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Public Health Practice, DrPH (Epidemiology)

Doctor of Public Health Degree in Public Health Practice with a Concentration in Epidemiology

The online Doctor of Public Health Program (DrPH) in Public Health Practice with a concentration in Epidemiology program provides rigorous training in epidemiologic concepts and methodology to prepare students for a career in public health.

Total Credits

Cost Per Credit

Accreditation

The epidemiology concentration is designed to develop public health leaders who are skilled in identifying the factors that affect the health of a population and developing, implementing and evaluating disease control and prevention strategies to improve public health.

Students in the DrPH program gain:

• Skills to occupy leadership positions at the local, state and national levels as well as industry and academia. These students will have a major influence on achieving important, broad-reaching, public health objectives in their communities.
• Knowledge in the areas of data analysis, leadership management and governance, policy and programs and education and workforce development.
• Advanced-level practice experience by collaborating with public health practitioners to develop leadership competencies and contribute to the public health field.
• Competency in epidemiologic methods.
• Flexibility to tailor coursework to best serve individual career goals as public health leaders.

In addition to the foundational DrPH coursework, students in the epidemiology concentration will learn to use epidemiologic concepts and methods to design, implement, and evaluate research studies and public health programs; critically review, interpret and identify gaps in the scientific literature; and utilize epidemiologic methods to inform public health practice.

DrPH students also work with leaders in public health practice during practicum experiences providing the opportunity to apply academic knowledge in a practice setting and complete a practice-based dissertation consistent with an advanced practice designed to influence programs, policies or systems addressing public health.

Additional Program Information

For up-to-date application, course and licensure information, visit the campus program page.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center trains more health professionals than any other institution in the state. UNMC’s scientists and clinicians are at the leading edge of discovering new medical breakthroughs, transforming lives across the state and around the world.

UNMC has come together with its primary clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine, on a set of core values, which include focusing on the educational learner, research scope and prominence, clinical excellence, community engagement. Diversity, equity and inclusion, economic development, as well as organizational culture and leadership.

Career Outlook

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of healthcare occupations is projected to grow at a rate of 14%, much faster than the average for all occupations. This projected growth is mainly due to an aging population, leading to greater demand for healthcare services.

Career options may include:

• Health department director
• Health policy advisor
• Public health program director
• Community health manager

Finance Your Education

The University of Nebraska offers some of the most affordable tuition rates in the region, particularly for our online programs. Explore the array of funding options to finance your education in a way that makes sense for you.

Online tuition rates are calculated by credit hour and college offering the course and, because the University of Nebraska is a public institution supported by Nebraska taxpayers, Nebraska residents may receive a lower tuition rate than out-of-state students.

If you are a college student considering transferring courses, an adult returning to college or a high school student with college credit, Transfer Nebraska is for you.

Verify this program is permitted in your state.

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Similar Programs

Public Health, MPH (Health Services Administration & Policy)

University of Nebraska Medical Center

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Epidemiology PhD

Epidemiology is concerned with the study of factors that determine the distribution of health and disease in human populations.

The purposes of epidemiological research are to discover the causes of disease, to advance and evaluate methods of disease prevention, and to aid in planning and evaluating the effectiveness of public health programs. Epidemiologists are interested in the study of infectious and noninfectious diseases. In recent years, they have turned their attention increasingly toward the study of conditions affected by forces in the social and physical environment.

Our program takes most students four and one half years to complete. In addition to the required courses, students identify an area of scientific knowledge in which they develop competence. Qualifying examinations as well as a dissertation are required for completion of the program. Students who are interested have the opportunity to complete a Designated Emphasis (DE) in Computational and Genomic Biology .

Qualifications

The amount of coursework necessary for each doctoral student varies greatly, depending on a student’s previous coursework, experience and background. A master’s degree in epidemiology or a related field is preferable. Successful applicants often have work experience in a public health setting or in epidemiologic research.

Graduates are prepared for academic careers in research and teaching.

Admissions Statistics

Care faculty.

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Online PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Quick access, program type, school / institute.

Online (Asynchonous)

USD 169 per credit hour

Scholarships

Full (officials of PS); 15% off (ECOWAS and IGOs)

EUCLID, an intergovernmental  treaty-based institution with a university mandate, offers to select students from the general public an online PhD in epidemiology and biostatistics with a focus on clinical studies and public health policies.

It is, to date, the only PhD program in this field offered by an international intergovernmental organization. Its purpose is to prepare highly qualified public health professionals able to serve in civil service,  international organizations , health care institutions, as well as non-governmental organizations globally.

https://youtu.be/1Q6_LRZwZrc

Academic Presentation

Epidemiology and biostatistics are often studied and approached from a national-centric perspective. Few programs are truly international in scope so as to fully prepare graduates for global civil service or corporate careers that will engage a wide variety of global health challenges, including vaccine policy HIV, drug-resistance, diet-related or lifestyle diseases, etc.

To answer this challenge, EUCLID has designed a world-class doctoral curriculum, which is presented here with full documentation of syllabus and faculty resources, as well as total tuition. This documentation will enable potential students to determine if this program is suitable and aligned with their career objectives.

AUDIENCE | INTEREST GROUPS

This unique PhD program focuses on the  practical and policy aspects of global public health rather than the advancement of purely theoretical knowledge.

This doctoral program was primarily designed to serve civil servants of EUCLID’s Participating States, but it is also open to the general public as an excellent route to pursue a career within inter-governmental bodies, NGOs and the public sector.

Thanks to its low tuition and institutional relationships, and because it covers such topics as health systems strengthening, malaria and tropical diseases in-depth, it is expected to be of special interest to Global South/African students.

MORE INFORMATION:

• Admissions Checklist
• Accreditation
• Admissions Group
• Alumni Profiles

Requirements

Featured video, program outline.

Note: to consult the current and official curriculum/list of courses from the EUCLID CMS database, please visit: EUCLID Available Degree Programs and follow the program link.

Employment Outlook

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Online PhD in Biostatistics and Epidemiology

AT EULER | EULER-FRANEKER MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY | INSTITUTE

QUICK ACCESS

Program type, school / institute.

Online (Asynchonous)

USD 145 per credit hour

Scholarships

Full (officials of CW and EPS); 15% off (IGOs)

Degree Issuance

EUCLID (Euclid University) + Dual degree with EULER (post 11/2024 / AAC completion)

EULER Credits | ECTS

240 (Bachelor) + 80-120 (Master) | +240 (PhD)

EUCLID Credits | US CH

120 (Bachelor) + 40 (Master) | +55-60 (PhD)

EULER's online PhD in Biostatistics and Epidemiology is offered in close partnership with EUCLID, an intergovernmental treaty-based institution with a university mandate. It has a focus on clinical studies and public health policies.

It is, to date, the only PhD program in this field offered in cooperation with an international intergovernmental organization recognized for its expertise in global health policies. Its purpose is to prepare highly qualified public health professionals able to serve in civil service, international organizations , health care institutions, as well as non-governmental organizations globally.

https://youtu.be/1Q6_LRZwZrc

The EULER online PhD in Biostatistics and Epidemiology offers a strong coursework core capped with a dissertation and associated project. Graduates can expect to complete the program transformed and enhanced in their ability to pursue a successful career in in clinical or public health evaluation or in academia (university faculty positions).

Academic Presentation

Biostatistics and Epidemiology are often studied and approached from a national-centric perspective. Few programs are truly international in scope so as to fully prepare graduates for global civil service or corporate careers that will engage a wide variety of global health challenges, including vaccine policy HIV, drug-resistance, diet-related or lifestyle diseases, etc.

To answer this challenge, EUCLID has designed a world-class doctoral curriculum, which is presented here with full documentation of syllabus and faculty resources, as well as total tuition. This documentation will enable potential students to determine if this program is suitable and aligned with their career objectives.

AUDIENCE | INTEREST GROUPS

This unique PhD program focuses on the  practical and policy aspects of global public health rather than the advancement of purely theoretical knowledge.

This doctoral program was primarily designed to serve civil servants of EUCLID’s Participating States, but it is also open to the general public as an excellent route to pursue a career within inter-governmental bodies, NGOs and the public sector.

Thanks to its low tuition and institutional relationships, and because it covers such topics as health systems strengthening, malaria and tropical diseases in-depth, it is expected to be of special interest to Global South/African students.

MORE INFORMATION:

• Admissions Checklist
• Scholarship Programs
• Accreditation
• Admissions Group
• Tuition and Fees
• Why choose EULER?
• Faculty Profiles
• Alumni Profiles

Requirements

Featured video, basic program outline (indicative).

ELECTIVE COURSES

Note: All courses available in the EUCLID database can be considered elective, after review and approval by your EUCLID counselor. Graduate level degrees may include a certain number of undergraduate electives. Likewise, undergraduate roadmaps may be built using graduate level courses. Again, prospective students are reminded that the final degree roadmap must be reviewed and approved by the Admissions Officer to ensure logical progression of subjects covered and conformity with international standards.

Note: to consult the current and official curriculum/list of courses from the EUCLID CMS database, please visit: EUCLID Available Degree Programs and follow the program link.

Employment Outlook

Why Study @ EULER

EULER’s parent institution, EUCLID is the only intergovernmental, treaty-based university with a UN-registered charter and recognized expertise in diplomacy. Join the alma mater of ambassadors and senior officials globally.

Note: if the PDF brochure is unavailable (or outdated by 2 years), please contact [email protected]

EULER AND EUCLID AT WORK: RECENT NEWS AND ARTICLES

The appropriate office and officials will reply within 2 business days. If calling a EUCLID office, make sure to call the correct location based on your profile.

The application review process takes 4-6 business days after receipt of documents.

EULER | The Euler-Franeker Memorial University Institute (at EUCLID) & The Euler-Franeker Memorial University

A EUCLID-affiliated institute and academic partner with international liaison and representative offices in: The Hague, Washington DC, Willemstad

EUCLID (Pôle Universitaire Euclide |Euclid University) A treaty-based organization with international liaison and representative offices in: New York, Washington DC, Montpellier (France).  Headquarters: Bangui, Central African Republic |  Commonwealth & ECOWAS Headquarters: Banjul, The Gambia

Studying with EULER

• Ph.D. / Doctorate degrees
• Master's degrees
• Bachelor's degrees
• Habilitation and Post-Doc
• Specialized Certificates

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• News and Events

Legal Protection Switzerland

About EUCLID

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Epidemiology is the study of how diseases are transmitted and how they affect populations. As an epidemiologist, you would be responsible for researching the cause of diseases, looking for patterns, and coming up with ways to prevent them from spreading. You would also be responsible for monitoring outbreaks and proposing interventions.

A PhD in Epidemiology is one of the best ways to take your public health career to the top whether in public, private or academia. It is a prominent research degree that can open doors to diverse and fulfilling careers in the medical field.

One reason is the increasing demand for epidemiologists in both the public and private sectors. With the outbreak of diseases such as COVID-19, Ebola and Zika, there is a greater need than ever for qualified epidemiologists who can help contain and prevent these diseases. Like the traditional program, online PhD Epidemiology programs provide students with the right skills and knowledge they need to be successful in this field.

The other reason is that the traditional on-campus PhD programs often have the weakness of not being flexible, and many aspiring students may never get a chance to accomplish their highest education dreams because of this.  Luckily we are now living in the e-learning age where online programs are the new normal as they offer a more flexible and convenient schedule. Online PhD Epidemiology programs in particular have renewed the aspirations of so many students, considering there are so many people in the world who aspire to progress to the highest level of public health. For some,  Epidemiology is a calling, and the online model means their dreams will come true.

Students must first hold a master’s degree from an accredited institution. Most online PhD in Epidemiology programs also require that students have at least a 3.0 GPA. In addition to coursework, online PhD in Epidemiology programs typically require students to complete a research dissertation and pass a comprehensive exam.

Best Online PhD in Epidemiology Programs

Well, not all universities are currently offering PhD in Epidemiology online. This is understandable because most universities are still very bureaucratic, meaning it’ll take some time before they eventually bring their key programs online – they have to do at some point in the future. So the programs listed here are the best of the many online Epidemiology PhD programs you’ll find today. We have taken the time to verify and ensure that these programs are properly grounded to offer students a rigorous curriculum that prepares you for a rewarding career in epidemiology and other related fields.

The DrPH (Epidemiology) at the University of Nebraska covers public health with a major concentration on Epidemiology, providing a rigorous foundation where students are trained on fundamental concepts that prepare them for a successful career in public health upon graduation.

The curriculum provides a broad foundation in epidemiology, with courses in areas such as applied epidemiology, research methods, health policy, and management. Students also have the opportunity to specialize in a particular area of interest, such as infectious diseases, chronic diseases, or environmental health. Graduates of the program will be prepared to take on leadership roles in public health across academia, research or private practice.

Local students who are recognized as citizens residing in Nebraska get the benefit of lower rates as the university is a public institution that is funded by the taxpayers of Nebraska. The cost per credit is $597and students are required to complete three credit hours per unit.

The program’s core units include:

• Applied Epidemiology
• Introduction to Health Disparities and Health Equity
• Leadership Theory and Practice
• Public Health Teaching and Training
• Epidemiology in Public Health Practice
• Survey Research Methods
• Health Information and Surveillance for Public Health Practice
• Strategic Planning and Management in Public Health Administration
• Implementation of Science Models and Methods

Besides the above core units, students will also be expected to take 12 hours of elective credits. The purpose of elective credits is to enable students to gain high level knowledge in their interest areas. The selection of elective credits is guided by individual student advisors.

The Doctor of Public Health (PhD, D.Sc) degree at Atlantic International University is designed for students who want to make a difference in the world by improving the health of populations. The program is taught online and can be completed in a reasonable period of time.  Admission requirements include a master’s degree in public health or a related field, top GRE scores, and letters of recommendation. The key focus areas of the program include:

• Environmental health
• Health care services
• International health
• Mental health and public health
• Decision sciences
• Evaluative science and statistics
• Medical sociology
• Political analysis

Some of the core courses and topics include:

• Epidemiologic Methods
• Genetic Epidemiology
• Computer Demonstrations in Genetic Epidemiology
• Statistical Methods in Genetic Epidemiology
• Pharmacogenetics
• Toxicogenetics

One of the best aspects about this program is that it uses dynamic materials. This means that a student does not have to use the same exact materials that all students use. There is some room for flexibility, allowing students to customize materials and align the course to their goals. In other words this program does not use a standard layout or design.

The Public Health PhD at Lancaster University is a research-based program that focuses on the health of populations. The program is interdisciplinary, incorporating knowledge from the fields of epidemiology, biostatistics, sociology, psychology, and environmental health. The program requires a recognized Master’s degree for admission.

There are two main focus areas: population health research and methods development. Population health research encompasses the study of how diseases spread within populations and how to prevent or control them. Method development involves the creation and refinement of statistical and other methods used to study population health data.

An annual autumn Academy in Lancaster accords the students an essential face to face experience that enriches the largely online experience.

The program takes a minimum of four years to complete, but students who are not able to complete it within this time have the freedom to stretch it up to a maximum of seven years. Students must attend a five-day compulsory induction in Lancaster. Additionally, students are required to attend another compulsory yearly Academy at Lancerstar at the start of each new academic year. Other than the initial induction Academy and the yearly opening Academies, the rest of the course is administered online.

