Doctor of Philosophy

Thank you for your interest in the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in public health offered by the School of Public Health at UIC. The PhD in public health sciences prepares scholars to conduct in-depth research and provide advanced instruction in public health at the college and university level. It also prepares researchers for governmental, private, and voluntary organizations in the prevention and control of disease.

Students may choose from four divisions within the School:

• Community Health Sciences (CHS)

• Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Epi/Bio)

• Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences (EOHS)

• Health Policy and Administration (HPA)

Qualifications for Admission

The PhD admissions process is highly competitive. Admitted students typically have at least a combined undergraduate/graduate grade point average of 3.00 (A = 4.00) and a combined Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of at least 1,000 (verbal plus quantitative). Public health, management, or social leadership experience is also an important consideration.

The following admission requirements apply to all divisions within the School of Public Health.

• A baccalaureate and a master’s degree from an accredited school, at least one of which is in the biological, physical, or social sciences is the minimum requirement for admission to the PhD degree program

The applicant's potential for making a contribution to the advancement of public health science is also considered. Prior experience is used to assess leadership, concern for public welfare, and research potential. The primary requirement is a demonstrated ability to plan and complete significant health-related research. The applicant's MS or MA thesis is used to evaluate this requirement. A formal research paper or other evidence may be accepted in unique cases.

Promising applicants without a master's degree may enter the MS program as the route into the PhD program. The time required to earn the PhD is not necessarily lengthened. However, successful completion of the master's degree does not guarantee admission to the PhD program.

Applicants with an MPH or a post-baccalaureate education in a health or related science and MS students who have completed 32 semester hours and have demonstrated potential for conducting independent research may also be considered for admission.

PhD Program Requirements

Students admitted into the PhD program will develop a program of study with the assistance of a faculty advisor that totals a minimum of 96 semester credit hours. Please note that students with a master’s degree in public health or related area may receive up to 32 SH of credit towards the 96 SH total.

The PhD program consists of five components:

1. SPH School-wide Core Requirements – (11 SH)
2. Divisional Core Requirements and Electives – (variable based on chosen Division); Students must complete a minimum of 9 SH in a formal 500 series courses in the chosen major area of concentration (not necessarily in one division). In addition, some academic divisions require students to complete additional hours in a collateral area.
3. Dissertation Research Requirements – (Minimum of 32 SH)
•  IPHS 599 PhD Dissertation Research
• The student's research is carried out under the guidance of a dissertation advisor and Dissertation Examining Committee. The research may take any or a combination of many forms: field, laboratory, or computer applications are some examples. The research must be creative and original, advancing a field of public health by adding significant new knowledge, testing current theory, or leading to a new theory.
• Examinations
• Preliminary Examination -   (a rigorous test of the student's knowledge and ability to apply it) should be taken as soon as possible after completion of the required program of study.
• Dissertation Proposal Examination - given orally to determine if the proposed research is feasible and if the student is prepared to pursue it.
• Final Oral Examination - includes both presentation of the dissertation at an open meeting and a final examination by the Dissertation Examining Committee.
4. Instructional Experience - Instructional experience (teaching in at least one course for at least some part of the academic semester with guidance from the regular instructor).
5. Required Non-Credit Training
• HIPAA Research 101
• Investigator Training 101

For general PhD curricular policies and curriculum please see the Doctor of Philosophy page in the Student Handbook.

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