Ph.D. in Epidemiology

The doctoral program in Epidemiology prepares individuals for teaching and research in academic institutions and positions of professional leadership in health and health-related agencies where research is an important function. Students in the doctoral program generally have backgrounds in the natural, social or behavioral sciences; and often have demonstrated basic research competency. The doctoral program provides students with extensive training in epidemiologic methods and biostatistics. Also, doctoral students must develop a minor in a substantive area through coursework that serves as a foundation for their dissertation research.

Students in the Ph.D. degree program can expect to take two years for course work and one to two additional years to complete the dissertation. Students with a prior master’s degree may waive courses in consultation with the epidemiology academic advisor (see Ph.D. Policy Manual for more detail). Students must complete a written comprehensive exam, a dissertation proposal final dissertation defense.

The School of Public Health and Health Sciences is a national leader in finding ways to maximize public health and quality of life. The school addresses complex health issues by integrating traditional core areas of public health with related health science disciplines, fostering a unique environment in which transdisciplinary research collaborations can flourish. Our award-winning faculty focus on many pressing public health problems as well as cross-cutting issues such as obesity and diabetes prevention, women's health, global health, aging and healthy living, and autism spectrum disorders. The school features numerous opportunities for community-based student internships and experience in clinical and outreach programs and partnerships that promote health and life quality in diverse populations.

The school offers a wide range of academic programs, including bachelor's degree options in communication disorders, kinesiology, nutrition, and public health sciences and master's and doctoral degree options in communication disorders, kinesiology, nutrition, and the five core areas of public health (biostatistics, community health education, environmental health sciences, epidemiology, and health policy and management). The school also offers flexible off-campus academic programs, including the highly-rated online MPH in public health practice program that allows students from around the globe to earn a master's degree in public health, a new, fully online MPH in nutrition, and the Worcester Campus MPH Program located at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.