Public Health Studies, Ph.D.
Saint Louis University's Ph.D. in Public Health Studies provides expertise in research design, methods and dissemination in an interdisciplinary setting. Students gain a solid understanding of public health science, including the distribution and determinants of health and disease across populations.
SLU's Ph.D. program prepares students to become researchers both independently and within a team. We use an apprenticeship model that links a student with a mentor as they enter the program in order to leverage their training opportunities immediately.
Doctoral students work with their mentors to forge their research pathways, while also working collaboratively with other students and faculty.
Our students learn how to work collaboratively with clinic, community, government and industry partners by developing, implementing and disseminating research in domestic and international settings. Students become productive researchers presenting at local, national and international conferences; publishing their research findings in esteemed journals; and competing for research grants.
Curriculum Overview
SLU's public health Ph.D. program requires 72 credits. Students take 21 credits of core doctoral courses, 39 credits of coursework to train in their research concentration area, and 12 credits of dissertation research. Students may apply up to 24 credits of their master's degree coursework toward advanced standing. The faculty mentor and doctoral director review prior coursework to ensure competencies at both doctoral and concentration core areas.
Behavioral Science and Health Education
The behavioral science and health education concentration focuses on behavioral science and how it interacts at individual, organizational, community or societal levels. The type of research occurs in community and clinic-based environments, as well as domestically and internationally. Current areas of research for faculty include:
- Health disparities
- Health promotion, communication and disease prevention interventions for chronic diseases
- Injury prevention
- Maternal and child health
- Nutrition and physical activity
- Sexual and reproductive health
- Global health
Biostatistics
The biostatistics concentration focuses on research for developing and testing statistical methods and responds to public health challenges using innovative computational and statistical programming. Current areas of research for faculty include:
- Methodology and application of causal inference
- Geospatial analyses to study associations between the built environment and chronic diseases
- Optimal experimental design
- Statistical modeling of genetic and environmental effects on co-morbidity
Epidemiology
The epidemiology concentration focuses on research about the distribution and determinants of health and disease in human populations. Current areas of research for faculty include:
- Cancer and chronic diseases
- Exposure assessment
- Global health
- Implementation research in public health settings
- Maternal child health
Health Management and Policy
The health management and policy concentration focuses on research about policy, health economics, health care access, delivery and quality of health services and their impact on population and public health. Current areas of research for faculty include:
- Health insurance policy and its impact on health outcomes
- Quality of and access to care
- Policy change implications
Fieldwork and Research Opportunities
Examples of current student fieldwork and research interests include:
- Opioid treatment centers
- Transgender health policy
- Comparative effectiveness of diabetes treatments
- Geospatial technology to respond to vast health challenges
- Reproductive health
- Cancer prevention
- Adolescent mental health
- Minority mental health
Careers
In a recent alumni survey, 96% of graduates in public health studies stated they found a job in their field before graduation, or within six months of graduation. Graduates go on to work as academics in universities and researchers at medical centers, government, non-governmental health agencies or community-based organizations.
Admission Requirements
This program is designed for individuals who already hold a master's degree in public health or a related field. The following criteria guide admission decisions.
- Evidence of exceptional intellectual ability, analytical and writing skills necessary to complete the doctoral program requirements
- Evidence of interest in an area of research and commitment to pursue it through the completion of a dissertation research project
- Presence of a willing and suitable faculty mentor in one of the concentration research areas
- A minimum 3.50 GPA in graduate work
Application Requirements
- Application form and fee
- Transcript(s)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Résumé or CV
- Professional goal statement
Requirements for International Students
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students must also meet the following additional requirements:
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
- Financial documents are required to complete an application for admission and be reviewed for admission and merit scholarships.
- Proof of financial support that must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at Saint Louis University
- A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include:
- Courses taken and/or lectures attended
- Practical laboratory work
- The maximum and minimum grades attainable
- The grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations
- Any honors or degrees received.
WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Application and Assistantship Deadlines
All students are required to submit an application, even students currently enrolled in other programs at Saint Louis University. The Ph.D. program only accepts applications for the fall semester.
The application deadline is Jan. 15. Assistantships will be considered for top candidates.
Review Process
All admission decisions will be finalized by the end of March.
Assistantships
The doctoral program in public health has a limited number of graduate research assistantships, which are designed to allow students to work closely with a mentor on a research project. Assistantships are typically awarded for two years and provide a stipend, student health insurance and tuition waiver (up to 21 credits annually). Students will be informed about the terms and length of awards at the time of acceptance to the program. Additional funding is either provided through undergraduate teaching assistantships or faculty-research-funded projects.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
The College for Public Health and Social Justice offers several ways to help finance graduate education. Opportunities include a limited number of merit-based scholarships and graduate research assistantships. Awards are made to applicants with the highest combinations of GPAs and test scores who complete their applications by the priority deadlines.
For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.
Accreditation
The College for Public Health and Social Justice is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
Saint Louis University's Ph.D. program in Public Health Studies continues to improve its curriculum to match the skills and competencies graduates should have. The overall Ph.D. competencies are listed below and additional competencies are described within the concentration areas.
Domain 1: Critical Thinking
Critically evaluate, integrate and challenge existing scientific knowledge. Assess gaps in research to develop research questions.
Domain 2: Analytical Skills
Plan, design and conduct research studies. Interpret the results using inferential statistical methods and methods of qualitative data analysis.
Domain 3: Communication
Communicate clearly and effectively about scientific information for diverse audiences through scientific publications, grant applications, teaching/ training, etc. Develop partnerships in community, clinic, academic and/or governmental settings to conduct research projects collaboratively.
Domain 4: Collaboration
Work collaboratively to conduct research and provide peer review to colleagues.
Domain 5: Ethics and Professionalism
Adopt and apply ethical principles for public health research and decisions on social justice and equity in the global environment. Conduct research that requires Institutional Review Board approval.
Domain 6: Community/Cultural Orientation
Evaluate the impact of cultural, structural, legal, political, and public health and social justice on health outcomes.
Domain 7: Translation and Dissemination
Use innovative methods to communicate scientific findings and implications to diverse audiences, ensuring appropriate strategies.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | ||
| BST 5100 | Introduction to General Linear Modeling | 3 |
| PHS 6010 | Design and Analysis in Public Health | 3 |
| PHS 6050 | Science, Theory and Public Health | 3 |
| PHS 6040 | Applied Research Skills I: Primary Data Collection | 3 |
| PHS 6060 | Applied Research Skills II: Grant Writing | 3 |
| PHS 6900 | Professional Development | 3 |
| PUBH 5010 | Mission and Practice of Global Public Health § | 3 |
| Concentration Courses | 12-33 | |
| Electives * | 6-27 | |
| All electives must be taken at a graduate level and be pre-approved by the mentor. | ||
| Dissertation Credits | ||
| PHS 6990 | Dissertation Research ‡ | 12 |
| Total Hours | 72 | |
| A prerequisite for entry into the program is a successfully completed graduate level introductory statistics course that has been taken in the past 5 years. | ||
- †
No more than 24 hours of advanced standing from previous master’s work (except from SLU) can be substituted for requirements. Students will work with their mentor, program coordinator and doctoral director to review and petition for advanced standing. Students may not petition for advanced standing until second year.
- ‡
May be taken after passing the written comprehensive exam.
- *
Electives for students in behavioral science and health education concentration should contain at least three quantitative methods courses taken in consultation with mentor.
