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Public Health Studies, Ph.D.

Public health students meeting around table

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:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

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.

CEPH-Seal

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.
Required Core Courses
BST 5100Introduction to General Linear Modeling3
PHS 6010Design and Analysis in Public Health3
PHS 6050Science, Theory and Public Health3
PHS 6040Applied Research Skills I: Primary Data Collection3
PHS 6060Applied Research Skills II: Grant Writing3
PHS 6900Professional Development3
PUBH 5010Mission and Practice of Global Public Health §2
PUBH 5030Methodological Approaches to Understanding Population Health §3
Concentration Courses9-24
Electives *12-27
All electives must be taken at a graduate level and be pre-approved by the mentor.
Dissertation Credits12
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 Credits71

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

BSH 5400Assessment, Intervention Development, and Evaluation I3
BSH 5410Assessment, Intervention Development, and Evaluation II3
BSH 6450Qualitative Methods & Analysis3
Total Credits9

Biostatistics Concentration

BST 5020Theory of Biostatistics3
BST 5025Theory of Biostatistics II3
BST 5030Statistical Programming and Study Planning: SAS3
BST 5200Survival Data Analysis3
BST 5210Categorical Data Analysis3
BST 6220Multilevel and Longitudinal Data Analysis3
BST 5400Applied Data Management3
Total Credits21

Epidemiology Concentration

BST 5030Statistical Programming and Study Planning: SAS3
BST 6220Multilevel and Longitudinal Data Analysis3
EPI 5020Epidemiology Methods II3
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 Credits21

Health Management and Policy Concentration

BST 5030Statistical Programming and Study Planning: SAS3
EPI 5020Epidemiology Methods II3
HMP 5000Health Care Organization3
HMP 5200Health Economics3
HMP 5500Health Policy3
ORES 5160Data Management3
ORES 5300Foundations of Outcomes Research I3
HMP 6001Research Methods in Health Management and Policy3
Total Credits24

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

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
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
 Credits9
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
 Credits12
Year Two
Summer
PUBH 5010 Mission and Practice of Global Public Health 2
 Credits2
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
 Credits12
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
 Credits12
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
 Credits15
Spring
Participation in Research Symposia, Professional Conferences. Plan or take Oral Exam  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
Year Four
Fall
Participation in Research Symposia, Professional Conferences. Oral Exam  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
Spring
Participation in Professional Conferences; Dissertation Research (if not yet complete); Plan for Dissertation Defense  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
 Total Credits71
*

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

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
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
 Credits12
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
 Credits15
Year Two
Summer
PUBH 5010 Mission and Practice of Global Public Health 2
 Credits2
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
 Credits15
Spring
Participation in SLU Graduate Research Symposium, Other Professional Conferences, Journal Clubs; Practice for Written Exam  
Critical course:  Concentration Courses or Electives * 6
 Credits6
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
 Credits12
Spring
Participation in Symposia and Other Professional Conferences; Plan Oral Exam  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
Year Four
Fall
Participation in Professional Conferences; Dissertation Research. Take Oral Exam  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
Spring
Participation in Professional Conferences; Dissertation Research (if not yet complete); Plan for Dissertation Defense  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
 Total Credits71

* All 15 elective credits must be taken at a graduate level and be pre-approved by the mentor.

Epidemiology Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
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
 Credits9
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
 Credits12
Year Two
Summer
PUBH 5010 Mission and Practice of Global Public Health 2
 Credits2
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
 Credits12
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
 Credits12
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
 Credits15
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
 Credits3
Year Four
Fall
Participation in Professional Conferences; Dissertation Research. Take Oral Exam  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
Spring
Year Four (Spring): Participation in Professional Conferences; Dissertation Research (if not yet complete); Plan for Dissertation Defense  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
 Total Credits71

* All 15 elective credits must be taken at a graduate level and be pre-approved by the mentor.

Health Management & Policy Concentration  

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
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
 Credits12
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
 Credits12
Year Two
Summer
PUBH 5010 Mission and Practice of Global Public Health 2
 Credits2
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
 Credits12
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
 Credits9
Year Three
Fall
Participation in Symposia and Other Professional Conferences; Plan Oral Exam  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
Concentration Courses or Electives * 12
 Credits15
Spring
Participation in Symposia and Other Professional Conferences; Plan Oral Exam  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
Year Four
Fall
Participation in Professional Conferences; Dissertation Research. Take Oral Exam  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
Spring
Participation in Professional Conferences; Dissertation Research (if not yet complete); Plan for Dissertation Defense  
PHS 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
 Total Credits71

* All 12 elective credits must be taken at a graduate level and be pre-approved by the mentor.  

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions, please contact:
Bernie Backer
Director of graduate recruitment and admissions 
bernard.backer@slu.edu 
314-977-8144