Program Overview

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Ph.D. in Public Health Program

The O'Donnell School of Public Health offers a transformative Ph.D. program in public health. Students at OSPH have the privilege of working alongside world-renowned experts, honing skills, and emerging as innovative thought leaders in the field. Immerse yourself in one of five captivating concentrations, Applied Epidemiology, Clinical Investigation, Health Economics, Systems, and Policy, Health Data Sciences, or Social and Behavioral Sciences, and embark on a journey marked by excellence, innovation, and collaboration.

Mission

Training thought leaders and innovators in applied epidemiology, clinical investigation, health data science and health economics and policy.

About the Program

• Length: 4-5 years
• Location: In-person at our Dallas Campus
• All admitted students are provided a full-tuition waiver with a stipend for the 4-5 year program
• 60 semester credit hours are required to complete the program

Degree Requirements

Degree requirements are designed to be completed within four to five years of admission to the program.

• Maintain a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least a 3.0 for all UTSW graduate coursework.
• Complete all required coursework.
• Regularly attend the Public Health Seminar Series course.
• Successfully complete two preliminary examinations: Foundational Public Health Knowledge and Research Design.
• Successfully complete the dissertation proposal defense.
• Successfully complete the dissertation defense.

Application Process

The program accepts applications for the incoming Fall class starting in September. All doctoral applicants must submit a Ph.D. application. To be considered for priority review, applicants must submit their applications and all supplemental materials by December 1. The regular deadline to apply is April 1.

Application Checklist

• Statement of Purpose and Objectives
• Writing Sample
• Letters of Recommendation
• Transcripts

Ph.D. Funding

The O'Donnell School of Public Health pays students' tuition and fees during the four to five years of graduate school.

• All students studying for a Ph.D. in public health receive a nationally competitive research assistantship of $37,000 per year throughout the course of their Ph.D. studies.
• Health insurance coverage for the student is provided at no expense for the duration of Ph.D. studies.

Concentrations

Students choose from one of five concentrations:

Clinical Investigation

• A medical or dental degree (e.g. MD, DO, MBBS, DDS, DMD, PharmD) is required.
• The Clinical Investigation PhD program will equip future researchers with the essential tools and knowledge to conduct high-quality clinical and translational research.

Applied Epidemiology

• Applied Epidemiology equips trainees with the skills and knowledge to tackle pressing health challenges worldwide and to take leadership positions in important global public health settings.

Health Data Sciences

• Health data science focuses on the applications of data science methods to facilitate and improve health science, biomedical research, and patient care.

Health Economics, Systems, and Policy

• Health economics, systems, and policy is a multidisciplinary field of scientific investigation that examines the multiple facets of policies and programs that impact individual and community health and well-being.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

• The doctoral program in Social and Behavioral Sciences prepares strong transdisciplinary scholars for high impact careers in population research and public health practice.

Ph.D. Curriculum

• Public Health
• Health Economics, Systems & Policy
• Health Data Sciences
• Applied Epidemiology
• Social & Behavioral Sciences
• Electives
• Dissertation

Foundational Knowledge Objectives

1. Explain public health history, philosophy, and values.
2. Identify the core functions of public health and the 10 essential services.
3. Explain the role of quantitative and qualitative methods and sciences in describing and assessing a population's health.
4. List major causes and trends of morbidity and mortality in the U.S. or other community relevant to the school or program.
5. Discuss the science of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention in population health, including health promotion, screening, etc.
6. Explain the critical importance of evidence in advancing public health knowledge.
7. Explain effects of environmental factors on a population's health.
8. Explain biological and genetic factors that affect a population's health.
9. Explain behavioral and psychological factors that affect a population's health.
10. Explain the social, political, and economic determinants of health and how they contribute to population health and health inequities.
11. Explain how globalization affects global burdens of disease.
12. Explain an ecological perspective on the connections among human health, animal health, and ecosystem health (e.g., One Health).

Written Comprehensive Preliminary Examinations

In addition to coursework, doctoral students must pass two written comprehensive exams, a dissertation proposal defense (written and oral) and a final dissertation defense (written dissertation and oral exam).

Examination 1. Foundational Public Health Knowledge

This examination draws from the 12 foundational public health learning objectives.

Examination 2. Research Design

This examination is designed to assess the doctoral student's proficiency in research design and health data application.

FAQs

• How many students are granted admission to the program?
  • Three to five applicants per concentration will be admitted to the OSPH Ph.D. program.
• How long is the Ph.D. program?
  • Depending on the concentration, the curriculum includes 18-24 credit hours in core courses, 12 credit hours in public health courses, 15 credit hours in elective courses, and 24 dissertation credit hours; 60 semester credit hours are required to complete the program. Students are expected to complete their Ph.D. in four to five years.
• What funding opportunities are available for students?
  • Applied Epidemiology, Clinical Investigation, Health Data Science, and Health Economics and Policy, doctoral program students are admitted with a four-year funding commitment as Graduate Research Assistants. This includes tuition, a full stipend, and health insurance. Students are required to work 20 hours a week as Graduate Research Assistants to maintain eligibility.
• Are recommendation letters required?
  • Yes, three recommendations are required when you apply. Academic and professional recommendations are desired.
• Do I need to have a master's degree to apply?
  • Professional degrees or master's degrees required, but exceptions may be permitted for outstanding candidates on an individual basis.
• Is the GRE required to apply for the Ph.D.?
  • GRE scores are optional but highly recommended.
• When can I expect a decision on my application?
  • Decisions will be rendered from January through May.
• Are interviews for the Ph.D. program required?
  • Yes, selected applicants are invited to engage with members of the Ph.D. Admissions Committee to discuss their research interests and application.
• Are you accepting international applicants?
  • Yes, UT Southwestern Medical Center has received permission from the Department of Homeland Security Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to accept international students in F-1/J-1 visa status.
• Is the Ph.D. program considered STEM?
  • Our Ph.D. program is not a designated STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) program.
• Can I transfer credits from my master's degree or another Ph.D. program?
  • Students may request to transfer credit from another accredited institution after they are accepted into the program. Students are allowed to transfer up to 40 credits from another accredited institution.