PhD Program

The PhD program is designed for students who plan to become independent researchers in epidemiology.  Emphasis is on the development and mastery of epidemiologic and biostatistical skills required for the highest levels of scholarship, investigation, and leadership in public health work.  Students design and complete their own investigator-initiated research projects, and are prepared to compete for research grant awards supported by the National Institutes of Health and other agencies that fund epidemiology research.  Learning experiences are pursued through coursework and readings, apprenticeships with supervising faculty and often in a research team, and completion of the dissertation research project.

Credits

51 credits beyond the Master’s degree are required (2 epidemiology courses, 2 advanced biostatistics courses, 5 electives, and 24 dissertation credits)

Non-credit requirements

Doctoral students are required to participate in a monthly Ph.D. Journal Club.  Students are also expected to attend the seminars presented in the Department of Epidemiology Seminar Series each semester (this item is on an agenda with the faculty and it will likely become a requirement starting this semester).  

Length

2-8 years, after having earned a MS or MPH in Epi a student has up to 8 years to complete all requirements and defend their doctoral dissertation

Schedule

Of the required courses, only EPI 805 is offered every year.  The others are offered in alternating semesters every-other year (* denotes courses that you may choose between to fulfill requirements)