The first and second years of the program take students through intense classes that are delivered online. Three modules are covered in year one. The first module covers the theory and practice of public health, the second module covers research philosophy while the third and final module for the opening year covers research design.The modules for the second year of the program cover Systematic Reviews, Data Analysis, Research Design and Practical Research Ethics.

Students pursue independent research from the third year onwards which culminates in the submission of a comprehensive thesis that marks the end of the program. Video conferencing is the default medium for all core supervision sessions. Students have a chance to engage their supervisors in face to face sessions during the annual Academies.

What can you do with a PhD in Epidemiology?

There are a lot of great things about getting a PhD in Epidemiology, like the job opportunities that are available to you when you graduate. But it’s not an easy path, and it definitely takes a lot of hard work and dedication.

This is perhaps the only program that opens the mind into the inner world of diseases. You will get deep knowledge that will put you in a position to be able to identify the risks different diseases present to human beings, in addition to being able to get to the root of the causes of diseases. Upon graduation, you will easily land lucrative careers across various sectors including public, academia, and the private sector.

There are many top paying jobs for graduates of PhD in Epidemiology. The salary range for each job varies depending on the position and the employer. Here are a couple of examples:

Below is a brief on each of thee jobs;

Career Epidemiologists are medical researchers who study the patterns and causes of disease in humans. They use this information to develop strategies for preventing and controlling disease outbreaks. Epidemiologists may also be involved in conducting clinical trials of new vaccines or medications. This is the direct career for graduates of epidemiology. It’s like a medical doctor dealing directly with patients in a hospital. Besides this, there are many other career paths that graduates of Epidemiology can pursue, and that is how we end up with the other jobs.

A public health researcher is responsible for conducting studies and collecting data on a variety of topics related to public health. They may focus on a specific population or community, such as children or the elderly, or a specific issue, such as obesity or tobacco use. Public health researchers typically work in government agencies or research organizations, and their work is often used to inform public policy decisions.

The job of a public health policy analyst is to help shape the policies that will determine how our society responds to public health issues.You work with government officials, health care professionals, and the general public to develop regulations and laws that will protect the public’s health. In addition, you’ll also conduct research on the effectiveness of existing policies and make recommendations for improvements. The ultimate goal is to ensure that everyone has access to the resources they need to live a healthy life.

A genetic counselor works with patients who have, or are at risk for, conditions that are caused by changes in genes or chromosomes. Genetic counselors help patients understand their risks, make informed decisions about their health care, and cope with the psychological impact of genetic conditions. The ultimate goal is to help patients and families make informed decisions about their health.

Medical scientists use their knowledge of biological processes to develop new ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. Medical scientists conduct research using both animal and human subjects. They often work in teams with other health care professionals, such as physicians and nurses.

Biostatisticians are responsible for designing and conducting statistical analysis of biomedical data. They work closely with other scientists to develop study designs, collect data, and interpret results. In addition to their technical skills, biostatisticians must also be able to effectively communicate their findings to non-statisticians. As a result, they must have strong writing and presentation skills.

A Medical Science Liaison Officer (MSLs) plays a very important role in building and maintaining relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs) in the medical community. MSLs work closely with KOLs to ensure that they have the latest information on their products and Therapeutic Areas of interest. They also work to educate KOLs on diseases, product safety, and clinical trial design. In addition, MSLs play an important role in identifying and developing new business opportunities. As such, they must have a deep understanding of the scientific literature and be able to effectively communicate with both scientists and non-scientists.

The increasing number of online PhD Epidemiology programs is good news for all aspiring professionals in this field. With the same quality as traditional counterparts, this program is now available to everyone at an affordable price.

No matter where you are based in the world, you can undertake an online epidemiology PhD program in a university of your choice that offers the program online. This is a big shift, as it means that any qualified person from any part of the world can earn a PhD in Epidemiology from a top university and compete effectively for the best career opportunities at the highest level globally. Most of the major traditional barriers are gone!

But perhaps the most rewarding thing about earning a PhD in Epidemiology is that it’ll propel you to the forefront of discovering new ways to prevent and treat diseases. You’ll be making a real difference in the world, and that’s something that’s truly priceless.

PHD in Economics, Associate Professor, Department of Business Process Management, Faculty of Market Technologies IOM

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Doctoral Programs

Epidemiology.

Students in the PhD Program in Epidemiology address major health problems, including physical and mental disorders, from a research perspective. Epidemiology is the study of disease in human populations, and epidemiological studies are the foundation for prevention and control of health disorders. Students learn to:

• Measure manifestations of disease
• Measure the physical, social, and behavioral phenomena of the environment
• Design studies
• Collect, handle, and interpret large bodies of data
• Analyze statistics

As the study of epidemiology requires an understanding of human biology and pathology in social context, and of the ways of enumerating and analyzing populations, the interdisciplinary curriculum includes courses in biomedical and social science disciplines, as well as biostatistics. Students can specialize according to their background and interests, in addition to gaining general knowledge of epidemiology and public health.

The department awards a number of fellowships to recognize academic achievement and support future scholarly success. As teaching and research experience are considered an important aspect of graduate training, these fellowships include some teaching and research apprenticeship.

Admissions Requirements

All applicants must have, or be in the process of completing, a master's degree in epidemiology or a related field. Individuals who have completed a doctoral degree in a program that does not confer a master's degree (e.g., MD) are also eligible.

Applicants should be committed to public health research and practice, so past research and/or other work experience in public health are encouraged.

Course work in mathematics (e.g. calculus and statistics), and a strong background in the natural and/or social sciences are strongly recommended. Oral and written communication skills, as well diversity in terms of gender, race and ethnic background, and areas of interest or expertise are highly valued.

In addition to the requirements listed below, all students must submit an official transcript showing courses and grades from each prior institution, a statement of academic purpose, a writing sample as described below, and three letters of evaluation from academic and/or work sources. All international students whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate degree is from an institution in a country whose official language is not English must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS scores.

• Deadline for Fall Admission: December 1
• Deadline for Spring Admission: No spring admission
• Resume/CV: Yes
• Writing sample: Yes*
• GRE General: No
• GRE Subject: No

*For additional details about the writing sample, please log into your SOPHAS application to view the document tab, located in the program tab.

Approved Dissertation Sponsors

See list of faculty who can serve as dissertation sponsors.

Training Programs

Learn more about the doctoral training programs , which address a diverse range of health domains and epidemiological methods.

View competencies, course requirements, sample schedules, and more in our Academics section, and read our Doctoral Guidelines.

Learn more about the distinctions between our DrPH and PhD programs (PDF).

Liliane Zaretsky

MPH in Epidemiology – Hybrid

Launched in 2015, the Master of Public Health in Epidemiology (MPH-EPI) will prepare you for new levels of leadership in your career while fitting around your busy schedule. In the MPH-EPI program, you will study with one of the world’s most accomplished epidemiology faculties.

By providing a combination of online, in-person, and in-the-field learning, this rigorous hybrid part-time, two-year degree program will provide you with the advanced research and epidemiological skills you need to pursue senior positions in academia, hospitals, public health agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector.

The Format: Hybrid (Both Online and On-Campus Opportunities)

The MPH in Epidemiology’s unique part-time format—a blend of on-campus, online, and field learning—combines the best of what the Harvard Chan School has to offer and is designed to fit the lives of busy professionals.

• On Campus — The program includes two required, three-week intensive on-campus sessions in June 2024 and June 2025.
• Online — The online period of the program is July through May in both the first and second year. You will participate in mostly asynchronous courses that include interactive exercises, modular video sessions, and case-based studies.
• In the Field — Mentored by Harvard faculty, you will complete a self-designed, year-long practicum project culminating in a final presentation and paper before graduatio

Who Should Apply?

The MPH in epidemiology is designed for individuals seeking specialization in advanced quantitative methods of epidemiology and its applications for clinical and population health research, policy, and programs. The degree also provides a public health framework for epidemiologists.

Eligible applicants for the MPH in epidemiology should meet one of the following criteria:

• Hold a doctoral degree in a health profession or academic area related to public health.(International medical degrees also qualify as a doctoral degree.)
• Hold a professional master’s degree
• Hold a bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of post-baccalaureate experience in a relevant health-related field.

Current medical and dental students are not eligible for the MPH in epidemiology program.

For more information about the program, please contact [email protected] .

PhD, Epidemiology

Learn theory, methods and techniques in epidemiological research

Prepare for a career in epidemiologic research in academia, government or the private sector by mastering the essential principles and methodology of epidemiological research and practice.

• Request Info

Perfect for...

Students interested in:

• Theories, techniques and methods in epidemiology
• Design, analysis and evaluation of epidemiologic studies
• Causal analysis and control of biases
• Development intervention and prevention strategies
• Presentations of findings in academic journals and conferences

Career Paths

• Public health agency employee
• University researcher
• University instructor
• University administrator

Program Overview

Students in the PhD program in Epidemiology master core knowledge in epidemiologic and biostatistical methods related to the design, implementation and evaluation of public health studies surrounding psychosocial, behavioral, biological and cultural factors.

See all Epidemiology graduate student resources .

• Develop novel epidemiological research questions by critically reviewing and evaluating public health literature.
• Use epidemiologic theories of disease causation to conceptualize a general causal framework that captures determinants of disease occurrence.
• Demonstrate proficiency in selecting and conducting the most appropriate study design to address a research question (e.g., ecological study, cross-sectional study, case-control study, cohort study, or randomized trials).
• Explain conceptual definitions of exposure variables, outcome variables, mediators, and modifiers in ways consistent with the causal framework guiding the research.
• Identify potential confounders, information bias, and selection bias that distort the validity of a study and ability to minimize them through design, data collection, and analysis.
• Understand required elements to estimate sample size and apply methods to provide valid estimates of parameters for sample size calculations for different study designs.
• Demonstrate skills in public health data collection and management.
• Develop analytic strategies for various study designs, guided by the principles of epidemiology, to account for confounding, interaction effects, and intermediate effects.
• Understand the rationale and assumptions underlying major statistical techniques used to analyze data from epidemiological studies.
• Critically evaluate measures of association (e.g., odds ratio, risk ratio, rate ratio, or hazard ratio) and understand how to select between them for various study designs.
• Demonstrate proficiency in communication skills in reports of findings from research projects (conference presentations, scientific publications, and grant writing).
• Develop expertise in an area of independent research interest.

The PhD in Epidemiology requires a minimum of 64 credit hours beyond the master’s degree in epidemiology or public health, including 28 credit hours of core courses, 12 credit hours of electives, 12 credit hours of specialization electives and 12 credit hours of dissertation research. The program also requires 13 credit hours of pre-requisites.

Dr. Jamie Trevitt Assistant Clinical Professor & Director of Graduate Studies [email protected]

THE ENGERHARDT SCHOOL OF GLOBAL HEALTH AND BIOETHICS AT EUCLID AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL UNIVERSITY UNDER UNITED NATIONS TS 49006/7

Online PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Program type, school / institute.

Online (Asynchonous)

USD 145 per credit hour

Scholarships

Full (officials of PS); 15% off (ECOWAS and IGOs)

EUCLID, an intergovernmental  treaty-based institution with a university mandate, offers to select students from the general public an online PhD in epidemiology and biostatistics with a focus on clinical studies and public health policies.

It is, to date, the only PhD program in this field offered by an international intergovernmental organization. Its purpose is to prepare highly qualified public health professionals able to serve in civil service,  international organizations , health care institutions, as well as non-governmental organizations globally.

https://youtu.be/1Q6_LRZwZrc

Prof Dr Ernst von Schwarz, one of the world’s most published cardiologists, is also also a member of our distinguished faculty group.

Academic Presentation of the Program

Epidemiology and biostatistics are often studied and approached from a national-centric perspective. Few programs are truly international in scope so as to fully prepare graduates for global civil service or corporate careers that will engage a wide variety of global health challenges, including vaccine policy HIV, drug-resistance, diet-related or lifestyle diseases, etc.

To answer this challenge, EUCLID has designed a world-class doctoral curriculum, which is presented here with full documentation of syllabus and faculty resources, as well as total tuition. This documentation will enable potential students to determine if this program is suitable and aligned with their career objectives.

AUDIENCE | INTEREST GROUPS

This unique PhD program focuses on the  practical and policy aspects of global public health rather than the advancement of purely theoretical knowledge.

This doctoral program was primarily designed to serve civil servants of EUCLID’s Participating States, but it is also open to the general public as an excellent route to pursue a career within inter-governmental bodies, NGOs and the public sector.

Thanks to its low tuition and institutional relationships, and because it covers such topics as health systems strengthening, malaria and tropical diseases in-depth, it is expected to be of special interest to Global South/African students.

MORE INFORMATION:

• Admissions Checklist
• Scholarship Programs
• Accreditation
• Admissions Group
• Tuition and Fees
• Why choose EUCLID?
• Faculty Profiles
• Alumni Profiles

Requirements

Featured video, program outline.

ELECTIVE COURSES

Note: All courses available in the EUCLID database can be considered elective, after review and approval by your EUCLID counselor. Graduate level degrees may include a certain number of undergraduate electives. Likewise, undergraduate roadmaps may be built using graduate level courses. Again, prospective students are reminded that the final degree roadmap must be reviewed and approved by the Admissions Officer to ensure logical progression of subjects covered and conformity with international standards.

Note: to consult the current and official curriculum/list of courses from the EUCLID CMS database, please visit: EUCLID Available Degree Programs and follow the program link.

Employment Outlook

Why Study @ EUCLID?

EUCLID is the only intergovernmental, treaty-based university with a UN registered charter and recognized expertise in diplomacy. Join the alma mater of ambassadors and senior officials globally.

Note: if the PDF brochure is unavailable (or outdated by 2 years), please contact [email protected]

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The application review process takes 4-6 business days after receipt of documents.

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Headquarters: Bangui, Central African Republic Commonwealth / ECOWAS Headquarters: Banjul, The Gambia

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• Degrees Offered

PhD in Epidemiology

Description.

The doctoral program in Epidemiology is intended to produce future academicians, highly qualified as independent investigators and teachers, and well-trained practitioners of epidemiology. The program includes coursework in epidemiology and biostatistics, and also requires the development and execution of an independent dissertation research project. The PhD program in Epidemiology includes a series of courses in epidemiologic methods and biostatistics, and electives.

Likely Careers

Academia, Research Institutes and organizations, HMOs; Local, State and National government.

Applicants must have completed prior graduate training to the master's (or research doctoral) degree level in a health-related field by the time of enrollment. (A clinical doctorate alone is inadequate.) Direct postdoctoral entry without required degree is not allowed.

The GRE has been permanently eliminated from admissions for all Department of Epidemiology graduate programs; goal statement demonstrating good understanding or Epidemiology and role of training in career; excellent references that speak to qualifications for training/career in epidemiology; Personal History Statement; Resume/CV; Transcripts. The program is competitive.

Application Deadline:   Dec. 1 for Autumn Quarter admissions

Competencies

Upon satisfactory completion of the PhD in Epidemiology, graduates will be able to:

• Meet the learning objectives for the MS in Epidemiology, General Track;
• Formulate study questions that will advance scientific knowledge about a topic of public health importance;
• Develop a research proposal that presents the study aims, scientific background, public health significance, and the detailed methods for carrying out the epidemiologic study;
• Develop study procedures for the protection of rights of human subjects;
• Apply regression, classical methods of analysis of categorical data, logistic regression, survival analysis and other appropriate statistical approaches to analyze epidemiologic data;
• Make a clear oral presentation on the design and results of an epidemiologic study;
• Write a clear description of the rationale, methods, results, and interpretation of an epidemiologic investigation that would be acceptable for publication in a scientific journal; 
• Demonstrate expertise in a substantive area of disease etiology, disease prevention, or clinical epidemiology; and
• Design and implement data collection, quality control and data management procedures for an epidemiological study.