- §
PUBH 5010 Mission and Practice of Global Public Health is offered in asynchronous online format every semester and students may take it at any time. Students with an MPH or MSPH degree from a CEPH-accredited school or program of public health may replace PUBH 5010 with an additional 3 credits of elective courses without using Advanced Standing credits
Behavioral Science and Health Education Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BSH 5400 | Assessment, Intervention Development, and Evaluation I | 3 |
| BSH 5410 | Assessment, Intervention Development, and Evaluation II | 3 |
| PUBH 5030 | Methodological Approaches to Understanding Population Health | 3 |
| BSH 5450 | Introduction to Qualitative Methods | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Biostatistics Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BST 5020 | Theory of Biostatistics | 3 |
| BST 5025 | Theory of Biostatistics II | 3 |
| BST 5030 | Statistical Programming and Study Planning: SAS | 3 |
| BST 5200 | Survival Data Analysis | 3 |
| BST 5210 | Categorical Data Analysis | 3 |
| BST 5220 | Multilevel and Longitudinal Data Analysis | 3 |
| BST 5400 | Applied Data Management | 3 |
| PUBH 5030 | Methodological Approaches to Understanding Population Health | 3 |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Epidemiology Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BSH 5400 | Assessment, Intervention Development, and Evaluation I | 3 |
| BSH 5410 | Assessment, Intervention Development, and Evaluation II | 3 |
| BST 5030 | Statistical Programming and Study Planning: SAS | 3 |
| BST 5200 | Survival Data Analysis | 3 |
| BST 5210 | Categorical Data Analysis | 3 |
| BST 5220 | Multilevel and Longitudinal Data Analysis | 3 |
| EPI 5020 | Epidemiology Methods II | 3 |
| PUBH 5030 | Methodological Approaches to Understanding Population Health | 3 |
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Sampling Theory and Survey Design in Public Health | ||
| Epidemiology of Infectious Disease | ||
| Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology | ||
| Social Epidemiology | ||
| Chronic Disease Epidemiology | ||
| Cancer Epidemiology | ||
| Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Chronic Disease Epidemiology | ||
| Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology | ||
| Social Epidemiology | ||
| Cancer Epidemiology | ||
| Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology | ||
| Total Credits | 33 | |
Health Management and Policy Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BST 5030 | Statistical Programming and Study Planning: SAS | 3 |
| EPI 5020 | Epidemiology Methods II | 3 |
| HMP 5000 | Health Care Organization | 3 |
| HMP 5200 | Health Economics | 3 |
| HMP 5500 | Health Policy | 3 |
| ORES 5160 | Data Management | 3 |
| ORES 5430 | Health Outcomes Measurement | 3 |
| ORES 5440 | Comparative Effectiveness Research | 3 |
| PUBH 5030 | Methodological Approaches to Understanding Population Health | 3 |
| Total Credits | 27 | |
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Behavioral Science and Health Education Concentration
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Participation in research symposia,conferences and journal clubs. Responsible Conduct of Research, CITI and IRB trainings | ||
| Critical course: PHS 6050 | Science, Theory and Public Health | 3 |
| Critical course: BST 5100 | Introduction to General Linear Modeling | 3 |
| Critical course: PUBH 5030 | Methodological Approaches to Understanding Population Health | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in SLU Graduate Research Symposium, Participation in research symposia, conferences and journal clubs | ||
| Critical course: PHS 6040 | Applied Research Skills I: Primary Data Collection | 3 |
| Critical course: PHS 6010 | Design and Analysis in Public Health | 3 |
| Critical course: BSH 5450 | Introduction to Qualitative Methods | 3 |
| Quantitative Methods Course * | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Summer | ||
| Critical course: PUBH 5010 | Mission and Practice of Global Public Health | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Fall | ||
| Participation in Research Symposia (APHA) and Journal Clubs; Practice for Written Exam | ||
| Critical course: PHS 6060 | Applied Research Skills II: Grant Writing | 3 |
| Critical course: PHS 6900 | Professional Development | 3 |
| Critical course: BSH 5400 | Assessment, Intervention Development, and Evaluation I | 3 |
| Critical course: Quantitative Methods or Electives Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in SLU Graduate Research Symposium, Other Professional Conferences; Take Written Comprehensive exam. If passed exam, may begin Dissertation Research and plan for Oral Exam | ||
