About PhD Program,
The PhD degree program provides a pathway to a career in academia focused on research, teaching, and service, with the overall objective of improving the health of populations. Students who commit themselves to this challenging path are expected to become the future stewards of academic public health.
The specific aim of the PhD program is to prepare students for post-doctoral fellowships or assistant professor positions at research universities. To be competitive for these positions, successful PhD students will do more than complete coursework. Importantly, they will author or co-author multiple peer-reviewed publications, complete a rigorous dissertation process, and serve as an effective teacher. In other words, PhD students will demonstrate the ability to engage in the scholarship of discovery and the scholarship of teaching.
Students elect to complete one of the two concentrations in the PhD program: Epidemiology or Health Behavior Research. The PhD concentration in Epidemiology provides advanced training in epidemiologic methods, theory, and practice. The PhD concentration in Health Behavior Research provides a rigorous scientific approach to the study of the psychological, social and cultural factors that impact human health and health behavior.
All students admitted to the PhD program are provided a financial support package for the first two years that includes a stipend, waiver of tuition and fees, and free medical insurance. In the third and fourth years, students are eligible for funding through multiple sources.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA
We do not have a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) requirement, however, admission to our programs is competitive. To evaluate how you compare to successfully admitted students consider the following scores.
Doctoral applicants must have a minimum 3.2 GPA.
The GRE exam is not required for any of our Public Health programs.
Students may potentially transfer up to 12 credit hours. Courses must be at the graduate level at a regionally accredited institution and have received an A or B grade. Courses should be either a direct replacement for a required class (matching title/content) or align with our required competencies in a program with elective credit spaces. Transfer credits are reviewed through the Office of Student and Academic Services at sph@unthsc.edu. This requires submission of your transcript and course syllabi.
In addition to the standard admission requirements, international students must demonstrate proficiency in the English language.
International students may demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting TOEFL or IELTS scores directly to the SOPHAS or HAMPCAS application. Send scores to SOPHAS using code: #5688; HAMPCAS applicants use code: #B589; SOPHAS Express use code #5688.
PhD Funding Coverage,
Students admitted to this highly selective program are offered a generous package from the university. This package includes:
- Two fully funded years including a living stipend currently valued at $35,000 annually, tuition & fees, and health insurance.
- In the third and fourth years, students are eligible for funding through multiple sources.
Ph.D. candidates are expected to spend 20 hours a week providing research support for SPH Faculty and complete at least 1 teaching assistant assignment each academic year.
Early application is recommended for this competitive program. Priority deadline is December 1st. Final deadline is January 15th. Offers will be made until seats are filled. Seat count changes year to year based on currently active students.
Financial Aid is available to support additional living expenses. Contact Financial Aid for specific questions and counseling
Application Requirement,
Official transcripts from all universities/colleges attended.
Submission of Application Materials.
Three Letters of Recommendation.
Resume/CV.
- Applicants who have degree coursework from institutions outside the U.S. must submit a credential evaluation directly from World Education Services (WES) to SOPHAS. We require the WES International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP).
- WES will need your SOPHAS ID in order to properly route your ICAP. If you ordered your WES ICAP before you had a SOPHAS ID, click hereto learn how to proceed (select “SOPHAS ” from the drop-down and scroll down to “Additional Information”).
UNTHSC’s English Language Requirements: Applicants may meet language requirements by one of the following:
- TOEFL language exam taken in the last 2 years. Send scores to SOPHAS using code: #5688; HAMPCAS applicants use code: #B589; SOPHAS Express use code #5688.
- IELTS language exam taken in the last 2 years if applying in SOPHAS. Details available in SOPHAS Help Center. This test option is not available for HAMPCAS or SOPHAS Express applicants
- Completing or expected to complete a US-accredited Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree before matriculation at UNTHSC.
- College/University Degree or Citizenship from specific English-speaking countries. Official transcripts and degrees will need to be provided. Schools of attendance must be recognized by UNTHSC.
- GRE is optional for MS/PhD Programs and not required for MPH/MHA programs.
6. Work Experience for select programs.
Application Deadline,
Jan 15, 2025
Application Fee,
$35 – College of Health Professions Admissions Application Fee