PhD in Epidemiology

The PhD in epidemiology is offered through Emory’s Laney Graduate School . This program trains students to become independent investigators and to obtain skills to be successful in PhD-level positions in academia, government, and the private sector.

What You Will Learn and Do

The Doctoral Program in Epidemiology at Emory University trains students in the methods of epidemiology and the application of these methods to a broad scope of public health and medical problems. Areas of study include, but are not limited to, cancer, cardiovascular disease, maternal and child health, diet/nutrition and physical activity, epidemiologic methods, infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS), genetics and molecular epidemiology, social epidemiology, and health disparities.   The goal of the program is to graduate epidemiologists with the knowledge, skills, and philosophy to be influential lead researchers (principal investigators), teachers of epidemiology, and public health officials.

Graduates of the department have gone on to find work at settings such as: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pharmaceutical companies (such as Humana, Amgen), nonprofit organizations (such as The Task Force for Global Health and American Cancer Society), and colleges and universities.

Our Faculty

Students learn from our department's faculty, as well as faculty from the Hubert Department of Global Health, the Department of Environmental Health, and the Emory School of Medicine. Students' dissertation committees often include faculty from organizations outside of the School and University, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and American Cancer Society. 

Search faculty interests 

Frequently Asked Questions

Application Deadline

The application for prospective students seeking to matriculate in Fall 2024 will open in September. The application is through Laney Graduate School (not through SOPHAS). 

Admission Requirements and Instructions

How to Apply

To apply, applicants must have: 

• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university

The application includes: 

• Completed application + $75 application fee.
• 3 letters of recommendation.
• Graduate Faculty identification - on the application, applicants must identify at least two Epidemiology Graduate Faculty members with whom they would be interested in working. Faculty profiles are available here .
• Statement of purpose: In 500 words or fewer, please tell us about your previous research experiences or training leading you to apply to this program. Please share your research interests, how this program addresses your interests, and your long-term goals after earning a doctoral degree.
• Unofficial transcripts from each post-secondary institution you have attended.
• For international students: TOEFL scores are required.
• For applicants with post-secondary degrees from a non-US institution, a course-by-course credit evaluation is strongly recommended. We accept credential evaluations from Educational Credential Evaluators, Educational Perspectives, and World Education Services. For additional information, please visit the Laney Graduate School webpage for International Applicants .
• Optional: GRE scores.
• Optional Diversity Statement.  

Admission Tips

The Department receives more than 200 applications a year for ten to fourteen spaces. Admitted students most often have:

• An advanced degree in epidemiology or a related field
• A clear, concise statement of purpose
• Defined research interests
• Outstanding recommendations from faculty and supervisors
• Some professional/research experience
• Strong GRE scores

Applicants are strongly encouraged to carefully review the interest areas of Rollins epidemiology faculty to ensure that there are faculty with similar interests.

View our FAQs page for more info.

International Applicants

In addition to these requirements, all departments require international students to submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores.

TOEFL scores should be at least 100 or higher on the Internet-based test. International applicants who earned an undergraduate or two year graduate degree from an institution within the United States are waived from the TOEFL requirement.  If an international applicant is currently completing a two year degree in the United States at the time of application, the TOEFL does not need to be submitted.  For example, if an international student is currently pursuing a two year MPH that will be completed prior to matriculation in the PhD program, the TOEFL is not required.

A World Education Service ( WES ) course-by- course report is STRONGLY recommended of all students who have received a baccalaureate and/or advanced degree from a non-US institution. This does not include students who completed a semester study abroad as part of a US degree.  This process takes weeks to complete and applicants are encouraged to start this process very early.

After the Department of Epidemiology reviews applications, a portion of applicants will be invited for an virtual visit day. It is very unlikely that an applicant not invited to visit would receive an offer of admission. Visit day is most often Friday within the first two weeks of February.  

Admitted students are later invited to an on-campus Admitted Student's Day hosted in Atlanta, GA in March.

All admitted PhD students receive merit-based support packages consisting of full tuition scholarships each year. The first two years students are typically funded from institutional support from Laney Graduate School or Training Grants (pending satisfactory progress in the program). In years three through five, students in good standing are funded through mentor grants, training grants, pre-doctoral training fellowships, etc. The stipends are set at the NIH pre-doctoral training level.  As of 2023-2024, doctoral students receive annual stipends of $36,376. 

Training grants currently support some EPI PhD students with the following interests and research areas:  1) Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology, 2) Molecules to Mankind (M2M), and 3) Health Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease . Laney Graduate School also offers Professional Development Funding and Training (to attend conferences and for research).

Degree Requirements

Through required coursework, students receive a strong foundation in epidemiological methods and biostatistics and become proficient on how, when, and why to use specific tools or methods. All students are required to select six hours of EPI electives to gain content knowledge and experience in applying epidemiologic methods within a particular area. The PhD Program Handbook may be viewed here.

• Formulate an epidemiologic reserch question that addrtesses a gap in the literature
• Develop an epidemiologic research study addressing a gap in the literature
• Conduct independent research using epidemiologic methods
• Communicate the results of epidemiologic research to a scientific audience
• Evaluate epidemiologic research

EPI PhD Required Courses

Course Number, Name (Credit Hours):

EPI 530, Epidemiologic Methods I (4)

EPI 534, Statistical Programming (2)

EPI 545, Advanced Epidemiologic Methods II (4)

EPI 550, Epidemiologic Methods III (4)

EPI 560, Epidemiologic Methods IV (4)

EPI 710, Probability Theory (2)

EPI 760, Causal Inference (4) 

EPI 790R, Doctoral Seminar for Epidemiologic Practice (enrollment required every semester until graduation) (1)

BIOS 500, Statistical Methods I (4)

BIOS 591P, Biostatistical Methods II  (3)

EPI XXX, Electives (6 hours min)

EPI 798R and 799R, Research Hours (>18)

PUBH 701, Public Health Research: Discovery to Practice (1)

EPI 791 Teaching Epidemiology (1)

All PhD students must participate in the Teaching Assistant Training and Teaching Opportunities (TATTO) program. Students receive an orientation to effective teaching and a course on teaching techniques in the field and gain experience working as supervised teaching assistants and/or classroom instructors or co-instructors.  More about TATTO

Research Assistantships

All EPI PhD students participate in two at least two, 200-hour research assistantships during their time enrolled during the program (usually during the first two years). Research Assistantships may include (but are not limited to) literature review, survey design, primary data collection, data management and analysis, and manuscript development. 

Dissertation

All PhD students are required to complete and defend a dissertation. Students are encouraged to begin exploring potential research topics as soon as they enter the program by meeting with faculty . 

The doctoral dissertation must meet the requirements of both the department and Laney Graduate School. In particular, the dissertation must make a new contribution to the student’s field of study, or present a unique new interpretation on existing knowledge. Students are required to pass an oral defense of the dissertation proposal.

Jones Program in Ethics

Students receive training in ethics in research both through the Department of Epidemiology and the Laney Graduate School.  Within the required Epidemiology PhD coursework, students may gain exposure to topics such as ethics in human subject research, data management, and scientific writing.  The Laney Graduate School sponsors numerous seminars and workshops on scholarly integrity.

Student Life

All EPI PhD students participate in a weekly doctoral seminar during lunchtime in the fall and spring semesters.  This provides an opportunity not only to review and critique current literature but also to foster camaraderie among students and faculty. In addition, PhD student representatives organize social activities for students on a monthly basis.

Learn more about life at Rollins

Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health

Phd in epidemiology degree program.

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What Is a PhD in Epidemiology?

The PhD in Epidemiology program at the Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health is a scientifically rigorous doctorate program consisting of both formal classroom training and guided research with faculty mentors trained in a variety of areas of public health.

The Epidemiology PhD program prepares students to approach problems with critical analytic skills necessary and utilize the most appropriate research strategies to address meaningful epidemiologic problems.

Dornsife's current Phd in Epidemiology students are studying a wide variety of impactful research topics including pharmacoepidemiology, infectious diseases, autism, gentrification, transgender health, and cancer epidemiology.

Why Pursue a PhD in Epidemiology at Drexel Dornsife?

Drexel Dornsife’s PhD in Epidemiology program offers a variety of unique benefits that prepare students for career advancement and professional skill development:

• Access to Renowned Faculty: Students engage with the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics faculty members, whose research areas include aging and lifecourse epidemiology, chronic and infectious disease epidemiology, complex systems approaches to population health, neighborhood influences on health disparities, psychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions, and urban health.
• Financial Support: Full-time students with research or teaching fellowships receive full tuition, a 12-month stipend, and health insurance.
• Mentorship: Students are paired with outstanding faculty mentors with training and expertise in epidemiology and biostatistics.
• Teaching Opportunities: Doctoral students have opportunities for teaching in our master’s and undergraduate degree programs.
• Cohort Size: Small cohort size ensures favorable faculty to student ratio.
• Reputation: Dornsife ranks as the #1 graduate school of public health in Philadelphia  and is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
• Excellent Career Outcomes: 100 percent job placement within one year of graduation.

PhD in Epidemiology Competencies & Learning Objectives

Upon graduation of the PhD in Epidemiology program, students will be prepared to:

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of human physiology and pathophysiology with special competence in areas needed for dissertation research
• Search and critically evaluate literature to synthesize information, identify major gaps in knowledge, and formulate statement of research problem and hypothesis
• Design studies based on application of principal study designs, strengths, and limitations, evaluate sample size, identify, assess, and minimize bias and confounding
• Analyze data using appropriate statistical approaches and standard statistical software
• Apply epidemiologic causal inference theory to the design, implementation, and interpretation of analyses
• Communicate results orally and in writing to scientists and non-scientists and place findings in appropriate public health and health policy context

To learn more about the Epidemiology PhD program, request more information to speak with an academic advisor today.

Request more information

Dornsife's Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics seeks students who have demonstrated an ability to integrate public health competencies and skills into public health practice.

Admissions Requirements for the PhD in Epidemiology Program

Applicants to the PhD in Epidemiology program at Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health must meet the following requirements:

• Master’s degree in epidemiology or a related field
• Potential for high level of performance in the PhD program and subsequent contributions to the field of epidemiology

All entering students are expected to have already completed introductory and intermediate level epidemiology and biostatistics courses as part of their Master’s program or must enroll in these courses, or their equivalents, as additional requirements.

Application Requirements for the PhD in Epidemiology Program

To be considered for the PhD program in Epidemiology, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Online application via SOPHAS
• Undergraduate and graduate transcripts (international transcripts must be evaluated by World Education Services)
• A written statement of career and educational goals, professional experience, and area of research interest
• Three letters of recommendation from faculty or professionals who can evaluate the applicant's promise as a graduate student
• Resume or CV
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for applicants whose first language is not English

An in-person or telephone/online interview is required of all finalists.

A note on official GRE scores: GRE scores will not be a part of the Drexel University Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics application for those applying for Fall 2024 entry. The Admissions Committee will continue to evaluate candidates based on a holistic and overall assessment of the required application materials. 

To learn more about application and admissions requirements for the PhD in Epidemiology program, please visit the page below.

Learn more about admissions and application requirements

Faculty and Research

The mission of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics is to develop, teach and apply approaches to understanding the distribution and determinants of disease in populations in order to generate knowledge that can be used to improve public health.

More About the Epi/Bio Department

Meet Current Epidemiology PhD Students

Epidemiology PhD Program Curriculum

The PhD in Epidemiology curriculum prepares students to approach public health problems with the critical analytic skills necessary to generate meaningful epidemiologic questions and utilize the most appropriate research strategies to address them.

The program comprises both formal classroom training and guided research with faculty mentors trained in a variety of areas of public health.

Required Courses to Complete a PhD in Epidemiology

The PhD in Epidemiology program requires two academic years of structured coursework, consisting of required core courses in the Dornsife School of Public Health, as well as directed dissertation research.

Students complete core epidemiology classes and choose electives in areas such as infectious disease epidemiology, perinatal epidemiology, cardiovascular disease epidemiology, and pharmacoepidemiology.

Required core courses in the program include:

• BST 820 Intermediate Biostatistics II - 3 credits
• EPI 700 Advanced Epidemiology - 3 credits
• EPI 801 Causal Inference in Epidemiology: Theory - 3 credits
• EPI 804 Causal Inference in Epidemiology: Application - 3 credits
• EPI 861 Pathophysiologic Basis of Epidemiologic Research - 3 credits

Students consult with their faculty mentor on all elective selections, and at least one elective should be at the doctoral level.

Degree Requirements for the PhD in Epidemiology

To graduate with a PhD in Epidemiology, students must meet the following academic requirements:

• A minimum of 54 credits
• Completing a dissertation of publishable quality
• Passing the final defense

To learn more about the PhD in Epidemiology curriculum and to see plans of study, please follow the links below.

Review degree requirements and courses

Sample Plan of Study

How Long Does A PhD in Epidemiology Take?

Students can complete the PhD in Epidemiology program in as little as two years. The program includes a passing a comprehensive exam, developing and defending a dissertation proposal, completing a dissertation of publishable quality, and a final defense.

What Can You Do With a PhD in Epidemiology

Many PhD in Epidemiology program graduates work in an applied epidemiologic field or health research field. Graduates from the Dornsife School of Public Health are employed by state and local governments, nonprofits, universities, and pharmaceutical companies.

A PhD in Epidemiology prepares individuals for unique career paths and advancement opportunities, including:

• Senior Epidemiologist
• University Professor
• Research Scientist
• Director of Clinical Research

A PhD in Epidemiology provides a unique opportunity to direct scientifically rigorous research that informs public health and medical care policies and procedures, leading to improved health and well-being of populations.

Where Can You Work With a PhD in Epidemiology

The types of organizations that hire epidemiologists include:

• Research organizations
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Universities
• State and local government departments/agencies

PhD in Epidemiology Salaries

While salary for individuals with a PhD in epidemiology can range across industries, the median annual wage for epidemiologists across all top industries was $78,520 in May 2022 ( Bureau of Labor Statistics) .

Are Epidemiologists in Demand?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 27% increase in the job outlook for epidemiologists from 2022 to 2032. Individuals can work in many settings such as laboratories, offices, or in the field.

Further develop your skills and propel your career forward with a PhD degree in Epidemiology from the CEPH-accredited  Dornsife School of Public Health.

Start your application today

Paying for Your Public Health Degree

Ninety-five percent of PhD students receive tuition remission, stipend, and health insurance.

In general, PhD students finance their education through a variety of sources, and the Dornsife School of Public Health provides financial support through training grants, scholarships, stipends, and working as a teaching or research assistant.

Explore scholarships and financial aid

Amy Auchincloss, PhD, MPH Associate Professor of Epidemiology [email protected]

David A. Wood, MBA, MS Executive Director, Enrollment Management 267.359.6092 [email protected]

Epidemiology, PhD

Bloomberg school of public health, doctor of philosophy degree program.

The  PhD program in Epidemiology  is anchored in public health and quantitative population research and analysis. Students approach research using epidemiologic methods to understand complex human health problems. The PhD 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. The doctoral degree program is designed for individuals with specific career goals in public health research, teaching, and/or leadership.

