PhD in Public Health Sciences

Our PhD program in Public Health Sciences prepares students to think critically as public health scientists, succeed as investigators, and understand and address public health challenges for the nation and the world. It provides research experiences and mentoring from day one in the program; a curriculum that builds methodological and analytical skills, deep knowledge of the field’s underpinnings and history; and professional acculturation and network building. Graduates transition to leadership roles in academia, policy research, and public health settings.

PhD students typically develop an individualized research area through coursework and mentored training opportunities. The program offers two concentrations for doctoral students: Dissemination & Implementation Sciences; and Systems Science for Health Equity.

Curriculum

Doctoral students complete innovative coursework in public health foundations, statistical analysis, research methodologies, and their individualized areas of interest. Our program requires 74 credits earned by taking courses and completing mentored research and teaching experiences. Of those 74 credits, 21 will be transferred from an MPH program or a graduate degree from an allied field.

Students’ first year of study includes basic principles in research, statistics and measurement, as well as theoretical study and content to strengthen their social science knowledge base. The second year offers a more individualized program of study expanded to include electives offered throughout the university. A curriculum plan is developed by each student and a mentoring team, focusing on an area of specialization. Following two years of coursework, an additional two years is reserved for work related to the dissertation.

Coursework

The PhD curriculum includes three required research practica and three required teaching practica. These typically occur after the first semester of the program and round out the individualized curriculum plan. Research practica provide opportunities to engage in different aspects of the research process and increase a student’s capacity for completing independent research. Teaching practica ensure students are well-trained in substantive content and pedagogy as they prepare for independent teaching at the graduate level. Additional opportunities for research development are available within specific research fellowship programs, faculty laboratories and research centers.

Timeline of milestones

Students typically complete a PhD in Public Health Sciences within 5 years. Below you will find key programmatic milestones across years.

Director

Patrick Fowler, PhD

Professor
Patrick J. Fowler’s research aims to prevent homelessness and its deleterious effects on child, family, and community well-being. Trained in child clinical-community psychology, Fowler uses innovative methods that rigorously investigate policies and programs intended to promote housing and family stability. Recent research focuses on cross-system collaborations to prevent child maltreatment associated with family homelessness, as well as youth homelessness in the transition from foster care to adulthood.