Mar 29, 2024  
2015-2016 Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Public Health Sciences, PhD


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The PhD degree program emphasizes the scholarship of discovery and integration. PhD students focus on the creation of new knowledge through the testing of hypotheses with the overall objective of improving the health of populations. During the program, students develop skills in generating research questions to advance knowledge, research design, grant proposal development, collection and analysis of data, and communication of scientific findings. Courses focus on theory, research methods, statistics, and scientific writing. Employment opportunities include academic public health (research/teaching), state and national government agencies, and private research organizations. Advanced training with the specialized fields will be addressed within the five concentrations: 

  • Behavioral and Community Health focuses on advancing knowledge about etiology, interventions, and policies that promote healthy lifestyles and prevent risk behavior, injury, and disease in communities. The concentration in Behavioral and Community Health provides a rigorous scientific approach to the multi-level study of the biological, behavioral, social, and community factors that impact human health. Students will be prepared to research, to effectively teach university courses in a community health curriculum, and to serve and partner with communities, particularly those represented by priority populations.
  • Biostatistics focuses on the reasoning and methods for using data as evidence to address public health and biomedical questions. It is an approach and a set of tools for designing studies, analyzing data, quantifying evidence and making decisions. The PhD curriculum prepares students for three roles - researcher, collaborator/communicator and educator - which are commonly expected of a Biostatistician.
  • Environmental Health Sciences prepares students to research, teach and apply knowledge on the interrelationships between the environment and human health and their regional, national and global significance. Students will be equipped to apply their research skills and knowledge to recognize, evaluate and prevent exposures that may adversely impact human health and environmental quality, whether in the natural or human-made environment.
  • Epidemiology is an advanced degree for students contemplating a career as scientists employed in academia, research institutions or in research units within industry or other agencies and organizations. The program is comprehensive, with a strong emphasis on epidemiologic methodology, theory and practice. The goal is to provide broad and rigorous training that will fully equip students with the skills they need to conduct cutting-edge epidemiologic research within the many areas of public health.
  • Health Services and Policy will prepare students for careers in research, teaching and service in the broad field of health care services and policy. The program’s aim is to strengthen students’ knowledge and skills with respect to theories, research methodologies and analytical skills. By developing these tools, students will be able to address a variety of issues including health care access, cost-effectiveness, and process quality and outcomes evaluation.

The School of Public Health is a member of SOPHAS (Schools of Public Health Application Service). Students may apply online at www.sophas.org. The School of Public Health admits PhD students during the fall semester only. The admission application deadline to SOPHAS is January 15th. 

PhD Admission Requirements


  • Hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution.
  • Completion of a MA, MS, MPH or a related master’s degree(s) is preferred.
  • Submit an application to the School of Public Health via SOPHAS (Schools of Public Health Application Service) at www.sophas.org,
  • Submit complete, official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended,
  • Submit official scores from one of the following graduate admissions examinations: Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT), Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) or Pharmacy School Admissions Test (PCAT). The examination requirement is waived for applicants possessing a professional doctoral degree with a license to practice in the United States,
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation from professionals who are familiar with the applicant’s academic and/or professional work,
  • Current resume or curriculum vita,
  • Statement of Purpose (1-2 pages) addressing the applicant’s research interest and how the PhD will assist career aspirations,
  • Applicants with foreign transcripts must also include an official WES or ECE transcript evaluation report listing course-by-course U.S. grade point equivalencies,
  • International applicants must demonstrate satisfactory proficiency in oral and written English before being granted admission. Minimum TOEFL exam requirements: written = 550; computer-based = 213; internet-based = 79. The TOEFL is waived if the applicant has earned a high school diploma or a bachelor or master degree from an accredited institution within the United States or Canada,
  • A minimum graduate GPA of 3.2. Although a minimum GPA has been established, admission to the program is highly competitive,
  • Applicants will be reviewed for best fit with concentrations and faculty mentors,
  • Prior to final decisions for admission, selected applicants will be expected to participate in either an on-campus interview or a technology-assisted interview. Interviews at the student’s request are always welcomed.

Once an offer of admission has been extended to an applicant, official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended must be re-submitted directly to the SPH Office of Admission and Academic Services, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107-2699.

Once an offer of admission has been extended to an international applicant, the Health Science Center will not issue immigration papers for student visas until the following documents have been received and approved by the Health Science Center:

  • Proof of financial resources
  • Official transcripts from each college or university attended should be re-submitted both in English and the student’s native language.

Admission Decisions and Deferments for PhD Students


Applicants will be furnished written notification regarding their admission status by the SPH Office of Admission and Academic Services. Statements by other Health Science Center personnel concerning the applicant’s admissibility are not valid until confirmed in writing by the Office of Admission and Academic Services.

Applicants who are admitted to a degree program and plan to enroll are required to submit an Admissions Decision Form along with a non-refundable $200 assurance fee that will be used toward tuition upon arrival. Applicants admitted to a degree program that do not intend to enroll in the semester for which they applied must contact the Office of Admission and Academic Services to request a deferment. Deferments must be made in writing and cannot exceed one year from the original acceptance date. There is a non-refundable deferment fee of $300; the deferment fee is due at the time the request is made.

Information submitted in the application materials must be complete and correct. Prospective and current students must notify the proper institution officials regarding any changes in the information provided on their application. Falsification or omission of any information on the application documents will void a student’s admission, cancel their enrollment, and/or result in appropriate disciplinary action.

All materials submitted during the application process become the property of the Health Science Center and cannot be returned.

Financial Assistance


The SPH Dean offers a limited number of competitive scholarships & graduate assistantships positions to new incoming students each fall semester. To be considered applicants must have completed and submitted their admission application through SOPHAS by the January 15th application deadline. Please note that all application materials must be received by the application service well enough in advance for the service to complete the coursework verification process to meet the January 15th deadline. Other financial assistance may be available through the Office of Financial Aid.

PhD Competencies and Learning Objectives


To develop research skills, students interact and collaborate with researchers through a variety of courses and research experiences. Six overarching competencies are addressed throughout the educational experiences within the PhD degree program: Upon completion of the PhD program, the graduate will be able to demonstrate the ability to:

  • Research Theories - Synthesize historical, contemporary, and emerging theories and paradigms of significance to public health. 
  • Critical Analysis - Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of existing research evidence and identify significant gaps in knowledge. 
  • Research Methodology - Comprehend, design and apply relevant and advanced research methods based on rigorous standards of evidence. 
  • Scientific Communications - Develop professional skills in scientific and grant writing, oral communication, and teaching.
  • Ethics - Uphold the highest ethical standards in all professional endeavors, including the design and implementation of research and the participation of human subjects. 
  • Discovery & Translational Research - Conduct investigative research, including areas that facilitate the translation and application of discovery to practice. 

PhD Curriculum


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