PhD students focus on the creation of new and innovative knowledge through their research. Training is offered through a core methodologic sequence with the addition of more focused courses in specialized areas. Students are expected to tailor their curricula, working with their advisers to create a comprehensive plan of study and 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 here.

The PhD program requires that students:

• Complete at least 64 credits of coursework with a cumulative 3.0 GPA (B or higher average in required courses);
• Successfully pass the departmental comprehensive examination at the doctoral level;
• Complete the teaching assistantship (TA) curriculum, including serving as a TA in 3 departmental courses;
• Present their proposed doctoral research as a professional seminar to the Department;
• Pass the Departmental Oral Examination;
• Pass the Graduate Board Preliminary Oral Examination;
• Fulfill the primary data collection requirement;
• Develop and conduct independent research culminating in a doctoral dissertation in an approved format;
• Present their completed dissertation research in a formal seminar (open to the public);
• Successfully defend their dissertation during the Final Oral Examination.

Students work closely with their advisers and Thesis Advisory Committee to develop their research questions and design their projects to address those questions and to conduct the dissertation research.

Program Requirements

Course location and modality is found on the BSPH website .

Doctoral students in the Department of Epidemiology train to be public health leaders and educators. By following an apprenticeship model, students take courses, learn to teach methods and concepts to a wide audience, conduct a rigorous examination of the existing science, and discover and contribute new knowledge to the field. Thus we require students to complete a residency and participate fully in journal clubs, research-in-progress meetings, programmatic activities, and scientific poster sessions and conferences. Doctoral students serve as teaching assistants, conduct research, and prepare a dissertation of the caliber expected of graduates of Johns Hopkins University. 

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. To broaden perspective and to enhance the student’s capabilities for work in public health or disease-related fields, 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. Students who have completed a master’s degree at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and are continuing into the doctoral program, must complete 18 new credits outside of Epidemiology, in at least two different departments of the school  and  complete 18 credits within the Department of Epidemiology, to establish the grade point average. Of note: University and Schoolwide requirements do not count toward the 18 credits outside of the department.

PhD students are expected to complete the core required courses for a letter grade and earn a B or better in required courses. The minimum grade point average for PhD students is 3.0 on the 4.0 scale.

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. These activities are opportunities to engage and interact with Track faculty, fellow students, and post-doctoral fellows, and to participate and present in the topic area of the Track.  All doctoral students are expected to participate in their Track. If a student for some reason wishes to switch tracks during the course of their degree, they must schedule a meeting with the Senior Academic Program Manager, Frances Burman ( [email protected] ), and the intended track director to ascertain whether a switch is feasible to still meet graduation requirements in time and to complete a formal form.

Quarterly Doctoral Meetings

Doctoral students and the Doctoral Program Directors meet quarterly. The agenda is developed by the Epidemiology Student Organization (ESO) doctoral student representatives in consultation with the program co-directors. These meetings provide a forum to learn about academic policies and deadlines, for students to raise questions and concerns, and for all to hear the answers. All doctoral students are expected to attend these meetings.

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. This is accomplished using the Individualized Development Plan  (IDP). A critical part of any learning is the ability to review knowledge and skills gained, identify gaps, and identify ways to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for academic and professional success. Therefore, each PhD student is expected to (at least once annually) review their 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. Each student reviews these with their academic adviser to discuss their progress and address any suggested areas for exploration by completing the Individualized Development Plan (IDP). The IDP is not a graded assignment but rather a guidepost for personal growth and reflection. The Johns Hopkins University Provost's Office  provides resources  on its website and a  guided form  for use. Additionally, a handy and thorough example is  linked here  and designed by Science Careers.  

Any template for an IDP may be used; however, the form must include sections for the student to complete on the following topics. There must also be space for adviser comments and feedback:

• Academic and/or thesis research progress of the past year and specific academic and/or research goals for the upcoming year;
• Ideas for ways in which the adviser can help the student achieve the student’s academic or research goals for the coming year;
• Short and long-term professional goals and the types or range of professional sectors of possible interest;
• Specific skills the student wants to develop, or professional areas about which the student wants to learn more; and
• Provide ways the adviser can help the student achieve, or connect the student to resources for, these professional goals.

Doctoral Teaching Assistant (TA) Curriculum Requirements

Purpose of the doctoral ta curriculum.

Learning how to be an effective teacher and communicator about epidemiologic principles and methods is an integral part of doctoral education in epidemiology. Teaching is an opportunity for students to meet several Departmental doctoral program core competencies, enabling students to:

• 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; and
• Provide epidemiologic critique and advice by advising students and professionals on epidemiologic concepts and methods and conducting peer review activities

Practicing these skills also prepare students for Department and Preliminary Oral Examinations and for their future careers, whether in academia or in other venues. The full description of the Teaching Curriculum is outlined in the  Policy tab. 

Course Requirements

Academic & research ethics (and avoiding plagiarism) course requirement.

All doctoral students must enroll in PH.550.860 Academic & Research Ethics at BSPH during the first term of doctoral enrollment at the School. The Avoiding Plagiarism at JHU training developed by JHU's Sheridan Libraries course material is contained within the PH.550.860 Academic & Research Ethics at BSPH course. This online course is administered through CoursePlus. All students are required to complete this online course by the end of their first term enrolled. In the course, students are asked to upload two certificates to a CoursePlus DropBox showing completion of both parts of this course:

• Certificate from JHU for the Avoiding Plagiarism module
• Certificate from SPH for completion of the Responsible Conduct of Research module

Students must also send a copy of the certificates to the Senior Academic Program Manager, Frances Burman ( [email protected] ) with their name and “Academic & Research Ethics Requirement” in the subject line of the e-mail.

Responsible Conduct of Research Course Requirement

All doctoral students must fulfill the Responsible Conduct of Research requirement. Please note, while there is a Responsible Conduct of Research module within the PH.550.860 Academic & Research Ethics at BSPH .82, this is a separate requirement and is not fulfilled by that module contained within PH.550.860 Academic & Research Ethics at BSPH .82.  

Additionally, doctoral students who are supported by a National Institutes of Health (NIH) training grant, career development award (individual or institutional), research education grant, or dissertation research grant (including D43, D71, F05, F30, F31, F32, F33, F34, F37, F38, K01, K02, K05, K07, K08, K12, K18, K22, K23, K24, K25, K26, K30, K99/R00, KL1,  KL2, R36, T15, T32, T34, T35, T36, T37, T90/R90, TL1, TU2, and U2R) must repeat this in-person requirement every four years.

This requirement can be met by completing either of the following two courses:

• PH.550.600 Living Science Ethics - Responsible Conduct of Research (1st term) or
• PH.306.665 Research Ethics and integrity  (3rd term)

CEPH Cells to Society Courses

The Council on Education in Public Health designates core knowledge for all public health professionals. The list of courses and term offerings is located  online . Epidemiology degree students are required to complete 8 of the 12 sessions as listed below. Each course is 0.5 credits and is offered only online. Many of these courses can be used as introductions to full-term courses offered in multiple modalities throughout the year.

Departmental Core and Required Courses [subject to change]

The Doctoral Level Core Requirements are listed by year and term for all Epidemiology doctoral students. Students complete CEPH Cells to Society Courses , Core Courses ,  Track-Specific Courses , a  course outside of their track , and recommended courses appropriate to provide a base for their intended research. Students who group their electives and recommended courses in a cohesive theme may wish to complete one of the many  Certificates  offered by the Department and School. Doctoral students who have a strong interest in methodology may apply for and complete the  Concurrent MHS in Biostatistics  while enrolled in the doctoral program.

REQUIRED: Core Courses for all doctoral students in Epidemiology

Core Courses should be completed during the first year of enrollment in preparation for the Written Comprehensive Examinations and as preparation for the Teaching Curriculum.

May be waived if student holds MPH from a CEPH accredited program in past 10 yrs

Courses approved for the "OUTSIDE OF TRACK" requirement

All students must complete one introductory topical epidemiology course outside of the chosen track. Courses approved by the Curriculum Committee to meet this requirement are listed below:

DEPARTMENT-WIDE RECOMMENDED COURSES

1 term, can be taken in any term 1 through 4

Recommended for all four terms during year 2

Specific track requirements will be cross-referenced with the course directory and course system database before listing below.

Track Course Requirements (subject to change)

In addition to the Department-wide Core Requirements, each track requires additional coursework specific to their fields to prepare students to conduct research and serve as leaders. Please see the track-specific requirements and recommended courses listed below. Additionally, the first-year course content is covered in the annual Written Comprehensive Exams. All students may take courses in any of the tracks listed and are encouraged to do so.

Cancer Epidemiology

Courses required  for doctoral students in cancer epidemiology, second year, additional recommended courses for doctoral students in cancer epidemiology .

[Terms and offerings change each year. Always check the course directory for the most up-to-date offerings]

PH.140.651 Methods in Biostatistics I PH.340.616 Epidemiology of Aging   (fulfills an out-of-track requirement) PH.340.696 Spatial Analysis I: ArcGIS PH.340.660 Practical Skills in Conducting Research in Clinical Epidemiology and Investigation  ideally taken in year 2  PH.340.728 Advanced Methods for Design and Analysis of Cohort Studies  should be completed in year 2 or later

PH.140.652 Methods in Biostatistics II PH.340.774 Advanced Theory and Methods in Epidemiology PH.140.630 Introduction to Data Management PH.180.650 Fundamentals of Clinical Oncology for Public Health Practitioners (becomes recommended only when used in addition to Cancer: Cause to Cure) PH.330.603 Psychiatric Epidemiology (fulfills an out-of-track requirement) PH.340.645 Introduction to Clinical Trials (fulfills an out-of-track requirement) PH.340.666 Foundations of Social Epidemiology (fulfills an out-of-track requirement) PH.340.682 Pharmacoepidemiology Methods (fulfills an out-of-track requirement) PH.340.697 Spatial Analysis II: Spatial Data Technologies

PH.140.653 Methods in Biostatistics III PH.140.655 Analysis of Multilevel and Longitudinal Data PH.140.664 Causal Inference in Medicine and Public Health I PH.340.606 Methods for Conducting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses PH.340.694 Power and Sample Size for the Design of Epidemiological Studies I

PH.140.632 Introduction to the SAS Statistical Package PH.140.654 Methods in Biostatistics IV PH.140.656 Multilevel and Longitudinal Models - Data Analysis Workshop PH.340.644 Epidemiology of Diabetes and Obesity PH.340.600 Stata Programming PH.340.680 Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology (fulfills an out-of-track requirement) PH.120.624 Cancer Biology (becomes recommended only when used in addition to Cancer: Cause to Cure) PH.380.664 Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology (fulfills an out-of-track requirement)

Cardiovascular and Clinical Epidemiology

Courses required   for doctoral students in cardiovascular and clinical epidemiology.

Term 1:       

Term 2:     

Term 3:     

Please consider recommended courses appropriate to augment your knowledge in fields of interest

Additional Required Courses for Doctoral Students focusing on Cardiovascular Epidemiology

Additional required course for doctoral students focusing on clinical epidemiology.

Term 2      

Recommended Courses for Doctoral Students in Cardiovascular and Clinical Epidemiology

Term 1 PH.340.687 Epidemiology of Kidney Disease    2 PH.340.731 Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 1  (fulfills and out of track requirement) 4 PH.340.616 Epidemiology of Aging ​  (fulfills and out of track requirement)  3

Term 2 PH.340.624 Etiology, Prevention, and Control of Cancer  (fulfills and out of track requirement)  4 PH.340.627 Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases (fulfills and out of track requirement) 4

Term 3 PH.180.640 Molecular Epidemiology and Biomarkers in Public Health 4  PH.340.606 Methods for Conducting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses * 4 *usually taken in Year 2 

Term 4 PH.340.644 Epidemiology of Diabetes and Obesity (fulfills and out of track requirement) 3 

Skills Courses  (can be taken Year 1 or later with commensurate progress in Biostats series)

Term 4 PH.340.600 Stata Programming   2 PH.140.632 Introduction to the SAS Statistical Package 3

Advanced Methods Courses (recommended in Year 2, review course catalogue for prerequisites)

Term 1 PH.140.641 Survival Analysis 3 PH.140.776 Statistical Computing 3 PH.340.660 Practical Skills in Conducting Research in Clinical Epidemiology and Investigation 3 

Term 2 PH.340.717 Health Survey Research Methods  4

Term 3 PH.140.655 Analysis of Multilevel and Longitudinal Data 4 PH.140.664 Causal Inference in Medicine and Public Health I  4

Additional Recommended Courses for Doctoral Students with a focus in Cardiovascular Epidemiology

Term 1 PH.140.651 Methods in Biostatistics I 4

Term 2 PH.140.652 Methods in Biostatistics II   4 PH.340.620 Principles of Clinical Epidemiology 2

Term 3 PH.140.653 Methods in Biostatistics III  4

Term 4 PH.140.654 Methods in Biostatistics IV 4

Additional Recommended Courses for Doctoral Students with a focus in Clinical Epidemiology 

PH.340.607 Introduction to Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology  4 PH.340.730 Assessment of Clinical Cardiovascular Disease 2

Term 4 PH.340.803 Advanced Topics in Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology 2  PH.340.855 SS/R: Biological Basis of Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology  2

Clinical Trials and Evidence Synthesis

Courses required   for doctoral students in clinical trials and evidence synthesis, recommended  courses  for doctoral students in clinical trials and evidence synthesis.

Term 1 PH.140.651 Methods in Biostatistics I 4 PH.221.722 Quality Assurance Management Methods for Developing Countries 4 PH.340.653 Epidemiologic Inference in Outbreak Investigations 3 PH.340.660 Practical Skills in Conducting Research in Clinical Epidemiology and Investigation 3 PH.340.728 Advanced Methods for Design and Analysis of Cohort Studies 5 PH.390.631 Principles of Drug Development 2 PH.390.673 Ethical and Regulatory Issues in Clinical Research 3 PH.317.600 Introduction to the Risk Sciences and Public Policy 4

Term 2   PH.140.630 Introduction to Data Management 3 PH.140.652 Methods in Biostatistics II  4 PH.340.717 Health Survey Research Methods 4 PH.410.710 Concepts in Qualitative Research for Social and Behavioral Sciences 3

Term 3 PH.140.634 Non-Inferiority and Equivalence Clinical Trials 2 PH.140.642 Design of Clinical Experiments 3 PH.140.653 Methods in Biostatistics III 4 PH.223.664 Design and Conduct of Community Trials 4 PH.340.694 Power and Sample Size for the Design of Epidemiological Studies I 1 PH.340.775 Measurement Theory and Techniques in Epidemiology  4 PH.140.664 Causal Inference in Medicine and Public Health I  4

Term 4  PH.140.654 Methods in Biostatistics IV  4 PH.140.632 Introduction to the SAS Statistical Package 3 PH.140.656 Multilevel and Longitudinal Models - Data Analysis Workshop 4 PH.221.616 Ethics and Global Public Health Practice 2 PH.223.705 Good Clinical Practice: A Vaccine Trials Perspective 4 PH.224.691 Qualitative Data Analysis  3 PH.390.675 Outcomes and Effectiveness Research 3

Summer Inst PH.330.621 Mixed Methods for Research in Public Health 2

Environmental Epidemiology

Course required  for doctoral students in environmental epidemiology.

