Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program

Ph.D. Degree Program in Biostatistics

The doctoral degree program prepares individuals for teaching and research in academic institutions, and for leadership positions in health-related organizations and industry. Biostatistics doctoral applicants often have completed a master’s degree in biostatistics or an equivalent advanced degree. Candidates generally have backgrounds in mathematics, biostatistics, statistics or other quantitative fields and have demonstrated basic research competency.

Applicants may enter the doctoral program in one of two ways:

  1. Applicants who have completed a master’s degree or other advanced degree in biostatistics or a related field may be admitted directly into the doctoral program. Usually, they have demonstrated basic research competency through a required thesis or its equivalent. Students with a prior master’s degree may waive up to one half of the 24 biostatistics major credits, and up to one half of the 12 minor credits.
  2. Applicants who have completed a four-year bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics or a related field, but have not completed a master’s degree may apply to the master’s/doctoral program in biostatistics. Students entering directly from a bachelor’s degree program will be evaluated by the faculty after their first year of full-time graduate study. Those who demonstrate exceptional work in the courses, and outstanding aptitude, will be considered for admission into the doctoral degree program.

All applicants should submit a statement of interest, provide detailed information on their background and competencies, and indicate areas of preferred major and minor concentration.

Degree requirements include a minimum of 57 credits:

  • 24 credits in major concentration of biostatistics
  • 12 credits in minor concentration
  • 3 credits in research seminar
  • 18 credits of dissertation.

A qualifying written examination in the major and minor are taken at the completion of coursework. A subsequent oral defense of the dissertation proposal qualifies the student to begin the dissertation.

A candidate, entering with a satisfactory background without curricular deficiences, can expect to take two years for coursework and about two additional years for completion of the dissertation.

Ph.D. Degree Program in Epidemiology

Epidemiology doctoral applicants generally have backgrounds in the natural, social or behavioral sciences. Applicants should have sufficient preparation in the natural sciences and mathematics and in the social or behavioral sciences to provide a sound foundation for doctoral study. Candidates who enter with deficiencies must make them up without credit toward the degree. Prospective applicants should consult the department website for the latest information concerning admission and degree requirements.

All applicants should complete a statement of interest, provide detailed information on their background and competencies, and indicate areas of preferred major and minor concentration.

Degree requirements include a minimum of 72 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree which are distributed as follows:

  • 24 credits in the major concentration of epidemiology
  • 12 credits in a biostatistics minor concentration
  • 12 credits in a second minor concentration
  • 6 credits in research seminar
  • 18 credits of dissertation work.

Applicants may enter the doctoral program in one of two ways:

  1. Applicants who have completed a master’s degree or other advanced degree with backgrounds in the natural, social or behavioral sciences may be admitted directly into the doctoral program. These applicants usually have demonstrated basic research competency through a required thesis or its equivalent. Preference is given to candidates with work experience in epidemiology, but other outstanding individuals are accepted. A candidate entering with a satisfactory background without curricular deficiences can expect to take two years for coursework and one to two additional years for completion of the dissertation. Students with a prior master’s degree may waive up to one half of the 24 epidemiology and 24 minor course credits.
  2. Applicants who have completed a four-year bachelor’s degree in the natural, social or behavioral sciences, but have not completed a master’s degree may apply to the master’s/doctoral program in epidemiology. Students entering directly from a bachelor’s degree program will be evaluated by the epidemiology faculty after their first year of full-time graduate study. Students who demonstrate exceptional work in their courses in epidemiology, biostatistics, and other areas of public health during their first year of study will be officially admitted into the doctoral degree program.