The PhD program in public health prepares students for careers in research, university teaching in graduate programs, policy analysis and development, and other high-level public health positions. A Master's degree in a relevant field is typically required before admission into the PhD program. Those without an MPH degree will be required to take MPH core courses.
Specific program objectives often include:
To prepare individuals for public health research and education in academic, private and public research and consulting organizations
To provide students with expert skills in research design, methods and dissemination, and a basic understanding of public health science
Selected majors/areas of research for a PhD in Public Health include
Behavioural Science/Health Education
Biostatistics
Environmental and Occupational Health
Epidemiology
Health Management and Policy
Health Services Research
Biosecurity and Disaster Preparedness
Students in public health doctoral programs must pass a written and oral qualifying exam and then complete and formally defend a doctoral dissertation based on original research. In general, all PhD programs require that successful candidates for the degree demonstrate:
The ability to conduct independent research at a high level, leading to completion of a dissertation which is defended before a committee of scholars. Because examinations given as part of a PhD curriculum assess expert knowledge, they are created and evaluated by a committee of experts, each of whom holds a PhD degree
Proficiency in the tools necessary to carry out this research, including but not limited to computer skills and bibliographic competence
Mastery of general and specific subject matter in the field of study before a committee of scholars.
Part- and full-time study options, along with various delivery modes - residential programs, distance education programs and online programs - are also available. North American PhD programs in public health welcome foreign students. However, fluency in spoken and written English is critically important.