PH.340.680 Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology

Recommended Courses for Doctoral Students in Environmental Epidemiology

Term 1   PH.182.615 Airborne Particles 4 PH.187.610 Public Health Toxicology 4 PH.188.680 Fundamentals of Occupational Health 3 PH.317.600 Introduction to the Risk Sciences and Public Policy 4

Term 2   PH.182.625 Principles of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene 4 PH.317.610 Risk Policy, Management and Communication 3 PH.340.624 Etiology, Prevention, and Control of Cancer   4 PH.340.717 Health Survey Research Methods 4

Term 3   PH.180.601 Environmental Health 5 PH.180.640 Molecular Epidemiology and Biomarkers in Public Health   4 PH.317.605 Methods in Quantitative Risk Assessment 4

Term 4   PH.188.681 Onsite Evaluation of Workplace and Occupational Health Programs 5 PH.317.615 Topics in Risk Assessment 2

Epidemiology of Aging

Course required   for doctoral students in epidemiology of aging.

PH.340.616 Epidemiology of Aging

Recommended Courses for Doctoral Students in Epidemiology of Aging

each term PH.330.802 Seminar on Aging, Cognition and Neurodegenerative Disorders 1

Term 1   PH.140.641 Survival Analysis 3 PH.380.604 Life Course Perspectives on Health 4

Term 2   PH.340.620 Principles of Clinical Epidemiology 2 PH.340.666 Foundations of Social Epidemiology 3 PH.380.603 Demographic Methods for Public Health 4

Term 3   PH.340.699 Epidemiology of Sensory Loss in Aging 3 PH.260.665 Biological Basis of Aging ++  3

Term 4  PH.330.623 Brain and Behavior in Mental Disorders 3 PH.140.656 Multilevel and Longitudinal Models - Data Analysis Workshop 4 PH.330.618 Mental Health in Later Life ++ 3 ++offered every other year

Term 1    PH.330.657 Statistics for Psychosocial Research: Measurement  4 PH.340.728 Advanced Methods for Design and Analysis of Cohort Studies   5

Term 2    PH.140.658 Statistics for Psychosocial Research: Structural Models 4 PH.309.605 Health Issues for Aging Populations   3

Term 3    PH.140.655 Analysis of Multilevel and Longitudinal Data 4

General Epidemiology and Methodology

Courses required  for doctoral students in general epidemiology and methodology.

PH.340.731 Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 1   4 (recommended for year 1 but may be taken in year 2, satisfies the out-of-track requirement as well)

PH.340.645 Introduction to Clinical Trials    3 (recommended for year 1 but may be taken in year 2)

Terms 1 - 4

PH.340.875 GEM Research  Seminar  1 (required for each student each term in year 1)

CHOOSE AT LEAST TWO  of these 3 courses in Public Health Research Skills:

Term 1:  PH.340.660 Practical Skills in Conducting Research in Clinical Epidemiology and Investigation   3  Term 2:  PH.340.717 Health Survey Research Methods 4 Term 3:  PH.340.648 Clinical Trials Management   3

Recommended Courses for Doctoral Students in General Epidemiology and Methodology

Doctoral students with a methodology focus:.

Term 1   PH.330.657 Statistics for Psychosocial Research: Measurement 4 PH.340.646 Epidemiology and Public Health Impact of HIV and AIDS 4 PH.340.616 Epidemiology of Aging 3 PH.340.653 Epidemiologic Inference in Outbreak Investigations 3

Term 2   PH.140.658 Statistics for Psychosocial Research: Structural Models 4 PH.183.631 Fundamentals of Human Physiology 4 PH.260.631 Immunology, Infection and Disease 3 PH.330.603 Psychiatric Epidemiology 3 PH.340.620 Principles of Clinical Epidemiology 2 PH.340.624 Etiology, Prevention, and Control of Cancer 4 PH.340.666 Foundations of Social Epidemiology * 3 PH.340.732 Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 2 3

Term 3   PH.140.640 Statistical Methods for Sample Surveys 3 PH.180.640 Molecular Epidemiology and Biomarkers in Public Health 4 PH.222.647 Nutrition Epidemiology 3 PH.224.690 Qualitative Research Theory and Methods 3 PH.309.616 Introduction to Methods for Health Services Research and Evaluation I 2 PH.340.607 Introduction to Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology 4 PH.340.609 Concepts and Methods in Infectious Disease Epidemiology 3 PH.340.733 Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 3 3

Term 4 PH.140.656 Multilevel and Longitudinal Models - Data Analysis Workshop 4 PH.224.691 Qualitative Data Analysis 3 PH.309.617 Introduction to Methods for Health Services Research and Evaluation II 2 PH.340.641 Healthcare Epidemiology 4 PH.340.677 Infectious Disease Dynamics: Theoretical and Computational Approaches 3 PH.340.680 Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology 4 PH.380.664 Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology 4 PH.390.675 Outcomes and Effectiveness Research 3

*alternates online and in-person every other year ++ alternate year course

Second Year courses:

Term 1     PH.340.728 Advanced Methods for Design and Analysis of Cohort Studies 5

Term 2     PH.340.774 Advanced Theory and Methods in Epidemiology 4

Term 3     PH.140.664 Causal Inference in Medicine and Public Health I 4 PH.140.655 Analysis of Multilevel and Longitudinal Data 4 PH.340.606 Methods for Conducting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 4

Recommended statistical programming computing courses:

Term 1 PH.140.776 Statistical Computing  3

Term 4   PH.140.632 Introduction to the SAS Statistical Package 3 PH.340.600 Stata Programming 2

Doctoral Students with a Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Focus:

Strongly recommended courses for doctoral students with a pharmacoepidemiology focus:.

Term 1   PH.317.600 Introduction to the Risk Sciences and Public Policy 4 PH.390.631 Principles of Drug Development 2

Term 2    PH.317.610 Risk Policy, Management and Communication 3

Term 3   PH.140.664 Causal Inference in Medicine and Public Health I 4 PH.340.684 Pharmacoepidemiology: Drug Utilization 3  (alternate year format) PH.221.610 Pharmaceuticals Management for Under-Served Populations 3

Term 4  PH.410.680 Social Ecological Approaches to Health Regimen Adherence in Chronic Conditions 3

Recommended courses for Doctoral Students with a Pharmacoepidemiology Focus:

Term 1   PH.317.605 Methods in Quantitative Risk Assessment 4

Term 4   PH.317.615 Topics in Risk Assessment  2

the following courses are offered outside of BSPH and require interdivisional registration and instructor permission AS.410.651 Clinical Development of Drugs and Biologics 4 AS.410.627 Translational Biotechnology: From Intellectual Property to Licensing 4 ME.330.809 Analytic Methods for Clinical Pharmacology variable NR.110.508 Clinical Pharmacology 3

Individualized Focus:

Students designing their own educational programs should, in conjunction with their advisor, choose three to four graduate-level courses (taken for a letter grade) in their field from among the offerings of the University in addition to taking the GEM Required courses listed above.

Genetic Epidemiology

Courses required   for doctoral students in genetic epidemiology.

Term 1  PH.340.731 Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 1  4  

Term 2   PH.340.732 Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 2   3

Term 3   PH.340.733 Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 3   3

Term 4  PH.340.734 Principles of Genetic Epi 4: Emerging and Advanced Methods 2

Term 1    PH.120.602 Concepts of Molecular Biology (Pass/Fail, or Grade)  4

Recommended Courses for Doctoral Students in Genetic Epidemiology

Analytic methods courses (ideal for year 2).

Term 1    PH.140.641 Survival Analysis  3 PH.140.651 Methods in Biostatistics I * 4 PH.140.776 Statistical Computing 3

Term 2    PH.140.638 Analysis of Biological Sequences 3 PH.140.652 Methods in Biostatistics II 4 PH.140.778 Statistical Computing, Algorithm, and Software Development 3 PH.340.774 Advanced Theory and Methods in Epidemiology * 4

Term 3    PH.140.644 Statistical Machine Learning: Methods, Theory, and Applications 4 PH.140.653 Methods in Biostatistics III 4 PH.140.655 Analysis of Multilevel and Longitudinal Data 4

Term 4   PH.140.688 Statistics For Genomics 3

Biology and Molecular Methods Courses

Term 1   PH.260.611 Principles of Immunology I 4

Term 2  PH.260.612 Principles of Immunology II 4 PH.183.631 Fundamentals of Human Physiology 4 (*For non-physician trained students only)

Term 3    PH.180.640 Molecular Epidemiology and Biomarkers in Public Health 4

Term 4  PH.120.608 Gene Editing, Therapy and Manipulation 3

Topic-Specific Electives

Term 3 PH.340.775 Measurement Theory and Techniques in Epidemiology 4

Term 4  PH.330.619 Psychiatric Genomics 3 PH.415.624 Ethical, Legal and Social Implications in Genetics and Genomics Over Time  (offered in alternate years) 

Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Courses required   for doctoral students in infectious disease epidemiology, students must complete at least one course in each of the four disciplinary sections below:  , section one: general electives (choose 1), section two: skills in research (choose 1), section three:  biology and pathogenesis of disease (choose 1), section four: immunology: choose one set (recommended to complete in year two).

                             *students requesting pass/fail for these two courses only must seek permission from their adviser and the track director

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. All students are required to sit for the exam on the scheduled dates—no alternate exams will be offered.

By the time of the examination, students should have completed 64 credits (one full year of residence),  the required first-year coursework in their Track with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0,  and in these courses:

The first day of the exam (Part A) includes testing on the following topics:

• Knowledge and application of epidemiologic concepts and methods (and related biostatistics)
• History of epidemiology
• Contemporary issues in public health
• Research ethics

The second day of the exam (Part B) is Track-specific and tests knowledge of concepts and methods presented in the required courses and activities for each Track, as well as the Department core courses as applied to the Track.

Students must pass both Part A and Part B of the comprehensive examination. Doctoral students must attain at least 75% on Part A and at least 75% on Part B to pass. A repeat examination may be allowed but is not guaranteed. If a repeat is granted, it must be completed before starting the second academic year.

Failure to pass one or both sections of the comps may result in dismissal from the doctoral program or from the Department.

Additionally, PhD students may not enroll in Doctoral Seminars courses (340.863) until they have successfully passed the written comprehensive exams at the doctoral level. 

Dissertation Steps

Timing of activities / milestones.

• Years one and two: Complete academic preparation for dissertation through coursework, special studies, and research with the adviser, attend seminars, journal clubs, and research-in-progress activities of interest. Students should meet at least once per term with their adviser and possibly weekly while completing special studies and research (PH.340.840).
• Year two: Students develop their specific aims, add a co-adviser, and produce a working draft of their dissertation research proposal prior to or during the fourth term of the second year. Students, in combination with their advisers, select a third member for the Thesis Advisory  Committee and present their proposed research at a public seminar to the department during the fourth term of year two or the first term of year three. Students also begin to fulfill their Teaching Requirements during year two and begin assuming leadership roles within the department or school.
• Year three:  Students hold their departmental and preliminary oral exams and begin research. Many students continue their teaching requirements and begin submitting papers for publication in conjunction with their advisers or other faculty mentors. Students should schedule a minimum of two weeks between the doctoral proposal seminar and the departmental oral exam and must schedule a minimum of four weeks between the departmental oral exam and the preliminary (school-wide) exam. Students may schedule all three activities simultaneously or wait to pass one before scheduling the next. Students may elect to take up to six months to prepare for each exam. Students must successfully pass their Preliminary Oral Exam within three academic years of enrollment in the doctoral degree program. 
• Year four: Students conclude data collection and analysis, complete their dissertations, and hold the defense of their research. This timeframe varies from student to student depending on a wide variety of factors. 
• The University permits as many as seven years or 28 terms to complete the PhD degree requirements; however, the financial support granted PhD students by the Department of Epidemiology will not extend beyond that specified in the original offer of the acceptance letter. 

Thesis Advisory Committee

The role of the Thesis Advisory Committee is to provide continuity in the evaluation of the progress and development of the doctoral student. The Thesis Advisory Committee is assembled by the doctoral student and their adviser(s). The Thesis Advisory 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. If the student selects a co-adviser, the co-Adviser serves on the Thesis Advisory Committee. Additional faculty within and outside of the School may also be recruited. Committee membership is permitted to change during the research period. The Thesis Advisory Committee is not the same as the Preliminary or Final Oral Examination Committees. The Thesis Advisory Committee decides when the student is ready to proceed through each of the milestones needed to complete the degree requirements, including the Doctoral Proposal Seminar, the Departmental and School-wide Preliminary Oral Examinations, and the Final Oral Examination (“defense”). Bi-annual formal meetings of the Thesis Advisory Committee are required, but meetings may and should occur more frequently. It is the student's responsibility to schedule meetings.

Tips for doctoral students for successful formal meetings of the Thesis Advisory Committee:

• Prior to each meeting, draft an agenda with adviser input and distribute a one-page description of progress, including any key results
• After each meeting, send a written report of the items discussed, decisions reached, and the action items to be completed by the next meeting to the members for approval
• Maintain a log of the meetings to aid in writing the annual progress report and financial support documentation

Once the Thesis Advisory Committee is formed, submit the signed “Thesis Committee Approval Form” (on the Epi Intranet ) to Fran Burman (franburman@ jhu.edu) and Ebony Moore ( eamoore@ jhu.edu ).

Dissertation Research Proposal

The 12-page single-spaced dissertation research proposal is developed during the second year, during terms 1 – 3 of PH.340.863 Doctoral Seminars in Epidemiology , and is the final project for the course PH.340.715 Problems in the Design of Epidemiologic Studies: Proposal Development and Critique . The dissertation proposal must be reviewed and approved by the Thesis Advisory Committee prior to scheduling the Doctoral Research Proposal Seminar.

Doctoral Research Proposal Seminar

After the Thesis Advisory Committee has approved the student's 12-page dissertation research proposal, the student must orally present the proposal in a Doctoral Proposal Seminar to the Department. Students should present a prepared presentation of approximately 40-45 minutes in length (usually using Powerpoint or other interactive slide technology), followed by approximately 15-20 minutes of questions and discussion. The Proposal Seminar is presented during the Department-wide Epidemiology Seminars (Current Topics in Epidemiologic Research) on Fridays during terms 1-4, from 12:15-1:20 pm, in Sheldon Hall W1214 (or via hybrid technology). Seminars are not permitted during the Summer. The dissertation (thesis) adviser must attend, and the Thesis Advisory Committee members and the Track Director are strongly encouraged to attend. Doctoral Proposal Seminars are advertised to the Department at large, and students and their adviser(s) should personally invite any other colleagues they would like to attend. The best ways to prepare for this seminar include attending Doctoral Research Proposal Seminars presented by peers and by presenting in a track research-in-progress meeting. Students should plan to conduct a ‘dress rehearsal,’ prior to the actual proposal (in the same room reserved for the defense to familiarize themselves with the surroundings and test all technology) for use during the Doctoral Research Proposal Seminar.

After the Thesis Advisory Committee has approved the student to present their Doctoral Proposal Seminar, the student should work with the adviser and Thesis Advisory Committee to select a seminar date. Once the Advisory Committee and adviser(s) have confirmed readiness, the student can proceed with reserving a date and room. To schedule a date, students should contact Laura Camarata, [email protected] , to discuss open dates and submit the “Doctoral Proposal Seminar Form” (on the Epi Intranet ), which includes preferences for seminar dates (1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices). This form requires the signature of the adviser and the Track Director.

