The PhD degree requires a significant program of study and research that qualifies the recipient to work independently and contribute to the advancement of the field of knowledge. Here the emphasis is on mastering the field and particularly on acquiring research skills as a basis for original work.
The PhD in Public Health can be pursued in five specialty tracks within the College of Public Health: biostatistics; environmental health sciences; health behavior and health promotion; epidemiology; and health services management and policy. In addition, veterinary public health is available as a minor field in the PhD program.
The college has recently increased the funding available for PhD students. This funding include fellowships, graduate research associates and new funding to applicants whose work relates to the Center for Health Outcomes Policy and Evaluation Studies.
For consideration for all sources of support, including fellowships, the deadline is Jan. 15.
Course Requirements
All PhD students are required to show that they have at least some coverage of the knowledge areas basic to public health. Students who have received an MS or MPH from Ohio State meet this requirement automatically. Others may need to take selected courses from the master’s level offerings for this purpose. Beyond this distribution requirement, the specific courses required for the PhD are determined by the student’s Advisory Committee.
The Graduate School establishes the minimum course credit requirement within which the specific requirements exist. The PhD degree calls for a minimum of 135 credit hours of approved course work beyond the baccalaureate degree. A maximum of 45 credit hours may be given toward this total if the student has earned a relevant master’s degree. Thus, a minimum of 90 graduate credit hours beyond the master's degree is required. In either case, a maximum of 45 credit hours may be given for dissertation research. That is, a student who already holds a master’s degree would have a minimum of 45 credit hours of course work exclusive of dissertation credit.
Specialization Requirement
Each PhD student will work with his or her own Advisory Committee to create a specialization (“major”) that is drawn primarily from one of the five specialty tracks listed above. This approach offers the student the maximum flexibility in designing a program to meet individual interests and objectives.
PhD specialization in HEALTH SERVICES
PhD specialization in EPIDEMIOLOGY
PhD specialization in ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
PhD specialization in HEALTH BEHAVIOR AND HEALTH PROMOTION
The Advisory Committee approves the curriculum for each student as preparation for the Candidacy Examination and dissertation. The required courses vary depending on such factors as whether the student has prior research experience or a master’s degree in a related field.
The Candidacy Examination is divided into three parts:
- Major field (40 percent of the exam);
- Research methods (40 percent); and
- Minor field (20 percent).
The major field must be one of the five specialties identified earlier, but considerable latitude is given for specific definition. For example, within epidemiology, emphases might range from the study of injuries and violence to genetic linkages and cancer. It is in the dissertation subject and methods that the student most clearly pursues the specialization intended.
While the definition of the major field may reflect individual interests, the Advisory Committee is responsible for ensuring that the student has an adequate grounding in the representative content of the field. In addition, the student is required to show expertise in the research methods appropriate for the major field chosen and to select a supporting minor field.
The distribution of courses in the student’s curriculum is expected to approximate the weights of the portions of the Candidacy Examination. This percentage allocation means that the 90 hours of required course work (other than thesis research credit), including any transferred from a master’s degree, must include at least 36 credit hours in the major area, 36 in research methods, and 18 in the minor area.
Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee is composed of a minimum of four eligible graduate faculty members, including the student's adviser. Two represent the student’s major area, one represents the minor area, and one represents the research methods area. The adviser, who chairs both the Advisory and the Candidacy Examination committees, also coordinates the preparation and conduct of the written and oral portions of the Candidacy Examination. The Advisory Committee continues these activities until the student selects a Dissertation Committee, subsequent to the successful completion of the Candidacy Examination.
Advisory Committees for students admitted to the PhD program after completing the MS degree in the College of Public Health must be formed before the end of the first quarter after admission. Students admitted directly to the PhD program without prior residence in the School have one year to complete the formation of the Committee, though this should be done as soon as possible.
Candidacy Examination
The Candidacy Examination tests the student's knowledge of the major and minor areas, research methods, and in general the capacity to undertake independent research and the ability to think and express ideas clearly. The Advisory Committee determines when the student is ready to take the Candidacy Examination and makes a recommendation to the chairperson of the Graduate Studies Committee. This is based upon an assessment of both the student's level of preparation and the completion of required course work.
Research Facilities and Opportunities
The College of Public Health is affiliated with several centers and program initiatives that offer excellent opportunities for student involvement in continuing research and other activities. These include the Center for Biostatistics, the Center for Health Outcomes, Policy, and Evaluation Studies (HOPES) and the Comprehensive Cancer Center .
The Columbus metropolitan area is home to many agencies and organizations that can provide access to research sites. These include state and local government and associated activities, health professional and trade organizations, health care providers and related businesses, and private research firms. In addition, individual faculty members frequently have projects underway in which doctoral students may participate, depending upon interest and the specific skills required.
How to apply
Click here for information on how to apply to programs in the College of Public Health.