| Critical course: BSH 5410 | Assessment, Intervention Development, and Evaluation II | 3 |
| Critical course: Concentration Courses or Electives | 9 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Participation in Research Symposia, Professional Conferences. Take Written Comprehensive exam. If passed exam, may begin Dissertation Research and plan for Oral Exam | ||
| Concentration/Methods Courses or Electives | 12 | |
| PHS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in Research Symposia, Professional Conferences. Plan or take Oral Exam | ||
| PHS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| Participation in Research Symposia, Professional Conferences. Oral Exam | ||
| PHS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in Professional Conferences; Dissertation Research (if not yet complete); Plan for Dissertation Defense | ||
| PHS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 72 | |
- *
Other quantitative courses should be taken in consultation with the mentor:
- Biostatistics, outcomes research and/or health data courses (multiple options each semester)
- Epidemiology courses (multiple options each semester)
Biostatistics Concentration
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Participation in SLU Graduate Research symposium, Journal Clubs, Responsible Conduct of Research, CITI and IRB trainings | ||
| Critical course: BST 5020 | Theory of Biostatistics | 3 |
| Critical course: BST 5100 | Introduction to General Linear Modeling | 3 |
| Critical course: PHS 6050 | Science, Theory and Public Health | 3 |
| Critical course: PUBH 5030 | Methodological Approaches to Understanding Population Health | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in SLU Graduate Research Symposium, Journal Clubs, CITI and IRB Trainings | ||
| Critical course: BST 5025 | Theory of Biostatistics II | 3 |
| Critical course: BST 5030 | Statistical Programming and Study Planning: SAS | 3 |
| Critical course: PHS 6010 | Design and Analysis in Public Health | 3 |
| Critical course: PHS 6040 | Applied Research Skills I: Primary Data Collection | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Summer | ||
| Critical course: PUBH 5010 | Mission and Practice of Global Public Health | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Fall | ||
| Participation in Research Symposia, APHA and Professional Conferences, Journal Clubs; Practice for Written Exam | ||
| Critical course: BST 5200 | Survival Data Analysis | 3 |
| Critical course: BST 5210 | Categorical Data Analysis | 3 |
| Critical course: BST 5400 | Applied Data Management | 3 |
| Critical course: PHS 6060 | Applied Research Skills II: Grant Writing | 3 |
| Critical course: PHS 6900 | Professional Development | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in SLU Graduate Research Symposium, Other Professional Conferences, Journal Clubs; Practice for Written Exam | ||
| Critical course: BST 5220 | Multilevel and Longitudinal Data Analysis | 3 |
| Critical course: Concentration/Methods Courses or Electives | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Participation in Symposia and Other Professional Conferences; Take Written Comprehensive exam. If passed exam, may begin Dissertation Research and plan for Oral Exam | ||
| Critical course: Concentration/Methods Courses or Electives | 12 | |
| PHS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in Symposia and Other Professional Conferences; Plan Oral Exam | ||
| PHS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| Participation in Professional Conferences; Dissertation Research. Take Oral Exam | ||
| PHS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in Professional Conferences; Dissertation Research (if not yet complete); Plan for Dissertation Defense | ||
| PHS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 72 | |
Epidemiology Concentration
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Participation in Research Symposia and Journal Clubs, Responsible Conduct of Research, CITI and IRB trainings | ||
| Critical course: BST 5100 | Introduction to General Linear Modeling | 3 |
| Critical course: PHS 6050 | Science, Theory and Public Health | 3 |
| Critical course: PUBH 5030 | Methodological Approaches to Understanding Population Health | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in SLU Graduate Research Symposium, and Journal Clubs, Responsible Conduct of Research, CITI and IRB trainings | ||
| Critical course: BST 5030 | Statistical Programming and Study Planning: SAS | 3 |
| Critical course: EPI 5020 | Epidemiology Methods II (Critical course: (or EPI 5960 Capstone)) | 3 |