Tips to keep in mind:

• Students cannot schedule their doctoral proposal seminars without the approval of their adviser(s) and the Thesis Advisory Committee
• Work with adviser(s) and Committee to have a timeline, and give as much lead time as possible (but no less than 3 months)  to schedule
• Seminars start at 12:15 pm, with an introduction by the student’s adviser, that the student should arrange
• Students should test their presentations prior, report early on the day of, and have their presentations saved in more than one place for back-up

Departmental Oral Examination

After the Thesis Advisory Committee has approved the Dissertation Research Proposal and the student has presented the Doctoral Proposal Seminar, the next step is to schedule and sit for the Departmental Oral Examination. The primary purpose of the Departmental Oral Examination is to prepare the student for the Preliminary Oral Examination. As such, the Departmental Oral Examination shares the purpose of the Preliminary Oral Examination:

To determine whether the student has both the ability and knowledge to undertake significant research in the general area of interest, including:

• the student's capacity for logical thinking;
• their breadth of knowledge in relevant areas; and
• their ability to develop and conduct research leading to a completed dissertation (thesis).

Discussion of a specific research proposal, if available, may serve as a vehicle for determining the student's general knowledge and research capacity. However, this examination is not intended to be a defense of a specific research proposal.

Students are encouraged to practice discussing epidemiologic methods, ethics, and public health knowledge at the level of a doctoral student with their adviser and thesis advisory committee in preparation for the oral exams. Professionalism, communication skills, and solid comprehension of epidemiologic methods are key in conveying the student's knowledge and readiness to conduct independent research.

Meeting with the Senior Academic Program Manager

In preparation for scheduling the Department Oral Examination, students should meet with the Senior Academic Program Manager, Fran Burman ( [email protected] ), to confirm that the student has met all Track, Department, and Schoolwide course requirements and has assembled a valid set of proposed committee members for the Thesis Advisory Committee, and the Department and the Preliminary Oral Examinations.

Department Oral Examination Committee Membership

The Department Oral Examination Committee should consist of: the adviser (primary), two other members, and one alternate member, all of whom have primary appointments in the Department of Epidemiology. Thesis committee members, including co-advisers, are not permitted to serve on the Departmental Oral Examination committee with the exception of the student’s adviser, who must participate. All Professorial and Scientist Track faculty who hold primary appointments in Epidemiology may serve on the Committee. Students are not expected to meet with members of the Committee prior to the examination and should not expect that committee members will discuss what questions they will be asked.

While the above describes the necessary committee, in any case where the student or advising team wants to have an additional faculty member present, the examiners and student must decide  in advance whether  the extra faculty member may ask questions and if yes, whether the student’s responses will count. In any case, the extra person may not vote but may contribute feedback to the student. Students considering this should first check in with the academic office.

DEPARTMENT ORAL EXAMINATION FORM

The “Department Oral Examination Form” (on the  Epi Intranet ), is due to the Senior Academic Program Coordinator, Ebony Moore ( [email protected] ), at least 14 days prior to the date of the proposed exam. With the approval of the Dissertation (thesis) Adviser, the form should be submitted after presenting the Doctoral Proposal Seminar and incorporating any key input from the Seminar into the Dissertation Research Proposal.

The Senior Academic Coordinator, Ebony Moore ( [email protected] ), will schedule the room and send a memo to examiners prior to the examination date. For hybrid or Zoom-based exams, the adviser will provide the Zoom link.

CONDUCT OF THE EXAMINATION

Prior to the exam, students submit to the Department Oral Examination Committee members a single-page summary of the dissertation proposal, including the specific aims, hypotheses, and methods. Committee members may request the longer 12-page Dissertation Research Proposal. The examination should be scheduled for and completed in one and a half hours but may be concluded earlier or later as determined by the Committee. At the start of the exam, students will present a brief talk of no more than 10 minutes that concisely summarizes the aims, hypothesis, methods, limitations, and significance of their proposed dissertation research. This presentation may be a distillation of the Doctoral Proposal Seminar. 

The faculty will ask questions all second-year Epidemiology PhD students should be comfortable discussing. The students may use their research proposal for examples. However, the exam is not a determination of the viability of the proposed research but rather a determination of whether the student is ready to commence guided independent research.

Department Oral Examination Outcome

The possible outcomes of the oral examination are Unconditional Pass, Conditional Pass, or Failure (retake). Conditional Pass requires the student and Department Oral Examination Committee to agree on remedial action designed to be completed within two weeks of the date of the examination. Students who fail the exam (require more remedial work than can be reasonably completed within two weeks) will be required to re-take the Department Oral Examination within six months. Two failures of the Departmental Oral Examination will result in dismissal from the degree program. For more information about the Departmental Oral Examination, please review the Department of Epidemiology Student Guidelines for the Departmental Oral Examination” (on the Epi Intranet ).

Preliminary Oral Examination (aka School-wide Exam)

This is also colloquially known as the “Schoolwide Oral Examination.”  Students and their adviser(s) are responsible for initiating arrangements for the preliminary doctoral examination. The University Graduate Board oversees these exams.

After the student has passed the Departmental Oral Examination, the next step is the Preliminary Oral Examination. The purpose of the Preliminary Oral Examination is to determine whether the student has both the ability and knowledge to undertake significant research in their general area of interest, including:

• their ability to develop and conduct research leading to a completed dissertation.

Discussion of a specific research proposal, if available, may serve as a vehicle for determining the student's general knowledge and research capacity. However, this examination is not intended to be a defense of a specific research proposal.  The preliminary oral examination is two hours in duration.

Preliminary Oral Examination Committee Membership

• Two members must be from the epidemiology department; one of these is the adviser. 
• Limit of 3 members from sponsoring department.
• Thesis Advisory Committee members may serve on the Committee.
• The adviser must be among the members present; an alternate may not serve in place of the adviser.
• The only instance when the faculty member can serve in their joint appointment capacity is if they are the student’s adviser.
• Occasionally, one adjunct or one scientist faculty member, but not both , may serve on the Committee; neither may serve as the Chair.
• All members of the Committee must be present at the scheduled exam location; teleconference is permitted on a case-by-case basis.
• The committee must be comprised of three Departments of the University, two being from the Bloomberg School of Public Health.
• The selection of alternates is very important for ensuring the exam can take place at the originally scheduled date/time. If a student has two members on their committee from epidemiology, the student should have one alternate from epidemiology and one from a non-sponsoring department.
• If a student has three members on their committee from epidemiology, then two alternates should be selected from two different non-sponsoring departments.
• At least two weeks prior to the exam, students submit to the Preliminary Oral Examination Committee members a single-page summary of the dissertation proposal, including the specific aims, hypotheses, and methods. Committee members may request the longer 12-page Dissertation Research Proposal. 

Preliminary Oral Examination Form

• Graduate Board Preliminary Oral Examination Request Form .
• Students may not submit this form until after they have successfully passed the Departmental OralExamination.
• The Registration Coordinator ([email protected]) will not accept the form unless it is submitted to the Registrar’s Office a minimum of 30 days prior to the proposed examination date. There are no exceptions.
• This form requires signatures from Senior Academic Program Manager, Frances Burman, the adviser, and the Department Chair or a Deputy Chair. The student is responsible for obtaining the required e-signatures in that order. The form should therefore be submitted to Frances Burman ([email protected]) at least 3-4 days prior to the date of submission to the Registrar’s Office.
• The exam is not considered officially scheduled and cannot be held until the student and examiners received notification from the Dean of the approval of the exam to be held.

The student is responsible for scheduling the room  for the exam, requesting Multimedia support if needed, and sending a memo to examiners confirming the date, time, and location of the exam prior to the exam date.

Examination Outcome

The outcome of the examination is Unconditional Pass, Conditional Pass, or Failure. Should the student receive a conditional pass, the Committee remains standing until the conditions, specified in writing, have been met. The consequence of a failure is decided by the Committee:

• no re-examination;
• re-examination by the same committee;
• re-examination in written form and conducted by the same committee; or
• re-examination by a new committee.

Primary Data Collection Requirement

Primary data collection is defined as:

• instrument design;
• data collection; or
• data management, quality assurance, and quality control.

Primary data collection is required for all PhD students. This requirement may be met through dissertation research or is satisfied through work on projects distinct from the dissertation. It may be obtained through work with a single epidemiologic study or it can be a compilation of several experiences that together fulfill the requirement. Primary data collection may be obtained as part of paid work. Students must document their plan for obtaining experience with primary data collection and submit this plan to their Thesis Advisory Committee with their 12-page dissertation proposal.

The Thesis Advisory Committee may approve primary data collection that occurred prior to matriculation to the doctoral program, but this approval is not guaranteed. Any questions regarding primary data collection will be directed from the Thesis Advisory Committee to a Deputy Chair. Students are expected to demonstrate an understanding of primary data collection processes in the epidemiologic study (or studies) utilized for their dissertation. This includes knowledge of the forms, instruments, and measurement processes relevant to their research; knowledge of quality control/assurance procedures of the study (or studies); and an evaluation of the potential threats to validity in the processes extending from primary measurement to the analytic dataset. If primary data collection is not a direct component of the dissertation research, doctoral students should include their primary data collection experience as an appendix to the dissertation. 

Doctoral Dissertation

Doctoral students must complete an original investigation presented in the form of a dissertation. The dissertation should be based on original research involving the generation of new knowledge by the student, worthy of publication, and acceptable to the Department of Epidemiology and to the Final Oral Examination Committee (Thesis Readers). Doctoral students have two options for the format of their dissertation, the traditional format, and the manuscript format. The Department recommends the manuscript format to accelerate the time to submission of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Manuscript Format

The manuscript format must meet the following criteria:

• The dissertation includes at least three manuscripts, linked by a common theme;
• The doctoral student must be the first author of each of the manuscripts;
• A manuscript will not be accepted as part of the dissertation if it was submitted before the student's dissertation topic was approved by the Thesis Advisory Committee;
• The manuscripts must be acceptable for publication based on usual substantive area peer review expectations; and
• The body of the dissertation should include a series of papers that are linked by a common theme (i.e., the student's dissertation topic)
• The first chapter may be a comprehensive critical literature review suitable for publication. It should introduce the scientific hypothesis for the dissertation
• Chapters two and three (or more) are the manuscripts, possibly with a transitional short chapter between each relating one to the other
• A final chapter should integrate and discuss the findings reported in the manuscripts. It should include a discussion of the conclusions drawn from research, a synthesis of the findings, and should make recommendations for further studies
• The dissertation may include an appendix outlining the details of study methods and any accompanying data tables deemed necessary to fully understand the data

Traditional Format

The traditional format includes:

• An introductory chapter, outlining the theme, hypotheses, and/or goals of the dissertation coupled with a review of the literature;
• Research chapters that are coherently structured for the research aims, each providing a reader enough detail to apply similar methods in another study; and
• A concluding chapter with an overall analysis and integration of the research and conclusions of the dissertation in light of current research in the field.

Regardless of the format, it is expected that the student will work with their adviser and any co-advisers to develop drafts of their dissertation chapters and receive constructive substantive and editorial feedback. Together, they will decide when drafts are ready for wider distribution to other members of the Thesis Advisory Committee and, if necessary, to other project collaborators. Follow the School’s guidelines for the preparation of the dissertation. The dissertation is a requirement for partial fulfillment of the PhD degree. Students may consult the School’s Policy and Procedures Memoranda (PPM) for the PhD program.

Final Defense:

Appointment of thesis readers/final defense form.

• Appointment of Thesis Readers/Final Defense Form  
• [email protected] must receive the form at least  30 days prior  to the anticipated exam date.  There are no exceptions.
• The form requires signatures from the Senior Academic Program Manager, the adviser, and the Department Chair. The student is responsible for obtaining the required signatures in that order. The form should therefore be submitted to Frances Burman ( [email protected] ) at least 3 to 4 days prior to the date of submission to the Registrar’s Office.

As a culminating experience for the doctoral student, the student will present a formal, public seminar. This requirement provides experience for the student in preparing a formal seminar; provides the faculty and Department with an opportunity to share in the student’s accomplishments; and gives the student a sense of finality to the doctoral experience. Students typically present a formal public seminar in conjunction with the Final Oral Examination. If possible, students are encouraged to give their Final Defense Seminars during the Department-wide Friday Epidemiology Seminars series (Current Topics; please contact Laura Camarata ( [email protected] ) or Frances Burman ( [email protected] ) regarding scheduling), but the seminar may be alternately scheduled during normal working hours.

The student is responsible for scheduling the room for the defense, and requesting Multimedia support if needed (unless they will be presenting as part of the Department-wide Friday Epidemiology Seminars series (Current Topics), coordinating with their adviser(s) to be briefly introduced, and inviting any additional outside guests.

Examination Purpose

The purpose of the Final Oral Examination is 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.

The final oral examination is three hours total (one for seminar/presentation and two for exam by committee)

Committee Membership (Dissertation (Thesis) Readers) and Appointment of Thesis readers / final defense examination request form

• Two members must have a primary faculty appointment in Epidemiology.
• The other two members must have appointments in two different departments other than Epidemiology.
• Alternates are not permitted to serve in place of the adviser.
• If the adviser is unable to attend the Final Oral Examination, co-advisers may serve in this role.
• Co-advisers may not serve as Chair.
• The committee is comprised of duly appointed faculty members of a University department and must hold, at the time of selection, a JHU faculty appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor or higher. 
• Either one scientist track or one adjunct faculty member may serve on the Exam Committee, but not both.
• The fifth member may serve on the Final Oral Examination Committee but that individual does not have voting privileges.
• All members of the Committee must be present at the scheduled exam location; teleconference/remote participation may be permitted on a case-by-case basis.
• It is permissible to have three different BSPH departments represented on the committee.
• The selection of alternates is very important for ensuring the exam can take place at the originally scheduled date/time. 
• Choose alternates that will fulfill the committee composition requirements, regardless of who is able to attend.
• One alternate should be from epidemiology; the other from a non-sponsoring department.
• The final oral examination is three hours total (one for seminar/presentation and two for exam by committee).
• The Registration Coordinator will not accept the form unless it is submitted to the Registrar’s Office  a minimum of 30 days prior  to the proposed examination date. There are no exceptions.
• This form requires signatures from the Senior Academic Program Manager, Frances Burman, the adviser, and the Department Chair or a Deputy Chair. The student is responsible for obtaining the required signatures in that order. The form should therefore be submitted to Frances Burman ( [email protected] ) at least 3-4 days prior to the date of submission to the Registrar’s Office.

The student is responsible for scheduling the rooms for the Final Oral Examination. While the Defense Seminar is held in an auditorium or large classroom, the Final Oral Examination usually is held in a smaller classroom or conference room. The Department recommends scheduling the examination in E6130 or W6015. The exam may be held virtually (subject to change by university COVID guidelines). If held virtually, the adviser provides the Zoom link for the seminar and the exam.

Distribution of Dissertation to Dissertation (Thesis) Readers

Committee members are encouraged and expected to communicate to the student specific recommendations for changes in the dissertation prior to the Final Oral Examination. The student is, therefore, expected to distribute the dissertation to the Committee at least four weeks before the date of the Final Oral Examination. The Dissertation Approval Form signed by the student’s adviser should accompany the dissertation at the time it is distributed to the committee members.

