Public Health Doctor of Philosophy

About us

The PhD degree requires a significant program of study and research that qualifies the recipient to work independently and contribute to the advancement of the field of knowledge. Thus, the emphasis is on mastery of the field and particularly on the acquisition of research skills as a basis for original work.

Residency Requirement

In addition to the overall credit requirement, doctoral students must earn a minimum of 24 graduate credit hours at this University. For more information visit the Graduate School's page on this topic.

Course Requirements

Each PhD student must have a specialization (“major”) that is drawn primarily from one of the core areas of the College. While the definition of the major field may be responsive to individual interests, it is the responsibility of the division and the student’s Advisory Committee to ensure that the student has an adequate grounding in the representative content of the field. In addition, the student is required to show expertise in the research methods appropriate for the major field chosen and to select a supporting minor field. Fields of specialization may create standardized curriculum requirements to meet the expectations of the discipline or may permit more discretion by the Advisory Committee.

The PhD in Public Health can be pursued in any of the following areas within the College of Public Health:

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

International graduates of this major's Epidemiology specialization, are approved by the Department of Homeland Security for three (3) years of work permission in the United States after graduation. Visit the Office of International Affairs website for more information.