About PhD Program,
Public health is all about outcomes. Anticipating them. Promoting them. Delivering them. That’s why we focus our doctoral programs on results. At Boston University School of Public Health (SPH), we use our $180+ million research portfolio to tackle the world’s most pressing public health challenges, from the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder on military veterans to HIV treatment adherence in sub-Saharan Africa.
When you join one of our doctoral programs, you will play a leading role in pioneering studies that illuminate and solve problems affecting the health of individuals and communities. And you’ll graduate with the comprehensive knowledge and the rigorous methodological skills to translate research into policy and practice—characteristics that set our alumni apart as leaders in their disciplines.
SPH offers four PhD programs. See the individual program pages for further information.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
SPH has no stated minimum GPA score for prospective students, though the most competitive applicants typically report a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
The School’s DrPH program requires students to complete at least 48 credits (those having prerequisites to meet will be asked to complete additional coursework). See the DrPH Guidebook for more information about course offerings and requirements.
Students also complete:
- written and oral qualifying examinations
- a public health practice dissertation
- oral presentations of both the dissertation proposal and the final dissertation
Dissertation
Each candidate will prepare a dissertation demonstrating the ability to analyze and solve complex, practice-based problems in public health. The dissertation should reflect the variety of perspectives needed to meet major public health challenges and should include explicit, population-based policy and practice implications. The format will be determined largely by the nature of the public health problem addressed. Appropriate dissertation formats may include:
- case studies and policy analyses
- development of new practice interventions
- design and implementation of public health programs
- program or policy evaluations
- historical program or policy analyses
- substantial legislative proposals
PhD Funding Coverage,
The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program offers tuition scholarships to incoming doctoral students. All newly matriculated DrPH students are eligible to receive these scholarships, regardless of citizenship status, and no additional financial aid application is required. DrPH students have also received funding through various doctoral training grants run by faculty, including the HRSA/MCHB-funded MCH Applied Research Fellowship Program. Many part-time DrPH students have financed their doctoral education through the tuition remission program offered to full-time employees of Boston University.
The Office of Student Financial Services (OSFS) at the Boston University Medical Campus is responsible for the coordination of need-based financial aid and federal loans for BU School of Public Health. Students may be eligible for the following types of aid based on their degree program, demonstrated need, and availability of funds:
- need-based financial assistance (scholarships for first year students)
- work-study (ask SFS about availability)
- educational loans (Federal Direct, Perkins, information regarding PLUS loans)
Students seeking institutional and/or federal need-based aid should visit the Student Financial Services website for application procedures. Please note that financial aid packages are offered annually for the fall and spring semesters. Students must apply for aid each year and packages are subject to change from year to year based on availability of funding. You may also request aid for summer term.
Application Requirement,
Application requirements vary by Boston University School of Public Health program, though most require transcripts, proof of English proficiency (for international students), letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose/short answer questions, and a CV/résumé. For complete details and information, please review the requirements for your specific program of interest to ensure your application is complete:
Standardized Test Scores
English language proficiency exam
Academic Transcripts or WES ICAP Evaluation
Three (3) Letters of Recommendation
Statement of Purpose and Objectives
CV or Résumé
Application Deadline,
Dec 01, 2024
Application Fee,