Conduct of the Examination

If one of the officially appointed Committee members fails to appear on the Final Oral Examination date/time, the previously approved alternate will serve as an examiner. A Final Oral Examination may not be held with fewer than four officially approved faculty members present in the room. The adviser must be among the members present; an alternate may not serve in the place of the adviser. Only approved Committee members are permitted to participate as examiners. During the Final Oral Examination, the Committee will evaluate:

• the originality and publication potential of the research;
• the candidate's understanding of the details of the methodologic and analytic work; and
• the final quality of the written dissertation document.

The examination committee chair along with the examiners will determine the details of how the Final Oral Examination is conducted.

The possible outcome of the Final Oral Examination based on the student’s performance and written dissertation is determined by closed ballot as Acceptable, Conditionally Acceptable, or Unacceptable. If one or more members require substantive changes to the dissertation (Conditionally Acceptable), the specific nature of these changes and the time expected for the student to complete them will be provided to the student in writing. The appropriately revised dissertation must be submitted to each of the members for final approval. If one or more members feel that the candidate’s understanding of the written dissertation is inadequate (Unacceptable), or that the dissertation in its present form is not acceptable, then the candidate has failed. Re-examination would be in order unless there is a unanimous recommendation to the contrary. Re-examination is normally conducted by the same committee, but a new committee may be selected by the School’s Chair of the Committee on Academic Standards if petitioned by the student.

After the Final Defense

Please consult the Registrar's Office portal site for dissertation format and submission, procedures to follow upon completion of the defense, and additional policy matters.

The Registrar's Office handles all aspects of graduation and degree verification .  We encourage all graduates to participate in our convocation ceremonies!

The Policy and Procedures Manual for the Doctor of Philosophy

The Department of Epidemiology reserves the right to augment the   PPM  for BSPH.  The Admissions and Credentials Committee handles most policy concerns as described above. The Curriculum Committee handles exceptions to requirements.  

Current students can access the Epidemiology Student Handbook on the PhD program page on the BSPH website.

For concerns and changes to advising, tracks, course requirements, etc. please see the  academic policies for the department.

Policy Components for Metrics

• Practicing these skills also prepares students for Department and Preliminary Oral Examinations and for their future careers, whether in academia or in other venues. (See the “Benefits of Teaching” from Former TAs section in this Student Handbook for additional benefits of teaching).

COMPONENTS OF THE DOCTORAL TA CURRICULUM

All doctoral students are required to complete the TA Curriculum after passing the Department Comprehensive Examination and before graduation. Training and feedback are an important part of this curriculum, which includes:

• Formal didactic training;
• In-classroom training through experience as a TA in Department courses; and
• Feedback from instructors

Students will share their goals for TA training with course instructors prior to the start of each course taught. After TAing a course, students will document their TA experience for their resume or CV.

Formal Didactic Training Elements: 

• Teaching practicums
• Teaching as research fellowship appointments
• The following didactic trainings and activities are flexibly designed to give doctoral students the skills and tools necessary to be successful TA and to meet teaching and learning goals. Please note, that while all students are welcome to attend the training and activities at any time, it may behoove them to do so after the first year, but in advance/at the start of the second, as that is when most doctoral students will begin the TA Curriculum. Required: Department of Epidemiology Student-led In-Person Training Session This student-led in-person 1.5-hour training covers the basics of TAing in the Department, including TA roles, benefits, and expectations. This session is held during lunchtime at the beginning of 1st term. Information regarding the date and location is distributed via the Department’s student listserv. Required: Teaching Assistantship Training (Online Course) This online course offered through the BSPH Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL)  “orients Teaching Assistants to the roles and responsibilities of their position, relevant policies and regulations, technical tools, teaching tips, and other important information . " Students can complete it when time allows but must have completed it in advance of starting the In-classroom portion of the TA Curriculum. To sign up, visit:  https://sites.google.com/site/ctltteachingtoolkit/teaching-assistants/ta-training . Recommended: Teaching Academy Activities https://cer.jhu.edu/teaching-academy Offers additional resources around the pedagogy of teaching. To prepare graduate students so they may thrive in higher education as academic professionals once they graduate, this academy offers teacher training and academic career preparation opportunities.

In-classroom Training

As part of the TA Curriculum, doctoral students will serve as TAs. Students are required to take 3 TA courses: 2 epidemiologic methods courses and 1 topical epidemiology course (see list below for courses). No more than 1 of the 3 courses TAed as part of the TA Curriculum may be an online course.

To document the in-classroom training on the academic transcript and to receive academic credit, doctoral students should register for  PH.340.865 Teaching Epidemiologic Methods and Concepts At the Graduate Level .01 for up to 3 credit hours during the term that they are TAing. Credit hours taken depends on the level of TAship, and students will receive instructions prior to the start from the Academic Office as to the allowed number of credits. If the course is being TAed in the Summer term, the credit hour(s) should be registered for in the following 1st term, to avoid additional tuition fees.

Department of Epidemiology epidemiologic methods courses are:

*Summer Institute courses do not count towards the TA in-classroom training requirement. A student may TA for the Summer Institute prior to the completion of their TA training requirements.

All other Department of Epidemiology courses (PH.340.xxx) eligible to have a TA are considered topical epidemiology courses for the purpose of the TA Curriculum. ​​​

To fulfill the 2 methods courses of the TA Curriculum, students are encouraged to TA:  PH.340.751 Epidemiologic Methods 1 ,  PH.340.752 Epidemiologic Methods 2 , and/or  PH.340.753 Epidemiologic Methods 3 , although any of the courses listed above may be used to fulfill the requirement.

Students are eligible to TA as part of this curriculum once they have successfully passed the Department Comprehensive Examination. Students may TA  PH.340.601 Principles of Epidemiology  during the summer term immediately following completing the comps. Students are expected to complete the TA Curriculum during their second and third years of training.  Students are responsible for coordinating with course administrators and/or course instructors for each course they wish to TA. The Department recommends students proactively, directly contact faculty once they have identified a course that they would like to TA as part of the Curriculum. Course faculty take many factors into consideration in selecting TAs for a course (sometimes including performance in the course), and some courses may have more TA requests than can be accommodated. Students may not always be able to serve as a TA for their first choice of courses, so they should keep several courses in mind and be flexible. TA responsibilities vary by course, and students are expected to work with course faculty to understand their responsibilities prior to the start of the course. Responsibilities may include but are not limited to: preparing for lab/activities and office hours, attending instructors’ meetings, attending lectures and lab/activities, holding office hours, and assisting with assessment writing and piloting. TAs are expected to devote 5-19 hours per week to each course; the wide range reflects the variability in responsibilities by course.

Prior to the start of each course TAed as part of the TA Curriculum, students are required to provide to course instructor(s) 3 goals for the TA experience in writing via email. The purpose of these goals is to provide a basis for reflection by TAs on their current skills and knowledge, as well as their future professional teaching/communication goals, in order to improve student achievement. Progress toward achieving goals over the term will be evaluated by the course instructor(s) as part of the feedback process.

Feedback from Instructors

As part of the TA Curriculum, students will receive standardized, individualized feedback from course and/or lab instructors (see below Feedback form). If applicable, TAs will also receive student feedback recorded as part of the School’s online course evaluation system. Students are responsible for sending the feedback form complete with the student’s goals from the start of the term to course instructor(s) no later than 2 weeks following the end of the term. Faculty are not obligated to honor requests for feedback that occur more than 2 weeks after the end of the course. TAs are encouraged to document feedback from instructors and from students (if applicable) in their CV or resume.

Compensated TA Positions

Additional TA opportunities may be available for a pre-specified fixed payment after the TA Curriculum has been completed. As with the TA Curriculum, students are responsible for coordinating with course administrators and/or course instructors for each course they wish to TA for pay. Students should proactively contact faculty directly once they have identified a course that they would like to TA. Course faculty take many factors into consideration in selecting TAs for a course and students should be aware that some courses may have more TA requests than can be accommodated.

Students holding a Departmental TA position should expect that there will be approximately two weeks of light preparatory work in advance of the course start date, and light conclusory work in excess of the course start and end dates. Please note that State of Maryland law sets student hourly work limitations at 20 hours per week maximum. Exception: 40 hours over Thanksgiving, winter, and spring breaks, and during the summer.

Benefits of Teaching (from Former TAs)

Improve oral and written communication skills

Develop an ability to articulate complex epidemiologic concepts to audiences with varying degrees of research experience

Preparation for oral exams/defense

Experience with educational technology (e.g., CoursePlus, VoiceThread)

Experience in the administration of and assessment of graduate courses (e.g., design of assessments and feedback)

Opportunity to provide essential input that can influence the ongoing development of the department’s core courses

Ability to progress to more independent instructor roles (e.g., Gordis Fellows, TA training seminars/modules, Lab instructors)

Management skills (managing up to faculty instructors and leading teams of TAs)

Mentorship from, and relationships with, faculty instructors

Builds a sense of community with TA colleagues

Allows students to gauge interest in academic/teaching roles post-graduation

Development of a teaching portfolio that can be used in CV development, job searches, and interviews

Getting to know diverse groups of students/mentoring new students

DOCUMENTATION OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE FOR A RESUME OR CURRICULUM VITAE

Doctoral students are encouraged to document their TA experience, including teaching responsibilities and feedback, using the below “Guide to Documentation for a Resume or Curriculum Vitae” template.

A written request for a waiver to any aspect of the TA Curriculum due to exceptional circumstances, including the in-classroom training (i.e., being a TA), should be submitted to the Academic Program Office ( [email protected] ) and will be reviewed by the Department of Epidemiology Curriculum Committee and decided upon by the Admissions and Credentials Committee. 

Comprehensive Examination Grading Policy

The completed Comprehensive Examination is graded by the Department of Epidemiology faculty according to a rubric determined by the Comprehensive Examination Committee. Final results are distributed to students via CoursePlus by mid-July. Students who wish to view their exam should set up an appointment with Senior Academic Coordinator Ebony Moore ( [email protected] ). Doctoral students whose results fall below 75% are allowed to formally request in writing a re-grade of specific questions. Re-grade requests must include a justification for a change in points allocated for each question being contested; requests without appropriate justification will not be considered. Re-grade requests must have the adviser’s endorsement, and they need to have reviewed and approved the student’s request. Re-grade requests are handled by the faculty on the Comprehensive Examination Committee. Adviser-approved requests can be e-mailed to the current year’s Comprehensive Examination Committee Chair and must include a copy to the adviser. For approved requests, a new score will be assigned for each question that is re-graded. This score may be equal to, greater than, or less than, the original score awarded and cannot be contested a second time.

Comprehensive Examination Retake Policy

Students who do not pass the Comprehensive Exam at the appropriate level for their degree program may be granted an opportunity for a retake in August immediately following the May Exam. Students who do not pass the Comprehensive Exam at the appropriate level are not automatically granted a retake. To request a retake, students must submit an official request within two weeks of notification of the not passing grade. This request should include a detailed timeline and study plan to make the case for passing a retake. This request and plan must be endorsed by and developed with the adviser. Retake requests are reviewed via the Department’s Admissions and Credentials Committee. Adviser-approved requests can be e-mailed to the current year’s Admissions and Credentials Committee Chairs and must include a cc to the adviser and Senior Academic Program Manager (Frances Burman). For approved requests, students are granted one retake only, and it must be in August following the May Exam. A student cannot continue in the degree program without passing the Comprehensive Examination at the appropriate level, prior to the start of the second year.

Recommendations for Special Studies versus Thesis Research

Special Studies and Research in Epidemiology, PH.340.840.xx, is offered during terms 1, 2, 3, and 4. Thesis Research, PH.340.820.XX is offered terms S, 1, 2, 3, and 4.

SPECIAL STUDIES AND RESEARCH: PH.340.840.XX

All first-year PhD students should take 1 credit special studies and research each term during terms 1 -3.

The following list of activities may be approved for independent study or special studies and research and is not inclusive:

• Directed readings and discussions leading up to preparing for the research proposal,
• Literature searches and meta-analyses,
• Secondary data analysis,
• Self-guided focused study on a particular methodology or a disease of interest.

THESIS RESEARCH: PH.340.820.XX

Doctoral students take 340.820 once they successfully pass their School-wide Preliminary Oral Exam and begin working on their research thesis.

CALCULATING CREDITS FOR A VARIABLE CREDIT COURSE

• Students must remember that the 1 hour – in class, 2 hours – outside of class ratio still applies: e.g., Students should think about the time the faculty member will be involved in guiding them (see faculty contact hours below) as well as how much time the student uses to conduct outside readings and work.

What constitutes Faculty Contact Hours

• Individual one-on-one meetings.
• Faculty revisions of writing projects (faculty members spend considerable time editing, proofreading, and otherwise providing written feedback to students).
• Mentoring and networking preparation and discussion.
• Time spent in group settings with faculty mentors e.g. journal clubs or weekly “lab/group” meetings. Students should make every effort to attend the group meetings for their track and adviser.

HOW TO REGISTER

• Students must communicate their intent to register with and receive approval from the faculty mentor in writing, prior to registering for credits for the special studies or thesis research and include the content/activities to be conducted and the number of credits.
• Students may take 1-3 credits while taking a full load of courses.
• Students may take up to 8 credits per term while taking a partial load of courses with the approval of the faculty mentor.

Adviser/Advisee Manual

Each student in the Department is assigned an adviser and selects co-adviser(s) as they move through the program; Adviser(s) have the responsibility of serving as a guide and mentor. This manual is intended to guide the student and the faculty member(s) in making the adviser/advisee relationship as successful as possible.

This manual has two goals:

• To provide answers to questions that students frequently ask, and
• To provide guidance on how the student and adviser can interact most effectively.

Academic Advisers should:

• Assisting in the selection of courses
• Ensuring the student is meeting degree milestones in a timely manner
• Being available for regular meetings with the student
• Assessing and developing the student’s interests and abilities
• Monitoring student progress in academic coursework through periodic examination of transcripts
• Monitoring student progress in fieldwork
• Writing letters of reference (given appropriate lead time)
• Assisting with grant preparation (doctoral students, given appropriate lead time))
• Referring students to the appropriate individuals or offices that provide academic support and/or resources
• Being knowledgeable about ethical issues that pertain to academics, research, and practice
• Helping students interpret and understand institutional policies and procedures regarding the responsible conduct of research
• Discouraging students from circumventing institutional policies and procedures, and when confronted with such issues, directing students to appropriate institutional resources or contacts, avoiding actual or appearance of conflicts of interest
• Respecting the confidentiality of students
• Encourage active participation in the greater community (department, school, university, local, state, national, and international)

STUDENTS MAY EXPECT THE FOLLOWING FROM THEIR ADVISER(S):

• Advisers’ approval for course registrations, course changes, and pass/fail agreements, and on all reasonable petitions to the Admissions and Credentials Committee
• At least one meeting per term with the advisers
• Oversight of the student’s overall academic program and sensitivity to any academic difficulties
• Knowledge of and interest in the student’s career objectives
• Review of required and recommended courses for the track
• Assistance in designing a plan for the fulfillment of required courses and assistance with planning the course schedule for the year

Advising students is an integral part of faculty members’ responsibilities. Faculty members expect to be available to students, although the students should be respectful of the faculty’s time by scheduling and respecting appointments. The responsibility for arranging meetings lies with the student. Students should not expect advisers to seek them out for needed appointments. The student remains obligated to schedule a meeting in order to assure that the adviser has reviewed the student’s schedule and to plan any special studies projects or thesis research as needed with the adviser before the registration period deadline.

