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 71 credits. Students take 23 credits of core doctoral courses, 36 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 in both doctoral and concentration core areas.
Behavioral Science and Health Equity
The behavioral science and health equity 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
- Food security and nutrition
- 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
- Vector-borne diseases
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:
- Aging and long-term care policy
- Health insurance policy and its impact on health outcomes
- Health care provider well-being and patient experience
- Quality of and access to care
- Organizational behavior, theory, management and leadership
- Policy change implications
Fieldwork and Research Opportunities
Examples of current student research interests include:
- Youth physical activity, sport injury, and service accessibility
- Opioid treatment centers
- Comparative effectiveness of diabetes treatments
- Geospatial technology to measure climate, migration and green space
- Sexual and reproductive health and pregnancy outcomes
- Cancer prevention
- Adolescent mental health
- Substance abuse
- Minority mental health
- Trauma survivor support
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
- 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.
- In order to be issued an I-20 for your F-1 visa application, students must submit financial documents. 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
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 all 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.
Tuition
Tuition | Cost Per Credit |
---|---|
Graduate Tuition | $1,370 |
Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:
Information on Tuition and Fees
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 Office of Student Financial Services.
Accreditation
Saint Louis University's College for Public Health and Social Justice is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). To see our most recent accreditation documentation, please visit the College for Public Health and Social Justice website.
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.
Domain 2: Analytical Skills
Conduct research studies, and interpret the results using inferential statistical methods and methods of qualitative data analysis.
Domain 3: Communication
Demonstrates mastery of written and oral presentations and publications to enhance the effectiveness of dissemination of research to diverse audiences.
Domain 4: Collaboration
Work collaboratively to conduct research and provide peer review to colleagues.
Domain 5: Ethics and Professionalism
Apply ethical principles for public health research and decisions on social justice and equity in the global environment.
Domain 6: Community/Cultural Orientation
Devise research studies that integrate knowledge, awareness and respect for 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.
Concentration Competencies
Behavioral Science and Health Equity
-
Analyze and articulate complex behavioral and social science research findings that advance understanding of multilevel determinants and health equity.
-
Identify, measure, and influence the key mechanisms for successful behavior change.
-
Demonstrate practice of community engaged research that includes strength-based approaches focused on understanding the community context, stakeholders, cultural humility, and co-learning.
-
Conduct theory based research using appropriate strategies and methods to address research questions at multiple levels of the ecological framework.
Biostatistics
-
Design research studies to achieve valid biostatistical results based on properties such as precision, sample representativeness, or between-group comparability.
-
Apply advanced biostatistical and computational methodologies to complex data structures.
-
Choose, critique, and apply new and advanced biostatistical methods to solve novel problems in public health and biomedical sciences.
Epidemiology
-
Design and conduct an appropriate study to test epidemiologic hypotheses and minimize bias.
-
Use statistical software to perform appropriate higher-level analyses that includes examining data for the presence of confounding and/or interaction.
-
Communicate advanced epidemiologic results succinctly and persuasively in both oral and written communication to both scientists and nonscientists.
-
Analyze the scientific literature to address gaps in knowledge that can be used to inform original hypotheses and research questions leading to scientific discovery, presentations, and papers.
Health Management and Policy
- Critical Thinking: Formulate evidence based policy alternatives for the improvement of healthcare delivery and outcomes.
- Science and Analysis: Effectively use data and appropriate analytical methods to analyze, interpret, and evaluate evidence to address health problems within the context of health management and policy.
- Leadership: Generate appropriate study questions and aims to address problems in health management and policy.
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 § | 2 |
PUBH 5030 | Methodological Approaches to Understanding Population Health § | 3 |
Concentration Courses | 9-24 | |
Electives * | 12-27 | |
All electives must be taken at a graduate level and be pre-approved by the mentor. | ||
Dissertation Credits | 12 | |
PHS 6990 | Dissertation Research ‡ | |
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. | ||
Total Credits | 71 |
- †
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 equity concentration should contain at least three quantitative methods courses taken in consultation with mentor.
- §
PUBH 5010 Mission and Practice of Global Public Health (2,3 cr) 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 Mission and Practice of Global Public Health (2,3 cr) or PUBH 5030 Methodological Approaches to Understanding Population Health (3 cr) with additional credits of elective courses without using Advanced Standing credits.
