Epidemiology, PhD

Program Overview

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The PhD program in Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University offers a research-intensive curriculum that emphasizes public health principles and quantitative analysis. Students develop proficiency in epidemiological methods, gaining the skills necessary for careers in research, teaching, and leadership within the public health sector. The program comprises two years of coursework followed by two or more years of research, culminati

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

The PhD program in Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University is a rigorous, research-focused program designed for individuals with specific career goals in public health research, teaching, and/or leadership. The program is anchored in public health and quantitative population research and analysis, with students using epidemiologic methods to understand complex human health problems.

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Objectives:

The program aims to train students to be public health leaders and educators, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to:

• Create new and innovative knowledge through research.
• Interpret and critique epidemiological studies.
• Interpret epidemiologic data and make valid inferences from study findings.
• Communicate effectively in oral and written formats with students, professionals, and the public on issues related to epidemiology and public health.
• Provide epidemiologic critique and advice by advising students and professionals on epidemiologic concepts and methods and conducting peer review activities.

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Program Description:

The PhD program comprises two years of coursework followed by two (or more) years of research. Students are required to complete a teaching training curriculum and serve as teaching assistants for methods and topical courses. Additionally, students must successfully complete a written comprehensive exam, a practice oral exam, a preliminary oral exam, multiple oral and poster presentations, and a final dissertation including presentation and defense.

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Outline:

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Program Content:

• Core Methodologic Sequence: Students are trained through a core methodologic sequence, with the addition of more focused courses in specialized areas.
• Specialized Areas: Students are expected to tailor their curricula, working with their advisers to create a comprehensive plan of study and research.
• Dissertation Research: PhD dissertations must be based on original research, worthy of publication, and approved by the Department and a committee of thesis (dissertation) readers.
PhD students must also be engaged in primary data collection as a component of their dissertation research or embedded in other research during their training.

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Program Structure:

• Residency: A minimum of 64 credits is required to complete a doctoral degree.
The residency requirement (completed by maintaining full-time registration of four consecutive terms of at least 16 credits each) must be completed during the first year of the program.
• Coursework Outside of Epidemiology: At least 18 credits of coursework are required in courses from at least two other departments outside the student’s primary department.
At least nine of these credits must be taken at BSPH.
• Track Specific Activities: Each Track holds journal clubs, research-in-progress meetings, and other activities, which Track students are expected to attend.
PhD students should take on leadership roles after their first year of study.
• Quarterly Doctoral Meetings: Doctoral students and the Doctoral Program Directors meet quarterly.
• Annual Advising and Planning Meetings with Adviser (Individualized Development Plan): PhD students must meet at least annually with their primary academic adviser for a formal review of their progress with written feedback and discuss plans for the upcoming year.

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Course Schedule:

The program is structured over four years, with a detailed course schedule provided for each year and term. The schedule includes core courses, track-specific courses, recommended courses, and elective courses.

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Individual Modules:

• CEPH Cells to Society Courses: All BSPH degree students must complete 8 of the 12 sessions in this online course series.
• Departmental Core and Required Courses: These courses are listed by year and term for all Epidemiology doctoral students.
• Track-Specific Courses: Each track requires additional coursework specific to their fields to prepare students to conduct research and serve as leaders.
• Department-Wide Recommended Courses: These courses are recommended for all doctoral students.

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Assessment:

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Assessment Methods:

• Department Comprehensive Examination: A two-day written Department comprehensive examination is administered to all students enrolled in Epidemiology degree programs in late May of the first academic year.
• Doctoral Research Proposal Seminar: Students must orally present their dissertation research proposal in a Doctoral Proposal Seminar to the Department.
• Departmental Oral Examination: This examination is designed to prepare the student for the Preliminary Oral Examination and to determine whether the student has both the ability and knowledge to undertake significant research in the general area of interest.
• Preliminary Oral Examination (aka School-wide Exam): This examination is designed to determine whether the student has both the ability and knowledge to undertake significant research in their general area of interest.
• Final Oral Examination (Defense): This examination is designed to ensure that the Candidate is able to present and defend the dissertation and its underlying assumptions, methodology, results, and conclusions in a manner consistent with the doctoral degree being sought.

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Assessment Criteria:

• Department Comprehensive Examination: Students must attain at least 75% on both Part A and Part B of the comprehensive examination to pass.
• Doctoral Research Proposal Seminar: The seminar is evaluated based on the student's presentation skills, content knowledge, and ability to answer questions from the audience.
• Departmental Oral Examination: The possible outcomes of the oral examination are Unconditional Pass, Conditional Pass, or Failure (retake).
• Preliminary Oral Examination: The outcome of the examination is Unconditional Pass, Conditional Pass, or Failure.
• Final Oral Examination: The possible outcome of the Final Oral Examination is Acceptable, Conditionally Acceptable, or Unacceptable.

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

• Apprenticeship Model: Students are trained through an apprenticeship model, taking courses, learning to teach methods and concepts to a wide audience, conducting a rigorous examination of the existing science, and discovering and contributing new knowledge to the field.
• Teaching Assistantship Curriculum: All doctoral students are required to complete the TA Curriculum after passing the Department Comprehensive Examination and before graduation.
This curriculum includes formal didactic training, in-classroom training through experience as a TA in Department courses, and feedback from instructors.

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Faculty:

• Advisers: Each student in the Department is assigned an adviser and selects co-adviser(s) as they move through the program.
Advisers have the responsibility of serving as a guide and mentor.
• Thesis Advisory Committee: The Thesis Advisory Committee is assembled by the doctoral student and their adviser(s).
The committee consists of the dissertation (thesis) adviser and at least two additional faculty members who hold either primary or joint appointments in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Department of Epidemiology.

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Unique Approaches:

• Doctoral Teaching Assistant (TA) Curriculum: This curriculum is designed to provide doctoral students with the skills and tools necessary to be successful TAs and to meet teaching and learning goals.
• Individualized Development Plan (IDP): This plan is used to review the student's goals and objectives for pursuing the program, evaluate the progress they have made in obtaining the training desired, and set forth goals for the upcoming academic year.

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Careers:

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Potential Career Paths:

• Public Health Research: Graduates of the program are well-prepared for careers in public health research, working in academic institutions, government agencies, or non-profit organizations.
• Teaching: The program's emphasis on teaching skills prepares graduates for careers in academia, teaching at the undergraduate or graduate level.
• Leadership: The program's focus on leadership development prepares graduates for leadership roles in public health organizations.

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Opportunities:

• Research Opportunities: The program provides students with ample opportunities to conduct research, working with faculty mentors on a variety of projects.
• Teaching Opportunities: Students are required to serve as teaching assistants for methods and topical courses, gaining valuable experience in teaching.
• Networking Opportunities: The program provides students with opportunities to network with faculty, fellow students, and professionals in the field.

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Outcomes:

• Successful Careers: Graduates of the program have gone on to successful careers in public health research, teaching, and leadership.
• Publications: Many graduates have published their research in peer-reviewed journals.
• Grants: Some graduates have secured grants to fund their own research projects.

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Other:

• Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH): All BSPH degree students must be grounded in foundational public health knowledge, as outlined by CEPH requirements.
• Track-Specific Competencies: The program's competencies are designated by track and are charted in the text.