Program Requirements

Applicants to the program are expected to have a bachelor’s degree, strong academic record, demonstrated research interest and prerequisite coursework in statistics, calculus, and at least one computer programming or statistical programming language such as R, Python, or SAS.  

Successful applicants will likely have a background in at least one of the following data-driven disciplines:   

Candidates must apply for admission online.   

Application materials will include: 

• Academic transcripts from all post-secondary education 
• Three letters of recommendation 
• CV/resume 
• Statement of purpose 

International Students who have not completed an academic degree in an English-speaking institution are required to take an English language proficiency exam. Applicants can demonstrate English Language proficiency using IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT scores.  

Applicants are not required to take the General Graduate Record Examination (GRE exam).  

In years one and two, students complete required core coursework, participate in a credit-bearing colloquium, complete elective courses, and prepare for and complete their qualifying exam. In year three, students develop and defend their dissertation proposal. Students advance to candidacy after successful completion of the qualifying exam and successfully defending their dissertation proposal.  

Rotations. Students will complete at least one 3-credit-hour research rotation directed by a faculty member before beginning their dissertation research and can take up to 3 research rotations (9 credit hours) as appropriate. These research rotations will provide students an opportunity to identify their primary dissertation advisor and to broaden their understanding of population health sciences by participating in ongoing faculty research projects or completing an independent project under the guidance of a faculty member. 

Before beginning their dissertation research, each student will form a dissertation committee with a primary dissertation advisor and at least 3 internal committee members. The dissertation committee will evaluate the student's progress towards their dissertation every year during the dissertation phase. 

The culmination of the student's successful progression through the program is the final examination (the "defense") and certification by the dissertation committee that the dissertation satisfies the requirements of the Graduate School for a PhD degree. Students are expected to complete this degree within five years of entering the program.