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Students must earn a B- or better in all required courses. Elective courses may be passed with a C or better.
Behavioral Science and Health Equity Concentration
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
BSH 5400 | Assessment, Intervention Development, and Evaluation I | 3 |
BSH 5410 | Assessment, Intervention Development, and Evaluation II | 3 |
BSH 6450 | Qualitative Methods & Analysis | 3 |
Total Credits | 9 |
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 6220 | Multilevel and Longitudinal Data Analysis | 3 |
BST 5400 | Applied Data Management | 3 |
Total Credits | 21 |
Epidemiology Concentration
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
BST 5030 | Statistical Programming and Study Planning: SAS | 3 |
BST 6220 | Multilevel and Longitudinal Data Analysis | 3 |
EPI 5020 | Epidemiology Methods II | 3 |
Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
EPI 5110 | Epidemiology of Infectious Disease | |
EPI 5120 | Chronic Disease Epidemiology | |
EPI 5220 | Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology | |
EPI 5250 | Social Epidemiology | |
EPI 5270 | Cancer Epidemiology | |
EPI 5280 | Perinatal Epidemiology | |
EPI 5500 | Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology | |
PUBH 5960 | Capstone in Public Health Practice | |
Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
BST 5200 | Survival Data Analysis | |
BST 5210 | Categorical Data Analysis | |
BST 5230 | Bayesian Statistics | |
BST 5400 | Applied Data Management | |
BST 5450 | Data Visualization | |
BST 5500 | Statistical Learning | |
BST 5600 | R for Spatial Analysis | |
BST 5610 | Spatial Epidemiology and Disease Mapping | |
BST 6100 | Causal Inference | |
Total Credits | 21 |
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 5300 | Foundations of Outcomes Research I | 3 |
HMP 6001 | Research Methods in Health Management and Policy | 3 |
Total Credits | 24 |
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
Behavioral Science and Health Equity Concentration
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
Participation in research symposia,conferences and journal clubs. Responsible Conduct of Research, CITI and IRB trainings | ||
PHS 6050 | Science, Theory and Public Health | 3 |
BST 5100 | Introduction to General Linear Modeling | 3 |
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 | ||
PHS 6040 | Applied Research Skills I: Primary Data Collection | 3 |
PHS 6010 | Design and Analysis in Public Health | 3 |
Quantitative Methods Course | 3 | |
BSH 6450 | Qualitative Methods & Analysis | 3 |
Credits | 12 | |
Year Two | ||
Summer | ||
PUBH 5010 | Mission and Practice of Global Public Health | 2 |
Credits | 2 | |
Fall | ||
Participation in Research Symposia (APHA) and Journal Clubs; Practice for Written Exam | ||
PHS 6060 | Applied Research Skills II: Grant Writing | 3 |
PHS 6900 | Professional Development | 3 |
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 | ||
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 | ||
PHS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
Concentration Courses or Electives * | 12 | |
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 | 71 |
- *
All 27 elective credits must be taken at a graduate level and be pre-approved by the mentor. Electives must include 9 credits of quantitative methods courses. Examples include courses in: Biostatistics, Outcomes Research, Health Data Science, and Epidemiology.
Biostatistics Concentration
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
Participation in SLU Graduate Research symposium, Journal Clubs, Responsible Conduct of Research, CITI and IRB trainings | ||
PHS 6050 | Science, Theory and Public Health | 3 |
BST 5100 | Introduction to General Linear Modeling | 3 |
BST 5020 | Theory of Biostatistics | 3 |
PUBH 5030 | Methodological Approaches to Understanding Population Health | 3 |
Credits | 12 | |
Spring | ||
Participation in SLU Graduate Research Symposium, Journal Clubs, CITI and IRB Trainings | ||
PHS 6040 | Applied Research Skills I: Primary Data Collection | 3 |
PHS 6010 | Design and Analysis in Public Health | 3 |
BST 5025 | Theory of Biostatistics II | 3 |
BST 5030 | Statistical Programming and Study Planning: SAS | 3 |
BST 6220 | Multilevel and Longitudinal Data Analysis | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Two | ||
Summer | ||
PUBH 5010 | Mission and Practice of Global Public Health | 2 |
Credits | 2 | |
Fall | ||
Participation in Research Symposia, APHA and Professional Conferences, Journal Clubs; Practice for Written Exam | ||
PHS 6060 | Applied Research Skills II: Grant Writing | 3 |
PHS 6900 | Professional Development | 3 |
BST 5200 | Survival Data Analysis | 3 |
BST 5210 | Categorical Data Analysis | 3 |
BST 5400 | Applied Data Management | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Participation in SLU Graduate Research Symposium, Other Professional Conferences, Journal Clubs; Practice for Written Exam | ||
Critical course: Concentration Courses or Electives * | 6 | |
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 | ||
PHS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
Critical course: Concentration Courses or Electives * | 9 | |
Credits | 12 | |
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 | 71 |
* All 15 elective credits must be taken at a graduate level and be pre-approved by the mentor.
