PhD Programs
A PhD in public health is the highest academic degree in the field. Unlike practice-oriented degrees like the Master of Public Health, PhD programs focus on research, theory development, and scientific discovery.
Students are trained to examine complex health issues at the population level and develop evidence-based solutions.
The overarching goal of a College of Public Health PhD is to prepare experts who can advance knowledge, influence large-scale health decisions, and address complex public health challenges. Rather than implementing existing solutions, PhD graduates are trained to create new evidence and drive long-term systemic change.
PhD in Biostatistics
The program prepares students to develop biostatistical methodology that can be utilized to solve problems in public health and the biomedical sciences. Graduates will be able to apply biostatistical and epidemiology methodology for the design and analysis of public health and biomedical research investigations, they will be well suited to function as collaborators or team leaders on research projects in the biomedical and public health sciences.
PhD in Community and Behavioral Health
The doctoral program in CBH prepares students to become independent scholars who conduct social and behavioral research in collaboration with a variety of partners. Graduates are prepared to conduct research in both academic and non-academic settings to assess and monitor community health and to plan, implement, and evaluate interventions.
PhD in Epidemiology
The Ph.D. in Epidemiology is constructed to meet the department’s philosophy of training. There is a substantial contribution from the Biostatistics Department and other departments in the College of Public Health so that the candidate is well-grounded in quantitative and analytical techniques, design and conduct of epidemiologic studies, demographic methods, and the management of large data sets.
PhD in Health Services and Policy
The degree objective is to equip students with a deep conceptual understanding in health policy, health organization and management, and health economics, paired with a rigorous grounding in research and evaluation methods. This foundation prepares graduates for impactful careers in research, teaching, and policy analysis within a dynamic and evolving healthcare landscape.
PhD in Occupational and Environmental Health
A PhD in Occupational and Environmental Health prepares students to design and conduct rigorous research that identifies, measures, and mitigates environmental and workplace factors affecting human health. Graduates develop advanced skills in exposure assessment, epidemiology, and risk analysis to generate evidence that informs policy, protects communities, and improves population health outcomes.