| Critical course: PHS 6010 | Design and Analysis in Public Health | 3 |
| Critical course: PHS 6040 | Applied Research Skills I: Primary Data Collection | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Summer | ||
| Critical course: PUBH 5010 | Mission and Practice of Global Public Health | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Fall | ||
| Participation in Research Symposia, APHA and Professional Conferences, Journal Clubs; Practice for Written Exam | ||
| Critical course: BST 5200 | Survival Data Analysis | 3 |
| Critical course: BST 5210 | Categorical Data Analysis | 3 |
| Critical course: PHS 6060 | Applied Research Skills II: Grant Writing | 3 |
| Critical course: PHS 6900 | Professional Development | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in SLU Graduate Research Symposium, Other Professional Conferences, Journal Clubs; Practice for Written Exam | ||
| Critical course: BST 5220 | Multilevel and Longitudinal Data Analysis | 3 |
| Critical course: EPI 5960 | Capstone in Epidemiology | 3 |
| Critical course: Concentration/Methods Courses or Electives * | 6 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Participation in Symposia and Other Professional Conferences; Take Written Comprehensive exam. If passed exam, may begin Dissertation Research and plan for Oral Exam | ||
| Concentration Courses or Electives or Advanced Standing Credits * | 12 | |
| PHS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in Symposia and Other Professional Conferences; Take Written Comprehensive exam. If passed exam, may begin Dissertation Research and Plan for Oral Exam | ||
| PHS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| Participation in Professional Conferences; Dissertation Research. Take Oral Exam | ||
| PHS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Year Four (Spring): Participation in Professional Conferences; Dissertation Research (if not yet complete); Plan for Dissertation Defense | ||
| PHS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 72 | |
Health Management & Policy Concentration
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Participation in Research Symposia and Journal Clubs, Responsible Conduct of Research, CITI and IRB trainings | ||
| Critical course: BST 5100 | Introduction to General Linear Modeling | 3 |
| Critical course: HMP 5000 | Health Care Organization | 3 |
| Critical course: ORES 5160 | Data Management | 3 |
| Critical course: PHS 6050 | Science, Theory and Public Health | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in SLU Graduate Research Symposium, and Journal Clubs, Responsible Conduct of Research, CITI and IRB trainings | ||
| Critical course: BST 5030 | Statistical Programming and Study Planning: SAS | 3 |
| Critical course: HMP 5200 | Health Economics | 3 |
| Critical course: PHS 6010 | Design and Analysis in Public Health | 3 |
| Critical course: PHS 6040 | Applied Research Skills I: Primary Data Collection | 3 |
| Critical course: PUBH 5030 | Methodological Approaches to Understanding Population Health | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Summer | ||
| PUBH 5010 | Mission and Practice of Global Public Health | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Fall | ||
| Participation in Research Symposia, APHA and Professional Conferences, Journal Clubs; Practice for Written Exam | ||
| Critical course: HMP 5500 | Health Policy | 3 |
| Critical course: PHS 6060 | Applied Research Skills II: Grant Writing | 3 |
| Critical course: PHS 6900 | Professional Development | 3 |
| Critical course: ORES 5430 | Health Outcomes Measurement | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in SLU Graduate Research Symposium, Other Professional Conferences, Journal Clubs; Practice for Written Exam | ||
| Critical course: EPI 5020 | Epidemiology Methods II | 3 |
| Critical course: ORES 5440 | Comparative Effectiveness Research | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Participation in Symposia and Other Professional Conferences; Plan Oral Exam | ||
| Concentration Courses or Electives | 12 | |
| PHS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in Symposia and Other Professional Conferences; Plan Oral Exam | ||
| PHS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| Participation in Professional Conferences; Dissertation Research. Take Oral Exam | ||
| PHS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in Professional Conferences; Dissertation Research (if not yet complete); Plan for Dissertation Defense | ||
| PHS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 72 | |
For additional admission questions, please contact:
Bernie Backer
Director of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions
bernard.backer@slu.edu
314-977-8144