Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health Sciences Specialization in Epidemiology
PhD in Public Health Sciences: Specialization in Epidemiology
Program Overview
The PhD in Public Health Sciences Specialization in Epidemiology & Population Health provides rigorous training in the science of epidemiology and equips students with the skills necessary for conducting original research on the determinants of disease, disability and mortality in populations with the goals of improving their prevention and treatment and promotion of health.
Epidemiology plays a foundational role in both public health and medicine in elucidating the populational causes of health and diseases from molecular to societal levels. We are widely employed across academic, public and private sectors. We play key roles in educating future public health and medical scientists, researching the environmental, social, and behavioral causes of disease, designing and implementing surveillance systems, investigating and preventing disease epidemics, and influencing public health policy.
In our program you will study the history and theoretical foundations of the science of epidemiology, learn sophisticated quantitative and qualitative research methods, and broaden your knowledge of the causes of disease and ways to promote health. Students will also learn the practical aspects of doing epidemiology ranging from organizing an investigation of a disease outbreak to writing a fundable proposal to investigate a new hypothesis about disease etiology.
Our PhD curriculum is highly competitive and consists of 56 credit hours of progressive coursework in the materials and methods of epidemiology, with advanced training in study designs, research management, data collection and analysis, as well as human disease biology, ecology, genetics and pathophysiology. We now offer medical students the opportunity to obtain training in epidemiology via the School of Medicine’s MD/PhD program.
Please review our doctoral curriculum and Student-Faculty Handbook for details on our program. If you are interested in our program, please carefully review our admissions requirements and reach out to us if you have any questions.
Proficiency and Candidacy Exams
Our program is unique within the SPHIS doctoral programs in that it requires a two-step examination process. The Proficiency Exam at the end of the first year of coursework, provides a check on student learning of the basic “tool-kit” of epidemiologic theory, concepts and methods, and allows for remediation of any detected deficiencies before taking advanced coursework. The Candidacy Exam at the end of the second year determines if a student is ready to embark on dissertation research and requires them to demonstrate the ability to conceive, rationalize and design a feasible epidemiologic research study.
The quality of our doctoral program is supported by the testimonies of our graduates who are widely employed in local, state and federal public health agencies, universities, insurance and pharmaceutical industries.
“I had one of my best academic experiences at SPHIS because of the faculty, opportunities to grow as a student and great network of faculty, students and staff. What stood out for me was how readily I could access faculty...Make sure reach out to faculty and stay engaged; seek out opportunities to grow beyond your field of study and reach out to faculty staff for their support.”
