year Four
Fall
Participation in Professional Conferences; Dissertation Research. Take Oral Exam  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
Spring
Year Four (Spring): Participation in Professional Conferences; Dissertation Research (if not yet complete); Plan for Dissertation Defense  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
 Total Credits72

Health Management & Policy Concentration  

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
Participation in Research Symposia and Journal Clubs, Responsible Conduct of Research, CITI and IRB trainings  
BST 5100 Introduction to General Linear Modeling 3
HMP 5000 Health Care Organization 3
ORES 5160 Data Management 3
PHS 6050 Science, Theory and Public Health 3
 Credits12
Spring
Participation in SLU Graduate Research Symposium, and Journal Clubs, Responsible Conduct of Research, CITI and IRB trainings  
BST 5030 Statistical Programming and Study Planning: SAS 3
HMP 5200 Health Economics 3
PHS 6010 Design and Analysis in Public Health 3
PHS 6040 Applied Research Skills I: Primary Data Collection 3
PUBH 5030 Methodological Approaches to Understanding Population Health 3
 Credits15
Year Two
Summer
PUBH 5010 Mission and Practice of Global Public Health 3
 Credits3
Fall
Participation in Research Symposia, APHA and Professional Conferences, Journal Clubs; Practice for Written Exam  
HMP 5500 Health Policy 3
PHS 6060 Applied Research Skills II: Grant Writing 3
PHS 6900 Professional Development 3
ORES 5430 Health Outcomes Measurement 3
 Credits12
Spring
Participation in SLU Graduate Research Symposium, Other Professional Conferences, Journal Clubs; Practice for Written Exam  
EPI 5020 Epidemiology Methods II 3
ORES 5440 Comparative Effectiveness Research 3
 Credits6
Year Three
Fall
Participation in Symposia and Other Professional Conferences; Plan Oral Exam  
Concentration Courses or Electives 12
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits15
Spring
Participation in Symposia and Other Professional Conferences; Plan Oral Exam  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
Year Four
Fall
Participation in Professional Conferences; Dissertation Research. Take Oral Exam  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
Spring
Participation in Professional Conferences; Dissertation Research (if not yet complete); Plan for Dissertation Defense  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
 Total Credits72

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions, please contact:
Bernie Backer
Director of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions 
bernard.backer@slu.edu 
314-977-8144