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ADVISER(S)**:

• To assist in determining the advisee’s educational goals and needs upon starting the program
• To serve as an educational and/or professional mentor for the student
• To maintain awareness of and sensitivity to the level of compatibility between the student advisee and the advisers in terms of academic, professional, and personal interests
• To facilitate a change of adviser or program, if deemed appropriate for the student
• To monitor the advisee’s overall academic program and be sensitive to signs of academic difficulty
• To provide guidance throughout the academic program
• To be sensitive to cultural, medical, legal, housing, visa, language, financial, or other personal problems experienced by the advisee and to be aware, sensitive, understanding, and supportive
• Advisers have the right to expect to be treated with respect and courtesy, to be notified in writing when a meeting must be canceled or rescheduled, to be consulted when students have questions or concerns about the research focus or progress, and to serve as team leader on the research team

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ADVISEE**:

• To arrange to meet with the adviser at least once each term and observe registration and administrative deadlines
• To identify and develop professional career goals and interests
• To understand administrative policies and procedures and be familiar with the Student Handbook
• To maintain the academic checklist and review it at meetings with the advisers
• Advisees have the right to expect to be treated with respect and courtesy, to be notified in writing when a meeting must be canceled or rescheduled, to be notified when advisers have questions or concerns about the research focus or progress, and to be granted the role of a team member on the research team

According to the requirements of the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), all BSPH degree students must be grounded in foundational public health knowledge. Please view the list of specific CEPH requirements by degree type .

Epidemiology   Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program  competencies are designated by track and are charted below. Mastery is achieved by completing the  program requirements . Please direct questions to the  track directors ,  program directors ,  director of graduate education , or the senior academic program manager .

1. Formulate an epidemiological research question and design a research study that helps answer it, including identifying the target population, appropriate source and study populations, adequate exposure, outcome, and covariate assessments, and plans to address threats to validity such as confounding and bias in the design and analysis phases.

2. Apply core statistical concepts and methods; display and communicate statistical data.

3. Develop and deliver a presentation on at least one common cancer and effective strategies for cancer prevention and control at the population level.

4. Perform genetic association tests in population-based samples, in either prospective or retrospective designs, to address cancer-specific research questions.

5. Present a proposal to a scientific audience that covers a current problem in modern cancer epidemiology, including a research plan to address that problem.

6. Formulate, refine, and critique a conceptual framework in cancer epidemiology.

7. Critically evaluate the adequacy and scientific merit of research proposals, including those related to cancer epidemiology.

8. Teach core epidemiological principles at the graduate level, including the incorporation of feedback from faculty instructors.

Cardiovascular and clinical epidemiology

3. Evaluate and critique designs, data sources, analytic methods (including risk prediction and physical activity assessment), data presentations, and conclusions of studies commonly used in clinical and cardiovascular epidemiology.

4.  Assess pathophysiologic processes involved in common cardiovascular diseases, including the biological mechanisms through which cardiovascular risk factors affect different parts of the cardiovascular system (e.g., heart, kidneys, peripheral arteries) and appropriate uses of different techniques (e.g., echocardiography, CT scan, and MRI) used to detect and quantify the presence of clinical and cardiovascular diseases.

5. Develop a specific hypothesis to answer a relevant question in clinical and cardiovascular epidemiology, integrate knowledge of the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases to evaluate biological plausibility, and assemble relevant literature to evaluate the hypothesis.

6. Formulate, refine, and critique a conceptual framework in cardiovascular disease epidemiology.

7. Critically evaluate the adequacy and scientific merit of research proposals, including those related to cardiovascular disease epidemiology.

Clinical Trials and evidence synthesis

3. Evaluate the historical development of research ethics and assess the role of ethical guidelines in the design and conduct of clinical trials. Appraise the process of obtaining informed consent and consideration of privacy in the clinical trial setting.

4. Conduct, present, and interpret the results of meta-analyses and critique the methodologic rigor of systematic reviews.

5.  Make reasonable decisions about how to collect and manage data for studies of various sizes and budgets and integrate data management activities into the conduct of a research project.

6. Formulate, refine, and critique a conceptual framework in clinical trials and epidemiological methods.

7. Critically evaluate the adequacy and scientific merit of research proposals, including those related to clinical trials and epidemiological methods.

3.  Delineate, assess, and apply the concepts and methods of exposure and dose in epidemiologic research and in validation studies.

4. Analyze and interpret environmental and occupational health problems, and discuss exposure-disease relationships in human populations.

5.  Interpret, critique, and summarize the design, quantitative methods, and findings of major published studies and peer-reviewed manuscripts in environmental and occupational epidemiology research.

6. Formulate, refine, and critique a conceptual framework in environmental epidemiology.

7. Critically evaluate the adequacy and scientific merit of research proposals, including those related to environmental epidemiology.

3. Evaluate opportunities for the prevention of diseases and syndromes in the context of the aging phenotypes of older adults.

4. Assess policy programs, financing considerations, and workforce issues that pertain to meeting the economic, health, and social needs of aging societies.

5. Evaluate potential explanations for epidemiologic associations between sensory impairments and gerontologic outcomes.

6. Formulate, refine, and critique a conceptual framework in the epidemiology of aging.

7. Critically evaluate the adequacy and scientific merit of research proposals, including those related to the epidemiology of aging.

1. Formulate an epidemiological research question and design a research study that helps answer it, including identifying the target population, appropriate source and study populations, adequate exposure, outcome, and covariate assessments, and plans to address threats to validity, such as confounding and bias in the design and analysis phases.

3. Develop a plan for conducting clinical research, and categorize and interpret the effects of complex mechanisms involving bias and variability.

4  Appraise methods for estimating causal effects in randomized designs and alternative designs to randomization in public health sciences.

5. Evaluate and critique the ways in which inequality is measured and how measures influence the interpretation of data.

6. Formulate, refine, and critique a conceptual framework in epidemiology methodology.

7. Critically evaluate the adequacy and scientific merit of research proposals, including those related to epidemiology methodology.

3. Integrate an understanding of key components of molecular biology, such as the structure of DNA and molecular mechanisms of the central dogma into genetic epidemiology.

4. Apply various design strategies for genetic studies considering the advantages and disadvantages of each, and perform genetic association tests in population-based samples, in either prospective or retrospective designs.

5. Describe various cutting-edge analyses of large-scale genome-wide association studies to inform biology, causality, and prediction.

6. Formulate, refine, and critique a conceptual framework in genetic epidemiology.

7. Critically evaluate the adequacy and scientific merit of research proposals, including those related to genetic epidemiology.

3. Incorporate the main epidemiological characteristics of the major infectious diseases of humans into development and evaluation strategies to prevent epidemics or endemic transmission.

4. Discuss and appraise methods and techniques to address challenges unique to infectious disease epidemiology, including network analysis, methods for determining contact rates, and the heterogeneity of host responses to pathogen exposure.

5. Conduct an outbreak investigation and use the epidemic curve to identify the epidemic type, incubation period, and potential mode of transmission.

6. Formulate, refine, and critique a conceptual framework in infectious disease epidemiology.

7. Critically evaluate the adequacy and scientific merit of research proposals, including those related to infectious disease epidemiology.

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The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health was ranked #1 in Epidemiology by peers in the 2023 - 2024 U.S. News & World Report Rankings. We improve the public’s health by training epidemiologists and advancing knowledge concerning the causes and prevention of disease and the promotion of health.

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The Department of Epidemiology is focused on generating fundamental and transformative knowledge to improve public health. We are committed to having a diverse and inclusive Departmental community that provides unparalleled training for the next generation of epidemiologists in the competencies, practice, and translation of epidemiology.

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autonomous department of epidemiology in the world

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Within four degree programs (three master's and one doctoral), students have opportunities to engage directly with faculty, study internationally, and complete practicums in the field.

Students can choose from eight different tracks to focus their study and research. Additionally, there are several pre- and postdoctoral training programs available.

Our students graduate with marketable skills and real-world experience, ready to make an impact, from the #1 school of public health.

Master of Health Science (MHS)

The MHS is designed for students who are new to the field and for those who want to gain the quantitative skills necessary to conduct research.

Master of Science (ScM)

Many students pursuing the ScM find themselves conducting a "mini doctoral dissertation" in terms of breadth and scope of their research.

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Training is offered through a core methodologic sequence with the addition of more focused courses in specialized areas. Most training areas of concentration require specific courses. Students are expected to tailor their curricula, working with their advisers to create a comprehensive plan of study and research.

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The Bachelor's/Master of Health Science MHS combined degree program prepares students for further graduate work or prominent careers in research and science. It is an opportunity for undergraduate students at Johns Hopkins University who are majoring in Public Health Studies .

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Where To Earn A Ph.D. In Data Science Online In 2024

Published: Apr 3, 2024, 2:15pm

Data science is among the most in-demand skill sets in the modern economy. Data science professionals help businesses make decisions by creating analytical models, combining elements of math, artificial intelligence, machine learning and statistics.

If you want to pursue a high-paying data science career or teach data science at the college level, you may want to earn a terminal degree in the field. Online Ph.D. in data science programs allow you to advance your career while balancing other responsibilities at work or home.

We found two online data science programs that met our ranking criteria. Read on to learn more about these schools and find answers to frequently asked questions about data science.

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Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics , education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations. An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. Advertisers do not influence our rankings or editorial content.

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Online Ph.D. in Data Science Option

Capitol technology university, national university.

Located just outside Washington, D.C., in South Laurel, Maryland, Capitol Technology University offers an online doctoral degree in business analytics and data science. The program includes a limited residency requirement: Students must complete a course in contemporary research in management on campus, during which they take a qualifying exam. The degree requires 54 to 66 credits, and students can graduate within three years.

All students must also complete a dissertation and an oral defense of their work. The program costs $950 per credit for both in-state and out-of-state learners. Retired and active duty military receive a tuition discount.

At a Glance

• School Type: Private
• Application Fee: $100
• Degree Credit Requirements: 54 to 66 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Part-time
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Management theory in a global economy; analytics and decision analysis
• Concentrations Available: N/A
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, for residency

Degree Finder

Based in San Diego, California, National University (NU) offers a variety of online programs, including a Ph.D. in data science. NU’s program requires 60 credits and takes an estimated 40 months. NU aims for flexibility, delivering coursework asynchronously and offering a new start date each Monday. The curriculum comprises 20 courses covering data science principles and data preparation methods.

NU runs on the quarter system and charges $442 per quarter unit for graduate courses. The program does not include any in-person requirements.

• Application Fee: Free
• Degree Credit Requirements: 60 credits
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Principles of data science, data preparation methods
• In-Person Requirements: No

How To Find the Right Online Ph.D. in Data Science for You

Consider your future goals.

A Ph.D. in data science makes sense if you want to become a college professor , conduct original research or compete for the highest-paying and most cognitively demanding business analytics and machine learning positions. If you plan to pursue other careers, you may not need a terminal degree in this field.

If you want to work in academia, make sure your chosen doctorate in data science includes a dissertation requirement. A dissertation allows you to perform original research and contribute to scholarship in your field before you graduate. In turn, you’ll get a sense of your chosen career and a head start on professional publication.

Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options

Per-credit tuition rates for the programs in our guide ranged from $442 to $950. A 60-credit degree from NU totals about $26,500, while the 66-credit option at Capitol Tech costs more than $62,000.

Private universities, including NU and Capitol Tech, tend to cost more than public schools. Graduate students at nonprofit private universities paid an average of $20,408 per year in 2022-23, according to the National Center for Education Statistics . Over the course of a typical three-year Ph.D. program, this translates to about $61,000. This roughly matches Capitol Tech’s tuition, while NU offers a more affordable program.

While a Ph.D. might help you land a lucrative role in the long run, the upfront investment is still significant. Make sure to fill out the FAFSA ® to access federal student aid. This application is the gateway to opportunities like scholarships, grants and loans. You can pursue similar opportunities through schools and nonprofit organizations.

As a doctoral student, you may be able to access graduate assistantships or stipends, but these are often reserved for on-campus students who teach undergraduates or assist professors with research.

Should You Enroll in a Ph.D. in Data Science Online?

Pursuing a Ph.D. in data science online suits a specific kind of learner. To decide if that’s you, ask yourself a few key questions:

• What’s my budget? In some cases, public universities allow students who exclusively enroll in online courses to pay in-state or otherwise discounted tuition rates. Even if you have to pay full price, distance learners generally save on costs associated with housing and transportation.
• What are my other commitments? Distance learning is often a good fit for parents and students who need to work full time while pursuing their degree. Learners with outside responsibilities might pursue a program with asynchronous course delivery, which eliminates scheduled class sessions.
• What’s my learning style? Distance learning requires a great deal of discipline, organization and time management. If you need external accountability or prefer the structure of a peer group or physical classroom, on-campus learning might offer a better fit.

Accreditation for Online Ph.D.s in Data Science

There are two important types of college accreditation to consider: institutional and programmatic.

Institutional accreditation is essential; it involves vetting schools to ensure the quality of their finances, academics, and faculty, among other areas. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and U.S. Department of Education oversee the regional agencies that administer this process.

You should only enroll at institutionally accredited schools. Otherwise, you will be ineligible for federal financial aid. You can check a school’s accreditation status on its website or by visiting the directory on CHEA’s website .

Individual departments and degrees earn programmatic accreditation based on their curriculum, faculty and learner outcomes. However, this process has not been widely established for data science programs, so it shouldn’t make or break your enrollment decision. However, you can still keep an eye out for accreditation from the Data Science Council of America (DASCA).

Our Methodology

We ranked two accredited, nonprofit colleges offering online Ph.D.s in data science in the U.S. using 15 data points in the categories of student experience, credibility, student outcomes and affordability. We pulled data for these categories from reliable resources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ; private, third-party data sources; and individual school and program websites.

Data is accurate as of February 2024. Note that because online doctorates are relatively uncommon, fewer schools meet our ranking standards at the doctoral level.

We scored schools based on the following metrics:

Student Experience:

• Student-to-faculty ratio
• Socioeconomic diversity
• Availability of online coursework
• Total number of graduate assistants
• Proportion of graduate students enrolled in at least some distance education

Credibility:

• Fully accredited
• Programmatic accreditation status
• Nonprofit status

Student Outcomes:

• Overall graduation rate
• Median earnings 10 years after graduation

Affordability:

• In-state graduate student tuition
• In-state graduate student fees
• Alternative tuition plans offered
• Median federal student loan debt
• Student loan default rate

We listed the two schools in the U.S. that met our ranking criteria.

Find our full list of methodologies here .

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Earning a Ph.D. in Data Science Online

Can i do a ph.d. in data science online.

Yes, you can. National University and Capitol Technology University both offer Ph.D. programs in data science that you can complete mostly or entirely online.

Is a Ph.D. worth it for data science?

It depends on your goals and circumstances. A Ph.D. in data science may be a good fit if you want to pursue a career in research or academia or compete for advanced, lucrative positions in business analytics, artificial intelligence or machine learning.

Is it okay to get a Ph.D. online?

Yes, as long as the program is accredited. Distance learning requires strong motivation and self-discipline, so it suits some students better than others.

Can you become a professor with an online Ph.D.?

Yes, you can. Online diplomas feature the same coursework and degree requirements as in-person degrees, and your degree won’t say “online”.

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Mikeie Reiland is a writer who has written features for Oxford American, Bitter Southerner, Gravy, and SB Nation, among other publications. He received a James Beard nomination for a feature he wrote in 2023.