Epidemiology Concentration
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
Participation in Research Symposia and Journal Clubs, Responsible Conduct of Research, CITI and IRB trainings | ||
PHS 6050 | Science, Theory and Public Health | 3 |
BST 5100 | Introduction to General Linear Modeling | 3 |
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 | ||
PHS 6040 | Applied Research Skills I: Primary Data Collection | 3 |
PHS 6010 | Design and Analysis in Public Health | 3 |
EPI 5020 | Epidemiology Methods II (Critical course: (or EPI 5960 Capstone)) | 3 |
BST 5030 | Statistical Programming and Study Planning: SAS | 3 |
Credits | 12 | |
Year Two | ||
Summer | ||
PUBH 5010 | Mission and Practice of Global Public Health | 2 |
Credits | 2 | |
Fall | ||
Participation in Research Symposia, APHA and Professional Conferences, Journal Clubs; Practice for Written Exam | ||
PHS 6060 | Applied Research Skills II: Grant Writing | 3 |
PHS 6900 | Professional Development * | 3 |
Concentration Courses or Electives | 6 | |
Credits | 12 | |
Spring | ||
Participation in SLU Graduate Research Symposium, Other Professional Conferences, Journal Clubs; Practice for Written Exam | ||
BST 6220 | Multilevel and Longitudinal Data Analysis | 3 |
Critical course: Concentration Courses or Electives * | 9 | |
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 | ||
PHS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
Concentration Courses or Electives * | 12 | |
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 | 71 |
* All 15 elective credits must be taken at a graduate level and be pre-approved by the mentor.
Health Management & Policy Concentration
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
Participation in Research Symposia and Journal Clubs, Responsible Conduct of Research, CITI and IRB trainings | ||
PHS 6050 | Science, Theory and Public Health | 3 |
BST 5100 | Introduction to General Linear Modeling | 3 |
HMP 5000 | Health Care Organization | 3 |
ORES 5160 | Data Management | 3 |
Credits | 12 | |
Spring | ||
Participation in SLU Graduate Research Symposium, and Journal Clubs, Responsible Conduct of Research, CITI and IRB trainings | ||
PHS 6040 | Applied Research Skills I: Primary Data Collection | 3 |
PHS 6010 | Design and Analysis in Public Health | 3 |
ORES 5300 | Foundations of Outcomes Research I | 3 |
HMP 5500 | Health Policy | 3 |
Credits | 12 | |
Year Two | ||
Summer | ||
PUBH 5010 | Mission and Practice of Global Public Health | 2 |
Credits | 2 | |
Fall | ||
Participation in Research Symposia, APHA and Professional Conferences, Journal Clubs; Practice for Written Exam | ||
PHS 6060 | Applied Research Skills II: Grant Writing | 3 |
PHS 6900 | Professional Development | 3 |
PUBH 5030 | Methodological Approaches to Understanding Population Health | 3 |
HMP 6001 | Research Methods in Health Management and Policy | 3 |
Credits | 12 | |
Spring | ||
Participation in SLU Graduate Research Symposium, Other Professional Conferences, Journal Clubs; Practice for Written Exam | ||
EPI 5020 | Epidemiology Methods II | 3 |
BST 5030 | Statistical Programming and Study Planning: SAS | 3 |
HMP 5200 | Health Economics | 3 |
Credits | 9 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
Participation in Symposia and Other Professional Conferences; Plan Oral Exam | ||
PHS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
Concentration Courses or Electives * | 12 | |
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 | 71 |
* All 12 elective credits must be taken at a graduate level and be pre-approved by the mentor.
For additional admission questions, please contact:
Bernie Backer
Director of graduate recruitment and admissions
bernard.backer@slu.edu
314-977-8144