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 locally, nationally and globally. It provides research experiences and mentoring from day one in the program; a curriculum that builds methodological and analytical skills as well as 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 develop an individualized research area based on one of three concentration options through coursework and mentored training opportunities. Students are matched with a primary faculty mentor during the application process and begin building a larger mentoring team through extensive opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research in child and maternal health, chronic disease epidemiology and prevention, dissemination and implementation science, global health equity, environmental health, health policy, public mental health, systems and data sciences, and other fields.
All students in the Public Health Sciences doctoral program receive full tuition remission, health and dental insurance, an annual professional development budget, and five years of a guaranteed stipend that is adjusted periodically.
Select a Concentration
Curriculum
Doctoral students complete innovative coursework in public health foundations, statistical analysis, an array of research methodologies, and their individualized areas of interest. Our program requires 40 credits earned by taking courses and completing mentored research and teaching experiences.
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 that is expanded to include a host of 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 two required research practica and two required teaching practica. The first research practicum is completed in the first semester with the student’s primary mentor, with teaching practica typically beginning after the first semester of the program is completed. 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
Students typically complete a PhD in Public Health Sciences within four years. Below you will find key programmatic milestones across years.
Years 1 and 2
- Three core public health sciences courses (9 credits)
- Five analysis and research methods courses (15 credits)
- Four semesters of professional development (4 credits)
- Two substantive/theoretical courses (6 credits)
- Two teaching practicum courses (2 credits)
- Two research practicum courses (4 credits)
Director of the PhD program
Patrick J. Fowler, PhD, aims to prevent homelessness and its deleterious effects on child, family, and community well-being through his research. 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.
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At WashU Bursky School of Public Health, we are reimagining public health and working to move the field forward at one of the most impactful moments of our time. Become part of our academic community, where we are dedicated to addressing the world’s most urgent public health challenges.